I've looked and looked for good advice on working from home, and found an awesome site! I'd like to share with you an interview with the owner of this site!
Alyice Edrich is the author of several work-from-home e-books. She’s worked out of her home since 1991 and has dabbled in many different careers over the years. In 1999, she finally found a niche that kept her waking up excited about her business. Today, she’s an online editor of an award winning publication, the author of several e-books, and a ghost writer for small businesses.
Here are my questions for her and her answers:
1. What tips do you have for making ends meet while waiting for your home business to take off?
I always tell people that if they cannot afford to quit their day jobs while building their home businesses then they need to work their home businesses around their day jobs. It is unwise to quit your job before you have a stable income to replace it.
Quitting your job too soon could cause undue stress on your marriage, in your family, and with your business. Not to mention jeopardizing your health.
That being said, let’s say that your husband makes enough to pay the monthly bills but it leaves you very little for emergencies, to build your business, or pay for “extras.” After discussing the matter with your husband, he feels it’s worth the risk for you to quit working so that you can be readily available for the kids and he believes it will allow you to have more time to devote to your business.
There are things you can do to cut corners. Obvious things like:
getting rid of cable or dropping it down to the very basic,
firing the housekeeper or gardener and doing the work yourself,
using coupons when shopping,
buying large ticketed items when they’re on sale and always turning in those rebates,
consolidating your bills,
selling things you no longer use and using that money to either fund your business or pay off current debt,
eating out only once a week or once a month and sticking to low cost alternatives like eating out during lunch or at your favorite fast food restaurant, and
buying non-name brand items if they’re cheaper than the name-brand items when they’re on sale.
As for your business expenses, there are several ways you can make ends meet:
Barter your services for the services of another entrepreneur.
Hire an intern to learn the ropes and help you run the office. Interns do not cost you a dime, but you may be required to meet certain criteria developed by the high school or college you choose to hire an intern from.
Negotiate better deals when paying for advertising. Some publications offer deals if you buy so many spots in advance.
2. How do you keep on track getting business tasks done with kids under foot and children to take to activities?
The best way to stay on task is to write out a daily “To Do List” and crossing off things as you complete them. If you don’t finish a task, just move that task to tomorrow’s “To Do List.” Some people prepare their “To Do Lists” first thing in the morning. I prepare mine the night before, when I close my office for the evening, that way I know exactly what I am doing when I wake up.
Also keep an up-to-date calendar. When you make appointments, immediately input them into your calendar. That way, you don’t overbook yourself.
3. What are a few good ways to get the word out that you are in business with a minimal advertising budget?
Advertising is probably the most important aspect of your business. If people do not know you exist, you won’t be in business long. Here are a few ways to get your business out there:
Place a regular ad in your local paper. By doing so, you can usually negotiate a better deal.
Barter with other businesses. You agree to place one of their coupons in every outgoing package if they agree to do the same.
Send out press releases to publications that would be of interest in your product or service. Sometimes you’ll hear back right away, other times, they’ll hold onto your information until there is a spot to fill (one lady I wrote a press release for heard back from her local media a year after she delivered the release), and sometimes, they simply toss your press release.
Find publications willing to review your product. Many publications include “hot lists” about the latest products, trends, etc. Your product could be listed in those lists.
Donate your product or service to highly visible contests.
Write quality articles related to your business, but articles that match the needs of other publications. Distribute those articles through free content groups or submit them via writers guidelines and get paid for the article.
Make yourself known in your community by joining the local chamber of commerce.
You can visit Alyice Edrich at The Dabbling Mum Press to order a work-at-home e-book, or visit her online publication for BUSY parents at The Dabbling Mum.
Catch up with Alyice by making another stop on her blog tour…
Alyice Edrich is the author of several work-from-home e-books. She’s worked out of her home since 1991 and has dabbled in many different careers over the years. In 1999, she finally found a niche that kept her waking up excited about her business. Today, she’s an online editor of an award winning publication, the author of several e-books, and a ghost writer for small businesses.
Here are my questions for her and her answers:
1. What tips do you have for making ends meet while waiting for your home business to take off?
I always tell people that if they cannot afford to quit their day jobs while building their home businesses then they need to work their home businesses around their day jobs. It is unwise to quit your job before you have a stable income to replace it.
Quitting your job too soon could cause undue stress on your marriage, in your family, and with your business. Not to mention jeopardizing your health.
That being said, let’s say that your husband makes enough to pay the monthly bills but it leaves you very little for emergencies, to build your business, or pay for “extras.” After discussing the matter with your husband, he feels it’s worth the risk for you to quit working so that you can be readily available for the kids and he believes it will allow you to have more time to devote to your business.
There are things you can do to cut corners. Obvious things like:
getting rid of cable or dropping it down to the very basic,
firing the housekeeper or gardener and doing the work yourself,
using coupons when shopping,
buying large ticketed items when they’re on sale and always turning in those rebates,
consolidating your bills,
selling things you no longer use and using that money to either fund your business or pay off current debt,
eating out only once a week or once a month and sticking to low cost alternatives like eating out during lunch or at your favorite fast food restaurant, and
buying non-name brand items if they’re cheaper than the name-brand items when they’re on sale.
As for your business expenses, there are several ways you can make ends meet:
Barter your services for the services of another entrepreneur.
Hire an intern to learn the ropes and help you run the office. Interns do not cost you a dime, but you may be required to meet certain criteria developed by the high school or college you choose to hire an intern from.
Negotiate better deals when paying for advertising. Some publications offer deals if you buy so many spots in advance.
2. How do you keep on track getting business tasks done with kids under foot and children to take to activities?
The best way to stay on task is to write out a daily “To Do List” and crossing off things as you complete them. If you don’t finish a task, just move that task to tomorrow’s “To Do List.” Some people prepare their “To Do Lists” first thing in the morning. I prepare mine the night before, when I close my office for the evening, that way I know exactly what I am doing when I wake up.
Also keep an up-to-date calendar. When you make appointments, immediately input them into your calendar. That way, you don’t overbook yourself.
3. What are a few good ways to get the word out that you are in business with a minimal advertising budget?
Advertising is probably the most important aspect of your business. If people do not know you exist, you won’t be in business long. Here are a few ways to get your business out there:
Place a regular ad in your local paper. By doing so, you can usually negotiate a better deal.
Barter with other businesses. You agree to place one of their coupons in every outgoing package if they agree to do the same.
Send out press releases to publications that would be of interest in your product or service. Sometimes you’ll hear back right away, other times, they’ll hold onto your information until there is a spot to fill (one lady I wrote a press release for heard back from her local media a year after she delivered the release), and sometimes, they simply toss your press release.
Find publications willing to review your product. Many publications include “hot lists” about the latest products, trends, etc. Your product could be listed in those lists.
Donate your product or service to highly visible contests.
Write quality articles related to your business, but articles that match the needs of other publications. Distribute those articles through free content groups or submit them via writers guidelines and get paid for the article.
Make yourself known in your community by joining the local chamber of commerce.
You can visit Alyice Edrich at The Dabbling Mum Press to order a work-at-home e-book, or visit her online publication for BUSY parents at The Dabbling Mum.
Catch up with Alyice by making another stop on her blog tour…
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