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Home AgentsWhile reviewing programs for this site, I spoke with more than one mom who was earning $1000 - $1500 a week or more as a home agent with a certain company. After doing research to verify that this was true, I decided to actually join that company as a TEST for this site. This was my experience.... One Sunday afternoon I received a call from a mom asking me to enroll her as an agent with this company. I could've easily made a quick buck right there on the spot (referral fee), but I chose not to and told her she really needed to consider something more reputable. I just had this "gut feeling" that this particular company was headed for trouble, and I was right. That was one of the best decisions I ever made. I would've felt SO bad had she joined me and lost money! Well, that so-called "reputable" company closed their doors not longer after that, on September 30! They still owe me over $600 for prepaid advertising I had purchased, and it remains to be seen whether I'll ever see it. I paid a dandy price for that test, but it's worth it if I can help someone else. Why am I sharing this with you? So you'll be careful. This company was a wolf in sheep's clothes. They were a small division of an 8-year old company, but no one realized that the management team was lacking and it was underfunded. They promised to put all the other companies out of business (NEVER a good thing to say) with their technology, and a lot of people were taken in by that. I admit, their marketing program was VERY impressive. One lesson I'd like you to learn here is just what I've been saying for years. It's always been my OPINION that it's safer to go with a company that's at least 3 years old. I've read this many times, but never had any concrete evidence to back it up; however, this case definitely supports this opinion. I'm sure this is not always true, but just be careful! Okay, on a positive note... I've spoken with a few moms who've actually worked with two different home agent (call center) companies: LIVE OPS and WEST, and I've heard nothing but good about both of these companies. They've been in business for a number of years, but I've never worked for either of them, so I can't officially "recommend" them. I did work through the application process for both of these companies online. Once your application is processed and you pay the fees required to set up your call center at home (background check, etc), you also have to pass some tests (not hard). Once you've passed and are actually hired, they pay you an hourly rate to take calls for different companies. One mom told me she's worked for both of these companies and has done very well. Again, just keep in mind that this is only LINEAR income, not RESIDUAL. (See my explanation here). Another twist to the home agent concept is working for local business owners who need appointment setters (insurance agents, water testers, etc.) One insurance agency I know pays its home agents $10 for each appointment they set instead of paying by the hour. This can be profitable if you don't waste time on the phone and are really good at your script. If this sounds like something you'd like to do, I recommend you start checking local job listings and making yourself available for hire. The two sites below are great for finding jobs in your area, and the second one will even send you a listing every day via email if you request it! If you want to keep in touch with me, don't forget to subscribe to my blog - Moms Work at Home Updates - where I review work-at-home programs as they come to my attention. Also, if you're looking for a BUSINESS, then... If you are currently working a Home Agent Program and can provide me with proof that it is working well for you, please share it with me so I can review it and see if it's something I can feel good about recommending to moms in my blog! I hope this information has been of help to you!
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