Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.
Position: Concierge
Education: No formal education required.
Skills: The ability to handle phone, email and online customer inquiries on a variety of topics and services.
Job outlook: Varies, but companies are once again hiring concierges as an employee perk, and with employees having to work longer hours, using a concierge to help with personal errands could be on the upswing.
Possible employers: VIPdesk and Potomac Concierge are two online businesses that employ virtual concierges. Try large area businesses, such as medical offices, to see if they are interested in offering your services as an employee benefit.
Preparation: Brush up on your online research skills. Make sure you have a reliable high-speed Internet service, a computer and cell phone or landline.
Get your foot in the door: Apply to one of the above mentioned companies. Contact companies with tiered packages geared to all levels of income. Even if the company doesn’t hire you, ask if you can leave flyers or brochures in the company lounge or lunchroom.
Until next time,
Sarah
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Marketing Your Home-Based Business: Case Studies
The seventh way you can market your home-based business is with case studies, which can expand beyond scientific applications. You can find out a lot about your products or services and how customers use them.
Team up with your local college or university’s marketing department to conduct the case studies. Many times, the departments are looking for ways to give their students real-world experience and your case study could be beneficial to both parties.
Write a list of things you want the case study to discover, such as how your product is used, what are the positive and negatives of the product, and what improvements the product needs. Be thorough and explicit in order to develop the best case study possible.
Work closely with whomever is conducting the case study to gleam information as it goes on. Be willing to hear the good and the bad, keeping in mind that all of the data will help you with your product development.
Case studies aren’t for every business, but it could help yours reach new heights.
Until next time,
Sarah
Team up with your local college or university’s marketing department to conduct the case studies. Many times, the departments are looking for ways to give their students real-world experience and your case study could be beneficial to both parties.
Write a list of things you want the case study to discover, such as how your product is used, what are the positive and negatives of the product, and what improvements the product needs. Be thorough and explicit in order to develop the best case study possible.
Work closely with whomever is conducting the case study to gleam information as it goes on. Be willing to hear the good and the bad, keeping in mind that all of the data will help you with your product development.
Case studies aren’t for every business, but it could help yours reach new heights.
Until next time,
Sarah
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: On-Call Nurses
Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.
Position: On-Call Nurses
Education: A RN degree, plus up-to-date certification is required.
Skills: The ability to dispense information on medical conditions, medication reactions, disease management and health care options.
Job outlook: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says job opportunities for registered nurses is “expected to grow by 22 percent from 2008 to 2018.” The home health care services for RNs is projected to increase 33 percent, according to the BLS. Check out the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details.
Possible employers: Companies like Fonemed.com and McKesson.com hire nurses to take phone calls. Also check with insurance companies, as some of those have special services, like maternity care hot lines, that need RNs.
Preparation: Make sure your nursing credentials are up-to-date. You’ll likely need reliable high-speed Internet connection, a computer and a landline. Being reachable is key to this business.
Get your foot in the door: Apply online at the above companies. Send your resume to local insurance companies or area hospitals asking about phone-based employment.
Until next time,
Sarah
Position: On-Call Nurses
Education: A RN degree, plus up-to-date certification is required.
Skills: The ability to dispense information on medical conditions, medication reactions, disease management and health care options.
Job outlook: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says job opportunities for registered nurses is “expected to grow by 22 percent from 2008 to 2018.” The home health care services for RNs is projected to increase 33 percent, according to the BLS. Check out the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details.
Possible employers: Companies like Fonemed.com and McKesson.com hire nurses to take phone calls. Also check with insurance companies, as some of those have special services, like maternity care hot lines, that need RNs.
Preparation: Make sure your nursing credentials are up-to-date. You’ll likely need reliable high-speed Internet connection, a computer and a landline. Being reachable is key to this business.
Get your foot in the door: Apply online at the above companies. Send your resume to local insurance companies or area hospitals asking about phone-based employment.
Until next time,
Sarah
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Marketing Your Home-Based Business: Press Releases
The sixth way you can market your home-based business is with press releases. Sending a press release to a news organization can generate positive coverage of your business, event or product.
Make sure you have news that will interest readers. For example, appropriate press release topics include the launch of your new business, or your involvement with a local charity or an event that’s open to the public.
A press release should answer the questions who, what, where, when, why, and sometimes how. The headline should tell what’s in the release, and the first sentence should give more details. Don’t make the reader guess what day your event will be held or the name of your business.
