Being a work-from-home professional, anything that advertises, discusses, talks about, directs me to or in any way points people towards working from home, I am completely attentive. With that being said, I’m also attentive when it comes to my favorite talk shows promoting said opportunities. Do you know what I’m talking about? I’ll bet you do!
Every morning when I sit down to start work, I listen to the Steve Harvey Morning Show. There are many mornings where I’m more annoyed than anything with their antics. There are also some mornings where I’m inspired and motivated by the advice he gives to the listeners. And then there are some mornings where I cringe when they play this certain commercial advertising the work-from-home opportunity.
Why do I cringe?
Well, for starters, it’s not clear on what the “opportunity” is or what it involves. There’s a lot of hype talk about “working from home,” and “being your own boss,” or “making good money.” Now, I’m all for those things, for sure, but what I’m NOT for is blindly going into something without first knowing what all it entails. I feel very strong about protecting the work at home community because I’ve been a part of it for so long. I want people to be aware, fully aware of what’s going on ‘out there’ as it involves legitimate business opportunities, scams and the like. I’m not insinuating that the Steve Harvey morning show is in any way promoting a scam. But what I am saying is sometimes just because a famous person’s name is on something or because they say that something is good, we tend to take it face value and stop right there. Don’t do that! Let me give you a few quick tips on how to do your due diligence and avoid getting taken:
- Research the opportunity. Go online and do a search for the topic or the work from home opportunity. See what people are saying in forums and in social networking circles. Be objective and look at both sides of the equation before making a decision.
- Get in contact with people who have actually done the work for the company or know about the opportunity. It’s really not hard to do, especially in this age of social networking awareness. You can connect with someone and get information almost instantly. Do it. You’ll be glad you asked.
- Look at the red flags. No company is going to ask you to PAY to work for them. Doesn’t that sound crazy? It’s also a red flag when you can’t readily tell what the job or opportunity is right away. If it’s too evasive, stay away.
- Don’t share your information so quickly. You know, when they ask for your email address or cell phone number so they can “send you more information.” This is usually going to be a place where your info. ends up being sold, and then you’ll be harassed by numerous other companies. Trust me, I know about this all too well. That’s another day, another blog post…
On my journey to find work-at-home freedom, I have tried many, MANY things that have resulted in being scammed, fooled, taken and ultimately broke. When you want something bad, you tend to have a naive outlook, hoping that it will work. Don’t be that way. Do your homework. Ask questions. Get references. And as grandma would say, “don’t take any wooden nickels.”
Peace!
With all the information out there available to work at home, it’s diffucult to pick out the scam from the tried and true forms to make money at home. I myself have fallen victim to the scams one to many times. I agree you must do your research before entering in one of these “work from Home” oppurtunities
I did just that when one of my friends invited me to join in the type business she does from the comfort of her Manhattan apartment. I worked the 9-5 lifestyle for many years and didn’t have much to show for it, I wanted to live my life not work it away.
So I jumped on board with this business and now have the financial freedom I’ve always dreamed I would have. It doesn’t come overnight, but with patience and perseverance I’m succeeding. Won’t you join me in that same freedom here http://preferredpublishers.go2cloud.org/SHDp
So true Bridget. You must investigate everything. Even our favorite celebs can endorse shady deals.
Of course people should also remember to leverage their natural talents or professionally groomed skills into “creating their own job”. Virtually anything can be done “virtually” as a work at home gig.
Great piece.