You are at a critical stage in your life and you desperately want to work from home and earn money sufficient enough to keep your family not only afloat but also to save for the rainy day.

But before you decide on how you want to earn money from work at home, ask yourself “Why do I want to work from home”

Are you fed up with your boss Are you less motivated at office Are you simply tired of commuting to and work at home and you don’t know whether you are coming home or going Or, do you feel that you are being underpaid Or, do you feel that if you are your own boss, you can earn more for yourself. Or, do you want to make some extra money and repay your debts

Once you get your answer, you can now peacefully turn your attention to the three different forms of home employment. As author of electronic books Cheryline Lawson says, now is the time to evaluate yourself, set your goals and make a final decision.

So, together we’ll check the facts and decide what you should do from work at home.

It is now a FACT that you

· have a desire to work from home. What you have to decide now is that how and what you will be doing at home.
· must have certain skills, motivation and an understanding of what it takes to work from home to succeed. Here you’ll have to decide if you are really ready to work from home.

Now let us train our attention to the three different forms of home employment.

· Telecommuting
· A home-based job and
· A home-based business

Telecommuting: This is generally confused with a home-based job. To set the record straight, telecommuting is one form of a job where the employer decides that an employee can work from home. The employer takes this decision only when he trusts that this employee will perform in the same manner at home as in an office environment. However, the employee should be willing to telecommute. It has to be a mutual agreement. Similarly, an employee can also propose for such an arrangement. But he should convince the employer that the quality of productivity and efficiency will be affected. Telecommuting is generally not in vogue in India. So it would be difficult for you to identify companies in India that accept this concept. Life in India is still not mature enough like the West to accommodate telecommuting.

Home-based jobs: When a company has some time-bound projects on hand, it needs extra hands to finish the task within the time frame. In such a situation the company may take in freelancers. It may not recruit more employees, as they would be more expensive in the long run. These freelancers are also known as independent contractors or consultants. There are several companies in India today that hire work-specific consultants. Companies that usually hire freelancers include those that are short-staffed, or those expanding their medical transcription workload, or those that specialise in recruiting, sales personnel, and or don’t have a web presence. Your key to success depends on finding such companies.

Home-based business: This is also another form of working from home. It gives you more control over your decisions. When you start your own home based business you can set your own priorities and your own price. It can also be considered as a job. The key difference is that you pay yourself. That means, you are your own boss. There are mainly two kinds of activities under home-based business. They are services and products. Under services, you can offer your online or off line services to anybody. Such services include secretarial services, web designing and hosting, book keeping, writing, copy writing, teaching, and information brokerage to name a few. In the product segment, you can do retail sales of a company’s product, you can distribute them or you can even join their online affiliate programmes.

Did you decide your future course of action Not yet

OK. Then here are some of my suggestions:

Just check which of these profiles describe you –

a) A home-based business will be good for you if you are a go-getter, a leader, decision maker, easily motivated, dedicated and know how to set and accomplish goals.

b) Telecommuting will be better for you if you are laid back, and content with staying within your own comfort zone.

c) A home-based job is ideal for you, if you need a change without a lot of responsibility. However, you should be willing to take a risk.

Does any one of the above profiles describe you No

If none of the profiles fit you, then you need to re-evaluate who you are and what you want.

However, if you do fit into one or more of these profiles, it is time to make a decision and begin making plans on how you will begin to accomplish the goals pertaining to your decision, says Cheryline Lawson.

When you decide, stick to only one of the profiles. Don’t try to club two or more profiles at the same time and bungle. If you, however, fail in one profile it is ok to try your luck in the other one. Don’t quit one profile without giving your best shot at it.

If you choose to take up telecommuting consider the following aspects carefully -

· For how many days in a week will you be willing to work from home One, two, or is it three days If your boss offers you only one day per week, are you willing to accept

· When you are negotiating with your boss, how will you present the benefits of telecommuting to him

· Can the office run in your absence How

· Will this arrangement save money for your company

· Will your job responsibilities change

· Do you have the required infrastructure to work from home

Below find ideas to get started if your choice is a home-based job -

· Check up your local newspapers and or directories, both online and offline, to find and shortlist companies that hire freelance consultants. Contact the decision-makers and market your services to them.

