Work-at-Home Mom Tip #1 : Focus, Focus, Focus

It is nice working from home. It is, however, doubly hard if you are a work-at-home mom.

Those who are single, and even dads working from home still have things easily. If they decide to start working all they have to do is sit by the computer and pound on the keys. They can just inform people that they don't want to be bothered and that's it.

Not so for work-at-home moms. Multi tasking is more the rule rather than the exception.

I remember one time I needed to finish a particular job ... I was nursing my baby using one arm, pounding the computer keys with the other hand, and listening to my two other kids as they excitedly narrated what they watched on TV.

I could go on and on complaining and enumerating the thousand and one ways of how hard it is for a mom to work-at-home but, just as my mentor said, when you want to earn online,"I want RESULTS not REASONS!"

So be it.

For all work-at-home moms out there, for you to be successful you really need to FOCUS, FOCUS and FOCUS.

What will motivate you to continue and not be sidetracked? Always keep in mind the reason why you are doing this. If your goal is to earn $1,000 passive, residual income, then let that be your motivator.

It's hard, I know, but it is not impossible. Remember to keep your eyes glued to your goal and eventually you will get there.

THE NEED FOR MULTIPLE STREAMS OF INCOME

There is one thing I learned in my many years of searching for online earnings - multiple streams of income.

There are lots of ways on how you can earn online.

First, I did some article re-writing. Here I didn't need to do research that much because an article was already provided. All I had to do was to write it again using my own words. The main thought should be there and I had to be as close to the original number of words as possible.

Next, I got a simple data entry job where all I had to do was to copy and paste information in an Excel sheet.

Then I went back to writing only this time I need to write articles from scratch. Some were the SEO type where I needed to repeat the same keyword at least 5 times.

I also did a technical data entry project that dealt with HTML even if I had no idea what all those gibberish meant. I was able to pull it through with the help of my client.

Right now I am still into article writing, data entry and PTC (paid-to-click). The former is a better source of income than the other two but the others give me that much needed break from wracking my brain.

Why is having multiple streams of income important? So that you will still earn even if you don't get enough projects for the others. It also teaches you about the different ways of earning online. Like what financial gurus say: you have to diversify.

What I Feel When Mama is at Home

I'm Workingpinoy's daughter(7 yrs. old).

When mama started this blog it was like I went crazy coz' I really really wanted a blog. Then when a person in PMT (that's where mama put her posts) viewed her blog, I felt a little excited. What an amazing thing that I experienced that mama always tell the people what she learned and funny words that I added in my vocabulary.

Then after a week or 3, my brother had a blog named gamezone V3.0(I think), then he started screaming like crazy.The night after that, I viewed mama's blog and saw some ads or things that are usually in websites. I was a bit confused until I asked "Ma, how did you put this stuff together?" then mama answered my question with unique answers.

The next morning, I woke up at 9:30 (I usually wake up at 10:00) then took a bath at 12:00. Then I signed in Blogger, then made my blog,Barbie tips. I was really happy when mama sticked together her made-up articles together. I usually view Pinay Work-at-Home Mom to know that her articles sometimes teaches people to earn money online.

SCAM or SPAM: What's the Diff?

There are two words that every one who has ever tried going online encounter: SCAM and SPAM.

What's the difference?

Well, according to the online edition of Merriam Webster Dictionary a SCAM is "a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation" while SPAM means "unsolicited, usually commercial e-mail sent to a large number of addresses".

A scammer is out to get your money or any vital information about you by promising you the sun, the moon and the stars; heck even the entire galaxy! They try to sweet talk you to pull out your credit card ... then milk you dry. They promise you a diamond then give you a worthless piece of glass.

A spammer sends those ads that you receive in your email. You always wonder how were they able to get your email addy without you subscribing to their list.

Are all spam scams? Not necessarily. Most of those who spam offer legitimate products. If you are into sales you know that it is a numbers game. So if you blast your campaign to a million and only 1% of that buys from you, then that is still 10,000 customers.

Do all scammers resort to spam? No. There are different ways on how to deceive a person online, and spamming is just one of them. A very popular one is from someone who proclaims that you can get XXXXX amount of money (usually in millions) because somebody died. The problem is, it is kept in a bank somewhere and the only way for you to get it is by providing information about you. Tsk ... tsk ... tsk...

So spammers are not all scammers and scammers are not all spammers.

If you want to know if a company or money making opportunity online is legitimate just type on your browser window "company name + scam".

Hope this helps ...

Online Job Hunting

How did I start earning online?

Like most of those seeking to earn online, I thought the only way was to look for a job. It should be one that I could do during my spare time since I also had a regular part time job then. The first one that I got was a writing project. I got it by applying at an online job board.

There are lots of online job boards like Craigslist, BestJobs, Rentacoder , Monster.com, GetAFreelancer.com . A year or two ago the most reliable, to my knowledge, was Craigslist. However, I've noticed recently that, although there are still legitimate job opportunities posted there, there are some who use it for referral marketing or are just scams whose sole intention is to get your email ad to send you spam emails.

