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MARCH 2010
Where Business and Motherhood Meet
Happy March! So did you catch any of the Olympic Games? There were definitely some memorable moment, weren't there? From tragedies like the death of a luger and the mother of a figure skater, to many triumphs, like medal records and underdog comebacks.
Olympians do more than entertain us. They inspire us to pursue our dreams. Not to mention show us that working hard, despite huge obstacles and disappointments, pays off.
As women who work from home, we know all about hard work and perseverance. And even when the kids are screaming and distractions are thrown at us and business isn't exactly booming, we keep going, because we truly have hearts that long to be home. So be encouraged and don't give up. Your dedication to your family and your work will pay off!
But let's face it. Sometimes we need some extra encouragement. And that's where WahmZone can help. Simply connecting with other women in the same boat you're in does wonders for the soul. Why not pop over to the message boards and introduce yourself? Meet other moms who can offer not only support and encouragement, but advice and tips on business, finances, parenting, and all of the other everyday stuff you deal with as a work-at-home mom. http://www.wahmforums.com
FEATURED WAHM OF THE MONTH
This month's featured Wahm is Tori Close, who works at home as a web and graphic designer. Thanks to Tori for offering us a peek into what her business is all about. Maybe this is something that will appeal to you.
WAHMZONE: How long have you been working from home as a web and graphic designer?
TORI CLOSE: Close to 9 years now.
WZ: Tell us a little about what your job consists of:
TORI: I am mostly a web designer; I come up with different designs for websites to fit my client's needs. Many of them are authors, so it makes it fun to design their sites around their writing style. I also "tweak" WordPress templates for those who like to blog, and want their blog to match their websites.
On the side, I create digital scrapbooking kits (papers, embellishments, alpha's, stickers, etc.) for those who love to scrapbook and prefer to do it on their computer rather than paper scrapping. This is so much fun and very enjoyable for me!
WZ: How many hours do you work per week, on average, including all aspects of the job:
TORI: Honestly, this varies greatly. It all depends on how many clients I have, whether they are new design clients, or if they are current clients who simply need updates done to their websites. It can be as little as 10 hours per week during the "slow" seasons, or as much as 40+ hours per week when I am really busy. I generally tend to use my slower web design times to work on digital scrapbook designs, or to catch up on things that need to be done around home.
WZ: What is involved in starting out as a web and graphic designer? What experience/education is needed?
TORI: To start out as a designer you need to have at least three main tools:
1) A good graphics program such as Paint Shop Pro, Photoshop, or Photoshop Elements
2) A text editor to create your HTML or a WYSIWYG ("what you see is what you get") web design program such as Microsoft Front Page
3) An FTP program to upload the files to your client's server
You will need a basic knowledge of how to run each of these programs. The FTP client is especially important, because this is how you will publish your client's website and make it "live" on the web. Knowledge of FTP (file transfer protocol) is a must, as you need to make sure you are uploading the files in the correct form. For example, if you upload a graphic file (binary) as an ascii file (text), your graphic will be rendered useless. It will show up looking like a bunch of code, instead of the actual graphic file itself. It sounds confusing, but can be learned quite easily. :)
As for experience or education, this is truly the beauty of being a designer .... you can teach yourself! I have not had any formal education in designing or web development. I have always had a creative/artistic side, so I decided one day to see if I could learn how to create my own website. I started researching the subject online and went through many, MANY, tutorials, videos, and "white papers". Through taking the time to read and learn all I could, I have become quite efficient at what I do.
* As a side note, I personally do not like the "point and click" or "WYSIWYG" type of web design programs such as Microsoft Front Page, because you don't really learn how to create a web page using HTML or CSS, and it tends to make your coding extremely messy. I prefer the basic text editor to create my pages in, such as NoteTab Light or even Notepad.
WZ: How do you market your business and get new clients?
TORI: The best marketing I have ever come across is simply word of mouth! My clients have seemed very happy with the work I have done for them and tend to send business my way. Most of my current clients have been referred by previous clients. It's a beautiful thing! Of course, running specials on my personal blog or my design blog are also helpful.
WZ: What is your favorite part of the job?
TORI: My absolute favorite part of my job is watching a plain white screen come to life! To see the colors and graphics start to flow, and to see the personality of the person I am creating for begin to appear before my eyes is very satisfying. And being able to work in my jammies is also a bonus. ;)
WZ: How about the most challenging part?
