For the purpose of this article RSS stands for “Really Simple Syndication”. I started my RSS research by going to wikipedia.org and simply looking up the term ‘RSS’.
The information in the article I found, (here), is informative, but if you are like me you don’t want to have to read a huge document to understand what something like RSS is all about. You want a simple, concise definition and a few example of what RSS might mean in your life.
So, let me break the topic down in a way that we can all understand.
I have been using RSS for about a year. I discovered a use for RSS soon after I started using Firefox, which is a browser alternative for Internet Explorer. (If you would like to know more about Firefox, visit http://getfirefox.com.) Many people in the technology field use Firefox - I even have my wife using it.
One reason to use Firefox as your web browser is that it makes using RSS simple. Firefox makes it so that whenever you go to a webpage that uses RSS you will see a small orange symbol in the address bar.
When you see this symbol, you can click on it and it will bring up an option to add a bookmark. This adds a bookmark that links directly to either a RSS file or an XML file. These files are a condensed version of the website that you were visiting when you clicked on the RSS symbol (sometimes they are referred to as “feeds’).
Another great thing about Firefox is that you can read RSS files without the need for any other software. The feed will look like a folder with a collection of links that are the articles from the RSS Feed you subscribed to.
But, to get some of the more advanced feed reading features you can get an ‘RSS reader’. Firefox includes an RSS reader extension that you can install called Sage. You can download it at https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/77/. (Note: My next article will be about Firefox and extensions so don’t worry if you don’t understand them at this point.)
You can also use an online reader put out by Google here http://www.google.com/reader/things/intro. I prefer the browser interface and haven’t used any of these on-line readers. You will to experiment with both types of RSS viewers a little bit and see which works best for you.
If you aren’t using Firefox and you still want to subscribe to an RSS feed the link will be a small orange button that says “RSS” or “XML.” These standard icons are usually used to make the RSS Feeds easier to find.
RSS feeds are also used for Podcasts and Videocasts. A Podcast and/or Videocast is an internet radio/TV program that can be listened to on an iPod or other MP3 device. You subscribe to the RSS feed using iTunes and it will automatically download the audio file and put it on your iPod (or another type of MP3 player). If you don’t have an iPod you can still use these feeds with other audio programs like http://www.podfeeder.com/. You can also check out the CWAHD Podcast Directory at http://www.cwahd.com/podcasts.html. This directory is full of Christian Podcasts.
I have a Video iPod and I love to watch Videocasts when I have some free time. I have even gone as far as mounting my iPod in my car so I can listen to audio podcasts on the way to work.
I hope that you have been able to get at least a little bit of information about what RSS is and what it can do for you. I am really excited about RSS and have started a project to have CWAHM.com and CWAHD.com redesigned to incorporate RSS for all of the articles featured on both sites. I believe that RSS will change the way that you surf the internet in the near future. It is a quick way to get a lot of information from the internet in a simple, easy to read format.
Allen Hart is the founder of CWAHD.com, Christian Work at Home Dads. CWAHD.com was designed to assist dads in their quest for a work at home job or business. For more information and additional articles, visit www.cwahd.com or contact Allen at info@cwahd.com.
Below are five ideas to prioritize your life and business:
1. Be honest - You probably didn’t start your work-at-home career to climb the “corporate ladder” of your at-home business. Chances are that you started your business with the best of intentions – to be able to be at home with your children, to contribute financially to your family, or simply to have a little spending money of your own.
Take a moment and honestly ask yourself how you’ve been handling the time commitment of owning a business:
• Are you spending too much time on the phone, the computer, etc?
• Are your kids spending more time than usual in front of the TV?
• Do you snap at your children because of the stresses of your business?
• Do you worry about your business – to the point that it distracts you when you are with your family?
2. Make a list – Sit down and write out a list of things that you see that you’d like to change. This can be a list of things you can do differently to limit the time you spend on your business; or a list of ways you can “de-stress” so that you can deal kindly with your family.
3. Log your time – Buy a notebook or create a spreadsheet that you can use to log the time you spend on your business each day. Make a column for each day across the top and a row of half an hour increments down the side. Every time you sit down at your desk, write “IN” in the box that corresponds to the time and day. Every time you leave your desk (or complete a task), fill the appropriate box with the word “OUT.”
At the end of the week, total up the hours each day that you have spent on business tasks. Are you surprised or is it about where you thought you’d be? This can be a real eye-opener and show you in black and white if your priorities have gotten off track. Take special note for how much time you spend on e-mails and things that aren’t billable.
Diana Ennen of Virtual Word Publishing, http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com also recommends that you plan ahead and schedule your time. Prioritize things and have the work that will require the most effort and concentration scheduled for your peak time. Try and not get sidetracked and stay on task focusing on what you need to do. You’d be amazed how much more work you can get done by simply changing how you work e-mails. If you only answer them at set hours, you save yourself from being online all day and not accomplishing much.
4. Take a break – If you get to the end of the week and your time log has you in shock; it’s time to take a break. If you normally work during the weekend, make it a point to take this weekend off. Shut down your email, turn off the ringer on your phone and shut the door to your office. You’ll be surprised at how refreshing this will be.
