work at home - index of articles

• How I started my own Work at Home Internet Busines with Very Little Investment by: Debra Hamer
• Work At Home Moms - Start Your Business With Found Money by: Debbie Reyes
• How to Successfully Work From Home by: Lorraine Pirihi
• Work From Home and Make More Money by: Lorraine Pirihi
• How to Work From Home and Enjoy Life by: Lorraine Pirihi

---

Welcome to Work at Home Page
Discover
World's NUMBER ONE SOURCE
for 
Certified Home-Based Work Related Resources!

---

AQ4U

home

map

bizcenter

privacy

customers

contact

search

______________

 MORE
ON 
Work at Home

How I started my own Work at Home Internet Busines with Very Little Investment by: Debra Hamer

Have you always wanted to work at home? Have your own business? Didn’t think it was possible? No more commuting in traffic (plus gasoline prices right now are ridiculous). No more "business attire" (work in your jammies) and no more Corporate America breathing down your neck. I didn’t think it was possible. I had always been a pessimist. Didn’t think I could do it. Didn’t have the knowledge or skills required.

I had worked in the travel/customer service industry for 25 years. I was laid off over two years ago after 9/11. I submitted my resume to countless job postings with no response. Obviously after awhile I was feeling unwanted, useless, and depressed. No job prospects, no money, no direction. I not only needed an income, I needed a purpose, a reason to get up in the morning other than the cats and bird needed to be fed.

What was I going to do?

The light bulb finally came on in my head and I realized that I had some resources right at home. A computer and internet access. I normally surfed the net to shop

(shopping mind you, couldn’t afford to buy) and playing computer games to pass the time.

I happened upon an opportunity to take surveys online. Sounded easy enough and for a $35.00 investment to access a database of survey sites I could start making some money. I registered with every survey site listed in that database. A tedious task! In two months time a made $102.50 and a $10.00 gift card. I wasn’t going to pay the bills with that kind of money. Back to the same dilemma!

What was I going to do?

I started searching the web for information about working from home. To my amazement there are countless opportunities. Now the question was not if I could have my own business but what kind of business did I want? I’m not a salesman! I didn’t want to have to worry about inventory, packaging, shipping, merchant accounts, etc. I had very little money to invest, so my out-of-pocket expenses would have to be low, really low.

I found a website which offered me the chance to start my own business with incredibly little cost. The following lists what was provided:

1. A domain name registered for $30.00.

2. Hosting of my website at a low monthly fee of $24.95.

3. My website was created free of charge which included a free auto responder.

4. I had to join five affiliate programs (signup was free) which their links would be placed on my website. These were some of the top affiliate programs (paying good commissions with multiple income streams). I found many favorable recommendations for them at several different websites.

5. They immediately got me started on how to build a mailing list fast and how to generate traffic to my website.

6. I was provided a home business tips newsletter that goes out to my email list on a daily basis. I don’t have to do a thing, it’s automatic.

7. Plus, I am provided with more tools, tips, ideas and marketing strategies (from well known "Internet Marketing Gurus") than I thought possible. All free of charge!

They’ve done the research and testing to know what works and what doesn’t. Just have to follow their lead. These people give you step by step instructions. Go to any internet marketing website and see how much information is given freely. I think you will be as amazed as I was and still am.

Now don’t get me wrong, there are some costs involved. But I’m talking a couple of hundred dollars not thousands! I have been overwhelmed with information, ideas, tools and resources!

No one is going to do it all for you. You will have to spend time learning and working to promote your business. Point is YOU too have the opportunity to have the best boss in the world, YOURSELF!

Take action now, don’t wait, and grab a piece of the internet boom for yourself. As I said before I was always the pessimist, but now I see a half full cup instead of a half empty one.

Debra Hamer offers the Home Business Tips Newsletter devoted to helping people discover the most excellent home business opportunities, tools and tips on the internet. FREE subscription at www.ProfitFromHomeBiz.com.