Press releases do not need to be clever but they should be grammatically correct. Read your press release over carefully before sending it out, enlisting the help of family or friends to make sure it’s as accurate as you can make it.
Check the masthead (the listing of the editors and writers of a print publication) or online staff listing to see who should receive your release. When in doubt, call or e-mail the editor or managing editor to ask to who should receive the release. Getting your release into the right hands can help ensure your release is read and not ignored.
Find out the publication’s deadline. Most provide general guidelines for calendar or event listings, as well as due dates for copy to be considered for those sections. Follow the guidelines, as sending the information exactly as requested will be much appreciated by the editor or writer.
If you don’t have anything newsworthy to write up in a press release, offer your services as an expert. Send the appropriate editors a brief bio and a list of topics on which you could provide quotes or background information.
Many newspapers—both large and small, print and online editions—are cutting back on staff reporters and are looking for authoritative outside sources. Submit articles for free that relate to your business. For example, if you have a pet-sitting service, write an article about how to teach a dog to heel properly. If you have a catering service, write an article about how to prepare a simple but elegant Valentine’s Day dinner for two. I recommend not even mentioning your business in the body of the article at all; just put it in your author bio.
The most important thing to remember when working with the media is to stay on topic, keep focused and provide newsworthy content. Let your expertise speak for itself.
Until next time,
Sarah
Make sure you have news that will interest readers. For example, appropriate press release topics include the launch of your new business, or your involvement with a local charity or an event that’s open to the public.
A press release should answer the questions who, what, where, when, why, and sometimes how. The headline should tell what’s in the release, and the first sentence should give more details. Don’t make the reader guess what day your event will be held or the name of your business.
Press releases do not need to be clever but they should be grammatically correct. Read your press release over carefully before sending it out, enlisting the help of family or friends to make sure it’s as accurate as you can make it.
Check the masthead (the listing of the editors and writers of a print publication) or online staff listing to see who should receive your release. When in doubt, call or e-mail the editor or managing editor to ask to who should receive the release. Getting your release into the right hands can help ensure your release is read and not ignored.
Find out the publication’s deadline. Most provide general guidelines for calendar or event listings, as well as due dates for copy to be considered for those sections. Follow the guidelines, as sending the information exactly as requested will be much appreciated by the editor or writer.
If you don’t have anything newsworthy to write up in a press release, offer your services as an expert. Send the appropriate editors a brief bio and a list of topics on which you could provide quotes or background information.
Many newspapers—both large and small, print and online editions—are cutting back on staff reporters and are looking for authoritative outside sources. Submit articles for free that relate to your business. For example, if you have a pet-sitting service, write an article about how to teach a dog to heel properly. If you have a catering service, write an article about how to prepare a simple but elegant Valentine’s Day dinner for two. I recommend not even mentioning your business in the body of the article at all; just put it in your author bio.
The most important thing to remember when working with the media is to stay on topic, keep focused and provide newsworthy content. Let your expertise speak for itself.
Until next time,
Sarah
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Culinary Consultant
Each Thursday, I highlight a work-from-home job or business.
Position: Culinary consultant
Education: While not required, a degree from a culinary school would be helpful.
Skills: The ability to cook and bake well, especially with an emphasis on a particular cuisine, such as French or Asian.
Job outlook: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says “the enjoyment of eating out and a preference for ready-made meals from a growing population will cause employment of cooks and food preparation workers to increase, but slower than the average rate for all occupations over the 2008–18 decade. Check out the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details.
Possible employers: A few companies like Chefsline.com employ home-based consultants, but also try gyms, diet centers, supermarkets and gourmet food shops.
Preparation: Consider taking some refresher cooking classes, especially if you want to specialize in a particular cuisine. Practice a few recipes to wow potential clients and create menus so that you can be ready to go.
Get your foot in the door: Visit the above site to see what specific requirements are needed. Visit businesses listed above to see if you could do a cooking demo on trial. Drop off sample menus at those businesses or volunteer to cater their next office party, asking them to pay only for the cost of the food to get started.
Until next time,
Sarah
Position: Culinary consultant
Education: While not required, a degree from a culinary school would be helpful.
Skills: The ability to cook and bake well, especially with an emphasis on a particular cuisine, such as French or Asian.