Use this time off to re-evaluate how you need to be spending your time. Try to plan out when you can work on your business without losing out on time with your children. If your children are in school, make it a point to stop working when they get home. If your children are still small, maybe you can limit work hours to naptime or, if possible, have a grandparent watch them once or twice a week to allow you a bit more work time.
5. Plan an activity – Now that you’re ready to make a change in your routine, why not plan an activity once a week? This can be an outing with your child or just something simple like setting aside time to make cookies together.
If possible, find another work-at-home mom and hold one another accountable to keep to your new schedules. Make a weekly play date where your children can spend time together – you can talk business if necessary or decide to make it a “no business talk allowed” discussion time.
The years that you have at home with your children are a gift as is your business. The time necessary for each will be different for every family and situation. Take the time to find what works for you and set your schedule accordingly. Make it a point to evaluate your priorities every few months to make sure that your time is spent properly. The rewards will be well worth it, when your family not only is proud of your accomplishments in your business, but also more importantly your accomplishments as their mom.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jill Hart is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. This site is dedicated to providing work at home moms with opportunities to promote their businesses while at the same time providing them spiritual encouragement and articles. Visit http://www.CWAHM.com for additional information. Jill and her husband, Allen of CWAHD.com (Christian Work at Home Dads) reside in Nebraska with their two children.
Listen to Jill’s radio show, Christian Work at Home Moment, at http://www.cwahm.com/loudblog !
First, you’ll need a Domain Name. A domain name is what your website visitors will type in to visit your website. For example, the domain name that you would type in to find Christian Work at Home Moms is www.CWAHM.com – “CWAHM” being the actual domain name portion of the website address.
You can purchase a domain name for less than $9.00 a year at places across the internet, such as www.GoDaddy.com. On the main page of GoDaddy.com you’ll find a spot where you can search to see if the domain name that you’d like to purchase is available. You want the domain name that you choose to be descriptive and easy to remember.
Next, it’s time to create your website. Sit down and write out everything you want your website to include. Make a list of all the products, details, prices, and options your customers will want to know. The more information you give the customer upfront, without making them search your website, the more sales you’ll make. Customers like clean, warm websites where they feel that they have all of the necessary information and can trust the person they are purchasing from.
Now it’s time to plan out the design and layout of your website. This aspect is very important. You will need to make sure that your layout is clear and easy to navigate. If possible, include a menu that is easy to find and contains all of the different sections you’ve included on the site.
Also, consider a “site map”. A site map is a page or section of the website that contains a full layout of every page and topic on the website. Many small websites overlook this, but it is a very simple way to give your visitors an overview of all that you offer. Almost all large websites use site maps to aid their customers. Consider eBay – what website do you know that makes as much in profit as eBay? There aren’t many out there. When you visit eBay, the third link on the website, right up by the logo is “site map”.
Why do you think eBay put their site map in such a prominent place? They know that the visitors to their site get easily overwhelmed. When you click on the eBay “site map” link, you get a complete overview of the all that eBay offers – from registering on the site to contacting their customer service departments.
When planning out the layout of your website, there are, of course many aspects to consider. A few of the most important things to think about are:
How many pages will your website be?
Will your website be showcasing your products or a business opportunity? Or both?
How well do you know your demographic? Will your website be geared toward women or men? What age group are you targeting? What are their interests? What will catch their eye?
Compile this information and start to map out the graphics, pictures and text that you want to use on your site. You want the text on your website to be clear, concise and to the point. Your website visitors will want to be able to easily scan your site for the information they need in order to make their purchase. Use bulleted lists when possible and keep your paragraphs to a maximum of a few sentences.
Finally, you are ready to put your plans into action. The easiest way to create your website is by using a website template, such as Google Pages, http://pages.google.com. The template will give you a framework and allow you to somewhat “fill in the blanks” with the text and graphics that you’ve chosen.
You’ve done it. You’ve created an online presence for your business. You’ve picked a meaningful domain name; researched the demographic that you’re trying to reach; and thought out the layout and other aspects of your website in order to create a meaningful website that will be easy for your visitors to use. You’re now ready to direct traffic to your website and make sales.
About the Author:
Jill Hart is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. This site is dedicated to providing work at home moms with opportunities to promote their businesses while at the same time providing them spiritual encouragement and articles. Visit http://www.CWAHM.com for additional information. Jill and her husband, Allen of CWAHD.com (Christian Work at Home Dads) reside in Nebraska with their two children.
]]>1. Use a Professional Signature – This is an important tip to use on every email that you send. Even your friends may not always remember your website address or business phone number and will quickly look to an old e-mail to look it up.
When preparing an email signature it’s important to include Your Name, Company Name, and your Physical Address or Website Address. You may also include your phone number. Below is a sample Email signature:
Jill Hart
888-241-0990
Christian Work at Home Moms
http://www.cwahm.com
The signature is simple, easy to read and includes a link directly to my website. It is very important to include the http:// before the website address because many email programs will not link the text to your website without this (it will appear as text – not a link).