I got a few more writing projects but also got scammed along the way. How? I was asked to go on a paid trial period. After submitting a few articles, guess what? I didn't get paid. It is hard when this happens. You think of all the time and effort you put into it. It would have been better if they just told me at the onset that they need work samples and I won't get paid for it.

In my quest for a reliable site where I can get a job online without being ripped off, I kept on encountering this:

So I clicked on the banner and read what the site has to offer.

At oDesk, they have a system to ensure that everything is fair for both the job seeker and provider. Most employers pay by the hour and you are required to log-in and log-out just like you would in a traditional office setting.

I particularly like the way they screen the people who will vie for the jobs. You need to pass their Readiness test and be Certified before being allowed to apply for a job. The test is not that difficult because they'll teach you first and the nice thing about it is you can search the answer online while you take the exam. Cheating, you say? No because the test is basically on how to operate their system so the more you learn how to navigate their site the better.

After finding oDesk, I don't think I will go to other sites again. As their tagline says, "Certified Professionals. Verified Work". It has a nice ring to it, right?

More MEs please

Will somebody please hand me one of those futuristic contraptions found in cartoons that will help me clone myself?

This is one of those days that working at home just isn't possible.

My mom who usually helps me with my kids attended an activity in our church. My baby wants to be nursed and demands that I do it the minute he cries as if saying, "I want my milk NOW!"; his older brother and sister kept on arguing over some silly book arrangement that kept on toppling.

To top it all off I need to do data entry for a client, click and view websites, do some forum postings. And I am really behind in submitting a writing assignment.

I am sleepy ... hungry ... and I want to take a bath!

Oh what joy it would be if I can clone myself on days like this!

Me #1 will take care of my baby.
Me #2 will look after my 2 other kids
Me #3 will do online work
Me #4 will take care of my body
And the Real ME? Enjoying 8 hours of uninterrupted and blissful SLEEP. Zzzzzzz ...

Choosing Your Online Earning Path

The problem when one wants to start earning online is that there are a lot of ways on how to go about it. You are bombarded with lots of options. It's like a kid getting lost in a candy or toy store - too many choices yet not everything is good for you.

Without the proper guidance, your first foray into this industry is not pleasant. Being scammed a few times is more the rule rather than the exception. Some say it is like riding a bike: you need to fall a couple of times before you can learn.

Since 2000, I know that the only way for me to be able to be with my kids is to find a source of income online. I have earned a few bucks here and there but not significant or regular enough for me to count it as part of my family budget.

I was determined, though, and I know it can be done.

A few months ago I posted a challenge in an online money making forum. I asked them if it is possible to go from 0 to US$1,000 earning purely online in 90 days. I got a resounding YES! However, will it still be possible given the following obstacles:

1. The person doesn't have a credit card
2. Is not a techie and knows only how to use email and post testimonials in a social networking site such as Friendster
3. There should be no out of pocket cost or which can be started for free. If there is a fee involved, the maximum expenditure will only be $25
4. Does not know how to create a blog or website
5. Not that interested in multi-level marketing

It made a lot of them think twice.

There were those who took it seriously and were determined to help. So far, I got 8 tips from them. And these are:

1. Find a good mentor
2. Accept online work/work for someone else. Remember to also upgrade your knowledge and skills
3. Use your "list" or social network (ex. friendster, yahoo or google groups, facebook, etc) to market products
4. Do some research on opportunities that will let you earn that you can start for free
ex. GPTs or get-paid-tos (paid to click, to sign up, to surf, to read email,etc) , domain parking
5. Sell on eBay
6. Become a DropShipper
7. Affiliate marketing
8. Pay-per-install

Hmmm interesting ...

My journey to the right online earning path begins. And this time, I know where and how.

GETTING STARTED

You made the decision to work-at-home but still at a lost on how to get started.

Here are the things that you should have if you really want to succeed earning online because just like going to battle, one should be well-equipped to WAH .

1. Computer with fast internet connection

It is a given fact that in order for you to even get started working online you must have a computer - laptop or desktop - with fast internet connection. Yes you can get started even if your internet connection is the ever soooooo slow dial up BUT income opportunities will be limited. You can go to internet cafes but I do encourage you to buy your own computer (if you don't have one). Why? Well ... you want to "work-at-home", right? So, unless you own the internet cafe and it is located where you live, then technically, leaving the house to go online cannot be considered work-at-home.

2. Proficiency in the English language

Before national language advocates rise up in arms in protest, it is a given fact that English IS the language generally used in the net. Unless your goal to earn online is limited to reaching those who can understand your own language, proficiency in English is a MUST. This means that you are able to read, understand and write in English.

I'm not talking here about impeccable, scholarly type of English wherein your grammar, punctuation and syntax are error free; what is needed is your usual everyday-conversational-type.

