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.