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JULY 2010
WAHMZONE.COM
Where Business and Motherhood Meet
Many women who work from home say that either business slows down during the summer months or they simply prefer to work less in order to spend more time with their kids. This may be the perfect time to focus on areas of your business that need changing, upgrading, or improving.
One thing you could do is check out different means of advertising so that when things pick up in the fall, your business is one step ahead. Of course, WahmZone would love to help you with that! Did you know that now you can promote your business or website in REAL TIME? With the new WahmZone Business Directory you can create your own online Advertising Center.
The WahmZone Ad Center is great for those work-at-home moms who promote multiple affiliate programs or rep for online companies but don't have a website. You can use the WahmZone Ad Center as your own Mini Site. You even get your own site url so you can promote your ad center across the web!
Best of all, not only can you create your own professional mini website in minutes, you can update it 24 hours a day, 356 days a year! Think of it is ADVERTISING THAT YOU CAN UPDATE YOURSELF without ever having to ask us to make changes. Advertise new happenings in your business or website. Announce new product specials that you may want to promote for a limited time. This is called interactive advertising and YOU CONTROL IT.
To top it off, we drive traffic to your Advertising Center as we continue to expand and promote WahmZone. And you get all this for only $5.00 per month! For more information, to see a sample, and to sign up for a FREE trial, visit this page: http://www.wahmzone.com/business-directory/signup.php
For more things to "catch up on" during these summer months, check out the July Featured Article.
JULY FEATURED WAHM
Do you love to take pictures? Why not consider a career in photography? It's rewarding, fun, and a wonderful at-home opportunity. Cari Weber has always had a passion for photography and that passion is helping her launch a successful freelancing career. Cari's photos have already won several contests and have appeared in various magazines. Read on and get a glimpse into the world of freelance photography.
WAHMZONE: Have you always loved photography?
CARI WEBER: Yes, so much so, it's annoying. You might not want to go on vacation with me.
WZ: When did you decide you wanted to pursue it for business, as well as pleasure?
CARI: Just over a year ago. I never really thought of a career in photography, but I began to submit my work for publication and contests, and then, got published and won contests. Soon I started getting asked to take senior pictures, babies, and family photos. Before I knew it, I was in business!
WZ: What types of things did you need to start up your business?
CARI: Getting the best photography equipment you can afford helps tremendously. Legal forms are important for releases and contracts. I would recommend purchasing photography business start-up reference books.
WZ: What, exactly, does your job consist of and what do you love most about it?
CARI: There is a lot of variety, which I love. There's the photo shoot, which is active, and the computer work (editing and printing), and then the customer service. I really like interacting with clients, but what I love most is taking photos and getting paid for it.
WZ: What is the most challenging part of being a hired photographer?
CARI: Knowing what you're worth. It's easy for me to say you shouldn't short-change yourself, but it's much harder to put that into practice. Guard your time and charge a reasonable fee to cover all the time and work you put into the photo shoot, follow-up editing, printing and customer service.
WZ: How do you market and advertise your business?
CARI: Word of mouth is huge and it's keeping me busy. I also have business cards, a website, and will probably advertise in our local free-edition newspapers.
WZ: How do you set your prices?
CARI: By researching other sites, talking with other photographers. To be competitive, I adjust (usually lower) prices on my packages and sitting fees to help keep the business going in the start-up phase.
WZ: Why would other moms enjoy starting up a photography business?
CARI: Flexibility and fun! It would be especially helpful if you can bring a unique niche to the business, too. Think of Anne Geddes, who started photographing babies inside of flowers and how successful she was. Selling stock photos is also a great option. These sites pay you while you're sleeping! What gets better than that? After you upload your photos- just collect your check on payday. Think creatively and always follow your passions.
WZ: Do you have a website?
CARI: Yes, I do. Visit me online at cariweber.com
JULY FEATURED ARTICLE
Summer's Here. Great, Now What?
By Cristina Favreau
Summer is way too short here in Montreal, so it's no wonder that business slows down for most of us. That's why it's a good time to relax, regroup, and reflect over the past few months. What have you been doing right? What could you improve on? How can you use these next few months to prepare for September?
Here are a few things I've done myself that have helped me regain focus and remember why I got into business for myself in the first place:
- Continued education and professional development: I completed an intensive coach certification course and specialized in leading teleclasses. I have also consistently given teleclasses every month: This not only takes me out of my comfort zone, but helps me hone my listening and public speaking skills. If you want to stay positive about your business, it's vital that you spend some time on yourself, developing in a direction that motivates you.
- Pin down your 30-second pitch: No matter where you are professionally, this is something that always needs work. Your life & business are constantly in evolution and your 30-second pitch will need to be reevaluated accordingly. Summer is ideal for this; business is slower, so take advantage of that to step back and get more clarity on your own "big picture".
- Volunteer: Offering just one hour per month as a committee member of a local networking group has helped me make connections I wouldn't have otherwise. It can be very satisfying to share your expertise with people or organizations that strive to make a difference in your own field of business.
- Focus on one specific problem: Is there something bothering you about your business? Take some time to really define the problem and focus on it. The solution could be as simple as making a few call-outs every day or simply make sure that your clients' know about a new service you are offering.
- Finish your Bio: This is probably the last thing anyone thinks of doing during the busy season. However, a well-written bio can put people at ease about doing business with you, especially if your business is "virtual" and that you don't meet many of your clients face-to-face. Service providers need this more than retail businesses, since they are essentially selling themselves rather than a physical product.
- Find an outlet for your ideas: For me, writing and publishing articles has proved to be a great way to build my own visibility and get out on paper what feels like is stuck in my head. You have ideas to share? Why not submit articles to business websites, or try your hand at blogging or even podcasting?
What have you learned so far in 2006 about yourself and your business? Where would you like to improve? Do you need help figuring it out? Then take advantage of your network. I'm sure you'll find someone willing to reach out and help you.
Enjoy the summer.
Copyright. Cristina Favreau. All rights reserved.
Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com
Cristina Favreau helps service professionals simplify their marketing & self-promotion so they gain visibility & credibility, and more clients. She makes marketing & self-promotion easy to understand and to implement. She starts at your level; usually after only 1 session, you'll identify where you're stuck in the marketing process and come up with immediate strategies to gain momentum. If you're tired of working hard without results, schedule a free session by visiting www.cristinafavreau.com.
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING WAHMZONE.COM, THE PLACE WHERE BUSINESS AND MOTHERHOOD MEET!
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