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Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or
business.
Job Description:
A computer network engineer is one who manages the information technology hardware
and infrastructure for businesses, organizations and governments.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree preferred, although some companies require post-graduate work
or degrees as well.
Skills: The
ability to monitor a network’s day-to-day operations, as well as organize,
install and support a company’s computer networks.
Job outlook: U.S.
Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that “employment
of network and computer systems administrators is expected to grow 28 percent
from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for
these workers is high and should continue to grow as firms invest in newer,
faster technology and mobile networks..” Check out the BLS
Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details.
Possible employers:
Think outside organizations or big businesses and target small businesses, such
as restaurants and boutique retailers.
Get your foot in the
door: Call area nonprofits to see about work for a reduced rate for a
referral or letter of recommendation.
Testimony: Jenny
A. in Aliso Viejo, Calif.,
worked around 10 hours a week managing the IT hardware and infrastructure for a
local quickservice chicken restaurant chain. It was hard for her to make time
during the day for work instead of letting it pile up each evening. “It’s difficult
at times to deal with the constant pull in so many directions—mother, wife, job—and
still find time to take care of yourself,” says Jenny. “But I loved being home
with my kids.”
Until next time,
Sarah
Having an e-newsletter can be a great way to connect and communicate with customers. But avoid these simple mistakes from " Oh No You Didn't: 3 Major Email Newsletter Mistakes" from SCORE Small Business Blog to ensure your e-newsletter doesn't end up in the circular file.
1. Making it look like spam. Most people, when getting email that they don't recognize, just delete it, figuring it's spam. Keep your headline catchy but informative. Make sure you send it from a real person to avoid getting blocked. Allow for easy opt-outs.
2. Don't build your list by purchasing email addresses. Do gather emails through your website, direct contact and through other sites. Purchased lists can backfire when recipients get annoyed with unsolicited mail.
3. Don't forget about the design. Either keep it clean or make sure the design fits the content. Don't put in too many graphics or too much copy.
You can sign up for my free e-newsletter by filling out the online form under the newsletter tab.
Until next time,
Sarah
Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or
business.
Job Description:
An inpatient/outpatient coder enters specific codes for hospital and doctor
visits for health insurance companies, hospitals and doctor offices.
Skills: The
ability to correctly code inpatient and outpatient medical visits.
Job outlook: U.S.
Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that “employment
of medical records and health information technicians is expected to increase
by 21% from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. The
demand for health services is expected to increase as the population ages. An
aging population will need more medical tests, treatments, and procedures. This
will also mean more claims for reimbursement from private and public insurance.
Additional records, coupled with widespread use of electronic health records by
all types of healthcare providers, should lead to an increased need for
technicians to organize and manage the associated information in all areas of
the healthcare industry.” Check out the BLS
Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details.
Possible employers:
Contact area hospitals, doctors, specialists and other outpatient facilities to
see about gaining work.
Get your foot in the
door: Ask other local coders for assistance in finding clients, as some
might be turning down work.
Testimony: Denise
L. of Crystal, Minn.,
transferred her job reviewing inpatient hospital stays into an at-home job more
than 10 years ago. “I had wanted to work from home for years, but had to wait
for technology to catch up,” she says. “The advantages to working from home are
endless.”
Until next time,
Sarah
The September issue of At Home News focuses on how to juggle homeschooling with working from home.
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
Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or
business.
Job Description:
A scrapbooker helps clients make pages for scrapbooks.
Education: None
necessary.
Skills: The
ability to assist others in making memory pages or scrapbook pages.
Job outlook: Although
many people scrapbook on their own, many more don’t have the time or the skills
to do for themselves. A scrapbooker can help by either designing scrapbooks or
holding scrapbooking classes for clients.
Possible employers:
Local arts and crafts stores might be interested in holding scrapbooking
classes. Also consider holding in-home scrapbooking parties, such as for a new
bride or new mother.
Get your foot in the
door: Visit local senior centers or assisted living homes to hold
scrapbooking classes for residents.
Until next time,
Sarah
Do you hear what your customers are saying? Most small business owners probably attempt to do this, but we probably go about it the wrong way. Here are some tips from " Are You Really Listening to Your Customers?" from the SCORE Small Business Blog.
Conduct online surveys. Most people prefer to leave feedback online, so this is a great place to start. Keep your surveys short and to the point.
Call them. To delve deeper than the online survey, pick up the phone to chat with customers. If you're a one-man shop, you might consider calling one or two customers a month, starting with the most frequent. Have a two or three question list and be mindful of their time. Perhaps offer the customer a discount on their next purchase or service as a thank-you.