Also, make sure that you double check that you have your website correct. Often times I’ve found that people have their website wrong by inverting a letter or two and aren’t aware of it. It cannot only lead to a loss of a sale, but it shows less professionalism on your part.
You can also use a virtual business card as your signature. You can design and purchase your own virtual business card at http://www.vistaprint.com. There is a very small cost – less than $2.00 for this professional looking virtual signature file.
2. Find a “Signature Buddy” – This is an easy and cost-free way to spread the word about your business. Ask a colleague or friend if they will “swap” a line their signature with you. You will add a line at the bottom of your signature with a link to their business and they will do the same.
Jill Hart
888-241-0990
Christian Work at Home Moms
http://www.cwahm.com
Publishing and book marketing - http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com/
The signature “swap” can be as simple as a line (as above) or as much as a 2 – 3 line testimony of why you’re recommending this link. You can find a permanent signature “buddy” or change it weekly or monthly.
3. Send Email Coupons – This is a great way to network using email. Send a special coupon by email that is available only for those that receive your emails. You can also extend this to a newsletter if you have one. Offer a special coupon for anyone who signs up for your newsletter!
You can send other specials by email as well – special offers, free gifts, ebooks, etc. There are many ways that you can utilize your email to bless your customers and colleagues.
4. Create a Custom Background for your Email – This is easier to do than it sounds. If you are using Microsoft Outlook or a similar program, you can find directions on creating your own custom signature online at places like http://www.mailmsg.com/outlookstationary.htm .
Custom email stationary can take a plain email and make it look professional. I include my logo and my website name in my custom background. Be sure to make the picture “light,” so that it does not compete with the text of the emails you’ll be sending.
5. Send Thank You Emails – In this day and age it is very acceptable to send a Thank You card via email. This is an easy way to thank customers, advertisers, and even newsletter subscribers.
You can create you own Thank You or use a program like Yahoo! Greetings. Many of these programs have free e-cards that you can send as well as a paid version with additional designs. Another great place is Hallmark.com where you can get customized greeting e-cards for any occasion, free. It’s a great way to remember your client’s birthdays or perhaps a special day in their business.
You can even set up an auto-responder to send the Thank You automatically. There are many auto-responder programs for you to choose from and many website hosting companies will provide you with one, you’ll just need to go in and set it up.
One great thing about an auto-responder is that you can set up when the email will be sent, what will “trigger” the auto-responder and what the email will say. This way, any time you receive an order, the customer receives an email immediately, even if you’re not available.
One downfall to auto-responders is that they can seem impersonal. However, you can overcome this by taking the time to write a personal note to your customers and use this as the auto-responder email.
Can you see how beneficial e-mails can be for your business? When you use a professional looking signature, find a “buddy” to swap lines in your signature, personalize your email background, use auto-responders and any other items that you are able to customize, you’ll never look at email the same way again. Marketing can be inexpensive and effective when you know the right ways to do it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jill Hart is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. This site is dedicated to providing work at home moms with opportunities to promote their businesses while at the same time providing them spiritual encouragement and articles. Visit http://www.CWAHM.com for additional information. Jill and her husband, Allen of CWAHD.com (Christian Work at Home Dads) reside in Nebraska with their two children.
Listen to Jill’s radio show, Christian Work at Home Moment, at http://www.cwahm.com/loudblog !
Running a home-based business has become a large part of my identity. Not in a selfish, “See what I can do!” way, but in a positive sense. It has given me the confidence to know that I accomplish things that I never thought possible. Before I was a work-at-home mom, I wanted to be able to be at home with my children, but I also felt that I needed more. I needed something for me alone that would make me feel strong and confident. I also needed the opportunity to keep in touch with others to avoid the isolation that often accompanies stay-at-home moms.
There are three keys areas in my life that I believe my home-based business has helped me develop:
Passion
When I began my website it truly was something for ME. I wanted to compile work at home information all in one spot so that I could find the perfect opportunity that would allow me to stay at home with my children. However, in running CWAHM I have found that I have a passion for helping other moms work from home.
My business has taught me that to succeed you must give to others and expect nothing in return. This may not seem like a sensible business technique, but it is a biblical principle. Put others before yourself, help others to succeed and you will be successful yourself.
Gina Neef with The MOM Team, told me recently, “I didn't realize I even wanted "something of my own" three years ago. When I began - it all unfolded… so nice to have my passion fueled.”
Confidence
In college I was shy and very unsure of myself. I felt like there was not any one thing that I was truly good at. My grades were average, my athletic ability was average, and on and on. Being a successful business owner has opened my eyes to the fact that there are things that I am good at.
Melody Spier, owner of Ballyhoo Virtual Services, felt similarly. She states, “Owning a business has taught me so much about myself and my capabilities. I used to let fear of the unknown, fear of success and of failure hold me back, but now that I’m a business owner, I’ve learned that it’s okay to succeed at some things and fail at others. I take each experience and learn from it - what worked, what didn’t? Today if I want to do something but don’t know how, I find someone who has knowledge of the topic and I ask for help. Owning a business has taught me to believe in my skills and myself. My fear of success has long since vanished as well; I can now say that I’m proud to own a successful virtual assistant business.”
