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NOVEMBER 2008
WHAMZONE.COM
Where Business and Motherhood Meet
So are you gearing up for the holiday season? You probably know that this season tends to be the busiest and most lucrative time of year for many businesses. Lots of opportunities abound for holding holiday open houses and events, taking advantage of the gift giving season and offering incentives for customers and party hostesses.
This month's WahmZone article, at the end of this newsletter, ties in with the Thanksgiving theme. It focuses on ways you can say thanks this holiday season to the customers who help make your business a success. After all, without customers, you wouldn't have a business at all!
Also be sure to check out this month's Featured Wahm…Cori Smelker has an extremely successful freelance writing career and offers great insight and advice for the aspiring writer!
Once again, I'd like to invite you to join us on the WahmZone forums! Whether you want to advertise your business, check out business opportunities, offer or receive great work at home tips, or simply connect with other moms who combine business with motherhood, we'd love to meet you! See you on the boards! http://www.wahmforums.com
WAHMZONE FEATURE OF THE MONTH
Did you know that WahmZone.com offers a FREE downloadable toolbar? This toolbar is the perfect way to access everything you need with just one click of the mouse. Search, block pop-ups, and jump over to WahmZone.com without even navigating away from the site you're on. Again, it's totally FREE! Check it out: http://www.wahmzone.com/toolbar.php
NOVEMBER FEATURED WAHM
As mentioned above, this month's Featured Wahm is WahmZone Forums member, Cori Smelker. Cori is a freelance writer / editor. If you are a writer, or considering breaking into freelancing, Cori offers wonderful insight and tips on how to be successful in the business of writing!
NAME: CORI SMELKER
TITLE: FREELANCE WRITER AND EDITOR
WAHMZONE: What made you decide to pursue a freelance writing career?
CORI: Ummm... NASA wouldn't let me up in a space capsule, said I was not NASA material! Seriously though, in some ways I fell into it, although it was a natural progression in my job. I graduated from college with a Masters in English Lit, realized that I didn't want to teach a bunch of kids and took a job as a computer trainer. As a trainer I had to write my own training material (we were teaching a proprietary program so there was no material). Once I moved to the USA I began to work for Ford Motor Company and the same thing happened. With the birth of my second child, I moved completely over to the documentation department and after the birth of my third child, the company allowed me to work from home. Once my fourth one came along, I resigned. I had 3 children under the age of 2 (soon to be 4 under the 3) and I couldn't work the hours they needed me to and still be home. So, in the end, my freelance career was chosen because I wanted to stay home with my kids, but knew our family needed my income.
WZ: How many hours per week do you work?
CORI: My hours vary from week to week based on deadlines. But I would say between the interviews I conduct, the research, and actually working on articles, I average 20-30 hours a week. It doesn't feel like a lot because I don't work a conventional day. There are times when I write for 4 or 5 hours straight, but most often I will write for an hour or two and then shake it up with something different before coming back to my desk. I have a laptop so if I have to take the kids to piano practice etc., I can work on articles then.
WZ: How did / do you go about finding freelancing jobs?
CORI: My first jobs were contracts with Ford and Bank One and some other clients. After that, most of my jobs have been through word of mouth, referrals and recommendations. My most lucrative client right now I got from Craigslist.com! And they weren't even looking for a writer but a web and graphics person. I responded to the ad with this, "I don't know nuttin 'bout graphics. But I can write..." I then got serious and sent my resume. I was hired the next day and two years later we are still going strong! (Wouldn't recommend that introduction under normal circumstances, but I was feeling goofy, and my editor fortunately has a good sense of humor).
Going out and meeting people has been another way I have made contacts. I tell everyone who will listen that I am a freelance writer! And I pick the brains of fellow writers and ask them for contact names. I am willing to share my contact names with them, even though it might mean I don't get as much work from a client as a result. But I believe firmly in the principle of givers gain. The more I give, the more I will be given in return. I have received two well paying gigs from one writer who referred me to editors, and she in turn got a marketing gig from one of my clients.
WZ: How much money, on average, do you earn per week freelancing?
CORI: Again, this varies a bit. I get paid 2x a month from one client, and the rest pay me monthly and sometimes I am paid per project. On average, though, I am billing anywhere from $800-$2000 per week. But I don't always see it right away!
WZ: What is the best part of the job?
CORI: The freedom!!! Doing what I love to do - I love to hang around people, discover what makes them tick, and now I get paid to do it!
WZ: What is the most challenging part of the job?
CORI: Sometimes coming up with a fresh angle on a story. Keeping my style upbeat and fresh.
