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Earn $4000 Per
Month From Your Home With A Computer: Word Processing at Home Scams Many people ask about companies that use word processors at home. Unfortunately, there do not seem to be any magic companies who hire people with computers as employees to work out of their homes. As Barbara Brabec, renowned expert on home businesses, says in her book, Homemade Money (Better Way Books, 1994): "Although you may find work-at-home directories in print, a careful reading of listings reveal that what companies are really looking for are capable self-employed individuals or freelance business professionals." This means that you have to start thinking of yourself as a business in order to get business. You have to market yourself just like your local hardware store or CopyMat has to market themselves. And learning how to track down customers, and continually doing so, takes a lot of research and drive. Read everything you can about running a homebased business, join professional networks, and stay tuned to the AOL message boards. Watch out when you see an ad that says something like, "Earn $4000 Per Month From Your Home With A Computer!" According the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), one company using this claim in magazines, newspapers, postcards, and commercial online services--including CompuServe and America Online--has sold its product to over 15,000 consumers since 1991. Yet the vast majority of investors never earn $4,000 a month and never even earn $4,000 over the duration of their business. In fact, ". . . it is rare for [those who invest in this scam] to recoup even their initial investments." Georganne Fiumara, editor of Homeworking Mothers Annual, the newsletter of the Mother's Home Business Network, writes*: "Jobs like envelope stuffing...appeal to many mothers who want to work at home because they think these jobs will not require too much thinking or effort. But let's take a look at what happens when you answer one of those ads: The offer says that for a small fee, you will receive information that will help you earn money at home stuffing envelopes. When you receive the materials, you are likely to receive instructions on how to place flyers in envelopes offering the same envelope-stuffing opportunity and send them to your friends and relatives. You won't make any money unless people respond to your work at home offer... All of this does not mean that you cannot stuff envelopes at home to earn an income. Instead of answering an ad, you could start your own business. Offer envelope stuffing, collating, and other office back-up services. Do some market research and determine what types of businesses may need your help. Small printers and mailing services, and other home-based businesses are good candidates. Name your business, have business cards made and a brochure that includes your rates. One very successful business puts a small display ad in its local newspaper each week that simply says, "We will do your mailings, $15 per thousand. (Stuffing, sealing only--postage not included."...** So, how can you tell which offerings are legitimate, and which are scams? You've heard the old cliche, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." What this really means is look inside yourself and follow your instincts. Don't let your desire to work at home overrule your common sense. Ask yourself questions:
If you want the maximum amount of protection, never pay any sort of fee to receive work. If an offer is legitimate, the company will be happy to supply details in writing--without charge. The information you receive should answer the following questions:
You have so much more power than you realize. It might take just a little more thought and creative energy, but you can start taking charge of your destiny. Learn all you can about working at home and all the ways to find legitimate business opportunity." And remember that a lot of us are out here running homebased word processing / desktop publishing businesses and making a living! *Excerpted by permission of Mothers' Home Business Network, (c) 1997 Mothers' Home Business Network (http://www.homeworkingmom.com). **Note that the mention here of $15/thousand is not to suggest a fixed amount; it may not be a feasible charge for your business in your community. For more information about what rates are charged in your area for various WP and DTP tasks, and how to figure out your own rates, see Brenner Information Group's Pricing Tables and Pricing Guide for Desktop Publishing [Ninafel@aol.com] Nina Feldman, author, "How to Run a Successful Homebased Word Processing/ Desktop Publishing Service: A Resource Package" (self-published, Ninafel@aol.com)
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