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Pyramid Schemes, Scams, Direct Sales And More!

September 15, 2015 | Leave a Comment

“Are Selling Products A Legit Income??”

I have to say this is one of the most popular questions I get emailed. But the truth is, even I wondered this same thing before getting involved in this business. A few years back, I was approached to join a company, and my instant thought was Pyramid Scheme and scam!! It’s sad that I thought that way, but many people do as unless you are in this business or well educated about it, you just know what you hear. Many of these companies we think are scams, are actually backed by the Better Business Bureau and have been around for many years!!! So today I am going to cover a few of these popular questions, along with how to know if something is legit and the truth about Pyramids.

Is it Legit?!?!
Direct Sales Companies are VERY legit. They are large companies that chose to pay independent contractors to advertise them instead of using TV adds, Billboards, etc. They are actually helping our economy by putting the money in your pockets vs some very large CEO of a TV station. To find out if a company is legit, you can google them or see if they are registered with the Direct Selling Association. You can also read the reviews about the company online, but remember to only take so much away from those. Job’s are like food, each person has a different preference and different experience so expect to see both good and bad reviews.
How these companies work, is you advertise their products for them and in return they pay you a commission. Each company has a different pay scale, but in my experience the average is between 10-40%. Finding out what they pay is very important before you begin! Direct Sales companies are very smart, they know people are going to share a product they love, and they encourage that sharing by paying you for it. What better advertisement is their than a happy customer?? I would believe my friends love of a product a lot more than I would a celebrity on TV.
The companies usually require a start up fee, and this is what scares most people. They see that fee and instantly think it’s a scam and they are being robbed. But the truth is, MOST jobs have a start up cost such as background check, uniform, training, etc. With direct sales companies, you want to make sure your cost comes with something!!!!! It should include samples for you, catalogs, brochures, products, a website, product discounts, training, etc. The average cost of a start up kit is around $100 and most have ways for you to make that right back by selling the products in your kit. If the cost is very high, with no products for you, think twice before joining and look more into the company!!! Start up costs are also a tax write off!!! It’s a business investment and you get it back at tax time. The IRS knows direct sales companies are a legit way to make an income.

Pyramid Schemes
Pyramid schemes are when one person is on top and makes a lot of money and the people on bottom don’t make hardly anything even though they are doing all the work. These are out there and you want to be careful, but most times they don’t sell any products, more work on just recruiting other people to join. Here are a few signs a company is a Pyramid Scheme and you want to run for the hills.
According to the Direct Selling Association, here is what you should watch for in Pyramid Schemes:
1) Promising lots of money for no work
2) Teaching people to recruit and not sell a product
3) Very large start up costs
4) Not having a product that they sell
5) Having a few people who make a lot of money on top, and a lot of people on the bottom making very little money
For more signs on what might be a pyramid scam, visit the Direct Selling Associations Website
http://www.dsa.org/docs/default-source/direct-selling-facts/legitimatecompanies.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Pyramid VS. Direct Sales
Now to some people, the direct sales business mirrors a pyramid, but the honest truth is in MOST jobs you do have some people higher up. For example, in the school system you have a Principal on top, then teachers, then par pros, then students. In most direct sales companies, you have someone who has been in the company for awhile on top, then your sponsor, then yourself. The people on the top do usually get paid off your income, but to do so they have to keep themselves active AND they have to help their team members. They get paid for having a team and teaching other people to be successful, just like managers do. Just because some people make more on your team in direct sales, does not mean it’s a Pyramid.

As you can see, direct sales are a great and very real way for people to earn an income. In fact, direct sales companies have been around since the 1920’s! They do get a bad reputation though because of the way some people teach their teams to market. If you do it the right way, you can be very successful, make a great income, and have fun all at the same time!!! My #1 tip to be successful is find a product you love and use, and share it, never sell!!!

Learn more about Direct Sales Companies at http://www.dsa.org/ and http://www.directselling411.com/
Make sure to also check out our Work From Home Directory for a list of legit Direct Sales Companies

5 Computer Based Jobs

April 27, 2015 | 4 Comments

Many people who are looking for jobs from home are most often Mom’s with little kids. They need a computer based job, but the problem they encounter is many of those jobs require phone time. I don’t know about you, but my kids do not understand quiet time when I’m on the phone. So what is a Mom to do???

