Amazing news -- new guides for 2010 available now -- improve your life

What is your New Year's resolution? Do you simply want to improve your life? Read more? Research a new work from home solution? Find a better job? Eat healthier? Stop being manipulated?

What are your new ambitions and dreams for the upcoming year?

For some people, 2010 is big. To be honest, it hit ME like a ton of bricks. In the back of my head, I shamed myself. Why hadn't I planned to add "2010" to every copyrighted webpage page I owned? Why were all of the new products not up by the first of the year? And WHY, after ALL THIS TIME, was I still being so hard on myself?

I am sure it's something everybody can relate to. Resolutions, I believe, are hogwash, pure and simple. And I don't care if the word "hogwash" is out of date in 2010.

I believe in education. I believe in goals. And yes, I believe in happiness in 2010 and beyond.

That's why I am VERY proud to present LittleWhiteEbook's new storefront. We're getting a new logo, and adding some more stuff over the coming month. We currently have 14 total products up. Yes, some of them are previously published, but they have been checked for quality and we are NOT claiming any of them will make you rich, famous, or gorgeous overnight. (Of course, we DO wish you all the success in the world..)

We HAVE chosen books to help you live a better, more successful life. After all, isn't that all ANYBODY can hope for?

Visit our new, improved, happy Little White Ebookstore for our homeshoring ebook and much, much more.

Brighten Employment Currently Hiring Home Agents

Brighten Employment is currently hiring home agents in various locations, including Michigan. These are outbound calling positions that pay an hourly rate, plus commission. You should have telemarketing/sales experience and a standard home office setup.

Learn more about this work from home employment opportunity here.

Blue Zebra Appointment Setting is Hiring Experienced Telemarketers to Work from Home

Blue Zebra is hiring experienced telemarketers to join their home-based telemarketing team. The pay is $15-$25 dollars an hour to start, with an increase after an initial probationary period. View the job listing to apply here.

Make money with your camera - a fun independent contractor job

There's a growing need for contract workers to go to places and take photos of places for "cirtual tours" for busy realtors. I came across this job ad today and although it's by no means a full-time income, a virtual assistant or other freelance professional might make some spare money by being on hand.

Here's another company that hires people to take photographs for virtual tours.

Team Double Click is Hiring for Several Work at Home Positions

Team Double-Click® is looking for qualified candidates for the following positions:

Real Estate Virtual Administrative Assistant - Experienced Only

Real Estate Virtual Assistant Familiar with the Asheville, NC area

Cold Caller Located in United States or Canada

Cold Caller Located in the United Kingdom

Experienced Cold Caller/Real Estate Virtual Assistant Experienced with Top Producer

Real Estate Virtual Assistant Experienced with Relay Transaction Management System

Marketing Assistant

Public Relations Virtual Assistant

Please visit the website for detailed job descriptions. If you would like to be considered, are interested, motivated, and have a great attitude, please apply today by visiting our website at www.teamdoubleclick.com. Click on the “I want to work” button and you will be taken through the interview process.

LiveOps is hiring

LiveOps is currently hiring agents for the following positions:

Inbound Sales
Casual Dining Orders (Food delivery) - These positions are primarily working Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Bilingual Agents
Financial Services & Insurance Industry Positions

Visit the website to learn more about becoming an independent contractor with LiveOps and their current requirements.

Home Jobs for Moms - A Guide to Choosing The Right Opportunity For Stay at Home Mothers

When you are considering working from home, there is a set of decisions that must be made before anything. First, you need to know if you really have the skills and equipment to work from home. Then, you need to decide how you can put those skills to work - either through a telecommuting employer or your own business venture. There are many opportunities for working mothers to explore, especially online. Becoming a successful work from home mom is dependent on your research. Finding the right match for your skills, income expectations, and equipment is vital for a successful work from home venture.

Sometimes the best place to start a work from home career is where your last career ended. If you have done customer service in the past, there are a ton of virtual call centers such as LiveOps, West at Home, and Alpine Access that hire experienced customer service professionals and people with retail experience. When you work as a customer service agent from your home, you just need a reliable Internet connection and a working phone. Do you have experience in the hospitality industry? Some companies hire virtual concierges to schedule tasks for busy executives. Companies that hire home-based telemarketers are often looking for new workers and pay an hourly rate, with flexible schedules.

Experienced in childcare or teaching? There's a growing demand for online tutors with the right qualifications and patience to teach kids online. If none of the above seem to fit, there's always a chance to use your skills to form your own administrative assistant business. Virtual assistants are becoming widely accepted as an essential member of the virtual workforce -- and they can easily branch into new areas once they've grown a small list of clients. Usually, you need to have proficient internet skills and a comprehensive knowledge of word processing programs, as well as the ability to make and take calls from home.

