With the economy in such dire straits, more and more people are looking to supplement their incomes.  One way to do that is with work from home jobs.  There are many benefits to such a job opportunity if you can find one.

Working from home is a privilege many are seeking to try.  Some of the benefits are easy to see.  Less money is spent on gas when the commute to and from work is cut out.  Parents can spend more time with small children and save on childcare bills with a home-based job. 

There are other benefits of working from home that may not be apparent right away, but they soon take shape.  Working from home can be less stressful.  The political climate of the office is a distant memory.  The only attitude you have to deal with is your own.  You have more freedom to organize the work day to suit your needs.

But, where can you find a work from home job?  There are more people looking than there are jobs, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find one.  When you do find one, however, being prepared to act will make all the difference.

Begin with your current employer.  Many employers are willing to pay someone in their office to work from home.  That cuts your commute and their overhead.  Even if coming out of the office wasn’t an option before, your work ethic and good track record with the company may get them to extend such an allowance.  It wouldn’t hurt to ask.

It is helpful to know what type of work you are looking for.  Someone who enjoys sales could then move to established sales companies that specialize in the home business model.  That includes some that you probably know well:  Mary Kay, Arbonne, The Pampered Chef, Partylite.  You pay upfront for a starter kit, but the company offers support for new sellers and all the helpful information they can throw at you.

Look to the Internet.  There are reputable sites that offer jobs without a commute.  The well-known job search engines can help you:  Monster (www.monster.com), Craigslist (www.craigslist.com), CareerBuilder (www.careerbuilder.com), Yahoo! HotJobs (http://hotjobs.yahoo.com), Media Bistro (www.mediabistro.com). 

If you are a freelancer, there are also places for you.  Writing, website design, programming, and other specialties can find freelance jobs online.  Sites like eLance (www.elance.com), Associated Content (www.associatedcontent.com), Constant Content (www.constant-content.com), and others offer opportunities for freelancers to make some money.

Another way to find work from home jobs is to join forums.  Forums for stay at home parents, stay at home moms, and working at home parents provide support as well as information on job leads and how to run your home enterprise.

Working from home is possible, but you have to do the legwork to find the job opportunities that are right for you.  Any of the sites mentioned above can start you on the right track.

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Get the word out about your business through advertising. You have identified your target market so now it’s time to reach them. Here are a few ways to successfully advertise your business offline.

These advertising methods will work for a storefront and a website business. To make a sale, you draw in the people who are most likely to give you their money. That is the goal for all business.

1. Do a radio spot. This one will be fun. Who hasn’t dreamed of being on the air? A local radio program may want to highlight your business if you are doing something in the community. You can discuss who you are and what you want people to know about your business.

There is also advertising spots where you pay for time and an announcer reads your ad over the airwaves. With either choice, choose a time when your target market will be listening. The morning commute (between 7 and 9 a.m.) will reach most business types. They are in their cars fighting traffic. Also choose a radio station or radio show that is likely to be popular with your potential customers.

2. Advertise in appropriate magazines. By appropriate we mean magazines that cater to your target market. You wouldn’t spend money on an ad in Vanity Fair if you were trying to reach pet lovers. There are hundreds of magazines in existence that cater to all types of tastes. Evaluate the ones in your area. Don’t neglect local magazines that people can pick up for free. Your ads will be seen by all types of people including your target market.

3. Pass out business cards. A business card is like a mini billboard. It has your business name, logo, tagline, contact information, and website address. Within the confines of that card, the holder has all they need to know to find out more about you. Slip one into direct mailings, all business correspondence, and into your pocket in case you run into someone in need of your services.

4. Word of Mouth advertising. Nothing sells your products or services better than a glowing recommendation. Someone who has experienced your customer service, quick turnaround time, and useful product will pass the word on to their friends. You can sweeten that pot by offering credit or cash for referrals.

5. Local newspaper can bring more customers. Plenty of people read the newspaper. Your ads or press releases about your business will be seen by plenty of people. If your target audience reads the newspaper on a regular basis, advertising here can produce more business. A target audience of teenagers and young adults probably wouldn’t get much notice in the newspaper. Spring for bigger font and bigger ads so no one will have a hard time reading it.

Are you marketing your business offline? If not, now is the perfect time to begin. An entire city of potential customers is waiting to hear about your business.

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