Process At Home offers a rebate processing certification program, a simple data entry work from home opportunity for those looking to supplement their income. The work appears to be simple data entry involving filling out rebate forms for major companies. It all seems simple enough but the truth of the matter is that this is not more than a deceptive, all be it clever, spin on affiliate marketing. Let me explain...
As a Process At Home - rebate processor you are instructed to set up an account with Pay Pal, Pay Dot Com and various forms of free and paid advertising on the internet.
Step one is to pick a product and/or service in Pay Dot Com that you would like to market. Step two is to then choose a method in which to market that product, be it Google Pay Per Click, Blogger, EZine Articles or online classifieds ads. This advertising is what will lead consumers to the website of the product you chose to sell back on Pay Dot Com.
Now, in your advertising, you offer a rebate for X number of dollars as a way to generate a sale over someone who may be advertising the product at full price. But you are paying the customer the rebate, not the company or the person who is selling the product. The rebate is a portion of your commission if you were to make a sale. Process At Home has taken the basic principle of affiliate marketing, a legit way to make a living from home, and created this "rebate processing" program around it. You do not need any sort of credential or certification to be an affiliate marketer.
Not only does Process At home deceive you into thinking you will be processing rebates for fortune 500 companies, but the training leaves a lot to be desired. After researching the various affiliate networks out there, Commission Junction offers a free university of sorts for folks to learn the basics of internet and affiliate marketing. Is the training complete? No, but its free and will certainly provide better training then Process At Home.
As if this was not enough, Process At Home's entire program is based on a direct violation of the affiliate terms and services. It states clearly in the fine print of the user agreement you clicked yes to that you will in no way alter or manipulate the pricing of the products you are going to promote.
The final snag with the Process At Home program is the rebate checks themselves. First, you would need to monitor the time window of any and all money back guarantees of the products you are promoting so you could avoid issuing rebates on products that would get returned. Second, do you want to be writing $15 checks to people all the time or sending out PayPal payments everyday? I know I don't, talk about a pain the butt!
Now, you may be thinking, I want nothing to do with selling, advertising or marketing, affiliate or otherwise. All I want is a job that I can do from home. You want to be able to sit down at your computer for a few hours a day and get paid for your work, right?
Fair enough, but there is one thing you must realize about using your computer and the internet to work from home. Despite all the online advertising you see, there are very few traditional jobs that allow you to work from home. If you were to acquire one of these positions, you would not be an employee, but rather an independent contractor.
Jobs that allow you to work from home and hold a position as an employee or independent contractor usually involve some time traveling as well time in the corporate office. Other jobs include tasks like recruiting, copy writing and telemarketing. Many of these jobs are on a commission basis and are usually part time or temp positions.
*Online Tutor
*Mystery Shopper
*Telephone Customer Service
These are just a few examples.
But, no matter what job title you choose to pursue, you are an independent contractor and are essentially working for yourself. You are responsible for meeting deadlines, organizing and prioritizing tasks and managing your time effectively. But just as important is knowing how to position yourself in front of those in need of your services.
You may not want to hear this, but it is unavoidable, you need to learn how to market online if you want to work from home on your computer. But, marketing does not mean pitching or selling, it means that you will use the world wide web to get yourself out there and in front of those looking for what it is you have to offer.
"Where do I learn to market on the internet?" There are many ways, paid and free, but buy with caution. I have found free information on the subject that is fantastic and I have also purchased information that wasn't worth ten cents. Do your research and buy wisely.
About the Author:
Author Jess Ray can help you find a work from home opportunity that is right for you. Get your free "Work at Home Guide 2009" e-Course at her Angel Stevens Rebate Processing Scam website. If you were taken by the Process at Home Scam, you'll find free advice on how you can take action.
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