· Check the Internet. You’ll find a plenty of opportunities including data entry, content writing, and affiliate programmes. But please keep an eye on the scamsters.

· Register with placement agencies; call centre-training institutions, BPOs and KPOs. They may need your services from time to time.

If home-based business is your choice, consider the following -

· Are you a good sales person Then contact one of the manufacturers / distributors / wholesalers listed in the local yellow pages and propose that you would like to sell their products. If they like your sales pitch, then negotiate the commission price and check out if they will drop-ship their products to your customers.

· Turn your hobby into a profitable business.
· There are a plenty of online affiliate programmes. Join them and do business. In this connection, check out the website www.seekluck.com, you’ll get plenty of more ideas.
· Distribute a product.
· Offer tuitions offline or online. There are a plenty of opportunities, if you are good at subjects like mathematics, science, English and now Hindi.
· If you are good at web design, check out the different web sites and contact the Webmaster and offer your services to them.
· Are you good at grandma’s recipes Prepare the food items and sell them through super markets or through Direct Sales Agents.
· If you are internet savvy and if you are reasonably good in English – to remind you, nobody is perfect in that language – you can write books, e-books and do self-publishing. You can sell your books through Amazon.com or ebay.com. There are plenty of other avenues.

Now. You have so many opportunities before you. What do you wish to do The power to decide is in your hands.

The first lesson that you have to learn is that ‘nobody is going to decide for you’, you have to take your own decisions. Others can only show you how to find ideas. To take a decision and to succeed is in your hands.

As Cheryline Lawson says, “It is certainly better to teach someone to fish than to just hand him the fish.”

So, what have you decided

To help you take a decision, I am hereby providing a master list of home business ideas. Check them out and select one of the ideas for implementation.

If you have an idea that isn't listed here, please take it up for implementation.

Once you have identified an idea that you think might work for you, be sure to talk to experts in the field for practical tips that will help you get started.

The master list given below is in alphabetical order -

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Accountant
Adventure Tourism
Advertising Agency
Advertising Copywriter
Advertising Sheets
Advertising Specialty Sales
Aerobics Classes
Amusement Rides, Inflatable
Animal Behaviour Consultant
Answering Service
Anti-freeze Recycling Services
Antique and Collectibles Dealer
Antique Book and Magazine Dealer
Apartment Locator (Rental Agency)
Apiary (a place where beehives are kept and bees are raised for their honey)
Appliance Repair
Architect
Art Consultant
Art Gallery
Artist, Freelance
Artist Management
Art Restoration
Assembling Products
Association Management Service
Astrological Charts
Attorney
Author
Auto Sales

B

Baby Handprint and Footprint Bronzing Service
Baby Shoe Bronzing Service
Balloon Animals
Balloon Decorating
Balloon Rides
Basketball Tournaments
Baskets, Specialty
Beautician
Beauty Consultant
Bed and Breakfast
Bicycle Repair
Bill Auditing Service
Billiards, Amateur League
Birthday Greeting Service
Blind Cleaning
Bookkeeping Service
Braille Transcribing
Building/Home Inspection Service
Bulletin Board Advertising Service
Bumper Stickers
Business Broker
Business Consultant
Business Financing Service
Business Network Organiser
Business Plan Consultant
Business Plan Writer
Buttons/Badges

C

Cabinet Making
Cable TV Spots
Cake Decorating
Calligraphy
Candle Making
Canning
Car or Van, Using to Make Money
Carpenter
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning
Cartoonist
Catering
Ceramics
Chair Caning
Cheese Making
Childbirth Instructor
Children's Clothes
Children's Transportation Service
Cleaning, House/Apartment
Cleaning Broker
Cleaning Service
Clip Art
Clothing and Accessories Design
Clown
Coaching
Coin Dealer
Collection Agency
Colour Consultant
Columnist
Commercial Artist
Communications
Computer Animator
Computer Bulletin Board Owner
Computer Consultant
Computer Data Back-Up Service
Computer Programmer
Computer Repair
Computer Training
Computer Tutor for Children
Concert Promotion
Construction Management Consultant
Consultant, Art
Consultant, Beauty
Consultant, Business
Consultant, Colour
Consultant, Computer
Consultant, Home Business
Consultant, Home Security
Consultant, Image
Consultant, Internet
Consultant, Landscaping
Consultant, Small Business
Consultant, Time Management
Consultant, Wedding
Contractor Referral Service
Cooking School
Copy Service
Copywriter, Online
Correspondence Club
Cosmetics Sales
Cosmetologist
Costume Design
Crafts
Craft Broker
Crafts Instructor
Craft Supplies Catalogue
Credit and Debt Counselling Service

