Self-Employment

» KC Morgan - Can I Use Any of These to Become Self-Employed?

There are literally hundreds of different websites offering work-from-home opportunities. A casual search will reveal many websites for the following:

* Taking on-line surveys
* Selling products independently by phone
* Writing academic essays

Many of these sites will appear very professional in nature, encouraging you to give your e-mail address so that you can be contacted by a member of the company. Many times, they will eventually ask you to pay some sort of upfront fee, "just to get started."

Most legitimate business offers will not require you to pay out of your pocket for anything. It is up to you if you believe in that company, or that product, strongly enough to put your own money out unpfront without receiving anything from them first. It is not my advice that you do this.

Get it in writing. You still have rights even if you are an independent contractor working out of your own home. There's nothing wrong with asking for some sort of contract, and if they don't use a standard one then it's okay to ask if you can draft one. If they are going to pay you on a commission rate, or hourly based upon the time you work, then you absolutely should have a contract or some sort of paperwork to go along with their words.

If they do not ask for identification or tax paperwork, don't expect to be paid. How could they pay you if they don't have your information? If you have to bring it up, there is probably something wrong. At the very least, there should be some request for your legal name.

There are more scams out there on the 'Net than there are viable business opportunities. Keeping a sharp eye out and learning how to tell the good from the bad will become second nature if you're committed to self-employment, and after a while you'll know how to avoid the less-than-genuine offers. And of those three, there will always be some truly legitimate offers - if you can find them.

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» Andrea_Coutu - Can I Use Any of These to Become Self-Employed?

I've got some more tips on work from home scams.

-- posted by Andrea_Coutu

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