Courage
Being a business owner has given me courage. Courage to take chances and go beyond my comfort level. Once I have a few successes behind me, I realized that I could do it all. Also, even my failures make me stronger. I found that my business didn’t shut down with each mistake I made and I always found a better way of doing things. Diana Ennen, president of Virtual Word Publishing, agrees. She states, “Owning my own business has inspired me to do more in all aspects of my life. I love the warmth of success so I try and take the right steps to achieve it. Just as I want the best for my family, I also want the best for my business as well. I’ll often find the courage to go the extra mile and reach far beyond what I think is possible and what I find is that most of the time, I reach those goals.”
Having “something all my own” has benefited me in many ways – passion, confidence, courage – and so much more. I’ve been inspired to do things that I never thought possible. If you desire to work from home you’ll find that it’s worth the time and effort that it takes to get started. Take the chance, step out on faith and work until you succeed.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jill Hart is the author of the e-book, 2 Weeks Devotional Journey for Christian Work at Home Moms, and the founder and editor of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. This site is dedicated to providing work at home moms with opportunities to promote their businesses while at the same time providing them spiritual encouragement and articles. Jill's work has been published across the internet, including DrLaura.com. She also has work published in the Xulon Press book, I'll Be Home For Christmas. Visit http://www.CWAHM.com for additional information.
This article is free to reprint if the Author's Bio remains in tact. For additional articles, please contact Jill Hart.
]]>It is effective to market your online business locally primarily because potential customers and business recruits prefer to have the option of speaking with the business owner face to face. By attracting customers locally, you can maximize the opportunities to meet with them. You will no longer be that “someone they found online,” but someone that they will be able to relate to and feel confident doing business with.
But how do you market locally? Here are some excellent tips:
Besides the common local advertising routes, such as Newspaper Ads, Yellow Pages, Etc., another effective (and inexpensive) way to advertise locally is to post business related flyers around your community. Many grocery stores, libraries, bookstores, and office supply stores offer bulletin boards for this purpose. Make yours stand out and be recognized, yet professional enough to warrant someone trusting you with their business. Also, if possibly have a tear-off section on your flyer so they can take your number and leave your flyer.
Look for events geared toward work-at-home businesses. There are organizations, such as the National Work at Home Mom Association, that hold events across the nation to help promote the work-at-home business owner. At events such as these, you can purchase a booth and make hundreds of local contacts, as well as sales, all in one day.
Reach out to your community. Join your local Chamber of Commerce, get involved in community events and become known to those around you. Pass out flyers and hand out business cards to everyone you meet. Door Flyers also work well for marketing – pick one neighborhood a week and go door to door. Be consistent with your marketing with door flyers, too. If a potential customer sees your ad repeatedly, they will feel more inclined to use your services in the future. Magnets can be great promotional items as well. You can have magnets printed with your business information and hand them out to people that you speak to about your products. Potential clients can keep these on their refrigerator or filing cabinet. You can also leave flyers, magnets or even catalogs around town in places like doctor’s offices, hair salons, etc.
Volunteer in your community for marketing success. Diana Ennen of Virtual Word Publishing, Inc. suggests, “Volunteer at school events such as PTA meetings or community functions. When your child’s school needs a flyer, volunteer to do it and attach your card to it. Look to see where you can also inexpensively advertise. Often ads in the kid’s yearbook or community events newsletter will get your more exposure than the expensive ads in the daily newspapers.”
Direct mail is another great tool for gaining local clients. Get the Yellow Pages out and write a professional letter or send your brochures or postcards to those that would be interested in your products or services. Send a mailing to local businesses that my be interested in offering your products to their customers. For example, if you sell home décor products, send a professional letter to real estate agents in your local area. In the letter, describe how your products would be valuable for them to use as thank you gifts when they sell a home.
It’s important to talk to everyone you possibly can about your business. You can find prospective customers in line at the grocery store, while waiting at a doctor’s office, or even while playing at the park with your children. Let others know that you are excited about it and believe in it. If the people around you hear the excitement in your voice, they may become excited about your business, too! You’ll be rewarded with more sales and a business that prospers from year to year.
There a few simple things that you can do on a regular basis that will help to de-stress organizing process:
* Address your home office/desktop chaos in blocks of time. You may need to set aside just a few hours, or you may need an entire day. Decide what will work for you and stick to it. If it’s not possible for you to set aside a block of time, consider using a headset while you are on the phone and be de-cluttering, too!
* Have the necessities on hand: a trash can, pen, file folders, mail baskets and other organization items that will enable you to sort, throw out and find a place for each item. Envision your goal and purchase the supplies necessary to create that environment.
* Clear the space you want to organize (the desk surface, one of the drawers, etc.). Then make a pile of all the paper. Begin to evaluate each piece of paper, sorting it by importance. Throw out as much as possible and find a place for each of the other items.
* If you start to feel stressed, take a break. Make a goal of how far you’d like to get during the time you have available and set an incentive for yourself if you reach your goal. It’s always easier to complete a task when you know you’ll be rewarded.
