If you want to work part-time or full-time from home, you must decide whether or not working being your own boss is right for you. Next, you need to consider what type of freelance work you want to do. Freelancers can tap into many opportunities, both online and offline. Having a successful freelance career starts with evaluating your own skills and requirements in a job and then finding the right match.

Sometimes the best place to start with your freelance career is where your staff employment had ended. Many people find they can become independent contractors in the field in which they previously worked. You can use your previous work experience as a launching pad for your freelance career. Some ways to use your experience include: finding a company that hires people in your field to work from home; or using your previous experience to become an “expert” freelancer in your field; or starting a business related to your previous field.

Some people look at their freelance careers as a way to break out of their old job. If you'd like to try something completely different, there are many opportunities for entry-level work as a freelancer. Many of these jobs deal with telephone or online customer service. When you work as a customer service agent from your home, you need a reliable Internet connection and a working phone. Companies also hire medical transcriptionists, data entry professionals, and virtual personal assistants to telecommute.

If you want to start your own freelance business, the opportunities are very vast. You can start with a direct sales company and sell products from an established brand to friends and neighbors. You'll make commissions through your sales and by recruiting other people to sell the products. There are hundreds of direct sales companies that offer everything from aromatherapy products to candles to cooking supplies.

Another option for starting your own freelance business is offering a service in your community. Day care center operators, florists, professional organizers, freelance writers, and hairdressers all have the option of working at home, among many other professions.

Many people turn to the Internet for a source of freelance income. The World Wide Web offers a plethora of job opportunities. You can offer your services online as a freelance web designer, writer or virtual assistant. You can also start an online store that sells your own products. An excellent resource to learn about launching a freelance career is Andy Anderson's book or audio book, “How to Make Money from Home as a Freelancer,” published by PaydayPublishing.com.

Decide first what type of job you'd like to do and then work from there. If you are truly a people person and need to get out each day, direct sales or a local service business might be right for you. If you are the type of person who goes online a lot and is comfortable with the Internet, try finding a job or starting your own freelance business on the Internet. If you like the comfort of having a weekly paycheck, look into telecommuting positions.

Once you've decided what category of job you'd like, do some research on what it takes to be successful at that type of business. If you feel you are drawn to one particular business or company, then sit on your decision for a week and see how it feels. Imagine what your life will be like as you take on the duties of that job. More importantly, be realistic with yourself about how much time you can devote to your business. Finding the right match isn't hard when you thoroughly consider your options.