If you want to start your own business, the opportunities are endless - but it will take some work and dedication. You can start with a direct sales company and sell products from an established brand to friends and neighbors. You'll be working on commission, however, so you'll need to plan your budget accordingly.

Another option for starting your own business is offering a local business such as daycare, personal assistants, or pet walking. All of these will require that you leave the house from time to time, but they can help you generate income. Just be sure to check the licensing requirements in your state before you make a decision.

If you're more of a mompreneur than anything, you may want to start an online business. Ebay stores and other retail prospects are always a good choice for moms, and there are many websites such as Work at Home Mom (WAHM.com) that have offer support and guidance for online ventures. Just make sure that you do your homework and don't get caught up in any scams pr pyramid schemes - they seem to run rampant on the internet. Many stay at home moms have found a home in the internet marketing community by directing web traffic to a website and then recommending certain products and services.

Decide first what type of job you'd like to do and then work from there. You don't have to limit yourself to one source of work from home income. Many moms take part-time telecommuting jobs while they work on building a business of their own. Don't limit yourself to what you know, take time to explore your options. Make sure you find an online community for support that you can turn to for new ideas, job leads, and guidance. There are a ton of successful work at home moms out there that love to share their expertise.

A few good forums to check into:

http://www.wahm.com

http://www.whydowork.com

http://www.wahmforums.com/

Work from Home Computer Geeks Wanted

I came across MinuteFix today - a company that will soon be providing IT-related support to consumers remotely. They are currently in beta, which makes it a great time to jump on the bandwagon. Sign up for an early invitation to become a Certified MinuteFix Technician by visiting the website and filling out the form. It looks like their technical requirements aren't terribly stringent.

Esurance and Working Solutions in the News

There's a nice writeup in the Argus Leader Media - News today about how Esurance is employing people is Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Esurance currently employs 100 employees that work from home, and their shift schedules are self-designed.

They also speak with Nedra Harris, of Working Solutions, about the homeshoring model and the companies that aren't quite ready to adapt to the virtual call center model.

Check it out more about working from home in South Dakota here.

American Kidney Fund Pickup is Hiring Work from Home Telemarketers in Georgia

AKF Pickup is currently hiring people to schedule pickups from home in the Atlanta area. They don't pay per hour - rather, they pay per scheduled pickup. They provide you with all the information and training and pay $2.50 per scheduled pickup of donated goods. They DO pay via direct deposit an provide all training, call lists, and scripts .

Visit their website to apply.

APAC is hiring work from home customer service in Green Bay, Wisconsin

APAC Customer Service is hiring for both their on-site call center and work from home positions in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are a W-2 employer and offer benefits after a certain probationary period. You can find out more about the company and current openings here.

Is Amerisave a legitimate work from home employer? Or a scam?

I thought I would bring this up, since Amerisave tends to advertise a LOT on the various employment websites. And we've been updating our spreadsheets today.

We chose not to list them in our homeshoring employment directory because we don't really like the way the word their ads and don't feel that they are exactly honest about Amerisave - it's more of a business opportunity than a job. The positions we've investigated are actually commission-based - they're not salaried jobs, you're not paid a base. And yes, if you qualify (after earning a certain amount) you can qualify for benefits.

We're not saying you can't earn money working for them, we just don't feel comfortable with commission-only jobs as a viable career option. Maybe somebody who works for Amerisave can step up to the plate? If you're out there, let us know.

Convergys, homeshoring employer, is hiring in Omaha, Nebraska

Just a heads-up, Convergys is hiring and advertising on Monster.com

I didn't notice this before, but apparently they hire employees age 16 and up - so this could actually be a good opportunity for a younger person or college student to work from home as well.

Right now, they are specifically hiring in Nebraska. They have other positions as well, but the one in Nebraska seems to be an immediate need. Click here to apply.

Work at Home Reservations Agents - a Growing Trend

How many times have you wished that there was a work at home opportunity for an entry-level office job applicant? Do you daydream about the time you would save each day if you didn't have to make that commute to work? Do you wish you didn’t have to dress up to attend that lame morning “pep talk” during your first cup of coffee?

You’re in luck – the times are changing. Many men and women across the country have changed career paths – and their lives, by cashing in on the latest trend in the travel and tourism industry – homeshoring. For reservation agents that work-at-home, the commute is simply moving from one room to another to start their day. It’s happening on a regular basis in the time (and sometimes cash) strapped travel and tourism industry, and most of these companies provide local training before their employees take their virtual jobs home.

