Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.
Job Description: A church music director organizes and leads the music for a church service.
Education: Generally, a bachelor’s degree in music is requested.
Skills: The ability to pick appropriate songs for church, work with a variety of musicians, and assist the ministers with the service.
Job outlook: Depends on the area, but most churches do employ worship or music directors.
Possible employers: Check with churches in your denomination and area to see about the need for worship or music directors.
Preparation: Some denominations have associations for church music or worship directors, so joining that group would be helpful. Make sure your resume is up-to-date and be sure to highlight your music experience.
Get your foot in the door: Ask your church if you could help with the music to gain some experience, if needed. Visit other churches to check out their music program. Ask your pastor for recommendations in finding a job.
Testimony: Holly of Norfolk, Va., works about 30 hours weekly as music director of her church. “On the weekend, I have stuff that I do at the church, but during the week from home, I write charts for musicians, arrange the schedule, and take care of making other plans for the worship team,” she says. Working from home gives her much more freedom than previous 9-to-5 jobs. “Working from home allows me to do more with the gifts I have in a creative way. This really enriches my son’s life. He gets to see his mommy at work, and understand that even mommies have careers, whether in the workplace or at home.”
Until next time,
Sarah
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Spring Clean Your Email
Here's a shocking statistic for you: the average email user spends two-and-a-half hours reading, deleting, and responding to 147 messages. Here are some tips on how to keep your email in-box clean and organized from "It's Spring Cleaning Time for Your Email Inbox," in Business News Daily.
Avoid hunting for emails by utilizing the search function. This will save you time and frustration from wading through dozens--if not hundreds--of emails.
Turn off notifications on your phone and computer. Interruptions can, well, interrupt your brain's concentration. By not hearing that ping or buzz indicating an incoming text or message, you can concentrate on the task at hand.
Keep folders simple. Having too many folders can be overwhelming. Instead, set up the least amount of folders you need.
Clean your inbox. Don't keep old messages in your in-box. Either delete ones you have responded to or file the message in the appropriate folder.
Writer shorter emails. Don't let most emails go beyond five sentences. Brevity will be appreciated and probably responded to quicker than long missives.
Send messages at optimal times. Never send messages, especially important ones, at 4 p.m. Instead, try sending messages early in the morning.
Block out time for email. To avoid getting constantly sucked into email, set aside time throughout the day, such as an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon, to tackle incoming email.
Email has been a boon for home-based businesses, but the trick is to not let it consume our time. Following these simple solutions can help you keep your inbox clean and your email under control.
Until next time,
Sarah
Avoid hunting for emails by utilizing the search function. This will save you time and frustration from wading through dozens--if not hundreds--of emails.
Turn off notifications on your phone and computer. Interruptions can, well, interrupt your brain's concentration. By not hearing that ping or buzz indicating an incoming text or message, you can concentrate on the task at hand.
Keep folders simple. Having too many folders can be overwhelming. Instead, set up the least amount of folders you need.
Clean your inbox. Don't keep old messages in your in-box. Either delete ones you have responded to or file the message in the appropriate folder.
Writer shorter emails. Don't let most emails go beyond five sentences. Brevity will be appreciated and probably responded to quicker than long missives.
Send messages at optimal times. Never send messages, especially important ones, at 4 p.m. Instead, try sending messages early in the morning.
Block out time for email. To avoid getting constantly sucked into email, set aside time throughout the day, such as an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon, to tackle incoming email.
Email has been a boon for home-based businesses, but the trick is to not let it consume our time. Following these simple solutions can help you keep your inbox clean and your email under control.
Until next time,
Sarah
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Knitting Instructor
Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.
Job Description: A knitting instructor teaches classes on how to knit, or provides one-on-one instruction in knitting.
Education: None necessary.
Skills: A proficiency in knitting, and the ability to help others of varying skills to learn knitting.