Once you’ve organized your office, it’s important to take small steps everyday to keep the room clean and tidy. It’s very easy to fall back into the routine of piling things on your desktop and around the room. There are five simple tasks that you can do daily to help maintain your organized space:
1. Clean out your “Inbox”. In today’s world this can apply to postal mail or email. Create a special basket for postal mail that needs to be taken care of right away, and another for items that can wait a day or two.
To keep your email inbox under control, create folders within your email program. Keep what needs to be done immediately in your inbox and distributed the rest into your folders. You can also use "rules" to help separate email and make it easier to manage.
2. Make sure all notes are transferred to your calendar, palm pilot or day planner. It is very easy to pile up a desktop full of paper by writing every note on a Post-it. You can also create an “Idea Book” to catalog all of your business ideas for future reference.
3. Remove all mail, catalogs & magazines from your desk. Put them in their proper place as you receive them. This will considerably cut down the amount of clutter on your desktop.
4 File as you go. This is the most basic and most important tip of all. If you file as you go your records will be in order, your desktop will be clear and you will feel like a professional.
5 Clean off your desktop each evening. There's nothing better than sitting down at a clean workspace each morning. It helps to keep your mind focused on your business and makes finding important documents a snap.
By following these easy guidelines you will have a clean and organized home office in no time. Having a clutter-free workspace is the first step in creating an organized and professional home-based business.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jill Hart is the author of the e-book, 2 Weeks Devotional Journey for Christian Work at Home Moms, and the founder and editor of Christian Work at Home Moms CWAHM.com. This site is dedicated to providing work at home moms with opportunities to promote their businesses while at the same time providing them spiritual encouragement and articles. E-mail Jill at jill@cwahm.com for additional information or stop by her site at www.cwahm.com.
This article is free to reprint if the Author's Bio remains in tact. For additional articles, please contact Jill Hart.
]]>There are several ways to network online. One of the most inexpensive is to visit message boards (for an example of a message board, visit http://www.cwahm.com/messageboard ). You can register on message boards for free and post about your products, business or any topic on the board that interests you. This is a good way to meet other Christians who also work from home and to develop Christian business relationships.
It may also be possible to become a “moderator” on one of the message boards that you join. A moderator is usually in charge of one forum and helps to generate conversation; delete posts that may not belong in the forum and answer any questions people my have about the forum/topic. This is a win-win situation for both you and the message board owner. They are receiving help in maintaining their message board and you are making contacts and building relationships.
Another way to make business contacts online is through networking websites such as Ryze (http://www.ryze.com). On Ryze, you can create your own page describing yourself and your business. You can also join various networks and meet people virtually who may be interested in your product or business. This not only allows you to build business relationships, but friendships as well. There are many Christian networks on Ryze, such as the Christian Business Women’s Network (CBWN). The CBWN network exists to bring Christian women together to help one another succeed in the work at home world.
For a small fee you can also create your own network on Ryze. If you have a unique product or business opportunity, it may benefit you to create a network where others can come to find information. You may also use a network to create a community environment if you have a team of people that you support in your work-at-home business. Your team can work together and find information easily all in one place.
Kelly McCausey, host of Women by Grace Radio, had this to say about Ryze, “Ryze has been an incredible source of networking for me. I have made at least two of my most valuable business relationships on the networks there. I enjoy the variety of possibilities and the ease of making connections.”
There are also networking groups on websites like Yahoo, Google and MSN. You can search for groups on these sites by topic and join for free. There are countless Christian groups as well as work-at-home networks to be found on these sites. These groups generally are email based, so you will receive emails from the group that will be formatted similarly to Message Board posts. This allows you the flexibility to read them when you have the time and choose the topics that interest you from the subject line. Many groups will allow you to place ads and generate conversation about your home-based business. Just check their guidelines before posting and watch the group a couple days before becoming active. You can then get a general feel for how that group works.
Another way to network and build relationships online is to visit blogs. You can search for Christian blogs or blogs that may relate to your product or service. Take the time to read some of the blog entries and leave a comment for the blog owner with your website address. Blogging is a great new trend in the work-at-home world and many people are learning to blog as a way to increase awareness of their business.
One very important, and often overlooked, way to make online contacts is to include your business name and website address in the signature of every email that you send. This makes people aware of your business and allows them to easily visit your website. Including your website link (and maybe a catchy slogan also) will catch the readers eye and give them easy access to your website. If you send emails 15 times during a day that is 15 more people that you have marketed your business to. An email signature is also a way to ensure that your current customers can effortlessly find your website. It is important that customers can find your website with minimal searching and an email signature is one of the easiest ways to achieve this.
Networking online is a great way to meet people without having to leave your home. The internet is one of the best resources available to home-based business owners. Once you have an idea of how and where to network online you will be well on your way to a successful new form of marketing.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jill Hart is the author of the e-book, 2 Weeks Devotional Journey for Christian Work at Home Moms, and the founder and editor of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. This site is dedicated to providing work at home moms with opportunities to promote their businesses while at the same time providing them spiritual encouragement and articles. E-mail Jill at jill@cwahm.com for additional information or stop by her site at CWAHM.com. This article is free to reprint if the Author's Bio remains in tact. For additional articles, please contact Jill Hart.