---

About The Author
Debra Hamer is 48 years old and a mother of one daughter. She worked in the travel industry for almost 25 years until 9/11 events. She had been unemployed for over two years until she currently started her own internet business. She would like to share her experience with others who have the same interest.
Courtesy of http://www.ArticleCity.com/

---

Work At Home Moms - Start Your Business With Found Money by: Debbie Reyes

Think you can't afford to start your own Home Business? Think again! I have been able to budget the start up expenses of my own Home Business. I have to admit in the beginning I thought I would not be able to afford starting my own Home Business knowing it would take a small investment to get it moving.

So what I did was kept track of all my spending habit for a couple of weeks. Was I surprised as too how much money I spent foolishly. Money I swore I didn't have because I could never afford anything. Well, Ladies and Gentlemen you would be in shock if you realized just how much money we spend on entertainment alone. That is where my biggest expenses were at. So I decided that I would rather put that money (the money I didn't even know I had) to better use and start my own business.

I would like to share just a few of these short cuts that I have taken to help budget my business.

First of all I realized I was spending way too much money on eating out. Every morning taking my son to school we made a stop at the local donut shop. I mean really, who can start a day without a donut? Well at the donut shop I usually spent around $4.00, cause you know we needed orange juice also. Then for lunch I was so busy running around doing errands that I would usually get me a meal deal at a local fast food restaurant which averaged out about $5.00. Now just that alone is already $9.00 for just one day. Well, 9 times the 5 days of the week is $45.00 for the week. Even scarier is that was $180.00 to $225.00 a month depending on if it was a four or five week month. My first initial thought was, NO WAY, I don't have that kind of money. But apparently I did. So now, what I have done is I buy the dozen donuts from the grocery store and that is what we have in the morning. The box cost about $3.00 and last the whole week. I no longer stop at the fast food places, I make it a point to eat lunch at home. So I cut that expensive tremendously. I now spend $12 to $15 a month. Much better!

Next, is movies. Who doesn't love to go see a movie on the big screen. I know I do. Well, we would go to the movies every Sunday night. Just for us to get into the movies was $26.00 for a family of four. Once we got in there it was straight to the snack bar. We had to have popcorn ($3.50) and a large soda ($3.50) and of course we all shared cause it was so expensive. So our Sunday trip to the movies was running about $33.00 a week. A month that was about $132.00 to $165.00. Wow, for someone who couldn't afford much I sure was spending alot. So now we rent a video ($3.50) and buy some microwave popcorn ($2.00). We now spend $5.50 a week.

Do you see where I'm going with this, I was spending well over $300.00 (that I never knew I had) a month, on things that were really not necessary. So not only have I drastically cut my expenses, but have also found other ways to make extra cash as well.

You know those aluminum cans that we throw out after we finish our soda's? Well I don't throw those out anymore. I began to save them just to see if I could really make any money on recycling them and to my surprise I get about $25 a month just from that. Also, I have put my sewing machine to work for me and have made some extra money just by hemming up pants for friends and neighbors.

So you see, if you think you can't afford to start your own business, then you should really evaluate your spending habit like I did and you will be amazed at how much money you have that you thought you didn't have. Next time you are at the movies or stopping at a fast food restaurant ask yourself, if any of that will help you become financially independent. Wouldn't you rather invest in "Your" future, instead of someone else's? But yet each and every time we stop at those places that is what we are doing, investing in their success. We are the one's making them successful, so why not turn it around and invest in yourself.

Don't get me wrong an occasional movie or burger is fine, just as long as you are investing into your future as well.

---

About The Author
This article was written by Debbie Reyes of South Texas, you can read my other articles at http://www.extra-income-work-at-home-mom.com
dreyes36@aol.com
Courtesy of http://www.ArticleCity.com/

---

How to Successfully Work From Home by: Lorraine Pirihi

Working from home can be a most effective way to be more productive! Today's open plan offices stop many people from getting their work done. The constant noise, phones ringing and colleagues interrupting can drive anyone to distraction! Many people would dramatically boost their productivity if they could spend some or all of their workday out of the main office and join the thousands of small business owners who work from home. However there are a few rules you need to follow to do this successfully:

Establish a Routine?

Decide on a starting and finishing time. Include breaks.

Plan Your Day

Prepare a 'to do list' each day and action it.