Do something about it. When you get feedback--either positive or negative--acknowledge it and then use it to improve your business. It does you no good to learn something about your business and then to let that information languish.
These are few simple ways to really listen to your customers. What are some things you do to get customer feedback?
Until next time,
Sarah
Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or
business.
Job Description:
A jellies or jam maker is one who makes her own fruit-based or other types of
jams and jellies.
Education: None
necessary.
Skills: The
ability to make and can homemade jellies and jams.
Job outlook: Although
home canning is experiencing a bit of a upswing, there are sill many people who
do not make homemade jams and jellies. Metropolitan or urban areas will likely
have more customers for homemade jellies and jams than more rural locations.
Possible employers:
Local restaurants (especially farm-to-table ones), bakeries, organic
supermarkets, and farmers markets could be great places to sell your wares.
Preparation: Make
sure you’re complying with all state and local health department rules related
to selling homemade goods. Take a food-safety course, usually offered through
the health department or local restaurant association.
Get your foot in the
door: Start by setting up a booth at a local arts and crafts fair or
farmers market. Visit area stores and restaurants with samples.
Until next time,
Sarah
Whether your kids are in public or private, it's that back-to-school time of year. Here are a few ways you can take full advantage of a kid-free home (at least for a few hours a day).
Review your work schedule. Now's the time to make sure you're working smart while the children are not at home. For example, schedule tasks that require more concentration first thing in the morning, to give you plenty of time to finish before the dismissal bell.
Watch time-wasters. Make sure you're not frittering away work time by spending too much time surfing the Internet or updating your FB status. If you need to use Facebook and Twitter for marketing purposes, set a timer and do the promotional stuff first, then check on what you're friends have been up to.
Begin holiday preparations now. I know it's only September, but if you want to have a less stressful fall holiday season, it's time to start planning. For example, if you celebrate Halloween or dress up for a fall festival, start planning for costumes now to avoid staying up past midnight on October 30 hunched over teh sewing machine. Think about what presents you have to buy and what homemade goodies you want to make. Jot down a timeline that will enable you to keep up with your work, home and family while not leaving all the holiday prep until the last minute.
Check your tax receipts. Now's the time to do a quick inventory of your tax situation. Do you have all tax-related receipts from January 1 in one place? Have you kept up with your mileage (if applicable)? If you donate used goods to charities, have you entered the information into It's Deductible? This is especially important if you traveled for business over the summer.
Think long-term. All those projects you put off because of vacations or other summer activities? Get out your calendar and see where you can fit those into your fall schedule.
These are just a few of the ways you can kick off the school year with a refreshed outlook for the fall. I'd love to hear what my readers are doing to keep on track in the fall.
Until next time,
Sarah
Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or
business.
Job Description:
An indexer organizes entries to help users find information in a document or
book.
Education: None
necessary, although many indexers have bachelor’s or master’s degrees.
Skills: Excellent
language skills, accuracy and attention to detail.
Job outlook: As
long as books continue to be published, there will be a need for indexers.
However, it’s difficult to track if this is a growing or stagnant job. The good
news is that more and more publishing houses are outsourcing their indexing to
freelancers, which means indexing can be a good choice for those who want to
work from home.
Preparation: Join
the American Society for Indexers. Take indexing courses from a local college
with a library science or information science department. The U.S. Department
of Agriculture offers two indexing correspondence courses through its Graduate School (type in key word “indexing”
to find the courses).
Get your foot in the
door: Ask an established indexer for an apprenticeship to build skills and
experience.
Until next time,
Sarah
With summer coming to an end and the start of school right around the corner (if it hasn't already started for you by now), now's a good time to think about refreshing yourself. " Tips to Recharge Your Batteries" from Small Business Trends has some ways to rejuvenate you.
Have downtime. Schedule time to not work. Don't wait until you're overtaxed, but work in regular breaks into your workday and workweek. Make sure to turn off your phone or walk away from your computer so you're not tempted to work while you're supposed to be relaxing.
Read for pleasure. Most of us have a "must-read" stack relating to our business, but we should also have books we want to read for fun. If you have trouble coming up with a title or craving out time for reading for pleasure, considering joining a local book club. Bonus: book clubs will get you out of the house for regular meetings.
Find personal enrichment. Sign up for a class in something non-work related. Pick up that musical instrument you played as a kid. Become a member of a local museum or theater group.
Work on checking off your master life to-do list. Call it a bucket list or what-I'll-do-when-I-retire list, stop waiting for someday and start planning to tackle some of those things now. Whether it's travel or learning a new language, come up with a plan and implement it. You'll be glad you did.
By enriching your overall life, you will find more energy and inspiration in your work. Now, you'll excuse me if I go finish Bleak House by Charles Dickens, my book club's summer reading pick...