D

Dance Instructor
Dating and Escort Service
Day-care Centre
Day-care for Adults
Designer Pet Houses
Desktop Publishing
Desktop Video
Dinner Delivery Service
Directory Publisher
Direct Sales
Disk Duplication
Dog Trainer
Dog Walker
Doll Maker
Dressmaking/Sewing
Dried Floral Arrangements
Dry Cleaning Pick-Up and Delivery Service

E

Editor
Elder Services
Email Processing
Embossed Stationery (Screen Printing)
Employee Trainer
Employment Agency
Engineering Consultant
Errand Service
Event Management
Event Planner
Executive Search
Expert Services Broker
Expert Witness
Export Agent
Exterminator
Ezine Publishing

F

Family Tree Researcher
Filing Systems
Finance Broker
Financial Advisor
Financial Planner
Firewood Supply
Fishing Supplies
Fish Tank/Bird Cage Maintenance and Sales
Fitness Trainer
Flea Market Seller
Floral Arrangements
Foley Artist
Food Delivery Service
Framing (Picture) Service
Franchise Consultant
Franchise Owner
Freebie Ad Magazines
Free Give-Aways
Freelance Artist
Freelance Photographer
Freelance Writer
Fundraiser
Furniture Restoration and Refurbishment

G

Garage Sales
Garage Sales Promotion
Garden Consultant
Gardener
Genealogist
Ghost Writer
Gift Baskets
Gift Baskets, Gourmet
Give-Aways
Gourmet Jam and Jelly
Grant Proposal Consultant
Grant Proposal Writer
Graphic Artist
Greenhouse
Greeting Cards
Greeting Card Sending Service
Grocery Shopping Service

H

Hairdresser
Handmade Soaps
Handyman/woman Service (Servant Maid Agency)
Healthcare Consultant
Herbalist
Herb and Spice Business
Herb Gardener
Herb Wreaths and Crafts
Home Accessories Sales
Home Business Consultant
Home Decorating
Home Furnishings
Home Healthcare Agency
Home Inspection Service
Homemade Booklets
Homemade Foods
Home Maintenance
Home Office Organiser
Home Organiser
Home Plan Designer
Home Security Consultant
Hospital Bill Auditing
Household Management
Housekeeper
"How-To" Videos
Human Resources Consultant

I

Image Consultant
Image Transfer
Import/Export
Imprinting
Independent Contractor
Indoor Environmental Tester
Indoor Fountains
Information Broker
Infopreneur
Insurance Sales
Internet Consultant
Interior Decorating
International Consultant
Internet Marketing
Internet Recruiting
Internet Service Provider
Interpreter/Translator
Inventory Taping Service
Invitation Printing

J

Jewellery, Wire
Jewellery Designer
Junk Car Removal

L

Lamaze Instructor (Lamaze - a method of natural childbirth by which a woman is physically and psychologically prepared through prenatal training)
Landscaping Consultant
Landscaping Service
Laundry Service
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mower and Motor Repair
Lawn Sign Rentals
Legal Transcription Service
Limousine Service
Lingerie Sales
Locksmith
Long Distance Telecommunications Products

M

Magician
Mailing List Service
Mail House
Mail Order
Make-Up Artist
Management Consultant
Manicurist
Marketing Consultant
Market Research
Massage Therapy
Matchmaker Service
Meals for Handicapped
Medical Billing
Medical Transcription Service
Meeting and Event Planner
Menu Planner
Micro-farming
Mobile Car Wash/Detailing Service
Mobile Disc Jockey
Mobile Manicurist
Mobile Notary Public
Mobile Pet Groomer
Mobile Puppet Theatre
Monogramming
Moving Service
Music
Music Lessons
Mystery Shopper

