One of the Many Ways to Work at Home: VA
When it comes right down to it, there really are many ways to work at home. One of our favorite, and most versitile, work at home option is being a Virtual Assistant, often called a VA. What is a Virtual Assistant, you ask? In a nutshell, it is someone who performs online administrative support to individuals and companies. The types of jobs may include receptionist duties, general office work, bookkeeping, errands, and event planning.
Is Freelancing a Legitimate Online Job ?
Although many businesses are laying-off their employees, they still have the need to get the work done. Freelancing is a great option for both businesses and individuals and is one of the most popular ways to work at home. Freelancing allows all parties to win: an individual has a legitimate online job with a real company and gets paid, and a business gets quality work for a decent price without the overhead. We have compiled a list of freelance sites, some even offer free memberships.
What is "Get Paid To...?" Are They Legit. Opportunities to Work From Home ?
In a nutshell, "get paid to..." is when you get paid to do a simple task. Such tasks include filling out online surveys, writing product reviews, and submitting photos. The pay isn't much, the work is mundane, but they are legitimate opportunities to work from home. If you stick with it you can make a bit of money for little effort.
A Few Tips For Working At Home:
- Stay organized! Keep track of your expenses by using a spreadsheet program such as Excel, or the open source (free) program Open Office.
- Be sure to pay your estimated tax payments. The IRS has a great resource for figuring if and what you owe each quarter.
- Have high-speed internet access. You will be able to work more efficiently.
- Have updated equipment, such as a fax machine, printer and copier. All-in-one fax/printer/copy/scanners are available at relatively low prices. As a little bonus, your equipment may be included as part of your business expenses.
- Make sure to get everything in writing. After you and your client have agreed on the type of job, write a contract spelling out everything from the work to be performed to the rate of pay.
- Don't give yourself a short deadline. Agree on a due date that works for both you and your client yet allows you extra time if special issues arise.
- Treat your business as a legitimate business. You are in it to make money, so take it and your client seriously.
- Expect slow times. This will happen.
- Do you have a specific niche? Define what you are really good at and consider that as your specialty.
- Don't be afraid to turn down a client. If you are too busy to take on a new client, then don't take them on. You don't want your other clients to suffer by you neglecting their jobs.
- Be reliable and trustworthy.