| Lots of people are starting home-based businesses | | | | Do you want to work for yourself or someone else? |
| these days. Whatever the reason, downsizing, needing | | | | Internet-based or work out of your home office? If |
| extra income, or lots of spare time, the amount of | | | | you want to work for someone else, you can try |
| people looking for home-based businesses (on-line as | | | | freelancing, or contract work. If you want to work for |
| well as off-line) is increasing. | | | | yourself, do you have the time and inclination to build |
| Before you jump into a home business, let me ask you, | | | | your business? Check your working preferences. |
| "What do you want to accomplish with a home | | | | 4. How much time can you devote to this business? |
| business?" This will determine what type of business | | | | Can you do this full-time? 8 hours or so per day? Can |
| you want to look at. Think about the following | | | | you only devote spare-time hours? Do you need to |
| questions: | | | | work around children's schedules or other obligations? |
| 1. How committed are you to this venture? | | | | Be realistic in your time allowance. |
| Is this something you must do, or is it something you | | | | 5. How much money can you put into this business? |
| will try for a while 'to see if it works out'? Being | | | | Even 'free' opportunities will require money for supplies, |
| committed to a thing has a wonderful effect on its | | | | advertising, etc., before you see any income coming in. |
| success or not. If you are 'trying the waters,' you won't | | | | Be sure to only count 'extra' money, not money you |
| put as much time and effort into the venture as you | | | | need for basic needs such as electricity or food. |
| would if it was a 'do or die' situation. Be honest about | | | | Two things every business opportunity will ask you |
| your commitment level. | | | | (among other things) is how much money do you have |
| 2. How much money do you want to make? | | | | available, and how much time do you have available. |
| Do you simply need extra income? Try surveys or | | | | Remember, you are trading time (and expertise) for |
| affiliate programs (on-line) or home selling opportunities | | | | money in any job. As a general rule, little time invested |
| (off-line). | | | | equals little income reaped. |
| Can you start out with a small paycheck, and build up, | | | | Also, another general rule is free resources take a lot |
| or do you need immediate full-time income? Most | | | | of your time to implement, but paid resources are time |
| online income opportunities are of the 'start small and | | | | savers. In other words, if you have money, but no time, |
| build' type. If you need full-time income right now, better | | | | go for paid resources and business aids; if you have |
| try typing at home (do several opportunities at once), | | | | time, but no money, go for the free resources. Paid |
| or other telecommuting opportunities (on-line) or | | | | resources will get you going faster, free resources are |
| something you can do from home, such as childcare | | | | the slower path to success. |
| or manufacturing small products (off-line). Be realistic | | | | Answering these questions will give you a general idea |
| about your income needs and potential with various | | | | of what type of work to look into, and also where to |
| opportunities. | | | | begin the search for your perfect business opportunity. |
| 3. How do you want to work? | | | | Good Luck! |