N

Name Certificates
Nanny Finding Service
Nature Hikes
New Media/Multimedia Production
New-Mom Care
Newsletter Production for Clients
Newsletter Publishing
Newspaper Clipping Service
Notary Public
Nutritional Supplements Sales

O

Office Organiser
Office Plant Care
Office Support Service
Online Internet Training
Online Newspaper
Online Researcher/Abstractor
Online Retailer
Outdoor Adventures

P

Packing/Unpacking Service
Painting
Paper Recycling
Paralegal
Party Catering
Party Planner
Party Plan Sales
Personal Chef
Personal Fitness Trainer
Personalised Stationery
Personal Shopper
Pet Breeding
Pet Fashions
Pet Food and Supplies Delivery
Pet Grooming Service
Pet Hotel
Pet Matching Service
Pet Photography Service
Pet Products
Pet Show Business
Pet Sitting/Home-Care Service
Petting Zoo Owner
Pet Transportation
Pet Walking
Photos, 3-D
Photos to Video, Transferring
Photography
Photography, scenic (for homesick expats)
Piano Tuner
Picture Framing
Plant Nursery
Polling/Surveying
Pool Cleaning
Portrait and Wedding Photography
Portrait Artist
Potted Plants
Poultry Farmer
Pregnancy Fitness Class
Printing Business, Small
Printing Broker
Printer Toner Recharging
Printing, Invitations
Private Investigator
Private Practice Consultant
Process Server
Product Assembly
Product Development Consultant
Professional Organiser
Proofreader
Property Damage Appraisal Service
Property Manager
Proposal Consultant
Public Relations Agency
Public Relations Specialist
Public Speaker

R

Real Estate Appraiser
Real Estate Magazine
Realtor
Recipe Collections
Referral Service
Relocation Consultant
Reminder Service
Remodelling Contractor
Reporter
Restaurant Booking Service
Restaurant Delivery Service
Resume Writing Service
Reunion Organiser
Reviewer
Risk Management Consultant
River Rafting Guide
Roommate Finding Service
Rubber Stamps

S

Safety Consultant
School Photographer
Screen Printing
Screen Printing
Secretarial Service
Secret Shopper
Security Consultant
Security Video Service
Self Defence Instructor
Self-Improvement Seminars
Self-Publishing
Seminars and Workshops
Seminar Promotion
Seniors Exercise Classes
Sewing/Dressmaking
Shareware Programmer
Sharpening Service
Shopping Service
Show Promoting
Shuttle Service
Sightseeing Tours
Sign Design and Painting
Sign Language Interpreter
Singer
Small Business Consultant
Snow Removal Service
Software Creation
Software Trainer
Song Writer
Speakers Agency
Special Event Videos
Specialty Consultant
Stained Glass

T

Tarot Reader
Tax Return Preparation Service
Teaching
Technical Writer
Telemarketing
Telephone Answering Service
Telephone Service Reseller
Temporary Help Agency
3-D Photos
Time Management Consultant
Tool Rental Service
Tour Guide
Training
Transferring Photos to Video
Translation Service
Transcript Digesting Service
Transcription Services
Translator/Interpreter
Travel Agency
Travel Agency, Specialty
Travel Club
T-Shirt Design
Tupperware Sales
Tutoring
TV Repair
Typing Service

U

Used Cars
Used CDs
Using Your Car or Van to Make Money
Utility Auditing

V

Vacation House Swap Service
Vending Machine Business
VCR Repair
Video Duplication Service
Video Taping Service
Vitamin/Nutrition/Weight Loss Product Sales
Voicemail
Voice Instructor
Voice Over

W

Website Design
Website Development
Web Hosting Services
Web Marketing
Wedding Consultant
Wedding Coordinator
Wedding Planner
Wedding Video Service
Welcoming Service
Window Washing Service
Windshield Repair
Woodworking
Word Processing
Workshops, Seminars and
Writing Audio Cassette Scripts
W riting Press Releases

Y

Yard Clean Up

Z

Zoo tour organiser