Job outlook: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that “employment of artists and related workers is expected to grow 12 percent through 2018, about as fast as the average for all occupations…. Despite the competition, studios, galleries, and individual clients are always on the lookout for artists who display outstanding talent, creativity, and style. Among craft and fine artists, talented individuals who have developed a mastery of artistic techniques and skills will have the best job prospects..” Check out the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details
Possible employers or clients: Check out local recreational centers or area governments that offer educational classes for all ages for opportunities to each a class. Senior centers and children’s gyms might also be good places to inquire about classes.
Preparation: Join The Knitting Guild Association or The National NeedleArts Association for continuing education classes and networking opportunities.
Get your foot in the door: Consider teaching a class for friends or neighbors at a discount rate as you establish yourself. Inquire at local yarn shops for leads. Also, check out Yahoo! Groups and Meetup to see where local knitters gather.
Testimony: Dixie of Bainbrige Island, Wash., teaches small classes of children the basics of knitting. “I currently teach classes through the local parks and recreation department at my studio and one class at a local elementary school. Previous to that, I worked through a local yarn store as their children’s instructor,” she says. Dixie spends about three hours per week teaching and one to two hours per week in preparation and making “surprise balls,” which are made by winding up yarn into balls and hiding seven small toys inside that fall out as the young knitter knits. “The surprise balls started out as a side businesses, and have been a nice way to earn more money and encourage my knitters to knit more,” she says.
Until next time,
Sarah
Job Description: A knitting instructor teaches classes on how to knit, or provides one-on-one instruction in knitting.
Education: None necessary.
Skills: A proficiency in knitting, and the ability to help others of varying skills to learn knitting.
Job outlook: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that “employment of artists and related workers is expected to grow 12 percent through 2018, about as fast as the average for all occupations…. Despite the competition, studios, galleries, and individual clients are always on the lookout for artists who display outstanding talent, creativity, and style. Among craft and fine artists, talented individuals who have developed a mastery of artistic techniques and skills will have the best job prospects..” Check out the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details
Possible employers or clients: Check out local recreational centers or area governments that offer educational classes for all ages for opportunities to each a class. Senior centers and children’s gyms might also be good places to inquire about classes.
Preparation: Join The Knitting Guild Association or The National NeedleArts Association for continuing education classes and networking opportunities.
Get your foot in the door: Consider teaching a class for friends or neighbors at a discount rate as you establish yourself. Inquire at local yarn shops for leads. Also, check out Yahoo! Groups and Meetup to see where local knitters gather.
Testimony: Dixie of Bainbrige Island, Wash., teaches small classes of children the basics of knitting. “I currently teach classes through the local parks and recreation department at my studio and one class at a local elementary school. Previous to that, I worked through a local yarn store as their children’s instructor,” she says. Dixie spends about three hours per week teaching and one to two hours per week in preparation and making “surprise balls,” which are made by winding up yarn into balls and hiding seven small toys inside that fall out as the young knitter knits. “The surprise balls started out as a side businesses, and have been a nice way to earn more money and encourage my knitters to knit more,” she says.
Until next time,
Sarah
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
At Home News on Changing Careers
The days of staying at one company or in a single profession have passed. Nowadays, you can reinvent yourself many times over in your career. If you've thought about switching careers or doing something different as a home-based business, then check out the April issue of At Home News.
If you're not a subscriber, you can sign up for the free monthly e-newsletter by clicking on the Newsletter tab. I never sell or give out my subscriber list.
Until next time,
Sarah
If you're not a subscriber, you can sign up for the free monthly e-newsletter by clicking on the Newsletter tab. I never sell or give out my subscriber list.
Until next time,
Sarah
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Entrepreneur
Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.
Job Description: An entrepreneur manages and organizes an enterprise, such as a business, that has risk associated with it.
Education: None necessary, but a college degree of some sort is a plus.
Skills: The ability to see the big picture and to work towards an end goal, often with limited resources.
Job outlook: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that entrepreneurs started around half a million businesses in 2010, which is lower than pre-recession numbers of more than 620,000. However, anecdotal evidence points to more entrepreneurs returning to business with the economy slowing recovering.
