Posts filed under 'Work from Home'
There are many websites that promise if you will just spend your time writing free for them then you will get money in the long run. You know the sites I mean, you register, post, and then sit around and wait for your numbers to add up so that you can get paid.
These are some of the sites that I started out on when I first began writing online. It offered me at least the hope of some cash sometime down the line. Besides, my writing got posted on someone’s site and that’s what was really important, right?
Here are a few of the sites that I would recommend IF you want to try your hand at pay per click postings:
• eHow.com – It’s rather a simple lay out and you can write about any thing that requires steps (like How to Make a Peanut Butter Sandwich). Just make sure you sign up for the Writer Compensation program.
• Associatedcontent.com – Write what you will and then see if they will buy it. You can sell all your rights, or retain the rights to print the article elsewhere (which means they won’t pay you in advance). I’ve known a few people personally who have made some money off this site, but not enough to pay the phone bill much less the mortgage.
• Helium.com – Click on a subject, write and post a response and then spend some time rating other people’s articles (the more you read the better you’ll do).
There are probably plenty more sites that let you post your hard work and get paid pennies for it. These three sites are ones that I am personally registered on and have made money using (eHow has been the most lucrative thus far). I don’t recommend you rely on it for your main income, but one of these sites could be a fun way to make a few extra dollars here and there.
February 7th, 2008
Working online is a great way to control your own employment destiny. The hours are up to you. The work load is up to you. The price is up to you – sort of.
Online writing is notorious for low pay. Many “writers” are accepting jobs for $2 an article (around ½ of 1 cent). I assume it is because they either want to write so bad they don’t care how much they make or else the buyer doesn’t care about the quality of work received.
I was a cheap writer for the first few months online. As a matter of fact, I made all of my money writing posts on forums for a whopping 15 cents per post. It didn’t make me feel like a writer, but I was learning about the internet, making a few connections, AND getting some money along the way.
As I began to understand the online world of writing and I started getting more regular work, I determined that I am worth more than I was charging. Now when I bid for work, or a potential client asks for a fee, I have a genuine idea of what to charge (I start at 6 cents a word, which I know is still cheap). There are some things you have to do to be able to ask for more.
1. Start writing online. If you have a personal blog, be sure to make each post quality content that you would be proud for an editor to view. Other wise, visit some other sites and inquire about doing a guest post for them. Even if you don’t get paid, you are building up clips for editors (and potential employers) to see.
2. Evaluate your pay before accepting a job. Set a per hour limit that you are willing to accept and don’t go below that. Instead of accepting $2 jobs, use that time to build up clips on other sites and to tweak your own site as well.
3. Meet your deadlines. The internet lends itself to an extremely casual work environment, but meeting deadlines is not where you should be lax. Do what you say you are going to do, on time, and with quality.
4. Ask for an increase. As you continue to work for the same person repeatedly, as for an increase in pay. If you are doing a good job, consistently, then you just might get what you ask for.
5. Be willing to learn. You may have little (or no) knowledge about parrots, but don’t turn down a job because of that. Put a little time into research. You’ll learn something AND make money along the way.
6. Overlap jobs. If you can do the same research for several jobs, you will end up making more money per hour. Use your time wisely.
7. Look to print. Use some of the articles and ideas from your online work to query print publications. DO NOT submit the same material you sold to someone else (unless you have a contract saying you retain control). Create new material from the information that you now have stuck in your head.
Working online is a great way to make extra income or start a new career. Remember to charge what your worth. Selling yourself short cuts into your ability to make an income but don’t over price yourself out of the market. Look for some solid opportunities to stretch you gifts and talents and then ask for compensation that you and the site owner can both live with.
February 6th, 2008
It’s that season. It’s time for you to hate and love numbers all at the same time. Tax Season has descended upon you. You gather receipts, statements, and any other scraps of paper that can help you hold on to YOUR money. But have you thought of everything?
1. Claim your home expenses. If you have a business in your home, you can deduct home expenses (like mortgage payments, utilities, even garbage or household repairs). The catch is that it can only be what ever percentage your office space is compared to your home. So if your home is 1700 sq ft and your office space is an 8 x 8 space (64 sq ft) then you can deduct 3.7% if your household expenses.
2. Keep up with mileage accumulated for work related errands or meetings. The government has upped the allowance to 48.5¢ per mile which can quickly add up.
3. Membership fees are deductible as long as they are work related. That means signing up for online market research and job announcements can be deducted from your income.
4. Subscriptions can also be written off. Anything that is worked related (like domain name subscriptions) is another deduction you need to include on your return.
