Different Types of Work at Home Jobs

If you're thinking of working at home, there are many different types of jobs you can consider.

• Telecommuting - You have a "regular" full or part time job, set pay, and set hours. The only difference is that instead of working in an office, you're working at home. Plusses: You still have a set salary, so you know exactly what your income will be each week, and you get to work at home. Minuses: Since you're still working for another company, you have set hours, and set vacation time.
• Starting your own business - This is when you come up with an idea of what you want to do, and go do it. It can be anything from having a daycare center, to being a programmer, to almost anything at all! Plusses: Since you're working for yourself, you are in charge of everything: creating the business, advertising, selling, etc., you can work at home, set your own hours, take whatever vacation/sick time you want. Minuses: You are on your own, and don't have a set salary.
• Starting a franchising business - This is when you find a company that you like (that has franchises), and pay a fee so that you can have a business with the same name. In return, you get to use their name and advertising, and usually get a lot of assistance from the company. Pluses: You get to work at home, get assistance from others who have been in the same situation, have help with advertising, as well as training. The name is usually already known, which might make it easier to get sales. Minuses: Not only do you not have a set salary, but also you have to pay certain fees for the franchise, in order to use their name, etc.
• Direct Selling - This is when you join a direct sales company such as Avon, Mary Kay, Tupperware, etc... and start to sell their products. You work for yourself, set your own hours, and sell the products. Plusses: You can work at home, set your own hours, and take whatever vacation/sick time you want. You have others you can go to for help with advertising, sales, etc. The name might be better known, since you are not starting from scratch. Minuses: There is no set salary, and depending on each direct sales company's rules, you could be selling the same things as many other people who live near you.