Possible clients: Depending on what your business is, consider advertising in local newspapers and news websites, at local festivals, and networking at local business events.
Preparation: Join the Entrepreneur Organization. Free information and assistance for entrepreneurs can be found at SCORE and the U.S. Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Get your foot in the door: Whatever your business, start small and grow your business slowly to avoid overextending yourself.
Testimony: Sandra of Darlington, Pa., has started several successful businesses, such as a scrapbooking company and a scrapbooking convention. “The computer and, most importantly, the Internet makes it so easy to connect with clients and business partners at a time that works for me and my time schedule,” she says. “Everyday for me looks different.”
Until next time,
Sarah
Job Description: An entrepreneur manages and organizes an enterprise, such as a business, that has risk associated with it.
Education: None necessary, but a college degree of some sort is a plus.
Skills: The ability to see the big picture and to work towards an end goal, often with limited resources.
Job outlook: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that entrepreneurs started around half a million businesses in 2010, which is lower than pre-recession numbers of more than 620,000. However, anecdotal evidence points to more entrepreneurs returning to business with the economy slowing recovering.
Possible clients: Depending on what your business is, consider advertising in local newspapers and news websites, at local festivals, and networking at local business events.
Preparation: Join the Entrepreneur Organization. Free information and assistance for entrepreneurs can be found at SCORE and the U.S. Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Get your foot in the door: Whatever your business, start small and grow your business slowly to avoid overextending yourself.
Testimony: Sandra of Darlington, Pa., has started several successful businesses, such as a scrapbooking company and a scrapbooking convention. “The computer and, most importantly, the Internet makes it so easy to connect with clients and business partners at a time that works for me and my time schedule,” she says. “Everyday for me looks different.”
Until next time,
Sarah
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Making Marketing Pay for Itself
As a business, you probably spend part of your income on marketing in order to grow your business. But figuring out if your marketing efforts are worth it in terms of increaesed income can be tricky. "Sales vs. expenses: Did it really pay for itself?" on CBS.com talk about how to look at marketing dollars.
The relationship of sales to expense dollars is not a dollar-for-dollar comparison. If you spend $100 on flyers advertising a special and you get $100 in sales from that special, it doesn't mean you came out even. You should consider whether your marketing dollars will continue to generate sales or if it was a one-time thing.
You should also think about whether your marketing effort cost in terms of your time and effort, and what you would have done had you not spent time on that marketing project.
Until next time,
Sarah
The relationship of sales to expense dollars is not a dollar-for-dollar comparison. If you spend $100 on flyers advertising a special and you get $100 in sales from that special, it doesn't mean you came out even. You should consider whether your marketing dollars will continue to generate sales or if it was a one-time thing.
You should also think about whether your marketing effort cost in terms of your time and effort, and what you would have done had you not spent time on that marketing project.
Until next time,
Sarah
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Relationship Manager
Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.
Job Description: A relationship manager helps companies facilitate contracts and other forms of business communications between the client and the company.
Education: A bachelor’s degree in the related field is a necessity, with a master’s degree in business a plus.
Skills: The ability to work with clients from various backgrounds to serve both the clients and the company.
Job outlook: Since this job spans several different fields, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have specific stats on job prospects for relationship managers. However, as the economy continues to grow stronger, more companies will likely be looking to fill these types of positions with qualified applicants, including those who wish to work from home.
Possible employers: Banks, insurance companies and other businesses that deal with contracts and loans on a regular basis.
Preparation: Check out associations related to your field, such as the Relationship Management Benchmarking Association or the Association for Financial Professionals. Take refresher courses in your field to update your resume.
Get your foot in the door: Contact former employers to see about freelance or work-from home opportunities. Network at business functions in your local area, such as through the Chamber of Commerce or other business clubs.
