My Life Monday: Working Weekends
December 31, 2007 | 2 Comments
This is a question I’ve been asked in the past and one I’ve seen asked of other work at home parents. Often the answer is yes.
For me the answer is usually yes and no. I don’t often do any hard core work. I don’t spend hours at a time working. I don’t slave away at my computer. The weekends are largely reserved for my family.
Having said that I will often check my email a few times during the weekend, maybe write up a blog post, or check on my work at home jobs forum. Tasks that don’t take a long time to get done, but yet still feed my need to busy my mind with work when the kids are sleeping.
What about you? Do you work on the weekends?
Merry Christmas
December 25, 2007 | Leave a Comment
We’ve gotten all our get together’s done and out of the way. All our dinners, driving, cooking, opening presents with family, and so forth are done.
Tomorrow we get to sleep until my son wakes us up, stroll out to the living room with our jammies on, open presents from Santa, eat whatever and whenever we want, play in the snow, take a nap, and be lazy.
Whatever you have planned for Christmas, I’d like to send my warmest wishes to you and yours!
Why’d You Close Up Shop?
December 22, 2007 | 2 Comments
Arika answered my question over at her blog. Click here to read her answer to my question of:
“When did you start your VA business and why did you decide to become a VA?”
I’ve used Arika for VA projects in the past, and she is one of the best VA’s I’ve used. I know she’ll take her business and do amazing things with it.
Her first question to me is…
“Was your VA business the first work at home business you had and what made you decide to close up shop and move on to owning and running other websites instead?”
No. I had tried a couple MLM businesses prior to this. And as you know I’ve also been an independent contractor off and on for a long while. However, my VA business was the first one that took off right away and continued to be a great source of income through the duration of the practice.
I also started my first website back in spring/summer of 2003. I was smitten right away. I adored working on the site, building the forum, growing the website traffic, writing the content, and learning how to make it more successful. I greatly enjoyed teaching other Mom’s and sharing the tips and advice of myself and other WAHMS.
In 2004 I began my VA business. I knew I needed money right away in order to be home with my son full time. I enjoyed working on internet marketing projects for my own business and felt I’d have that same enjoyment for others, plus the hourly income to go along with it.
I was right. I did enjoy my business. It thrived, it exploded, I began turning away clients fairly soon after opening my doors. I learned so much working with my clients and still, to this day, value the years I spent running my VA business and working with my clients.
The reason I closed up shop is that I knew I’d eventually want to dedicate all of my time to teaching/helping/assisting others who wished to work at home full time. It’s in my blood to do this type of work. It’s what makes me truly happy. If I weren’t doing what I am now, I know I’d be doing some type of business or job that allowed my teaching/coaching/mentoring/speaking side to come out.
It wasn’t easy to close up shop. I really did enjoy working with my clients and my business was very successful, but I had to follow my dreams and passions…I did, and when I did… it just felt right! I now enjoy all the different ways I’m able to live my passion in my business. Including teaching other’s about virtual assistance, writing, transcription businesses, freelancing, and telecommuting…”hourly income producers” that most Mom’s seek out.
Arika, my next question to you is…..
“How did you pick the target market you’d like to work with in your VA business and did the target market have anything to do with how you picked the hourly rate you charge?”
What’s Your Question Wednesday: Get Experience
December 19, 2007 | 2 Comments
This week I’m answering a question submitted to my blog by Elizabeth Ashe and it reads like this:
“How do you go about getting training to be a va, when you have no real experience?”
This is a great question, Elizabeth. And I know you aren’t the only one who has this question on her mind.
Here are some ideas to gain some “training/experience” and know how of certain services before you officially open your doors.
- Decide what services you’ll likely provide and study how to guides, ask questions on forums about certain aspects of that service, buy any books or workbooks that might be written on the subject…etc.
- Practice on your own. If you you’d like to offer writing articles, write some and ask a good writing friend of yours for an honest criqite. If you know you’d like to install and edit blogs, then do that for yourself. If you’d like to add articles to a webpage, then do that yourself. You get the point.
- Offer your services for free in exchange for the experience. Somewhat like a training program of sorts or an internship. I’ve recently posted an ad in my newsletter from a VA that needs an intern. This might be perfect for you…if you didn’t see it, please see the end of this post for the ad.
- If you feel fairly confident in your abilities but you know you’ll still need some training from your client, then offer a lowered rate than you might normally like. You need to remember that starting off at a lower rate in order to gain the important perfecting of your skills is going to be worth it in the long run. This is what I did in the beginning of my VA practice.
I landed a really successful client in the internet marketing business and she trained me on all the tasks I needed to perfect. I started with a lower rate in the beginning, because I needed more training than some VA’s. It paid off very well for me in the long run.
These are just some options that came to my mind. I wanted to ask another VA her advice on the topic and was pleased to see we’re both on the same track when it comes to this question. Arika of Take 5 VA writes:
“Learn as much as you can about the field you want to go into, for instance if you want to do web design learn about programs, coding, etc. Also, if you can find another VA willing to train you as an intern, take advantage of the opportunity. Also, be willing to do work for less starting out just to gain experience.”
I hope I’ve answered your question and given you some ideas as to how you can get some experience and perfect your skills? Most VA’s don’t start off with a load of experience, so don’t let that scare you off. If you’re willing to try a few different ways to gain the skills/experience you’ll want then that’s half the battle.
Don’t forget that I offer one-on-one coaching if you’d like to take advantage of it…you can read more here…. virtual assistance coaching.
Here is the intern ad:
Internet Profit Planning Seeks Assistant Intern
This is a non-paid opportunity to learn the trade of internet
marketing assistance from the ground up.
You will learn how to provide ongoing internet marketing support to
small business owners and the skills required to be a valued asset
to a client’s online business.