Companies that hire homeshoring workers in these industries provide a full course of paid training. If you're looking for a work-at-home opportunity, and have a home office complete with computer, Internet connection, and a second phone line, then you may be able to find employment as a reservation agent with airlines such as Jet Blue, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, or hotel chains such as Outrigger Hotels, Marriot Global Reservations, or Fairmont Hotels and Resorts.

JetBlue’s virtual opportunities set the homeshoring trend.

Jet Blue, who started their work-at-home program during the company's infancy, quickly saw a 25% increase in productivity once employees were allowed to work from home. It is for this reason the company continues to hire work-at-home reservation agents today and why so many other companies are following their example.

In an effort to control the costs of operating traditional call centers, many US-based companies have created programs that allow employees to work-at-home instead. As a result, fewer jobs are being outsourced to countries like India and Mexico. Because most US customers would rather speak to someone whose native language is English, these companies feel they are providing better customer service in addition to providing jobs to those in the US. It’s also easier for them to schedule people during peak hours when the weather’s bad – an essential component for an industry whose reputation is at stake during the holiday season.

Currently, there are about 112,000 people working from home as customer service representatives (reservation agents, telesales, insurance agents, etc.). By 2010, this number is expected to increase to about 330,000.

Jet Blue Airlines is a success story because the company has always relied on work-at-home employees to help Jet Blue customers book reservations and answer their questions or complaints about flights and airline policies. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Jet Blue Airlines employs over 1,200 reservation agents who work locally.

In fact, many of the companies who hire people to work from home expect them to work locally so they can be contacted quickly to work extra shifts or to cover shift changes. Some companies even provide additional space in their home offices for employees to complete their shift if employees are having technical difficulties with home office equipment.

Looking for an opportunity as a virtual reservation agent?

To become a virtual agent, you may need to have prior customer service experience or you may receive on-the-job training in a nearby facility. Depending on the company, you may have the option to work part-time or full-time, you may have to work weekends and holidays, and you may be asked to cover additional shifts when necessary.

When researching possible virtual opportunities, finding companies that are within driving distance is important because many companies require that you be able to commute for on-site training. Paid training is usually provided. Keep in mind that you may be responsible for finding your own health benefits, however, as some companies do not provide health coverage for those who work from home.

Job duties vary based on the services provided by the company, but for many virtual reservation agent opportunities, you should be able to research flights, hotel room availability, make recommendations to customers about travel, quote accurate prices, input reservation data, send verifications, and answer most questions or address complaints that customers have.

The income level you can earn for most of these virtual opportunities will vary based on company criteria. Most jobs start between $7.50-$10.00 with salary differentials given on weekends and holidays. All paid employees reap the benefits of the travel industry, such as free and discounted travel, as well as qualify for standard benefits after a certain probationary period.

Although salaries tend to be on the lower end of the spectrum, home based reservations agents save, on average, up to $4000.00 on their commuting expenses alone. Not sure you can take a salary cut? Add up the cost savings of wardrobe, daycare, and eating out for lunch – and you’ll see there’s a lot more take home pay in the home-based reservation agent model. And don’t forget that you can often write off your job-related expenses in your taxes.

In the end, most employees find working from home, especially in a job that can be stressful at times, allows them to remain focused, relaxed, and gives them more time to spend with family or to pursue other interests.

Telecommuting is good for people & the places they work

A recent (late 2007) study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology that shows clear facts about the benefits of telecommuting. Pennsylvania State University conducted an extensive review of 46 studies on the subject featuring 12,883 employees.

They found that telecommuting helps staff and employers in the following ways:

1. Telecommuters feel more in control of their time and environment.
2. Increased work-life balance that allos more time for family roles.
3. Better supervisor-staff relationships. This one may be surprising to some - Supervisors who have less opportunity may contact them more and have longer and better quality conversations. Staff that works from home may also seek the supervisor out to update him or her regularly.
4. Less stress and more job satisfaction. Nixing the commute and ditching the culture and politics of the regular office world makes workers happier.
5. Increased loyalty and employee retention. Being happier makes employees more loyal.
6. Increased productivity. Because employees are more loyal, they want to do a good job.


Read more about the study on telecommuting here.

Is Work at Home Agent a Scam? (i.e. west at home)

Somebody emailed me about West at Home today, asking if it is a legitimate opportunity. Yes, it is just that - an opportunity. West hires independent contractors, not employees. West at Home Agents are paid per minute of talk time - some people are comfortable with that, while others aren't - if you're squeamish about a part time income, paid by the minute, then West may not be the opportunity for you.

Here's a bit of the information we've profiled on West from the Little White Ebook of Homeshoring Jobs:

West at Home / Work at Home Agent / West TeleServices

Scheduling: Depending on client projects that you work - some people work up to 100 hours a week. Available shifts are posted by West. It is up to the contractor to monitor the schedule and pick up hours they want to work.