Job outlook: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says “the enjoyment of eating out and a preference for ready-made meals from a growing population will cause employment of cooks and food preparation workers to increase, but slower than the average rate for all occupations over the 2008–18 decade. Check out the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details.
Possible employers: A few companies like Chefsline.com employ home-based consultants, but also try gyms, diet centers, supermarkets and gourmet food shops.
Preparation: Consider taking some refresher cooking classes, especially if you want to specialize in a particular cuisine. Practice a few recipes to wow potential clients and create menus so that you can be ready to go.
Get your foot in the door: Visit the above site to see what specific requirements are needed. Visit businesses listed above to see if you could do a cooking demo on trial. Drop off sample menus at those businesses or volunteer to cater their next office party, asking them to pay only for the cost of the food to get started.
Until next time,
Sarah
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Marketing Your Home-Based Business: Brochures
The fifth way you can market your home-based business is with brochures, which can an inexpensive yet attractive way to promote your business.
Brochures have more flexibility than other direct-mail pieces because you can hand out brochures at conferences, meetings, at a vendor booth, in person, at affiliate businesses, etc. Designed correctly, you can even mail brochures to your direct-mail addresses, too.
Most brochures are designed in as tri-folds, so plan your copy accordingly. Resist the urge to put too much copy on the brochure. A clean, crisp design with minimal words will capture the eye more than a cluttered, densely worded brochure. Work with a copywriter to develop the wording can be beneficial if that’s not your forte.
Again, have it professionally designed—it’s worth the extra money. One way to save on the design costs is to write copy that is timeless, so you can use the brochure design for several years.
For example, a brochure promoting our community pool’s open house tells readers about the annual the open house held Memorial Day weekend with the times listed but no specific dates plugged in, since the open house is held the same time every year. We also avoided dating the brochures by not listing specific membership prices, rather directing the recipients to our website. We’ve used that brochure for five seasons, reprinting as needed from PDF files provided by the designer.
Also, draw up a list of distribution places. Include businesses that could provide cross-promotion, such as flowers and bakeries.
Brochures can be a classy way to present your service or products to new and current clients. Give them a try and you might be pleasantly surprised by the return-on-investment.
Until next time,
Sarah
Brochures have more flexibility than other direct-mail pieces because you can hand out brochures at conferences, meetings, at a vendor booth, in person, at affiliate businesses, etc. Designed correctly, you can even mail brochures to your direct-mail addresses, too.
Most brochures are designed in as tri-folds, so plan your copy accordingly. Resist the urge to put too much copy on the brochure. A clean, crisp design with minimal words will capture the eye more than a cluttered, densely worded brochure. Work with a copywriter to develop the wording can be beneficial if that’s not your forte.
Again, have it professionally designed—it’s worth the extra money. One way to save on the design costs is to write copy that is timeless, so you can use the brochure design for several years.
For example, a brochure promoting our community pool’s open house tells readers about the annual the open house held Memorial Day weekend with the times listed but no specific dates plugged in, since the open house is held the same time every year. We also avoided dating the brochures by not listing specific membership prices, rather directing the recipients to our website. We’ve used that brochure for five seasons, reprinting as needed from PDF files provided by the designer.
Also, draw up a list of distribution places. Include businesses that could provide cross-promotion, such as flowers and bakeries.
Brochures can be a classy way to present your service or products to new and current clients. Give them a try and you might be pleasantly surprised by the return-on-investment.
Until next time,
Sarah
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Virtual Publicist
Each Thursday, I highlight a work-from-home job or business.
Position: Virtual Publicist
Education: While not required, a degree in communications, marketing or public relations will probably make you stand out.
Skills: The ability to promote, plan events, write press releases, pitch stories to the media, manage media contacts, conduct crisis communications and develop strategic plans.
Job outlook: Varies, depending on your skill set. Technology has opened the doors for virtual PR firms to exist across the country.
Possible employers: Companies like Perkett PR, Bisbee and Company, PartnerCentric, Orca Communications and Wasabi Publicity employ virtual publicists.
Preparation: You will need reliable high-speed Internet access, a landline, and a working computer. Consider taking some classes in PR to brush up on your skills, especially if you’ve been out of the workforce for a while.
Get your foot in the door: Visit the above sites to see what specific requirements are needed. Ask about a trial period to see if this job is a good fit.
Until next time,
Sarah
Position: Virtual Publicist
Education: While not required, a degree in communications, marketing or public relations will probably make you stand out.
