[PastryGirl08]

I have been reading the posts of others, and was wondering if there are anymore suggestions as to make more money while working from home. There are so many scams out there, what is legit and what is not. If you work at home, I would like to know what you do. Sell a product? what kind? Telecommute? what for exactly? And what is a realistic expectation of what you can bring in monthly. I sure hope someone can bring some light in on this subject.

Thanks,
PastryGirl08

[mcmama]

What are your skills? That's the important thing. A lot of sales programs don't take into account the fact that - you might not really be a sales person. That's why they focus on recruiting or that the product "sells itself".

If you have office skills, or web building/programming, or bookkeeping/accounting, check out Elance.com. I have found a lot of freelance work that way.

The realistic expectation is based on what the market is for what you are doing, and how well you do it. Don't expect overnight success. It's a job.

[PastryGirl08]

I actually have a lot of marketable skills. I worked as a legal secretary for two years, so I can do dictation. I have been and am currently an administrative assistant, more like personal assistant. I am very proficient in most frequently used computer programs. I also am a pastry chef, but at this time in my life I cannot spend as much time as is required in such a field, even though this is my real passion. I have 7 years experience in retail, and data entry. But I really want to stay home, to raise my family. The demands though of the economy, it is almost impossible to survive on one income anymore. So Here I find myself at a cross roads trying to find someway to market myself and still have time for my family! It is a real juggling act.

PastryGirl08

[mcmama]

Market your skills. Set yourself up as a virtual assistant. Don't quit your job just yet, but try it out.

Go to Elance (And don't be discouraged by the low fees charged overseas) There is a market for domestic virtual assistants, but it is competitive. Build a clientele there and see how you do.

[PastryGirl08]

Thanks for the advice, I will see how it works out!

PastryGirl08

[PastryGirl08]

Any other advice, from you all out there that work from home. Tell me what you do, and how it is working out for you.

PastryGirl08

[jurenpamis]

I want to know more about the Elance thing. How much does it cost to become a "subscriber"? And what does an average job pay?

[oldmama]

Originally Posted by PastryGirl08

Any other advice, from you all out there that work from home. Tell me what you do, and how it is working out for you.

PastryGirl08

What do you want to do?

I would take it from there and see where you may fit either online or in your local business community. With the skills you have, I have a link (not mine) that can help you make good money virtually. PM me and I'll be happy to send it to you. It's from a free newsletter I get on home businesses.

Just keep in mind not all home businesses are online or network marketing. I do a little of both, but my main weekly income stems from getting restaurants to let this company pick up their used cooking oil for free and then they turn it into bio-diesel fuel. I get paid per restaurant I sign up. So search your local craigslist (that's where I found the above) and go for your interests (one of mine is green environment).

Good luck and PM if you want.

[PastryGirl08]

I would be interested, I PMed you already. I feel that I am ready to make a complete transition to work solely from home, and set my own schedule. It is though becoming increasingly hard to make ends meet, as the economy gets worse and the prices of everything continues to soar. I am just ready for a change!

Originally Posted by oldmama

What do you want to do?

I would take it from there and see where you may fit either online or in your local business community. With the skills you have, I have a link (not mine) that can help you make good money virtually. PM me and I'll be happy to send it to you. It's from a free newsletter I get on home businesses.

Just keep in mind not all home businesses are online or network marketing. I do a little of both, but my main weekly income stems from getting restaurants to let this company pick up their used cooking oil for free and then they turn it into bio-diesel fuel. I get paid per restaurant I sign up. So search your local craigslist (that's where I found the above) and go for your interests (one of mine is green environment).

Good luck and PM if you want.

[mcmama]

Originally Posted by jurenpamis

I want to know more about the Elance thing. How much does it cost to become a "subscriber"? And what does an average job pay?

They have recently changed their subscription rates, so you need to go to the website and find out www.elance.com

I usually get anywhere from $50 to $300 a job, depending on the type of work. Some of it is obviously better suited to overseas outsourcing, where they have teams of people working for very little money. But writing, editing, customer service, phone calls, etc they often want someone in north america.

The good thing about this is it is sort of like when I was temping in NYC - sometimes I got offered the job based on my performance as a temp, But I wasn't looking then. With online freelancing, you can build up a clientele base for ongoing work. I started doing bookkeeping for one client, and I stayed with him for several years doing bookkeeping, customer support, and order processing. That was several thousand dollars a year.

Check out guru.com too.