On a personal level, even though the kids are older, juggling schedules can be a challenge. Homework needs to be checked, laundry must be done, dinner cooked, errands run, groceries bought, kids shuttled to events...I am a good multi-tasker, but it takes team work (I have an awesome, awesome hubby) and a willingness to have my day re-arranged at a moment's notice.
WZ: What tips would you offer moms who are considering a freelance writing career?
CORI: Make sure this is something you really want to do. The lure of working from home can sometimes overwhelm common sense. Writing might look easy, but it is a craft, and like every craft is honed over time and with practice.
Try and keep to a writing schedule when the kids are very young. Personally, I only worked during their nap times and at night. I put them on a strict schedule and we stuck to it. Now that they are older (my 'baby' is almost 9) I don't have the same schedule but I do try and work when they are at school.
Don't get frustrated if your plans change. Learn to write on the go - you might only get 10 minutes here and there.
Start writing on subjects you're an expert on; and then branch out. It will help you because you are comfortable with the subject matter and it will give you a level of accomplishment when you are done, and (this is the best part!) you get paid for it!
Market yourself! Get out of the house and meet people.
Read, read and read some more. Read books about grammar (it is easy to get rusty), read the great novels and classics, read the news, and read blogs. A good writer is someone who has a broad knowledge on a variety of subjects. Read international works, don't limit yourself to an American market.
Finally, have fun!
WZ: Great advice! What are some of your favorite websites?
CORI: www.wellfedwriter.com/blog (Peter Bowerman's site - one of the most successful freelance guys out there)
www.njcreatives.org/members_only/reference/how-much.htm
(A comprehensive site that gives good insight into what to charge for different jobs)
http://www.faithwriters.com
WAHMZONE MONTHLY ARTICLE
Although this particular article was written before Halloween, it offers lots of great ideas on ways to say thanks during the holiday season to the customers who help make your business a success.
Enjoy…
Is Your Holiday Appreciation Plan Ready?
By Patty Gale
I know it's not even Halloween yet, and there are just 65 days to Christmas, so if you haven't already started putting your holiday appreciation plan together, what are you waiting for?
While "Santa" may be making his list and checking it twice, you should be doing the same thing for your business right now.
Do you have your holiday card list ready? If not, here are some tips and things to consider.
Holiday Cards
* Who are you sending cards to? This includes clients, business associates and prospects.
Review the addresses from last years list to make sure they are up to date.
* Who do you need to add and did any of your clients move or have any life changing events this past year that you should recognize?
* Do not include any self-promotion. The holidays are a time to reflect and appreciate. Self-promotion is just tacky and unprofessional.
Holiday Gifts
Are you sending holiday gifts of appreciation and if so, is your list ready? How do you decide who gets a gift and who doesn't? This can be a real tough one, and while only you can make that decision, think about this.
* Gifts that are appropriate for top tier clients and business associates.
* Keep it simple. It's not the size and cost of the gift that is important. It's the sincerity of the appreciation.
This is why I always recommend sending a personalized card with the gift at the same time... no, not one of those business card size inserts you get at the florist, but a real personalized greeting card that can be included directly with your gift.
When you take the time to send a heartfelt gift of thanks, especially around the holidays, your clients and business associates will truly feel appreciated.
What about the New Year?
I love sending New Year's cards because after the craziness of the holidays, after everyone's desk and kitchen counter are cleared off, after your clients have had a chance to catch their breath, here's what happens.
They go out to their mailbox, the first week in January, and there is a "Happy New Year" card from you that says, "We would like to Celebrate Your Successes of the Past Year and Wish You Continued Success for the New Year. All our Best for a Healthy and Prosperous 2009"
Do you think that is bound to get some attention? You bet it will.
If you haven't sent holiday cards or gifts in the past, there's no time like the present to start. In challenging economic times like these, your customers and business associates need to know now, more than ever, that you appreciate them and will be with them through 'thick and thin.'
They need to know that you will help them get through to the other side, too, and when you do, who do you think they are going to recommend to people they know? That's right... You!
Patty Gale is a customer appreciation consultant who's mission is to empower businesses to harness the potential of the web with power of appreciation. Visit her site, www.InspiredWebWorks.com to stay updated with her weekly newsletter, 'Get Inspired!' and read her free report, "Harness the Power of Appreciation to Stand Above Your Competition."
Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com
THANKS SO MUCH FOR CHOOSING WAHMZONE.COM! HERE'S TO A BUSY AND PROSPEROUS NOVEMBER.
HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!
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