Work from home?? Has anyone done it?

Michelle - posted on 05/30/2012

But some people have been posting solicitations and I have had to delete them. That's why I locked the thread. I know you aren't solicitating but some people will post recruitments and email addresses to get you to contact them.

Donna - posted on 05/30/2012

I work from home as a freelance Graphic Designer. I went to college specifically with the idea of working at home in mind, so when it came to choosing a major/career, I chose one that I could easily freelance in. I typically don't find my clients over the internet, most of that comes from networking that I do in person. For example, the large majority of my work right now comes from a former employer. I worked for him for a year and a half before he started subcontracting me to work from home. It works out better for him because he doesn't have any overhead costs for me, and obviously it works out better from me because I work from my couch in my pajamas ;) I do get clients from "word of mouth" also though. For example, I went on a job interview a few years back and met one of the employee's at the company (I didn't get hired there btw) - I found the employee that I met on facebook (to network) and we became "internet acquaintances". He was taking on freelance clients of his own when I met him, but years later he's transitioned into a different career, so now he passes job bids along to me. So I really only met the guy once, and it took years of "networking" (facebooking lol) but it did eventually lead to freelance work.

When I was in college, I was also contracted to work from home (student housing) to do marketing work. Again, that started as an in person networking experience and turned into freelance work. I think the thing to understand about a lot of working from home is that it is more or less like running your own business. In my experience it requires having a marketable skill and in person networking. I also have to take care of my own book keeping and taxes. I have gotten a couple of projects off of elance.com but they did not pay very well and I found that people were trying to take advantage of me, so I avoid that route now. Also, I think it's important to keep in mind that it's a SLOW process (at first). I've been freelancing for about 8 years, and I still don't have a steady income. Also, I learned that with a child, this type of lifestyle is extremely difficult. I thought that working from home would be easy and great, but instead I find myself trying to sound professional as I put my conference calls on hold to change a diaper knowing that my clients entire marketing staff are sitting there waiting for me!

I don't know if any of that helps you or not, but that's been my experience with it so far.

Mary Ann - posted on 05/29/2012

Michelle I was not trying to post any solicitations in the community I was simply asking if other SAHM's did this or if they had the same questions. When I asked this question it popped up asking if I was trying to promote any type of solicitation and my answer was NO I was only trying to find some answers.

Heather and Amanda thank you for responding those are some of the answers I was trying to find! Thank you again.

Michelle - posted on 05/28/2012

It's best to check out the work from home communities as people aren't allowed to post solicitations in this community.

Heather - posted on 05/27/2012

Be wary...most of them are bogus! I have a few friends who do medical transcription from home...I don't know how it pays or anything, and it does require some training which I understand to be available online, but it's worth looking into. :) Good luck!

Amanda - posted on 05/27/2012

Mary Ann, I work from home, but I am a teacher, so I know those jobs are legit. Some of these other ones you might want to check into before applying.