Work From Home Business: How To Choose A Good Direct Marketing Company
By Dominic Boykin
Having a work from home business is an excellent way to incorporate income generation with schedule flexibility. The ability to set your own work hours means being able to accommodate life's other priorities. Parents can be available for important games or to pick up kids from school. Medical or dental appointments and even daytime art classes can be accommodated with ease. The advantages of a flexible schedule are endless. A work from home business means that you are the boss.

Direct marketing companies are the number one choice for work from home business opportunities. Start-up costs are often minimal and sometimes even non-existent. Though related experience is helpful, it isn't mandatory. Direct marketing companies provide all the training that is needed. In fact, they offer ongoing training throughout your career. They also offer business support and one-on-one mentoring to help you succeed.


Hundreds of work from home business opportunities exist in direct marketing. From house wares to candles, food, appliances, healthcare products and even lingerie, there are scores of products to consider selling. Deciding what you're interested in is only the first step. Choosing the right company to work with is an important key to your business's success. Here's what to look for when considering a direct marketing work from home business:

*A company with a trusted reputation. Generally speaking, the longer a company has been in business, the better public image it has. Newer companies (those in business fewer than 10 years) typically haven't had enough time to prove themselves in their markets. This isn't to say that these are bad companies. It does mean that you may have a more difficult time generating business. Potential customers may be skeptical simply because they are unfamiliar with your company. Choosing a well-established company means that half of your battle for clients is already won. It's easier to sell yourself if potential customers are already sold on your company.

*A company that backs up its products. It's tough to sell a product you don't believe in. It's harder to sell something that a company doesn't believe in enough to back

Economists Still Forecast Housing Growth in 2010
Despite weakness in May and June, housing starts will increase 15% this year, according to a consensus of housing economists.
Relief effort fails many at risk of foreclosure
WASHINGTON - The Obama administration's effort to help those at risk of losing their homes is failing to aid many and could spur a rise in foreclosures that would further depress the housing industry.
Housing Starts Tumble in June
Single-family permits slide to lowest level of activity since April 2009.
Single-Family Starts Plunge 17.2% in May
Experts suggest drop is ?payback? for the now-expired housing tax credit.
Wisconsin housing starts rise again in May
Jun. 15--While home construction is still far off the pace of a few years ago, it continued to improve in greater Milwaukee and most of Wisconsin's other major metro areas during May.
Housing Starts Climb
Home completions rise as permits issued fall as home buyer tax credit expires.
Moody's Zandi Offers Optimistic Forecast For Builders
Economist predicts a return to "normal" in 2012, with some caveats.
Top Builders Disappear
It?s not a mistake: The industry?s longtime major players didn?t make the 2010 rankings.
Single-Family Building Permits Rise to Highest Level Since August 2008
Multifamily construction brings overall housing starts up 1.6% in March.
Steady Growth in Residential Construction, Upkeep Spending Forecast Thru '14
FMI sees consistent climbs in single-family building, home updates and renovations.
Housing Starts Slide 5.9% in February
Experts say winter storms in South, Northeast affected construction activity.
Total Housing Starts Increase 2.8% in January
Single-family permits stay steady at seasonally adjusted rate of 507,000.
2010 Housing Forecast
<a href=http://www.builderonline.com/housing-starts/2010-housing-forecast.aspx?rssLink=2010+Housing+Forecast > <img src=/Images/newhome_sales_rebound_tcm10-274291.jpg width=90 height=121 alt =newhome_sales_rebound(90) title=newhome_sales_rebound(90) /> </a> Economists predict new-home building won't snap back as quickly as it has after previous housing recessions.
10 Companies to Watch in 2010
<a href=http://www.builderonline.com/economic-conditions/10-companies-to-watch-in-2010.aspx?rssLink=10+Companies+to+Watch+in+2010 > <img src=/Images/Stanley-B%26D2_hero_tcm10-267995.jpg width=90 height=60 alt =Stanley_bd_hero.jpg(90) title=Stanley_bd_hero.jpg(90) /> </a> We single out the builders and suppliers that should make some noise this year.
Housing Permits Rise 6% in November
Starts also rise 8.9% to seasonally adjusted pace of 574,000.
Housing Starts, Permits Slide in October
Single-family permits remain flat at seasonally adjusted pace of 451,000.
Permits Dip in September
Single-family starts rise 3.9% on a monthly basis.
Demographer's Upbeat Assessment Bodes Well for Apartment Industry?s Future
<a href=http://www.builderonline.com/multifamily/demographers-upbeat-assessment-bodes-well-for-apartment-industrys-future.aspx?rssLink=Demographer's+Upbeat+Assessment+Bodes+Well+for+Apartment+Industry%e2%80%99s+Future > <img src=/Images/1009mfedemographics1_tcm10-219515.jpg width=90 height=67 alt =1009mfedemographics1(90) title=1009mfedemographics1(90) /> </a> As a demographer, Dowell Myers says he can predict things with certainty. Economists, he says, can barely forecast where interest rates are going over the next three months. ?But I can look at someone in the audience and predict with some confidence that in 10 years, they will be 10 years older.?
Economic Insight: Prepare for Sharp Increase in Home Starts
Builders will soon need to replace inventory, even if demand for homes remains relatively stable.
Housing Activity Remains Flat in August
Single-family sector dips in permits, starts.

with a guarantee. The best direct marketing companies offer guarantees with few or no strings attached. Look for companies that offer long warranties and unconditional return policies. Customers will be afraid to buy if guarantees are shaky or non-existent. This will ultimately hurt your potential for profit. Companies with first-class products won't be afraid to offer flexible return policies.

*A company that isn't too restrictive. If you desire flexibility, choose a company that will give you your freedom. Some companies require salespeople to maintain a certain monthly quota. Others say it isn't mandatory, but will pressure you to do so anyway. A truly flexible company will recognize your need to take time off for vacations, emergencies, illnesses and so on. Never work for a company that threatens its associates with penalties for not producing enough.

*A company that maintains membership in a governing body or organization. Members of the Direct Selling Association or similar organizations must maintain certain standards and ethics. It's a good sign that a company is being monitored by an objective third party. Their products and philosophies can usually be trusted as sound.

It's a bonus if you can find a work from home business that financially supports a worthy cause. Many direct marketing companies sponsor humanitarian foundations and organizations. Not only is this socially responsible, it's also a boon to your business.
Dominic Boykin is the owner of Work from Home Based Business and he reviews popular home business ideas and opportunities. His favorite home business is the Plug-In Profit Site where you can get your own home business website setup to earn multiple streams of income within 24 hours. Click Work from Home Business to view Dominic’s favorite home business and start your own home based business today!