If you are using an accountant remember to take any expenses that you use for your home business (including cable if you do research through television programs) and ask if you can use a portion of them on your return. When it comes to filing taxes, a penny saved really can end up being a penny earned.
February 2nd, 2008
If you could plant subliminal messages in your mind that would help you achieve success, would you do it? The power of suggestion is an incredible tool that most of us never utilize on our own minds. Even more of us use it without even knowing it.
Take the athlete (casual or professional). The coach will constantly tell them to push their talents. “You can do it.” And the athlete will tell himself “I can do it.” Before long, the athlete is doing it. Granted, he did put in hours of work to get there, but the mind helped.
Look at the business tycoon. She tells herself she is going to be successful. “I will have my own company.” She has people around her to encourage her and support her goals, “You will make it.” Eventually, she makes it. There may have been some stumbles along the way, but she pushed through in the end.
The power of words is beyond belief. The Bible mentions the tongue (and the power it holds) almost as often as all other subjects. What you say can deeply impact your ability to accomplish your life goals. It has a way of burying in your subconscious and dictating your path.
Make your mind work for you. After all, a mind is a terrible thing to waste 
.
1. Set your goal – whether it is weight loss, literary success, or just home organization.
2. See your goal – picture the finished product in your mind until you can SEE it.
3. Say your goal – repeat your goal first thing in the morning and last thing at night three times – with gusto!
Don’t sit around and wait for the magic to happen. Get out there and put action behind your words. Not only will success be close behind, but you may just find yourself enjoying life a little more than before.
January 11th, 2008
There are days when I wake up ready to take on the world. My sink is clean and the coffee is already brewing. Then the distractions start – usually something small to begin with – and before I know it the day is gone and I have accomplished nothing!
Today is one of those that have started out with a great trumpet blast. I am willing, eager and able. This time I caught the distraction before it had a chance to take over my day!
1. Games. Since I’m on dial up, down loading anything (even just opening email) can take forever. It’s easy to just click on solitaire and play a quick game while I’m waiting for something to load. But then I usually end up playing just a little longer than needed – a distraction – and before I know it I’ve forgotten what I was doing in the first place. Today I am challenging myself to NOT play any games and to do something beneficial while I wait.
2. Television. I always start out just watching a little while I eat my lunch or take a break. It almost never fails that I end up flipping channels until the cows come home (or in my case, the kids). And the worst thing is that there is really nothing on right now – except for Christmas specials later in the evening. Today I am determined that I won’t turn the television on even for a little break. Instead, I’ll go read by the fire.
3. Clutter. Nothing is more frustrating than knowing you have something but not being able to find it in all the piles on your desk. Recently, I lost an assignment (and had to request the information a second time – how professional) just before deadline. Today I will put things in their homes as soon as I am done with them (yes, this does mean I actually have to file what needs to be filed).
4. Phone. The words will be flowing like a spring thaw and then the phone rings. I’m always compelled to answer – after all it COULD be important. It never is. Instead, I spend five minutes talking about nothing and then my stream is all dried up (so I take a break and watch a little television). Today I will NOT answer the phone.
5. Family. Working at home is wonderful because I have my kids around all the time. At the same time, working at home is difficult and overwhelming because I have the kids around all the time. Today I will work in the morning before everyone else is awake and then make time again after lunch – free from the delightful interruptions of wrestling siblings.
6. Errands. The entire days seems to be eaten up by a quick run to the store. Partly because you have to unpack and put things away when you get back (which reminds you that you were going to chop those vegetables for the freezer and put those pots in the other cabinet and throw out the food from Thanksgiving and . . .). Today I will set aside a time for errands (before lunch) and limit the “ands” when I walk back in the door.
7. Disorganization. The word organization wasn’t even in my vocabulary a few years back. I was queen of “fly by the seat of your pants.” Maps – who needed them, you could eventually find your way anywhere if you stopped for directions often enough. Plans – forget that because they would just get rearranged when you stopped for directions! Then I got married – to an obsessive freak! (Just don’t tell the hubby I called him that). To add to the chaos, we started having kids. It was organize or surrender. Since I am more stubborn than I am “fly by the seat,” I began to organize. What I have discovered is that without a plan – you won’t ever accomplish what you desire to do. Today I am going to lay out a “business” plan for my writing, for my home, and for my family (with there help).
8. Finances. It would be nice if we were all independently wealthy and money was something we could use for fuel on the fire (but just the small bills of course). Most of us aren’t and for most of us the money is the thing that holds us back or locks into where we are. Instead of letting your finances control your life, you have to learn how to control your finances. Today I will set a new budget that will help us find the freedom we have desired as a family to do the things that we are planning to do.