I did some research, and found an alternative to customer service jobs! Search engine evaluators!!! Ok, know I’m sure many of you are wondering what that is as its not something you hear of often. The exact job description does vary from company to company, but most the time what it involves is people evaluate search engine to see if the terms used are bringing up the right results. For example, if I’m searching for homemade baby food recipes and instead I’m directed to information on the Paleo diet, then the search engine terms are not right for those companies. As an evaluator, you make sure the terms are matching up to the relevant sites.

These companies all require that you pass an exam to get hired and that you own a computer with good internet access. The amount of hours you need to work varies for each company, but it looks like average is between 10-20hrs. I did notice that a few require you to keep track of your own hours and send it in, so for those with little kids, it might be good to do your work at night. I found five companies that hire for these positions and have listed a few details on each below! Good luck and let me know your experience if you get hired!!

Leapforce

https://www.leapforceathome.com/qrp/public/job/1

Offers an opportunity to evaluate and improve search engine results for some of the world’s largest internet search engine companies. Pay is between $14-$18 per hour and paid via paypal. Must work a minimum of 10hrs per week.

Candidates need to have a highly active Google search engine, use Google Play at least once per week and use Google+ more than once per month and have more than 11 people per circle. A Gmail account with a web history turned on is also required. Candidates must also be self motivated and internet savvy. To be hired, all candidates must pass a three part exam.

Appen

http://www.appen.com/company/opportunities/

Work from home as a search engine evaluator or perform tasks for pay. This company does NOT allow you to work for others that are similar. The work requirements are at least 5hrs a day, Monday through Friday. Average pay is $25 per hour.

Qualifications vary for positions that you are applying for. High speed internet, computer, and antivirus software are required for all positions.

ZeroChaso

https://www.zerochaos.com/careers.php

This company hires for many work from home positions, but the most popular is being an at-home Ads Quality Rater. What that is, is a person who reviews ads to help improve their accuracy and performance in Google.

Requirements are between 10-30hrs of work each week with pay averaging about $15 per hour. Must own your own computer and have high-speed internet.

Lionbridge

http://www.lionbridge.com/careers/

This company hires for many different at-home positions ranging from sales, finance, HR, technical, and marketing, translators, and more. Pay ranges from $12-$15 per hour and they prefer employees to work 10-20 hours per week. This company does require an extensive exam to pass that can take over 6hrs and average time to hear back from the company is around 60 days.

iSoftStone

http://www.isoftstone.com/en/default.aspx

Chinese based company with offices in the US. This is fast growing IT company that hires people to work from home as SEO Analysts. The jobs for at home positions are not posted on their website, but instead on Ineed.com Positions pay approximately $12 an hour and they do allow you to work for multiple companies similar to theirs.

If you are looking for a different job option, make sure to check out our Work From Home Directory for ideas!

10 Awesome Perks To Working From Home

February 13, 2015 | 2 Comments

1) FLEXIBLE HOURS! This is key for me as my kids are 4, 3 and 8 months. I’m able to work when I want such as nap times or when they are in bed. I have had to cut back since my youngest was born, but thanks to working at home for awhile, It hasn’t affected my income!

2) Working Everywhere! Sometimes I answer emails while at the park, or in the grocery parking lot while waiting for my kids to wake up, or most common: in the backyard while my kiddos play! Its great to take my work with me and allows me much more flexibility.

3) Never miss the milestones of my kids growing up! Lets face it, time passes by quickly and being a work from home mom, I’m able to help with our income AND make sure I never miss a moment of my kids growing up. It’s the best of both worlds!!!

4) Taking Off When I Want and Need too. With 3 kids, I love that I can take off from work to go have a fun day at the park, the museum, or when someone is sick! I never have to worry about a boss getting mad or missing too many days. Because Im the BOSS and that’s priceless!

5) PJ’s And Coffee! I don’t have to rush around in the morning. I can enjoy my coffee and stay in PJ’s all day if it suits me! In fact, my work wardrobe is whatever I want it to be! (that saves money too!)

6) Less Stress For My Husband! With me being at home with the kids, my husband doesn’t have to worry about taking off if someone is sick or about running errands and doing chores on his days off from work. Being a work from home Mom allows me to help him more so he can enjoy time with the family when he is off. With me working, we also have a larger income and are able to do more fun activities, pay off debt, and put money away for our kids college funds.

7) I’m In Control!! Being in control is super important with kids. No only am I able to be the one teaching them how to act, treat others, and to have manners, Im also in control of my home. I don’t need someone else to come in and cook or clean, Im around all day and can do it when I have the time!

8) Family First! This is HUGE for me as I never want my kids to miss out on something. With me being home, I’m able to devote time to them FIRST and everything else last. The dishes and laundry can wait, spending time with my kids is most important.