When deciding between a standard second job and a home-based business, it is important to consider the expenses incurred in both. For those considering a second job, many do not take into account the numerous extra expenses that go along with childcare, clothing, gas, etc. Crown Financial Ministries offers a worksheet online (http://www.crown.org/Tools/mommake.asp ) to help you determine how much you will actually make once these expenses are deducted from your income. By breaking it down and seeing the guideline, you can see just how much extra you really bring home each week.
A home-based business also incurs expenses, but most of your business related expenses will be at least partially tax deductible. The IRS looks favorably on home-based businesses. The more money that you save with legitimate tax deductions, the more finances you’ll have to increase the size of your business. This in turn creates more revenue for the IRS.
A home-based business can also offer flexibility that a second job cannot. You can work from the comfort of your home – often in your pajamas if you choose. You can work the days you want and the hours you need. Your schedule is up to you! For example, Diana Ennen, author Virtual Assistant the Series, Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com, states, “I enjoy the flexibility my home-based business provides. You can easily wake up at 5:30 a.m. to work or work until 2:00 a.m. whatever fits your personality. Many people enjoy it because they can start work after they have put the kids the bed and work a couple hours and earn extra money without having to hire a babysitter. Plus, it's all in the comfort of your own home. No costs on dry-cleaning, travel to work, gas expenses, etc., and you can't beat the one minute commute to the office!”
Allowing your family to be a part of the business is another benefit that not many jobs can compete with and thus another positive benefit to home-based businesses. Depending on the type of home-based business you choose, there may be small jobs that your children can assist with in the daily operations. These include: Helping prepare your mailings, preparing packages if you have a direct mail company, or even answering the phone - depending on their age. Your spouse can also be a part of your business and may be able to help run the business when you are not able to be at home.
Helping others be successful working from home is another great perk of being a part of a home-based business. Most home-based businesses allow you to build a team of people to work along side you. Finding other people that are interested in owning a business and then helping them succeed is satisfying and can be financially rewarding as well.
There are, of course, negative aspects about working from home. The success of your business depends solely on you. You need to be determined, efficient and organized to be successful. You must take the time to work at the business or you will not see the additional income that you desire. It can be very easy to let your business slide when you are tired or feeling discouraged. However, if you are aware of these temptations, you can create a plan to overcome them when they arise.
The benefits of a home-based business can many times override the work and time you must devote. When compared to the expenses occurred by taking a second job it is a great alternative. Because of the tax breaks when operating a home-based business, it is many times a more profitable option. You may not make a million, but it may allow you the freedom and income that you need to make life a little easier. Even with the disadvantages, many who work-at-home wouldn’t have it any other way. I hope this helps you make the right decision for you and your family.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jill Hart is the founder and editor of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com, and the author of the e-book, The Two Week Devotional Journey for Christian Work at Home Moms. The CWAHM.com website is dedicated to providing moms with free resources to aid them in their work at home search. The site also provides current work at home moms with opportunities to promote their businesses while at the same time providing them spiritual encouragement and articles. E-mail Jill at jill@cwahm.com for additional information or stop by her site at www.cwahm.com.
]]>There are four main ways to make working from home possible:
1. Telecommute for your current employer – Many employers are beginning to see the benefits of allowing their employees to work from home. If you have a job that would be possible to do from home ask your employer to consider it. More and more employers are allowing employees to telecommute. This is an easy way to work from home while maintaining the security of a stable career. You must realize, though, that working from home may limit you in terms of advancing in your company. It’s important to think through the sacrifices that you may need to make in your situation to work from home.
2. Telecommute as an independent contractor – There are many companies that hire independent contractors to do work such as data entry, transcription and customer service from home. This can be an incredible opportunity as long as you’re willing to keep track of your own taxes and aren’t relying on the employer for insurance and other perks
There are many benefits to the company also, such as lower wages, not needing to provide insurance, or being able to offer a commission based position. The company may also choose to hire home workers so that they do not need to pay for space to house an office full of employees.
3. Own a direct sales/MLM home-based business – Many times these types of home-based businesses are overlooked, but they truly can bring an income and allow you to work from home. However, doing your research before joining a company is very important. Look for representatives of the company to speak with and, if possible, try to find someone who has been a representative for the company, but is no longer. They may be able to share some of the negative aspects of the business with you.
Also check with the Better Business Bureau and make sure that the company that you are considering has a good reputation. You can also go to websites such as CWAHM.com and sign up to speak with current work at home moms (CWAHD.com for dads) who can answer your questions about owning a home-based direct sales/MLM business.
4. Begin your own home-based business – It can seem overwhelming to start your own business, but if you start small and have a good business plan it can be a very rewarding decision. You are able to be your own boss, have a very flexible schedule and work only when it is convenient for you.