Skills: The ability to promote, plan events, write press releases, pitch stories to the media, manage media contacts, conduct crisis communications and develop strategic plans.
Job outlook: Varies, depending on your skill set. Technology has opened the doors for virtual PR firms to exist across the country.
Possible employers: Companies like Perkett PR, Bisbee and Company, PartnerCentric, Orca Communications and Wasabi Publicity employ virtual publicists.
Preparation: You will need reliable high-speed Internet access, a landline, and a working computer. Consider taking some classes in PR to brush up on your skills, especially if you’ve been out of the workforce for a while.
Get your foot in the door: Visit the above sites to see what specific requirements are needed. Ask about a trial period to see if this job is a good fit.
Until next time,
Sarah
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Marketing Your Home-Based Business: Direct Mail
The fourth way you can market your home-based business is with direct mail, which can be a cost-effective way to reach customers. Direct mail works best if you have a targeted area that you want to reach. For example, my community swimming pool uses direct mail to advertise its memberships each spring to specific area locations.
Map out which areas you want to target. Many times, you can do the direct mailing yourself by contacting your city or county zoning or residential offices for mailing addresses. Some online companies offer this service for a fee, while some localities do not charge residents for providing an emailed list of addresses.
Invest in a mailing label program. Depending on how frequently you want to do direct mailings, you might want to consider investing in a program that will allow you to update addresses and manipulate data. While word-processing programs like Microsoft Office have a mailing label component, that software might not be robust enough for your purposes.
Develop a direct-mail plan. You might start off with a postcard mailing, followed up with a brochure or sample newsletter. Figure out what you want to accomplish with the mailings and plan accordingly.
Consider hiring a professional designer or copywriter to work on the presentation of the pieces. You might be able to barter for the work. Most local printers have on-site designers or a list of recommended freelancers.
Check out on-demand online printing. If money is tight, go to online printing companies, such as VistaPrint.com, which have attractive design templates for postcards, brochures, newsletters, etc. Pick the design best suited to your business, insert your copy and contact information, and presto! You’ve got a professional-looking direct-mail piece delivered right to your door for a low cost.
Don’t forget to drop by your local post office if you have any questions about how to mail your pieces. If you want to mail them anyway but using first class postage, you might need a special permit.
Direct mail can be an effective and attractive way to reach potential customers. Look into how you can use direct mail today.
Until next time,
Sarah
Map out which areas you want to target. Many times, you can do the direct mailing yourself by contacting your city or county zoning or residential offices for mailing addresses. Some online companies offer this service for a fee, while some localities do not charge residents for providing an emailed list of addresses.
Invest in a mailing label program. Depending on how frequently you want to do direct mailings, you might want to consider investing in a program that will allow you to update addresses and manipulate data. While word-processing programs like Microsoft Office have a mailing label component, that software might not be robust enough for your purposes.
Develop a direct-mail plan. You might start off with a postcard mailing, followed up with a brochure or sample newsletter. Figure out what you want to accomplish with the mailings and plan accordingly.
Consider hiring a professional designer or copywriter to work on the presentation of the pieces. You might be able to barter for the work. Most local printers have on-site designers or a list of recommended freelancers.
Check out on-demand online printing. If money is tight, go to online printing companies, such as VistaPrint.com, which have attractive design templates for postcards, brochures, newsletters, etc. Pick the design best suited to your business, insert your copy and contact information, and presto! You’ve got a professional-looking direct-mail piece delivered right to your door for a low cost.
Don’t forget to drop by your local post office if you have any questions about how to mail your pieces. If you want to mail them anyway but using first class postage, you might need a special permit.
Direct mail can be an effective and attractive way to reach potential customers. Look into how you can use direct mail today.
Until next time,
Sarah
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Mystery Shopper
Each Thursday, I highlight a different work-from-home job or business.
Position: Mystery Shopper
Education: No formal education required.
Skills: The ability to stealthily report on the service level and products on a variety of businesses, including restaurants, retail, banking, etc.
Job outlook: Varies, depending on your location (bigger cities tend to have more mystery shops available). Most restaurant shops reimburse a specific amount for food purchases, while other shops pay a flat rate. Assignments can be sporadic.
Possible employers: Companies like Bare International, A Closer Look, Secret Shopper and Volition Mystery Shopping gives listings of shops for members (you can join these sites for free). One note of caution: Do not pay to become an “official” mystery shopper. Legitimate sites do not ask for upfront payment.
