Before you dive into the pool of self-employment in a home office, experts say it isimportant to ask a couple of questions and the first two may not be so obvious:

        Are you a self-starter? Do you work well alone?

        Some people go nuts without frequent human interaction, particularly when the previous job entails teamwork and many people in an office setting.

        “If working for three hours straight without sharing a knock-knock joke is hard for you, you'll have trouble working at home,” says Jeffrey Seal, a marketing consultant.

        Prospective at-home workers should embrace or at least not be afraid of technology as a Web site is virtually essential for the owner of an at-home company.

        Learn your way around the Web before you even begin to think about building a company from the ground up in your basement.

        Mr. Seal offers some other advice for a prospective at-home business owner:

        • Get a name, register it with the secretary of state, and seek an Employer Identification Number with the Internal Revenue Service.

        • Spend time at the local small business development center. The Small Business Development Center at Northern Kentucky University offers consulting and training for people considering an at-home business. Reach the center at 859-572-6524.

        • If you work at home, there will be no commute and no company or departmental meetings. That's more time to spend on the job or hunting leads for new clients.

        • Pay attention to cash flow because large companies sometimes delay payments. Be willing to accept credit cards for fees.

        • Give away business cards like candy.

        • Send e-mails, newsletters and brochures to update clients about your company's activities.

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