When considering beginning your own business, make sure that you have found a niche that will allow you to serve customers that no one else is serving. When I began searching for a way to work from home, I spent time researching the different work at home websites available and realized that there was not a place for Christians to network and help one another work from home. I filled this niche with my website, CWAHM.com, and the response has been amazing. If you take your time and find a niche or unique product, you will have a much higher chance at success.
If you decide to begin your own business, you must also check your state and city about zoning laws, licensure requirements, etc. Contact an accountant to find out what percentage of sales you need to set aside for taxes as well as whether or not you’ll need to make quarterly tax payments.
Working from home is a big commitment and it can take some time to get started. It’s important to take the time to research what type of at-home position will work best for you. If you would like to telecommute, speak with your employer to see if it is a possibility. If you are looking into a home-based business, speak with others from the company or find a niche that you can fill with your own business. Working from home can be a rewarding choice and it IS possible.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jill Hart is the founder and editor of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com, and the author of the e-book, The Two Week Devotional Journey for Christian Work at Home Moms. The CWAHM.com website is dedicated to providing moms with free resources to aid them in their work at home search. The site also provides current work at home moms with opportunities to promote their businesses while at the same time providing them spiritual encouragement and articles. E-mail Jill at jill@cwahm.com for additional information or stop by her site at www.cwahm.com.
]]>One important thing that many work-at-home moms do not recognize is that it can take six months to a year at minimum for your business to be successful financially. If you are aware of this going into the business and have planned accordingly, then you are already one step ahead of the game and won’t become unnecessarily discouraged.
Also, be aware that the time frame it takes to start a business will vary depending on the type of business that you are starting. For example, for those that are starting in direct sales, you may be able to jump in, hold some home parties, and see an income right away. In this case, then you just need to focus on maintaining this income to keep it successful.
However, if you are starting an Internet business selling your own products or services, it may take much longer to see the fruits of your labor. For some, it can take a year or even two to create a “presence” online and for people to recognize and seek out your products. You will find that the benefits are well worth the time and effort in the end, but it can be discouraging waiting to see a profit.
So, how does a person make it in the work-at-home world? I think the two most important aspects of running your own business from home are creativity and persistence.
Creativity—Be creative in how you market your products and/or services. Start by thinking of ways that you can reach customers that will make you stand out from others who offer similar types of products. Design contests, free offers and other types of marketing strategies that will bring customers to your website. Then, try to determine what your customers are looking for once they reach your website and offer the most popular products on your front page. Keep in mind that it’s important to keep your website fresh so consider changing the items or text on your website’s front page often. This will continue to pique the interest of your customers each time they visit and encourage them to come back.
Persistence—This is key when you are running a business from home. Don’t start out strong marketing yourself in every way possible and then simply stop marketing because you haven’t seen many sales. Most profitable businesses must continually be marketing their services to keep it successful. Try to think of a successful business that does no advertising. Can they just sit back and let the sales roll in from their website? Not really. It just doesn’t work that way. EVERY business must continue to advertise in some way to stay successful. For example, we found at Christian Work At Home Moms (CWHAM.com) that those that achieve the most success are the consistent advertisers, the ones who advertise regularly and keep their businesses, banners, and other promotions in front of their potential clients.
This does not mean that you must spend hundreds of dollars a month to advertise your home-based business. What it does mean is that you must be persistent in the advertising that you choose to do. Budget your advertising dollars in a way that you can do a small amount consistently. Get involved in groups online and ask advice from other successful moms. Whatever you do, don’t stop talking about your business!
And most importantly, don’t give up. Success IS possible. Take the time to be creative in how you are marketing your business. Be persistent and don’t expect profits immediately. Set realistic goals for your business and be patient while your business grows into something you can be proud of. Soon you’ll be among the millions of work-at-home moms who are enjoying it all: Being home with the kids, financial freedom, and the pride of having their own home-based business.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jill Hart is the author of the e-book, 2 Weeks Devotional Journey for Christian Work at Home Moms, and the founder and editor of Christian Work at Home Moms CWAHM.com. This site is dedicated to providing work at home moms with opportunities to promote their businesses while at the same time providing them spiritual encouragement and articles. E-mail Jill at jill@cwahm.com for additional information or stop by her site at www.cwahm.com.
This article is free to reprint if the Author's Bio remains in tact. For additional articles, please contact Jill Hart.
]]>The term “blog” is short for “weblog”, which just means an online journal or “log”. You can jot down personal thoughts and notes, post articles you’ve written or keep track of interesting websites you find. The sky is the limit, it seems, when it comes to blogging. A blog is something entirely of your own creation and you can use it to share your thoughts with the world, well….with anyone you can get to read it anyway.
One of the main debates going on about blogs is whether blogging can be done to improve Search Engine rankings for businesses or to create a buzz about business websites. Both of these can be true if the blog is used correctly. Many resources show that once a blog is created, many times it is listed in Search Engines within 48 hours. This was true of the blog I created for Christian Work at Home Moms.
The easiest way to create a blog is to use one of the free tools available online, such as Google’s Blogger. You can create your blog for free using their online tools and templates(nothing to download). After you have created the blog, you can then publish your blog through them and “Wa-La” – your blog is posted online for the world to see.