Nothing turns off a would be client more than reaching a site with text that seem to be literally translated by some language software that confuses rather than gets the message across.

And please, please, please, do away with what is generally known as SMS spelling (Ex.: UR WBSITE LUKS GR8!). Not eveyone can decipher what you mean.

Some may wonder if it is an oversight on my part not to include being able to speak English. Well, usually if you can understand and are able to write in English, you are able to speak the language well. It is, however, not a necessity since most communication online are done through the written word. That is, unless you want to create an audio-visual product with you as the talent.

3. Proper Identification Cards

This may seem trivial, but believe it or not, you need them even when transacting online. Why? Because you need to open a bank account, if you don' t have one yet. Clients need to know that they are sending payment to a real person thru verifications made by online payment processors.

4. Bank Account

Working whether as a freelancer or putting up a business goes hand in hand with opening a bank account.

If you are really not comfortable revealing banking information even in trusted sites, then you need to scrap the idea of working online. Everything is done thru the net so you might as well get used to it.

Money earned will not be physically handed over to you in crisp bills. Even if you opt to have checks delivered to you, a bank account is still needed.

You have an option though on whether to have money deposited in a dollar account or in your currency. It also does not matter if you have a savings or current account.

5. Payment Processor

Finally, what's the point of earning online if you don't have any idea on how you can physically get hold of all that money. It's one thing knowing your virtual income and another in actually feeling and spending it.

There are many ways on how to get paid. You can opt to have a check delivered via postal service or money transfer thru Western Union. Others may send debit cards (VISA or Mastercard).

However, there are payment processors online. These are secured third party systems in charge of ensuring the exchange of payment from buyer to seller, client to service provider, etc.
There are a lot but the most popular ones are:

There are others like E-gold, xoom, ikobo, epassporte, and other VISA or Mastercard debit cards that the site recommends, but the most popular and trusted online payment transactions are usually done via paypal

Your bank account is usually linked to the payment processor so that you can easily transfer money from them to your bank.

6. Separate Email Account

When opting to earn online, it is a MUST for you to open a separate email account. It will be better too, to open several accounts for each line of online earning you want to enter into. You can get free email accounts from Yahoo, Google or Hotmail.

This is to avoid mixing personal with business correspondence to better organize things. You will get more than the usual offers - legitimate or spam - from online marketers and you would not like your primary email address flooded with offers.

These are the basic things needed when working online. Equip yourself and be ready to join the group of satisfied online earners.

WORK-AT-HOME: THE BEGINNING

Okay, so you've decided to work-at-home, what's next?

Working at home can be done by anyone BUT it is not meant for everyone; especially if you would like to be a work-at-home mom.

Finding work is the easy part. Online opportunities abound. However, to be effective in this endeavor, one must learn effective time management, the ability to say NO, and designate a specific workplace.

When your home also serves as your "office", it is common for "home duties" to interfere with work. Being at home 24/7 means you are bound to see things that need your attention. Stop. Make a priority list and manage your time wisely. There should be a clear line separating working hours from household chores. Absence of an effective time management system will result to haphazard work on both fronts - work and home - and will also be so nerve wracking and stressful that you are better off working outside your home.

Your ability to say NO is also crucial for your online success. A lot of people who are so used to the "traditional" way of earning money think that just because you stay at home they can bother you anytime. Treat it as you would any other "office" job. Although the kids are within earshot, resist the temptation of standing up from your workplace to look after them. Ask somebody to help you with the kids during "working" hours. Limit calls from friends and relatives. You are busy earning money so be firm in letting them know when you are free to have longer chats with them.

The need for a definite work area will, in a way, condition both your mind and body to buckle up and do business. A laptop may be convenient to bring anywhere around the house but if you can't stay in one place for as long as it takes to finish your task, then I strongly recommend you use that ol' reliable desktop computer.

Everything is settled? Then, congratulations! You are now ready to WAH (work-at-home)!

Now, what??? (Blog content)

Okay, so I've started this blog. Now what will you find here?

Hmmm . . .

Aside from the rants and ravings and occasional musing of a work-at-home mom, I plan to primarily let this serve as a guide to those who would like to work at home but don't know what to do.

Here, you'll read about my personal journey in finding ways of creating a full time income online. I may make some wrong decisions along the way but you, my readers, will benefit more from learning from my mistakes.

And when I can no longer wrack my brain on what topic to write about, I may ask my kids to be my guest writers (I'm sure my daughter will love this!).

'Til next time . . .

I FINALLY DID IT !!!

Yes, finally I got everything together and created this blog! It's a fitting Mother's Day gift to myself (hehehe). I procrastinated long enough.

What prompted me to do this? For starters, I learned that blogging can bring in that much needed extra moolah without being too time consuming. Another reason is that I really love writing and I think it's time that I share my thoughts to a much bigger audience than my family.

That's it for now ...

I know, I know, this entry is really way too short for someone who profess to love the written word but I promise to write more in the coming days. Right now, mommy duty calls.