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By Leslie Truex
Business opportunities are a great way to earn extra
income from home. More and more mainstream financial
gurus such as Robert G. Allen and David Bach are
suggesting a home business opportunity as a way to
earn additional income from home. But you are right
to proceed with caution. While there are many great
business opportunities, not all are legitimate. And
even among the legitimate programs, there are
many other considerations to think about before
choosing an opportunity.
Here are the six things I suggest you look for in a
work-at-home opportunity.
1. Stick with home business opportunities that have been
around OVER five years. Most businesses that fail, do so in
the first five years. Don't get caught up in the pre-launch
or ground-floor hype. While a new opportunity isn't necessarily
bad, it doesn't have a stable proven track record. And the
truth is, a good opportunity is good for everyone no matter
when they start.
2. Check that the business has third-party credibility. Most
businesses you run into on the web have testimonials but
there is no proof they are real. A good business will have
credible third-party references that you can check. Is it in
the Better Business Bureau? Is it a member with good
standing in the Direct Selling Association? Is it
financially secure i.e. rated. Has it received awards or
recognition from other reputable organizations that you can
verify?
3. Check that it has a money-back guarantee that is long
enough for you to work the business to see if its viable for
you. A ten-day money-back guarantee and even a 30-day
money-back guarantee are not long enough for you to test if
a home business is right for you. The learning curve takes 2
weeks to a month alone. Check that the guarantee covers your
start-up costs (kit) and any other products or services that
you purchase as well. The guarantee must be writing.
4. Consider businesses with quality, affordable and commonly
used products or services. Many businesses are known for
inflating prices or requiring exorbitant purchasing
requirements. Who really wants to buy $100 per month of some
odd "wonder" product? The more common your product or
service is, the easier it will be to find others to be your
customers. Further, consumable or on-going use products
and services such as household products or phone services
offer ongoing customer purchases. Finally, choose a company
that has a whole line of products and services as opposed
to just one or a couple of items to insure that you have
something for everyone.
5. Understand the compensation plan. Some of them are
difficult to navigate. Others, when you actually sit and run
the numbers are not that great. Compensation issues to
consider are: 1) In a matrix type business, are you
penalized for helping someone start a similar business who
then grows faster than you (breakaways, you don't want that),
2. Conversely, can you do better than those who came in
before you, 3. Are you paid based on products/services
(to be legal) and what is that payment (%)? What minimum
sales or volume is needed to actually earn a check?
Most importantly, is the plan fair and reasonable? Many
business opportunities have lots of hype such as "we'll do
the work for you" or "Find 3 and its free", and so on. In
having a home business, you need to recognize that work is
involved. You can't get something for nothing despite what
the scammers say. On the other hand, if you are putting in
effort, your compensation should be in-line with the effort.
6. Is there personal support? Just about every program says
it has support but often that support falters once you join.
You should have a personal contact with phone and email that
you can call for help. You should attempt to talk to them in
person (i.e. over the phone) and get a sense of the company.
Is it all hype and phony excitement? Is the person genuine
and honest? Do they respond to email within a reasonable
time? Do they call you back within a reasonable time? Are
they invested in your success? Do they offer training, tools,
support, and resources?
Home business opportunities are a great way to easily and
affordably get started working at home IF you do your
research and find an honest, proven, doable home business.
If you do that, the only way you won't succeed is if you
don't do the work required to be successful. So heed the
six criteria for finding a solid home business opportunity
and become one of the growing numbers of people who are
working at home!
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