Dress for Success

It's okay to occasionally "chill out" in your daggy old clothes, however you'll feel much better in comfortable casual gear. How you look will affect how you feel and how you perform.

Clean out the Clutter

Keep your work area clean and tidy. You'll work from home far more effectively and reduce the stress levels.

Organise Your Work Area

Have the right tools and systems to work with - an appropriate chair, desk, computer, filing system.

Group Tasks Together

Divide your day into similar activities. Make all phone calls in the morning and work on important tasks. Do errands later in the afternoon after the lunch-time rush or when you go to pick up the kids.

Learn How to Say NO!

Inform your family and friends of your working hours and that because you're working from home doesn't mean you're 'available'.

Take Time Out for You

It can be easy to lose yourself in your work. Take time to smell the roses…and make human contact.

The Final Word

Not everyone can work from home successfully. Some need the daily discipline and people interaction encountered in the office. However, for many others, being able to work from home has greatly improved their productivity and enhanced their lifestyle. They have more flexibility, more time and the opportunity to work much more effectively without all the usual distractions encountered in the traditional office environment.

---

About The Author
Lorraine Pirihi is Australia's Personal Productivity Specialist and Leading Life Coach. Her business The Office Organiser specialises in showing small business owners and managers, how to get organised at work so they can have a life! Lorraine is also a dynamic speaker and has produced many products including "How to Survive and Thrive at Work!"
To subscribe to her free ezine visit www.office-organiser.com.au
This article may be reproduced providing it is published in it's entirety, including the author's bio and all links. For further information please contact Lorraine Pirihi.
lorraine@office-organiser.com.au
Courtesy of http://www.ArticleCity.com/

---

Work From Home and Make More Money by: Lorraine Pirihi

Why do you work from home? Hopefully you enjoy what you do and want to enjoy the lifestyle being at home can offer you, however is it because you want to make money so that you can have, be and do more in your life?

When you work from home you have so many advantages over many traditional businesses. You have more flexibility so when you do have to put in the extra hours, at least you're at home and don't have to spend long hours off-site.

However, just because you work from home doesn't mean you shelter yourself from doing what any successful business owner would do. They recognise that their customers feed them.

Who pays you? Your clients do and never forget that. Unfortunately many people do. They take your money and then vanish off the face of the earth. And if you do hear from them you know they are only trying to sell something or business is not going well. The silly thing is, if you look after the hand that feeds you, they will look after you.

Keep in regular contact with your clients, particularly the top 20% (both current and past) who have provided you with the most income.

Still keep in touch with the others via newsletters etc. However the top 20% of very special clients need extra attention.

A monthly "how's things?" call. Find out how life is treating them, without expecting to sell anything.

Send the occasional gift …a book, tape, movie tickets. Thank them for their business. When special times of the year occur send them a Christmas Hamper, New Year's Calendar, Easter eggs at Easter. Little things which show you care.

When you get referrals, reward the referee with a thank you card or gift.

Do what most people in business don't do. You will be amazed that if you consistently (that is the key word here) make the extra effort, you will continue to get repeat business or more referrals.

My Story

For the past two years, I had engaged the services of two separate property managers to look after our investment properties. The property manager of company no. 1 was never pro-active. The only time he spoke with me was when I initiated contact because I had a query or was unhappy about their services. Company no. 2 was exactly the same except that they kept in touch via a newsletter which really was of no use to me as it didn't mention anything about property management. Mostly the information was about properties being sold.

It was very interesting that both property managers contacted me only when they had been notified by my new property management company that their services were no longer required. In fact, both of them were very upset. They were upset? I'm the one who was paying them, not the other way around. They both wanted to know why I was changing and I certainly told them.

When the new property manager did an inspection on one of the properties, the tenants were home. They told my new property manager that the old company provided very poor service and they were very slow following up any problems they had. I told that to the old company and the manager replied "tenants always say that".

Anyhow the point of this story is to spell out that because people don't say anything, doesn't mean they are happy with your services. Also as a business person you need to be on the ball. Be pro-active, not re-active.

And to do all of this you need to learn how to get organised, manage your time and yourself as effectively as possible. These are not skills most people are born with. They need to be learned. When you work from home it is vital that you circulate in the real world and grow your mind.

