Make Money From Home

Take This Book to Work

Ever dream of making money without leaving home? Whether it's generating an income, starting a vacation fund or supplementing retirement savings, more and more Americans are looking for legitimate ways to make money at home. Read on for advice from AOL Business and Career Coach Tory Johnson on how to find the right opportunities for you.

More Tips on Working From Home

Go Mystery Shopping

It won't pay the bills, but you can earn pocket change, plus free products and services, for reporting your findings after shopping and eating at restaurants. A legitimate opportunity won't cost you any money, but should be offered based on your profile, interests and location.

Connect as a Concierge

Handle phone, e-mail and online customer inquiries ranging from making dinner reservations to planning vacations for busy professionals. Expect common and quirky requests from clients who demand convenience. Contact one of the leading services or consider starting your own local neighborhood service.

Be a Nurse on Call

Registered nurses can put their expertise to work at home. Several companies hire nurses to provide phone-based triage and advice to callers requesting information on medical conditions, reactions to medication and general disease management.

Become a Virtual Assistant

Business owners and professionals often need personal assistants but can't afford to hire one full-time or don't have space in their offices. Virtual assistants handle bookkeeping, travel arrangements, transcription and correspondence and other support services that can be done remotely.

Get Paid to Write or Edit

Some Web sites pay nominal amounts to writers for approved articles, and they are good ways to build an online portfolio of published work. Try freelance writing or editing for magazines, trade publications, newspapers and Web sites based on your expertise or interest.

Dive Into Direct Sales

It's not just AVON, Mary Kay and Tupperware anymore. According to the Direct Selling Association, more than 14 million people make money through in-person and online direct sales. Select a company that mirrors your passion and interest. The Direct Selling Association offers links to businesses and advice on how to succeed in direct sales.

Guide Users Online

Use your subject-area expertise to make money assisting others who are in need of that knowledge. Some companies pay home-based guides $5 to $10 an hour to help Web site visitors search online. Others pay a minimum of $500 a month to manage sections, monitor blogs and write articles after passing a self-guides online training program.

Pitch Publicity Virtually

If you're a seasoned PR pro, start a virtual publicity firm. Without expensive overhead, you can offer competitive prices for promotions, event planning, writing, pitching, media contact management, crisis communications or strategic planning. Create a Web site that promotes your abilities, and start spreading the word. Since you're in PR, you know how to toot your horn.

'Take This Book to Work'

Be sure to investigate work-at-home opportunities before committing to any. Check out the Federal Trade Commission's Web site for advice on how to evaluate work-at-home opportunities.

And check out Tory Johnson's site for resources on finding opportunities near you.