|
Home business cautions
|
 |
April 28, 2000: 10:29 a.m. ET
When starting out, avoid offers 'too good to be true'; do what you know
|
NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Dear Jane: Are there any really profitable, honest work-at-home businesses? I have brochures about envelope stuffing, assembling crafts and making money by filing insurance claims. They all seem too good to be true. My husband is about to lose his job after 28 years in a steel mill and I am unable to do work outside of the home due to a back injury. Should I try any of these ideas?
I've received many questions in recent weeks from readers attracted to business opportunities that all sound too good to be true. Unfortunately, many scam artists are preying on people who need to make money at home and don't have the time or skills to start a business from scratch.
Many people are approached by friends to become involved in big, multilevel marketing companies. While the companies often sell legitimate, quality products, like vitamins or long-distance phone service, the catch is that you can't make much money unless you recruit other sales people to become part of what is called your "down line."
The folks you sign up sell the products and give you a percentage of every sale they make. The problem is, when a product becomes popular, there are usually too many sales people and too few real customers to make any profits. Although some opportunities may be legitimate, the safest approach is to set up your own home-based business. Here are some ideas to consider:
Many small-business owners need help from freelancers to create and maintain a database, print mailing labels, send out mailings or answer forwarded phone calls. Others could use your help responding to customer inquiries or filling and shipping orders.
Computers and new software programs are so affordable and simple to use, you'll be able to set yourself up in business quickly.
If providing office services is not a good fit, here are some other low-investment ideas. If you like pets, you might consider setting up a doggie day care center. These are springing up all over the country for people who don't like to leave their beloved pets home alone all day. You can charge about $20 a day for your services in some areas.
If you are good with your hands, you might be able to help a local florist make arrangements when they have big orders to fill. You also might contact party planners and caterers to help make favors, pastries or table decorations.
Once you figure out what fits your interests and skills, design and print up a flyer describing your services. Distribute them widely in your community. You might also contact the local chamber of commerce to see if it will insert your flyer in its monthly mailings for a small fee.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ApplegateWay
|
Note: Pages will open in a new browser window
External sites are not endorsed by CNNmoney
|
|
|
|
 |
|