Once you’ve created your blog, you will need to decide how you will use it. Will it be a personal blog, full of thoughts and comments for yourself alone or maybe your family? Or will it be a business blog, with articles and tips for potential customers? If you want your blog to be found by others, blogging experts recommend that you begin by setting the title and descriptions for your blog. These are similar to the the title and descriptions you set for your website. Try to make them meaningful because they are what people will see when your blog is returned in a Search Engine. If your description is simply “my blog”, you may not draw the attention you’d like.
If you are blogging in the hopes of attracting customers, make sure to use wise use of words and links in your blogs. Try to avoid the “click here” link. Instead, opt for links within descriptive sentences. Add the HTML link within the sentence and attach it to the words that are closely related to the page or site you are linking to. For example, to link to my website I would not use “click here” as my link. I would say, “Please visit Christian Work at Home Moms for home-based work resources” with the link within the text.
There are many ways to get your blog noticed outside of optimizing them for Search Engines. For instance, there are entire websites devoted to listing blogs dedicated to any topic that you can think of. One of the best such websites devoted to women-created blogs, is BlogDaisy.com. You can also use free tools such a FeedBurner.com to track the traffic on your blog and to create a dynamic title box that can be used to display your blog headlines on your website or even in your email signature. Each time you update your blog, these headlines are instantly updated.
If used correctly, a blog can be a terrific tool to inform potential customers of your business. Be sure to update your blog at least once a week so that the content remains fresh and you remain in the Search Engines.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jill Hart is the author of the e-book, 2 Weeks Devotional Journey for Christian Work at Home Moms, and the founder and editor of Christian Work at Home Moms CWAHM.com. This site is dedicated to providing work at home moms with opportunities to promote their businesses while at the same time providing them spiritual encouragement and articles. E-mail Jill at jill@cwahm.com for additional information or stop by her site at www.cwahm.com.
This article is free to reprint if the Author's Bio remains in tact. For additional articles, please contact Jill Hart.
]]>For many people, January is the time of year that they reflect upon their lives. New Year’s resolutions are made and goals for the New Year are set. Many women in our society are unhappy in the corporate world and seeking to make a change and enter the home-based working world. What better time of year to be presenting your home-based business opportunity as often as possible?
There are many ways to go about the task of increasing your business and recruiting. Take time before the New Year begins to make a list of strategies that you can implement to get your name out there. Also, think about what small changes you can make to increase customer loyalty, repeat business and other business aspects like these.
If your goal is to increase recruitment for business partners, consider finding a Leads program in which to take part. Many times these programs can provide you with interested home-based business seekers with which to share your business opportunities. Look for a program that is suited to your particular business or beliefs. There are many different types of Leads programs available on the internet – take the time to find the one that suits you, your business and your budget best.
A great recruiting tool is to sponsor contests. You can do this both online and in your local area. This can create a “buzz” about your business and provide you with names of people who might be interested in your business opportunity. One “out of the box” way that I have heard of the contest sponsorship idea being done is to put contest entry boxes in local women’s fitness clubs or places that would fit your particular business. Use “Customer Care Cards” as the entry forms so that you can collect the name, address, phone number and email address of the person entering your contest. Follow up with a phone call to each and every entry. Some may be interested in hosting a party for you or in hearing about your business opportunity.
Maybe your goal this New Year isn’t recruitment, but sales growth. Make a list of creative ways that you can encourage customers to consider your products. You can jumpstart this year’s sales by offering “After Christmas” specials, after-purchase freebies, contests and more.
One way that many home-based business owners online neglect to take advantage of is the signature line in emails and when posting in forums. This can be a great tool to advertise your business, specials and contests. I receive many emails from business owners who do not include a signature line with their business name, and sometimes they fail to even put their name at the end of the email! This is not only unprofessional, but makes it much more difficult to find out more about their business. Every email sent this way is a potential sale lost.
The “freebie” is another great sales booster. Everybody (especially women) loves to get something for nothing. Consider offering a small thank you token when a purchase is made. No matter how inexpensive the value of the “freebie” may be, it can still be a great incentive! It can also foster customer loyalty and repeat business.
If you have an online business reciprocal linking can be a great way to jumpstart business. The more sites that link to yours, the more visits your website will receive. Linking also helps you place higher in Search Engine listings. Take the time to search for sites with similar content and request a link exchange. This is almost always a win-win situation for both sites.
Jumpstarting your business for the New Year can be a challenge, but if you take the time to be creative and put some effort towards it, it can be very rewarding. Use the resources available in this information age: Leads Programs, Link Exchanges and signature lines. God Bless you in the New Year!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jill Hart is the author of the e-book, 2 Weeks Devotional Journey for Christian Work at Home Moms, and the founder and editor of Christian Work at Home Moms CWAHM.com. This site is dedicated to providing work at home moms with opportunities to promote their businesses while at the same time providing them spiritual encouragement and articles. E-mail Jill at jill@cwahm.com for additional information or stop by her site at www.cwahm.com.
This article is free to reprint if the Author's Bio remains in tact. For additional articles, please contact Jill Hart.
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