The Final Word

There is plenty of business around, however most people spend heaps of time chasing it, take the money and run off to the next person. Yet it would be so much easier to look after what you already have. (And the same applies to your personal life.)

---

About The Author
Lorraine Pirihi is Australia's Personal Productivity Specialist and Leading Life Coach. Her business The Office Organiser specialises in showing small business owners and managers, how to get organised at work so they can have a life! Lorraine is also a dynamic speaker and has produced many products including "How to Survive and Thrive at Work!"
To subscribe to her free ezine visit www.office-organiser.com.au
This article may be reproduced providing it is published in it's entirety, including the author's bio and all links. For further information please contact Lorraine Pirihi.
lorraine@office-organiser.com.au
Courtesy of http://www.ArticleCity.com/

---

How to Work From Home and Enjoy Life by: Lorraine Pirihi

How would you like to have at least an extra hour in your day just for yourself so that you can have more fun? When you work from home there can be a tendency to work longer hours due to the flexibility that you have.

If you work from home, these ideas if implemented consistently will free up your time so that you can enjoy more of your life.

Look After Yourself First

Exercise regularly and eat healthily. Do the right thing by yourself and you'll have heaps of energy, be motivated, more productive and happier.

Surround Yourself with Positivity

Circulate with positive people, read motivational books and listen to motivational tapes/cds while driving, going for a walk or waiting for appointments. Avoid negative people like the plague. They will drain your energy.

Clean out the Clutter

You will save yourself heaps of time, energy, space and money if you clear out your home environment…paperwork, books, old equipment etc. regularly. You'll be able to find things, save money because you won't have to buy what you already have hidden somewhere, plus you'll be less stressed. You'll feel better which will make you happier.

Jazz Up Your Environment

If you work and live in a pleasant environment, you'll naturally feel better and happier. A clean, uncluttered home office makes you feel good and happy to be there.

Dress for Success

When you look good, you feel good, when you feel good you are happier. Have an image makeover. Even though you work from home, if you dress well to suit your lifestyle, it will make a difference to how you and everyone else see you.

Plan Time For Fun

With so much to organise in your busy life you need to record your appointments, things to do and goals somewhere. Use a paper diary or digital organiser that you can take everywhere. This is the most effective way to get things done, plan your work and your life. When you work from home it is easy to get bogged down with work and not have planned time out.

Learn to say "No"

To dramatically improve your productivity and do more of the things you want in your life, you have to be firm with others and let them know if you cannot, will not or are unavailable to fulfil their requests. Neighbours, family and friends can have the mistaken belief that because you work from home you are not really working.

If you constantly say "yes" to everyone else's requests you will never have the time to do what you really want to. Book yourself into a self-assertiveness course to learn these skills if you feel you need to.

Do What You Do Best and Delegate the Rest

See if there are ways you can delegate tasks which would suit someone else's talents. Many people spend heaps of time on mundane secretarial tasks which would take a person who is trained in that area a quarter of the time to undertake.

At home hire a gardener and cleaner to take care of the basic household chores. It's worth investing the extra dollars if you can have more free time to do what you want to.

Compliment Someone Every Day

How do you feel when you receive a compliment? Make someone's day…give before you get because what goes around, comes around. Go out each day, even if it's to the local shops so that you can talk to people.

The Final Word

By following these simple yet very effective ideas you can really enjoy the benefits you can experience when you work at home. You'll feel good, look good and have more time to enjoy your life… and when you're enjoying life, you're happy!

---

About The Author
Lorraine Pirihi is Australia's Personal Productivity Specialist and Leading Life Coach. Her business The Office Organiser specialises in showing small business owners and managers, how to get organised at work so they can have a life! Lorraine is also a dynamic speaker and has produced many products including "How to Survive and Thrive at Work!"
To subscribe to her free ezine visit www.office-organiser.com.au
This article may be reproduced providing it is published in it's entirety, including the author's bio and all links. For further information please contact Lorraine Pirihi.
lorraine@office-organiser.com.au
Courtesy of http://www.ArticleCity.com/

---