9) No Stress!! I don’t worry about making my boss mad, being late to work, having to take time off, missing out on my kids activities, or not being around for my kids. Working from home lets me have less stress and more joy!

10) More Time and Money! Losing my income was tough, but being home with my kids all day is worth it. Finding that I can make that same income from home, with fewer hours is the best of both worlds. I still bring in a full time income. But on average I work 2-3hrs a day. And I work when my kids are asleep most the time so they never miss out on spending time with me!

Learn how you can work with ME!

WHY?????

December 2, 2014 | 2 Comments

One question I hear all the time is “WHY are you working from home??? Aren’t you busy enough??” The answer is a simple one, for my kids because doing this gives me MORE time with them!!! I have a Bachelors in Psychology, Personal Training Certification, and Nutrition Certification yet I choose to work from home because it’s the easiest!!! Before Liam was born, I was lucky in that I could usually get 3-4hrs of work in each day. Will and Adalyn took long afternoon naps plus were in bed by 7pm each night. I had tons of free time to write meal plans, workout plans, and help clients one on one. When Liam was born my plan was to take a few months off from personal training and then take on the same work load. But I couldn’t do that!!!

Will and Adalyn stopped napping, Liam would only sleep on me, plus with nursing Liam wakes up a ton at night. I found that I was too exhausted and stretched too thin and had no time for anything extra, not to mention once all the kids went to bed, I usually passed out. But I still needed an income source as we prepare for a big move, buying a new home, and my husband cutting back his hours as he returns to school soon. So what was I to do???

I stay home with my kids because it’s what’s best for MY family and its what my husband and I both agreed on. I never want to miss a moment of them growing up, but I still needed to bring some income in. That’s why I share a few products I love with people. It’s a win for me AND my family AND clients! I introduce people to amazing products, spend less time working and more time with my kids, yet still am able to bring in a full time income. The most important thing for me is to be present for my kids all the time. They only have a few years with me, and sharing products and getting paid for it has made that possible for me and my family!! I love my personal training business and clients and can’t wait to get back to that full time one day, but right now this is what is best for my kids, and provides me with no stress!!!

Sharing a product is not for everyone, and to be successful with it, you need to make sure it’s a product you use daily and love. If its not something you love, you will dread trying to share it and people can tell that!! The reason I have been successful is because I use the products I love daily.

Its an easy win for me. I work from home not to be a millionaire, but because I want time with my kids!! Its an accomplishment in my book to be able to make a full time income, working a few hours a week, loving what I do, and never having to sacrifice time with my kids. Sure I don’t watch much TV or do anything other than work once my kids go to sleep, but for me it is totally worth it and I wouldn’t change it. Oh, and it also helps to have a great planner and be super organized. That and coffee keeps me on track each day!!

Jobs From Home

November 23, 2014 | Leave a Comment

The truth is there is not just ONE way to work from home. In fact, you can find lots of different options that work for all different people. Sometimes you do have to try more than one thing, and that’s ok!!! Many people don’t find their dream job the first time, but if they do, that is GREAT!!!

CUSTOMER SERVICE JOBS

This is one of the most popular ways to work from home. You work set hours, make a set income, and need a quiet office space as you are on the phone helping customers. This option is perfect for people who don’t have kids running around the hours but want to stay home and make an income that way. My honest opinion, this is NOT a good option for those with little kids unless you have someone else watching them. These companies require you not to have background noise so if you need to be watching your kids, I wouldn’t recommend this option.

Here are a few companies that hire people to do customer service from home:

Enterprise Rent A Car
Uhaul
Convergy’s

DATA ENTRY JOBS

Data entry is the dream job everyone wants, but lets be honest it is VERY hard to find. One reason is people need to have a lot of experience for this or they need to have a certification/degree. If you go to school for it, often times the school has programs to help you find a job after. Make sure to utilize those!!! If you don’t have a degree, but do have experience, look into sites like www.odesk.com and www.elance.com Now keep in mind those sites can have jobs that are NOT legit and ARE scams so you always want to be very careful. Another problem with this type of job is the pay can be very very low and not consistent. Research a company online to learn more about it and the pay! Here are some others to check out.

Great American Opportunities (email at TOhair@gafundraising.com)

VIRTUAL CHAT BASED JOBS

A chat based job is the perfect thing for so many people, especially Mom’s!!! They are few and far between so make sure to apply when you see an opening! Here are a few sites to look into.

PaperlessPipeline.com

SURVEY SITES