9. Skills or talents. Basketball was never going to be a way of life for me. I’m only 5 feet tall. My skills and talents were more on the people and communication side. I could have spent all of my energy trying to be what I wasn’t because “sports” was a good path or I could choose the route I’m on. Today I will make a list of my skills and talents and gifts and use those in my plan.
10. Fear. I could have been a contender in many things in my life, but the fear of failure or being embarrassed or what others might have to say kept me from even trying. The truth is I might COULD have gone somewhere in basketball (my brother is only 5’6” and he got a full college scholarship in basketball) if I hadn’t been afraid of working hard and doing my best. Today I will begin the process of pushing fear behind and stepping out on the faith that is starting to build up inside me.
Success is something that won’t come if you don’t try. The more you try the more likely you are to succeed. To get there, you can’t let anything stand in your way – and the biggest obstacle ever to be faced is self. Today, I refuse to let myself defeat my success!
December 20th, 2007
Yesterday I had this conversation:
“Hello, this is Kathryn.”
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“Working.”
“I didn’t know you worked.”
“Well, I’m a writer.”
“I knew you did that, but I didn’t know you, like, went to a real job.”
The most amazing thing about this conversation is that it is not the first time I have had it. Very few people understand that what I’m doing is a full time job. I have deadlines that have to be met. There is research that requires time and concentration. And please, please don’t interrupt that train of thought.
There is little I can do in my own home to restrict access while I’m working. My “office” is smack in the middle of the house (in the corner of the kitchen). I’m hoping that there may be a few things I can do to help reduce the interruptions.
1. I’m going to make a sign: Mommy is out while Kathryn works. Please check back in a few minutes or leave a message. I’ll even add a little message pad and pencil.
2. There has to be a way to record a message on my phone for those times when I’m working. “This is Kathryn. I am caught in the middle of a special project and can not take your call. Please leave your message and I will get back to you as quickly as possible. If this is an emergency then call the hubby.”
3. If everyone knew my normal working hours then they might try calling at other times. I could send out some cards to friends and family – like birth announcements. “Kathryn is pleased to announce that she is a full time writer – getting paid for her endeavor. The hours between 10 – 2 are the best times for the magic to work. Please respect her crafts and LEAVE HER ALONE.”
4. Since morning is the best time for my mind (and the peace and quiet needed to keep the rhythm flowing), maybe I should start clocking in earlier. I figure if I start at 3 then I could be done with most of my assignments before the chaos ensues.
The reality of working at home is that you are more convenient (which is probably one of the reasons you chose this path in the first place). The kids can get to you, the spouse can get to you, and most everyone who has every met you knows that you are at home. It may not be possible to change every mind that I encounter, but I’m going to begin the process of changing at least a few.
December 19th, 2007
Can I make a confession? I hate dial up. The slow, agonizing pace that I can find information is actually something I have learned to deal with. It’s not unusual for me to click a link and get a chore done while my connection is crawling its way over there. But we are getting to the point of ridiculous and the disconnects and the “problem loading” are getting close to pushing me over the edge.
When AT&T first bought out Bellsouth, I was thrilled because part of the agreement was all of their customers would have high speed internet available by the end of the year. Here we are, closing in fast on the last of December, and AT&T STILL doesn’t service my home – not that I was actually shocked.
Out of desperation, I called the local cable provided. Because of where our home is located, it’s going to cost us a small fortune but something has to be done. As I continue to attempt to expand my online writings and even open a business or two, the dial up is going to be a problem (even more than it currently is).
The guy who called about coming out to give me an estimate did not sound very sympathetic to my plight. He said that even with a rush order, it would probably take a couple of months to push through all the red tape (and just what kind of red tape is there for private cable?).
What about satellite? (I know that’s what you are asking yourself). There are only two companies that provide satellite in my area. The highest download I can get from either of them is 2 megs - granted it is much, much faster that what I’m currently experience, but the upload speed is not. For $150 per month (plus the initial cost of set up), I think I have to say no.
My hope is that by the first of the year I will have high speed internet connection. My reality is that I will probably still be yelling at the computer screen when it pops up “problem loading.” Can you feel my pain?
December 15th, 2007
My job is the coolest one in the world. Every day is full of new challenges, different projects, and deadlines. The people I work with are always growing and changing. I am MOM.
People who knew me growing up are usually shocked that I have chosen this profession. Others simply can’t understand how any one of sound mind and body would purposely choose to do what I do. Even my husband has flashes of “you are wasting your college degree with this path” but it usually passes pretty fast (especially if he is left alone with the kids and house for a day or two. Sometimes is only takes a few hours).
