Work at Home Career Ideas

With the ups and downs of the economy and the hectic pace of life, many people are starting to turn their attention towards working from home. Being able to generate an income while still maintaining control over one’s life is no longer just an ideal — it is totally possible — but a fitting home business idea is the key. While certainly not easy, starting your own business could be the key to achieving your own personal and work dreams. To help get you started, listed below are business ideas perfect for stay at home individuals :

1. Artist : If you have some artistic talent, you can start just about any business that reflects your abilities. Art doesn’t necessarily mean drawing. If you have a talent for jewelry, sewing or any artistic endeavor, there are many ways to turn that passion into profit.
2. Blogger : Simple to get started and incredibly self-fulfilling to work on, blogging is a go-to work at home idea. It allows you to focus on a topic that you enjoy most and work around your own schedule.
3. Bookkeeper : Now that many businesses use online accounting software, the need for a full-time bookkeeper to manage accounts has decreased. You can offer the services businesses need for a fraction of the price a full-time bookkeeper may charge.
4. Bridal Consultant : If you love weddings and are a detail-oriented and organized person, you may want to consider becoming a home-based bridal consultant. With many women juggling their work life with their home life, managing a huge event like a wedding may seem nearly impossible.
5. Cake Decorator : Have a passion for making cakes beautiful? With some examples of your creations and a bit of social networking, you could be on your way to the business of your dreams. There are always reasons to celebrate, and where there’s a party, a cake is never far behind.
6. Career or Life Coach : It isn’t always easy for people to figure out what’s best for them. Sometimes we just need someone to help us along and to get us through the rough patches. Career and life coaches can help people get to that better place more easily and quickly than they would on their own.
7. Copywriter : With the age of the Internet in full bloom and content marketing becoming the center of it all, the need for copywriting has never been greater. If you have a love of the written word and a firm grasp on the grammar rules that make up our language, becoming a professional editor could be your ideal freelancing business.
8. Event Planner : Love to throw parties? Help others create the perfect event with your party expertise. Some of the best income in this industry can be made through business and corporate event planning.
9. Graphic Designer : Graphic designers have many business opportunities that cater to their skill set. You can work as a freelance graphic designer or illustrator. You may also want use your skills to create your own line of stationery, printables or even web design templates. You could also specialize in a specific field such as logo design, brochures or annual reports.
10. Interior Designer : A desire to make the world around us more beautiful is a great reason to want to go into the interior design business.  A good way to help set yourself apart in this industry is to specialize in a certain area or style of design.
11. Online Teacher : The growth of online courses has exploded over the last few years. If you have a teaching background, you may want to supplement your current income or strike out completely on your own in this new industry. You will need to be able to create video lectures and/or some type of online class work.
12. Personal Travel Planner : Like to plan dream vacations, but can’t always go on them? Do the next best thing and plan them for someone else! A travel planner specializes in providing custom itineraries based on their client’s needs and budget.
13. Public Relations/Press Release Writer : Businesses are successful based on the number or customers or clients they have. One of the best ways to generate new business is through the press. If you love to write and have a flair for marketing, you may want to put those skills to work by becoming a freelance press release writer.
14. Photographer :Do you have a distinguished eye? Then use your talent to take photos for others – family, kids, pets, weddings, special events and professional head-shots.
15. Virtual Tutor : Remote tutoring is a great job you can do from home, especially if you have a love for teaching. You will need to be able to communicate online with students through a program such as Skype and be skilled in the area in which you would like to provide tutoring.
16. Web Designer : Web design combines the technical know-how of creating a functioning website with the creative requirements of making that site look good and draw in visitors.
17. Website Content Writer : Content marketing is a big deal right now, and while many people are running successful websites, they may not be great at churning out compelling content to help promote their business. That’s where you come in. Helping companies write quality articles and blog posts can be a great way to make extra money, especially if your writing gets results.
18. Write & Sell eBooks Online : If you have a good amount of knowledge in a field that other people are interested in, then writing and distributing ebooks on the topic is a great, easy way to make some extra money.

Advantages :

1. Control Over Your Schedule.
2. Make Money Doing Something You Love.
3. No More Commuting.
4. Control Over Income.
5. Tax Benefits.
6. Control Over Your Work Attire.
7. No Boss. 
8. Greater Levels of Satisfaction.
9. Learning new skills and growing professionally.

 Brushing Up Your Work Skills

Before you consider starting a home business or looking for work where you can set up your office at home, you may like to polish up on your business skills ahead of time. Completing a short course or certificate can give you the confidence to go for it.

While the benefits of working at home are many, it has its drawbacks too. Working at home is tough. Don’t expect to undergo a complete personality change too, or you and everyone around you will be miserable.

— HINAL SHAH