TORI: The most challenging part is probably when I get a client that is on a short time schedule, but wants a *lot* of work done. Being that I do work from home, I think that sometimes people forget that I also have a life outside of my computer screen, and a family to take care of. I don't typically work weekends or holidays (unless I am feeling incredibly inspired!) and folks seem to forget that at times. That can be a little bit frustrating.
WZ: Why should other moms consider looking into starting a web and graphic design business?
TORI: If you have an artistic side and you want to learn a craft from the comfort of your home, web and graphic design is definitely an avenue moms should look into. You can study and teach yourself how to create during the hours your family is sleeping or at school or work, or even while the children are napping. The income is spotty at times, especially when you are first starting, but if you have the drive and good artistic abilities, it is certainly a way to earn an income from home.
WZ: Website or other link you'd like to share:
TORI: Right now my own design site (http://www.designsbytori.com) is "under construction" while I re-design it (ironic, isn't it?), but I would love to have you stop by and visit me at my personal blog any time! http://www.toriclose.com
MARCH FEATURED ARTICLE
Finding legitimate telecommuting jobs isn't easy. Here's some advice from a successful and experienced telecommuter.
How do you Find Legitimate Telecommuting Jobs
By Christine Groth
Tips and Guidelines for today's frustrated, "I need to quit my job," worker.
I suppose a lot of you are wondering, how can I replace my $50,000 yearly income. I'm here to tell you 'yes' you can do it. My income last year was comparable to any professional.
Funny thing is last night I was at the YMCA( waiting for my daughters swim team pictures) reading my latest book, 'Think and Grow Rich' by N. Hill and I noticed a lady sitting next to me reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad. This of course immediately excited me and I broke into a conversation with her regarding all my legitimate telecommuting jobs in the past year. I don't know what exactly got into me, but I must say I really enjoyed talking about my legitimate telecommuting jobs. How lucky am I that I work from home and I'm there to participate in my daughters activities. When our weekends arrive they are spent doing family activities, not catching up on work. So I feel blessed. I also feel that creativity is so important and the ability to think out of the box. We all need to work on this because I believe the school system has done a good job of making us all conform to the same thought process.
My typical day starts out with getting my twin daughters ready for school. Afterwards I exercise at the YMCA for one hour than precede to the grocery store to pick-up the evening's meal. I then check in with my employee (who's a great lady) and proceed to turn on my computer. I work until 2:30P.M., then pick-up my daughters and do activities with them which of course would be piano, homework, swim team practice. Evenings are spent talking to my husband, reading, and working online. I watch very little T.V. For one thing I find it totally boring. I do watch movies, but that's about it.
So I ask you, why do you keep working for a job that you don't like. Or maybe the problem is you have no time for your family, and your house is consistently a war zone of clutter?
So how do you find Legitimate Telecommuting jobs?
There are various ways, but I must inform you patience is a virtue. No business evolves overnight. This is a struggle for a lot of people including myself. You want to see the fruits of your labor now. All things need time and nurturing.
Tips in finding Legitimate Telecommuting Jobs?
1. Job Boards: Go to online sources such as Mega Job Boards. It is possible to find some legitimate telecommuting jobs here but be careful and do some screening. Also take a look at Niche job boards. These are boards that advertise jobs within a particular or category. Retailjobs.com is an example of an industry niche board.
2. Staffing Firms Web Sites: Because telecommuting been growing in popularity, there are some people who have found a career in searching job boards, newspapers, and search engines.
3. Create you own Job. If you have a special talent, such as technical writing or medical transcription create a job for yourself. Market yourself to companies. You also can start-up a small business in your home, such as a children's daycare center. Be creative and think out side of the box.
Please take time to look at my archives; they mention many of the legitimate telecommuting jobs that I am currently pursuing.
Advantage Conferences www.advantageconferences.com/rcgroth/income
Yanik Silver www.makingseriousmoney.com/2006/02/yanik-silver-millionaire-and-making.html
Best of Luck to you,
Christine Groth
Article Source: http://wah-articles.work-from-home-directory.com/
About the Author: Christine Groth, webmistress and master internet marketer. Looking for more **FREE** information regarding making money on the internet. Get a free copy of Millioniare at 31 or The Affiliate tool box. Go to www.makingseriousmoney.com
THANKS FOR CHOOSING WAHMZONE.COM - THE PLACE WHERE WORK AND MOTHERHOOD MEET!
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