Skills to be learned include:
Article Marketing
Article Writing & Proofing
Affiliate Program Setup & Management
Shopping Cart Setup
Salespage Creation
Autoresponder/Newsletter Setup & Management
Wordpress Blog Installation and Customization
Simple Graphics Creation
Keyword Research & Webpage Optimization
Audio Recording, Production and Publishing
Appropriate Link Building
Setting up & Promoting Teleseminars
Social Networking
Project Management
Website Editing
The New Year Internet Marketing Intern position requires an
investment of 15 hours per week (learning and working) for twelve
weeks and could turn into a long-term paid position if everything
works out. When you do the majority of your work is not important
but you must have at least five hours a week available in the
morning or afternoon during the business week.
Prerequisite Skills:
Internet Research
Basic HTML
You will sign a non-disclosure agreement.
You must own a fast, reliable computer and have a high speed
internet connection.
You will be provided with all necessary learning materials and
mentoring and any software required.
To Apply:
Sign up for the autoresponder for more details and application by
sending a blank email to: ippintern@aweber.com
Please view the Internet Profit Planning website at
http://www.internetprofitplanning.com before applying.
Please do not email or call directly, let your application form
make your introduction.
Angela Wills
My Life Monday: Time of Day
December 18, 2007 | 4 Comments
When do you start your day? Do you roll out of bed around 9am, grab some coffee, stroll to the computer to check your email, and then take your time getting into your projects?
Or are you like me and start your day before the sun even rises? I would imagine if you’re a full time work-at-home mom, you start your day somewhere in the middle of those two scenarios.
I have a confession to make with you. I HATE, hate, absolutely HATE starting my day at 6:30am. I remember the mornings where I’d sleep in until my boys woke me up around 8:30am. I remember having plenty of time to get everybody fed, played with, and chores done before I started my work day.
So what changed? My oldest son started his therapy with the local school district. Now Monday-Thurs this work-at-home mom wakes up to the incessant beeping of the alarm clock before the sun or roosters rise. I then drag myself out of bed, wake up my peacefully sleeping children, rush breakfast down their throats, clean them up for the day, layer on all the warm clothing, rush out the door into the freezing cold air, and drive my oldest into school.
Honestly, really, I can’t stand this routine! It’s a routine that must be done at this time of our lives, but I so long for the days where we wake up naturally, have a slow easy morning, and ease into the day’s chores, work projects, and fun ahead.
What about you? When do you start your day?
Freebie Friday Ghost Writing Winner
December 17, 2007 | 1 Comment
I had a business friend pick a number between 1-8 and she picked number 3. So, lucky number 3 has won a free copy of the Ghost Writing Success product! Let’s see who the winner is….
Karyn on December 14th, 2007 7:42 pm
Wow, I’d love to win this one! I’ve been in a deep, long writer’s block for some time now and a kit like this could possibly give me the insight and boost of confidence I need to get back on the saddle!
I love your site and find all that you do to help telecommuters very inspiring! Keep up the awesome work!
Happy Holidays!
Congrats, Karyn! Please email us at assistant @ answer lady network . com (without all the spaces, of course.) to claim your free copy.
*there won’t be a freebie friday this week, as I’m taking off time for the Christmas holiday.
Are You Successful & Want A Freebie?
December 16, 2007 | 1 Comment
I’m in the process of writing an ebook about telecommuting. I’d like to include stories of successful telecommuters or freelancers in the ebook. If you’re interested in being included, have been working at home successfully for at least 9 months, and are currently working as a telecommuter or freelancer, please contact me ASAP.
In addition to having your story published in this ebook, you’ll have get a free copy of your own. I am limited with the number of stories I can publish, so please respond ASAP.
nell @ telecommuting answer lady.com
Thank you!
Cross Bloggin’ with a VA!
December 15, 2007 | 2 Comments
There’s been a new craze going around the blogging community. The craze is called Cross Blog Conversations. Simply put, it’s a conversation between two bloggers that you, the reader, gets to peak in on.
It’s a fun way to learn more about the blogger, about their lives, their opinions, and their knowledge on topics.
I’ve been enjoying a couple of CBC’s on a personal blog of mine, but really wanted to be involved in one on this blog, too.
I approached a good friend of mine and virtual assistant, Arika Liddiard, and asked if she’d like to be my CBC victim….she bravely agreed ;–)
Arika is a work-at-home Mom of two little boys and is expecting her very first girl in the spring. She owns and runs a very successful VA business and has a lot to share on the topic, I’m sure.
My first question for Arika is…
“When did you start your VA business and why did you decide to become a VA?”
Check out Arika’s blog for the answer to that question.
Freebie Friday: Ghostwriting
December 14, 2007 | 8 Comments
Do you have a love for writing? Want to make money with that love? I’m giving away one copy of the Ghostwriting Success product that Kelly McCausey and I put together.
You’ll get the following:
- Mp3 Recording
- Printable Transcript
- Our BONUS Special Report:
27 Important Lessons from a
Seasoned Ghostwriter - Article Critiques When You Need Them!
All of this sells for a very affordable $27.00.
If you’d like a chance to win a free copy please do the following:
- Leave a comment
- Enter by Sunday the 16th by 10:00pm central.
Three Tips Thursday: Learning & Networking
December 13, 2007 | Leave a Comment
1. Network with other Telecommuters at forums like JustOnlineJobs.com and WAHM.com.
2. Learn more about Telecommuting by listening to my segment on WAHMTalkRado, at JustOnlineJobs.com, and in the Newsletter. (You’ll see the sign up box at the top of this website.)
3. Join the WC mini magazine, for original, fresh, informative content you can’t find anywhere else on the web! And as a bonus you’ll receive a monthly member only audio, too!
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