Until next time,
Sarah
Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or
business.
Job Description:
A tailor alters clothing for clients.
Education: None
necessary.
Skills: The
ability to sew and alter a variety of clothing, including pants, dresses, suits
and jackets.
Job outlook: U.S.
Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that “employment
of sewers and tailors is expected to experience little or no change, growing 1%
from 2010 to 2020. Growth will be limited as clothing continues to be made in
other countries and the demand for custom clothing keeps declining. However,
job prospects are good for skilled workers.” Check out the BLS
Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details.
Possible employers:
Contact local dry cleaners to see about tailoring work. Also, stop by area
fabric stores to inquire if you can advertise your services there.
Get your foot in the
door: Consider contacting Dress to Success or other charities that help
clothe low-income clients for job interviews to offer your services at a
reduced rate or for free.
Until next time,
Sarah
Can you be the boss of you? Running a home-based business or working from home requires that you can successful run you. " Are You Your Own Worst Boss?" from Mashable has some words of wisdom about motivating yourself.
Get the tools to help you do a better job. Don't make yourself work harder than you have to simply to save a few dollars by not upgrading computer or other essential equipment. Be frugal, but practical.
Continue learning. Whether through workshops or formal education, make sure you're staying up-to-date on the ins and outs of your field.
Value your work, services or products. Don't price yourself so low that you end up working more hours. Think about what your product or service really costs and price accordingly.
Reward yourself. When you land a big client, or finish a large project, don't forget to celebrate. It could be a day off to go to the beach or an hour spent reading your favorite novel--whatever will help you to observe the event.
Be a good boss to yourself and reap the benefits of having such a positive work environment.
Until next time,
Sarah
Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or
business.
Job Description:
A personal trainer works with a variety of individuals on instructing those
individuals in exercise activities.
Education:
Certification through the National Academy
of Sports Medicine or the American Council of Exercise.
Skills: The
ability to motivate clients through a customized exercise plan and routine.
Job outlook: U.S.
Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that “employment
of fitness trainers and instructors is expected to grow by 24% from 2010 to
2020, faster than the average for all occupations. As businesses and insurance
organizations continue to recognize the benefits of health and fitness programs
for their employees, incentives to join gyms or other fitness facilities will
increase the need for workers in these areas.” Check out the BLS
Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details.
Possible employers:
Call area gyms to see about getting listed as a personal trainer. Visit senior
centers to inquire about holding low-impact and other appropriate exercise
class members. Consider starting your own business or joining with another personal
trainer in your area.
Get your foot in the
door: Ask a professional organizer in your area or a nearby area if you
could shadow her on a client visit to make sure this is a good fit for you.
Until next time,
Sarah
If you're looking for funds for a project, Kickstarter might be for you. " Funding For a Small Project or Product with Kickstarter" from Small Business Trends provides an overview of how this online service works and why it might be good for you.
Here's how Kickstarter works: you basically pre-sell a product to real consumers before it's ready for the market. If your project has a clear goal and will eventually be completed, then you can use Kickstarter to raise funds. Starting a business, however, does not qualify as a project. Categories include art, comic, dance, design, fashion, film, food, games, music, photography, publishing, technology and theater.
Of the more than 26,000 project successfully funded, more than 18,000 raised between $1,000 and $9,999, which makes Kickstarter a good fit for small business projects.
Until next time,
Sarah
Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or
business.
Job Description:
A genealogy researcher helps people find their ancestors.
Education: None
necessary, but a background in history is a plus.
Skills: The knowledge
and ability to find records and other historical documents relating to personal
heritage and genealogy.
Job outlook: U.S.
Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that “Employment
of historians is expected to grow 18 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast
as the average for all occupations.” Check out the BLS
Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details.
Preparation: Join
the National Genealogical Society or the Association for Professional
Genealogists. Take genealogy research courses from the above-mentioned
organizations.
Get your foot in the
door: Start with your family or friends and offer to do a family tree for a
reduced price or as a gift to gain expertise and recommendations.
Testimony: Ashley offers genealogy research
assistance through the website FIVERR. “I help people start their family trees
going back four generations from their grandparents,” she says, adding that she
has had more than 300 clients so far. “I have been a researcher for over 25
years now. … Most folks cannot afford the price for an Ancestry membership or
to hire a professional genealogist. I offer the service for the working man and
I love what I am doing.” She backs up her research through U.S. Census reports,
military documents and other historical data.
“I don’t know if this will ever grow to a revenue that would
support the household finances. However, the revenue I generate does supplement
and make things easier at the end of the month,” says Ashley. “I encourage you
to think outside the box, find your passion and market that passion. I love
genealogy and I love the fact that I am able to help someone discover who they
are and where they come from.”