Preparation: You will need access to a computer to apply for shops and to fill out the reports. Being able to take notes unobtrusively and to observe details is very important to a good mystery shopper.
Get your foot in the door: Become a certified silver or gold member of the MSPA (Mystery Shopper Providers Association). It’s worth the small fee, as some mystery shopping sites require a silver or gold certification. To receive the certification, you go through a short online tutorial and then take an online test.
Until next time,
Sarah
Position: Mystery Shopper
Education: No formal education required.
Skills: The ability to stealthily report on the service level and products on a variety of businesses, including restaurants, retail, banking, etc.
Job outlook: Varies, depending on your location (bigger cities tend to have more mystery shops available). Most restaurant shops reimburse a specific amount for food purchases, while other shops pay a flat rate. Assignments can be sporadic.
Possible employers: Companies like Bare International, A Closer Look, Secret Shopper and Volition Mystery Shopping gives listings of shops for members (you can join these sites for free). One note of caution: Do not pay to become an “official” mystery shopper. Legitimate sites do not ask for upfront payment.
Preparation: You will need access to a computer to apply for shops and to fill out the reports. Being able to take notes unobtrusively and to observe details is very important to a good mystery shopper.
Get your foot in the door: Become a certified silver or gold member of the MSPA (Mystery Shopper Providers Association). It’s worth the small fee, as some mystery shopping sites require a silver or gold certification. To receive the certification, you go through a short online tutorial and then take an online test.
Until next time,
Sarah
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Marketing Your Home-Based Business: Newsletters
The third way you can market your home-based business is by sending out a newsletter, which provides a way to communicate with your customers or clients on a frequent basis.
Think about how frequently you want to send out the newsletter. It’s wise to start out slowly and build up to more frequency as interest grows. Having a quarterly or monthly newsletter is probably a good place to start.
Decide how to send the newsletter, such as via USPS or email. How your newsletter is sent depends on somewhat on what data you have from your clients. If you can easily gather email addresses via your website or other forms, then e-newsletters might be the best way to go. If you have mailing addresses for most of your clients, you might consider snail mail.
Pick a catchy—but not too clever—title for your newsletter. Make sure your name says what the newsletter is about in a memorable way, but be careful that it doesn’t obscure your business. You want your title to draw people into to your business, not confuse them.
Develop an editorial calendar for your newsletter, which is a fancy way of saying plan out what you will put in each issue. This will help ensure you deliver valuable content to your readers in a way that will subtly promote your business. Whichever way you send it, make sure it’s designed in an attractive-yet-easy-to-read format.
Solicit content from customers and affiliate businesses. For example, I’ve profiled the jobs of a few readers in my free, monthly e-newsletter At Home News.
Have an opt-in and opt-out program. Make joining—and leaving—your mailing list easy for readers. And don’t forget to update the mailing list prior to sending out each issue.
Having a newsletter can be a fun and in expensive way to keep in touch with your customers. Consider starting one today.
Until next time,
Sarah
Think about how frequently you want to send out the newsletter. It’s wise to start out slowly and build up to more frequency as interest grows. Having a quarterly or monthly newsletter is probably a good place to start.
Decide how to send the newsletter, such as via USPS or email. How your newsletter is sent depends on somewhat on what data you have from your clients. If you can easily gather email addresses via your website or other forms, then e-newsletters might be the best way to go. If you have mailing addresses for most of your clients, you might consider snail mail.
Pick a catchy—but not too clever—title for your newsletter. Make sure your name says what the newsletter is about in a memorable way, but be careful that it doesn’t obscure your business. You want your title to draw people into to your business, not confuse them.
Develop an editorial calendar for your newsletter, which is a fancy way of saying plan out what you will put in each issue. This will help ensure you deliver valuable content to your readers in a way that will subtly promote your business. Whichever way you send it, make sure it’s designed in an attractive-yet-easy-to-read format.
Solicit content from customers and affiliate businesses. For example, I’ve profiled the jobs of a few readers in my free, monthly e-newsletter At Home News.
Have an opt-in and opt-out program. Make joining—and leaving—your mailing list easy for readers. And don’t forget to update the mailing list prior to sending out each issue.
Having a newsletter can be a fun and in expensive way to keep in touch with your customers. Consider starting one today.
Until next time,
Sarah
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