If the truth be known, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love this job. I do use my degree at least once a day. And the pay I receive is better than anyone around me that I know. Even on those days where chaos rules the roost, MOM is the best job I could ask for.
Most days I’m juggling the house chores, my work, the kids’ school work, the meals and the toddler. Most days I keep all of the balls in the air. There are those days when I drop on (or all) since I’m not Superhuman (just Wonder Woman), but those are getting farther and farther apart. I can see the attitudes and talents blooming in the children and it pushes me to be and do more in my own life.
It’s not that my job is more important than other jobs (although I think it is probably close). It’s just that it is more fun and exciting and ever changing. How many other people get up in the morning bracing for what is to come? You can schedule and plan, but every mom knows that flexibility is all that counts when it comes to triumphing through the day.
Moms are under-appreciated outside the home, and many times in the home as well. Few people outside the profession know, understand, or even care what goes on in a typical day or how much time we devote to the job. That’s why neighbors and family always call on MOM because she has nothing better to do with her time, right?
I think that the tides are starting to turn and more people are allowing themselves to choose the occupation of MOM (even some dads are making the choice). A revolution is on the way. Who knows, maybe we will have MOM in the White House sometime in the future (although there is really no time for such silliness when you have important work to do).
December 14th, 2007
The writing business is starting to pick up steam. Like other things in my life, I’m finding that the more I do the more I can do and the more people are willing to let me do – except in my home town.
The town I grew up in is small. Most of the people older than me were delivered by my grandfather (who was a doctor by the way). Either I went to school with the rest of the people or they went to school with one of my brothers. They KNOW me.
It was once frustrating. Today it is mildly humorous.
They don’t know me. If the truth was told, they didn’t know me when we were in school. After four years of college (far, far away) and almost twenty years of spiritual growth and personal reflection, there are days that I don’t exactly know myself.
I’m patient. Situations are presenting themselves that are allowing me to show some of my knowledge and expertise. Because of that, a few “important” individuals are taking notice – and maybe giving me a little credit even.
In the end, what other people think they know doesn’t stop me from being who I am. If they refuse to let me through, then another door will open up. Most of the time it turns out that the detour is the better direction anyway.
For now, I will keep smiling when people look pathetically at me because I “stay home” with the kids and homeschool (remember, it’s a small town and everyone is into everyone else’s business). When they muster up the courage to ask “what are you doing anything NOW” my response is planned.
“I am an international writer and published author who is blessed to have the ability to follow my first choice and stay home with my family. What are you doing?”
December 13th, 2007
The last twenty minutes have been wasted digging through papers to find a list I needed for an article. While my desk has been de-cluttered – to some extent – the paper still remains lost. This is just one more reason to stay organized. Clutter and chaos steal your time and for a freelancer time is money.
If you had seen my office space, my home, or even my life just a few short years ago then you would be amazed by the changes. Despite my fear of breaking out into song, it is a whole, new world. 
But it isn’t where it needs to be yet. If it was, I would know where that list was (and what I had written it on).
Ideally, I would have my own office space. Reality dictates that I only get the corner of the kitchen. Since my job requests are increasing daily and my two year old has taken to “working” with mom, I have to figure out a way to better utilize and organize my space.
1. Filing System. I do have one, but it could be better. Last week I made folders for due dates (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Weekly, Month end, Daily, Rush Job). I make a folder for the client and put it in the due date. Any correspondence should go directly in the folder.
a. Problem – I don’t have enough file cabinets. Boxes (if they are the right size) make great temporary file cabinets, but I still don’t have a place to put the boxes.
b. Problem – I have a bad habit of just sticking things in file folders and setting them in the storage bin next to the computer. That bin is over flowing and most of the stuff is completely foreign to me.
It’s time to purge and purge hard. Any of the books and items that I don’t use regularly has to go. Everything needs to be put away AND LABELED. Time to get rid of the bins I have sitting around. It’s just space waiting to be filled.
2. Space. I can only steal so much of the kitchen before my husband starts to complain. Instead, I need to get rid of some of the stuff taking up my shelf and drawer space and re-evaluate my needs.
3. Consistency. All the best laid plans won’t do me any good if I don’t use them. I had my filing system in place before I wrote that missing list that started all of this. I just didn’t put the list in its folder. Now I’m half an hour behind schedule and no closer to a solution. If I’m not going to follow through when I clean and organize then I’ll just be back to this point in a month (or less).
Most people think of organization as something that is over stated or just plain wrong. The truth is that organization can save you thousands of dollar each year, make your life run smoothly, and help you keep up with those lists that are so important.
Try a little organization in your life. You are sure to find that no only do you like it, but you have to have more.
December 5th, 2007
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