Until next time,
Sarah
Managing cash flow is essential to any small business, but getting customers or clients to pay in a timely fashion can be a tricky business. In " 6 Simple Tricks to Avoid Late Paying Customers," Meredith Wood offers some good advice.
1. Check out clients in advance. Know who you're dealing with before you're left with a big invoice that goes unpaid for months. Just as your customers might ask for references before they sign with you, so you can ask clients for references before agreeing to take them on, especially for projects that will involve big payments.
2. Clearly state your invoice terms. Be upfront with how and when you expect to be paid. For example, I always ask for payment within 30 days of sending my invoice. Just having a payment due date can spur follow-through.
3. Mind your manners. Using "please" and "thank you" when sending invoices can go a long way to getting them paid quickly.
4. Make it easy to be paid. Have a PayPal or similar online option for easy of payment. For long-term relationships, you might see if the client will do direct deposit. One association I work with on a regular basis was more than happy to convert paper checks mailed to me to direct deposit into a checking account. I get paid quicker and they save money not on printing and mailing checks.
5. Be understanding. Sometimes, clients get into a tight spot. Be willing to be flexible or accept a payment plan.
6. Be gentle in reminders. Also be polite when following up--those handling your invoices can make honest mistakes, so it pays to be nice. As your grandmother might have said: You catch more bees with honey than vinegar, and the same holds true for getting your money.
By following these simple steps, you can make getting paid more painless.
Until next time,
Sarah
Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or
business.
Job Description:
A garage organizer reorders clutter in client garages, often with the
assistance of garage-specific storage systems.
Education: None
necessary.
Skills: The
ability to organize and clean garages, often involving heavy lifting.
Job outlook: A
recent newspaper article found that high-end garage organizing companies are
growing at a rate of 25% per year, which can translate into work for the little
guy as well.
Preparation: Join
the National Association of Professional Organizers. Take organizer courses
from the above-mentioned organizations.
Get your foot in the
door: Ask family or friends with messy garages if you could reorder their
space for promotional purposes. Take good before and after photographs and be
sure to get testimonial quotes for your marketing pieces.
Until next time,
Sarah
Printed materials can showcase your business in a fresh way. The July issue of At Home News provides tips on how to develop the right printed materials for your at-home work.
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 like me, there are times when you just don't want to work. You look for any excuse to leave your computer or work station: laundry, dishes, supper preparation, even cleaning behind the refrigerator all start to sound appealing when your motivational level is low.
Now that it's July, and probably hot and sticky (at least in the South where I live), it gets doubly hard to motivate oneself to do work. Here's how I give myself the kick in the pants needed to tackle the work.
1. Schedule breaks. If I know I'll have a break in a short while, I can usually push through and get some work done. Sometimes you might need to set an egg timer in order to ensure you get a break.
2. Work one day, goof off the next. I've scheduled all my work on one day, then taken the next day as a "mental health" day to relax or do something fun with the kids. This kind of schedule can rejuvenate your batteries.
3. Turn evenings into a no-work zone. Make a pact with yourself that you will turn off the computer at a certain time, like before supper or directly after dinner. Spend the evening with your spouse, children or in doing something you enjoy, like reading or working on a hobby.
4. Break work projects into pieces. It helps if you take a project and create a series of small deadlines. That way, you're not trying to get the entire project done in one sitting, but are spreading it out over several days or even weeks, depending on the project.
5. Learn to say no. Sometimes, you should turn down work in order to keep motivated doing the work you already have.
6. Remember why you're at home. If your work is turning into drudgery, take a few minutes to remind yourself why you choose to work at home: to be home with your kids, to avoid the expenses of a commute, to supplement your household income, to set your own hours. Whatever the reason, reviewing why you're at home can be a way to refocus your attention to your job and make you more motivate to do it well.
Self-motivation is one the keys to a successful home-based business. Now that I've finished this blog, I have a glass of unsweetened iced tea calling my name.
Until next time,
Sarah
Figuring out what advertisements to run can be challenging, especially for small businesses. " What Kind of Online Ad Should Your Small Business Run?" gives some tips on navigating the tricky waters of online advertising.
Display ads can increase overall brand awareness. Banner ads might not generate a lot of click-through, but they do up recognition of your business.
Facebook ads can be a great way to get involved with social media. Facebook allows you to ultra-target your ads, which can mean getting your business before people who are more likely to be interested in what you have to offer.
Keyword ads allow you to reach people who are searching for your products or services.
Check out these online ads and see what might work for your business.
Until next time,
Sarah
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