Training/Experience: Training is unpaid and provided for every client project you work on.

Compensation: Pay rate is usually in "talk time", which means by the minute. The per minute rate can range from .17c to .30c a minute. A Full Time (30-40hr) contractor could expect to make $200-500 a week depending on call volume. West At Home employees are paid on a biweekly basis and Direct Deposit and/or Pay Card options are available immediately


Employment Page: http://apply.westathome.com/
Main Page: http://www.westathome.com
Yahoo Group for Agents: http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/WestWorkAtHomeAgents/
WAHM Forum for West: http://www.wahm.com/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=84

Homeshoring Company Hiring in Raleigh, North Carolina

We just came across a call center that's based in North Carolina, and currently hiring.


RTI International plans to double the size of its Raleigh Call Center, adding nearly 600 employees.

Expanding the call center is necessary to handle interviewing requirements for the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS), which RTI is conducting for the U.S. Department of Education. The NPSAS work will entail more than 200,000 hours of interviewing and tracing over a six-month period.

The call center will contract about 600 additional temporary workers to fill all the additional interviewing seats, including 100 remote interviewers working from home via RTI's Virtual Call Center infrastructure.

"The call center's growth will give RTI extra capacity for taking on additional large interviewing projects in the future," Richard Heman-Ackah, RTI's director of Call Center Services.


If you're interested in applying with this company, visit Green Resources and scroll down to "Telephone Interviewers Click Here".

Work at Home and Easy Money Scams

We've set our Google alerts to send us daily information on working from home. Mostly, this floods our inbox with junk. Which is really not cool, but comes with the territory. I tend to burn the midnight oil when doing work for LittleWhiteEbook, so usually, around the time the clock strikes midnight, my inbox starts to flood.

"Make 5000 a week working from home"... "Work from home for just five minutes a day!" - these are the typical ads that get delivered to me. Mostly, the claims of easy money come with an earnings disclaimer - saying basically, if you're not smart/a hard worker/ dedicated, they can't guarantee you'll make anything. That's in the very find print at the bottom of a sales ad. That's so, if you buy their system, you'll feel bad/undedicated/or basically like a failure. (And they're betting on this so that you don't ask for a refund.)

Is there a such thing as easy money? Really?

Here's my take on it.

I live near the DMV here in Washington DC, and in the summer, a lot of men and women go up to the Giant grocery store, buy a cold 24 pack of water, and stake out a spot on a median strip. This is usually when they go sell it in the 90-some degree weather. Technically, you could call that easy money. But you still have to weather the heat and deal with the police if you don't have a vendor's license. The need is immediate, though, so these minipreneurs make some quick, easy cash, and then go home. They pay about 5.00 for each crate of water and then sell the water at two bucks a pop.

On the web, however, people take their time making decisions. Nobody will buy from you simply on request. You can't get website traffic without some sort of effort - either time or money. And in the end, you still have to offer something of value.

Nobody is going to pay you $5000.00 a week to "type simple ads". If they did, I would be typing for them right now instead of typing this blog. And so would the guys who write those sales letters. Trust me on this. Usually, these kinds of scams are Adwords and Adsense-related "systems" - but they don't tell you that until you've paid them some big bucks. Suddenly, that "work from home job" has become an Adwords "scheme".

There's no such thing as "easy money" - there's always some sort of work involved. Easy money can be had sitting in place, selling water - but you still have to buy the water, find a spot, and weather the heat. You probably have to defend your territory on that, too.

You can set up an online store but you (or somebody) still has to work at getting you some traffic.

Work always comes before money. That's a good thing to remember when you're searching for legitimate jobs online.

Psst... The Little White Ebook of Virtual Assistant / Admin Jobs

First of all, if you want to get an EXCLUSIVE great deal on BOTH The Little White Ebook of Homeshoring Jobs and The Little White Ebook of Virtual Admin Jobs in the next week, jump on our email list now.

If you are a member of the media or a blogger, and would like to review either ebook, email melissa at littlewhiteebook.com

And if you just want to see the super-secret sneak preview, with over 70 employers that hire work from home administrative professionals, download it below. You're the first to set eyes on it - and we're doing the final edit as I type this.

Free Virtual Career Training & Support for Military Spouses

There are a couple of great companies out there that provide support, services, and career matching for military spouses that want to work from home. While they primarily focus on helping miltary spouses learn to start their own virtual enterprises, the training they give is worth hundreds of dollars, and the support they give is priceless with their online communities.


VSS CyberOffice

Military Spouse Virtual Assistants

Home Base USA



We applaud these companies - please let us know if you hear of any more like them!