Testimony: While networking and maintaining relationships with the office was challenging, Margarita of Arlington, Va., loved working from home when her oldest child was young. “A lot of time on the phone was used to keep in touch,” she says of her job as a relationship manager underwriting commercial real estate loans to healthcare businesses.
Until next time,
Sarah
Job Description: A relationship manager helps companies facilitate contracts and other forms of business communications between the client and the company.
Education: A bachelor’s degree in the related field is a necessity, with a master’s degree in business a plus.
Skills: The ability to work with clients from various backgrounds to serve both the clients and the company.
Job outlook: Since this job spans several different fields, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have specific stats on job prospects for relationship managers. However, as the economy continues to grow stronger, more companies will likely be looking to fill these types of positions with qualified applicants, including those who wish to work from home.
Possible employers: Banks, insurance companies and other businesses that deal with contracts and loans on a regular basis.
Preparation: Check out associations related to your field, such as the Relationship Management Benchmarking Association or the Association for Financial Professionals. Take refresher courses in your field to update your resume.
Get your foot in the door: Contact former employers to see about freelance or work-from home opportunities. Network at business functions in your local area, such as through the Chamber of Commerce or other business clubs.
Testimony: While networking and maintaining relationships with the office was challenging, Margarita of Arlington, Va., loved working from home when her oldest child was young. “A lot of time on the phone was used to keep in touch,” she says of her job as a relationship manager underwriting commercial real estate loans to healthcare businesses.
Until next time,
Sarah
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Blogging Mistakes
As a small businessperson, blogs can be a great way to connect with clients, new customers and the general public. However, it's easy to make mistakes when it comes to blogging. Here are some common missteps people make with their blogs.
Not being consistent with blog updates. A blog needs to be fed on a regular basis to grow. Posting sporadically can kill a blog pretty quick.
Solution: Blog at least once a week, preferrably twice a week. Most blogging programs allow you to schedule blogs, so you can write them up in advance and have them queued up for the future.
Talking too much about your business or products. Sure, you want to mention your business or products, but don't fall into the trap of trying to promote yourself in every blog post.
Solution: Only mention your product when it truly fits well into the blog post. Limit yourself to a few mentions a quarter, if you need more hard-and-fast guidelines.
Not integrating your blog into your website. Having your blog as part of your website is smart and simple. You don't want people going to several different sites to read your blog and then find out information about your company.
Solution: Talk to a website designer about embedding your blog into your home page or website. My blog, which is run by Blogger software, is seamlessly seen as part of my website's home page.
Not promoting your blog on social media. Simply writing a blog post doesn't mean it will get read. You need to generate interest in your blog post by driving traffic to your blog.
Solution: If you have a company or business Facebook, Twitter or Google Plus account, then be sure to mention when you have a new blog post. That can help drive traffic to your blog.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can make your blog posts more readable and user-friendly.
Until next time,
Sarah
Not being consistent with blog updates. A blog needs to be fed on a regular basis to grow. Posting sporadically can kill a blog pretty quick.
Solution: Blog at least once a week, preferrably twice a week. Most blogging programs allow you to schedule blogs, so you can write them up in advance and have them queued up for the future.
Talking too much about your business or products. Sure, you want to mention your business or products, but don't fall into the trap of trying to promote yourself in every blog post.
Solution: Only mention your product when it truly fits well into the blog post. Limit yourself to a few mentions a quarter, if you need more hard-and-fast guidelines.
Not integrating your blog into your website. Having your blog as part of your website is smart and simple. You don't want people going to several different sites to read your blog and then find out information about your company.
Solution: Talk to a website designer about embedding your blog into your home page or website. My blog, which is run by Blogger software, is seamlessly seen as part of my website's home page.
Not promoting your blog on social media. Simply writing a blog post doesn't mean it will get read. You need to generate interest in your blog post by driving traffic to your blog.
Solution: If you have a company or business Facebook, Twitter or Google Plus account, then be sure to mention when you have a new blog post. That can help drive traffic to your blog.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can make your blog posts more readable and user-friendly.
Until next time,
Sarah
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