Working From Home

In a discussion on a parenting forum, Mommy and Friends, the topic of working from home came up. I offered my own views and opinions on working from home and compiled a list of places to search for that new job. I hope you find the information beneficial in your own quests.

Thus far, the compiled list consists of:

Telemarketing/Telecommuting
West
Arise

Paid to Blog
Problogger
b5media
TBF Group
Content Quake

Freelance Positions
Get A Freelancer - Fantastic for those with computer technology, graphic designers, and those willing to work doing data entry on a per project basis. Upside; you can apply to 15 jobs per month for free. Downside; you have to wait a month before free credits are reapplied.
Freelance Writing
I Freelance, Do you?

Miscellaneous Job Searches
Work At Home Mom Be sure to avoid the classifieds. Those are filled with Spam. Check the site thoroughly for all opportunities that have been checked out by various members.
Mediabistro
Indeed Job Search System. Similar format to Google, but geared solely to jobs listed throughout the Internet.

There are a few things you need to consider before taking on a position working from home.

Telemarketing

• Must have a quiet environment.
• Does not fit everyone, but most companies will offer numerous programs and you will more than likely find one that fits your capabilities and tolerance.
• Inbound vs. Outbound difference: if they are calling you, they have a need to be met instead of interrupting someone's day by calling them.

Blogging

As Jennifer at b5media said best:

Each post & blog takes:

* Research
* Links
* Key word finding
* Feed reading
* Images (which also includes formatting and each blog has different standards)
* Writing
* Editing
* Posting (and all blog templates are different and some are funky)
* Responding to comments
* Networking that particular blog and post
* Blog upkeep - including adding and checking blogroll links, spam filter checks, and template updates.
* Knowing what's new both in blog communities in general, blog communities specific to your niche topic, popular news, and the web
* Community building

Not to mention your entire job depends on you being able to think of something new day in day out -- no exceptions.

Freelancing

No matter what type of freelancing you would like to do, it can be a challenge getting your foot in the door. Once you start building your portfolio, however, the jobs do become much easier and come more frequently. I suggest that you take the time to truly evaluate your own writing (if that is the direction you wish to go!) and look at the strengths, but find ways to improve your weaker areas.

Payment

This is a double edged sword.

1. DO NOT pay for any service. If the service is worth using, it will be free. Keep that in mind when you are seeking work from home positions especially.

2. Most companies, when working freelance, will offer payment through paypal. From my own experience, the companies that don't offer paypal are generally quick with invoices and sending hard checks.

If anyone has anything else to add, please feel free! I hope you all find just what you are looking for in any and all work-from-home positions. Check back as I will update this list as I come across new and awesome sites!