Work from home parent

Picture form femaleways.com

Work from home - or anywhere else

Today, even more, parents have the need to spend either less time on the road, more time with their kids or have the need to be more flexible than an 8-5 job. Finding time to spend with your family and yourself is of utmost importance- but who really gets to practise this preach?

I started working for myself in 2007 and I have to admit that being your own boss, manager, employee and then getting to manage staff can be even more challenging. I used to work 16 hours and loved it. As I got married I cut down to 12 hours and when the first kiddy arrived I started working “half day” if there is such a thing. Number two arrived and between nanny letdowns and unwillingness to resort to a creche I ended up with only four hours available to see clients. It was hard at first and after doing the Meyers-Briggs personality test I realised that I do not fit the full-time mother profile (apparently I'm the “executive-doer type of person). I also got one child who really needed nurturing, routine, quality time,attention (you name it) and so I realised being a full-time corporate would mean I'm deciding to ignore my child's needs. I also realised being a full-time mom would mean I'm denying my own needs. If there is one thing I remember and appreciate its the paediatricians “pop in visit”  after my first child's birth saying- the most important person is you. If you (the mommy) are not well looked after, then everyone else will suffer so take care of yourself first... So I compromised and ended up with a 4hour work day.

Although it is an ongoing process I must admit that it seems to be working for us. Cutting the cost of transport and being able to deduct expenses for my work from home office, travel etc makes a big difference in the budget.  With this post, I would like to encourage you to take the chance, be responsible, figure out what your personality profile is and perhaps ask an OT to assess your child's profile as well as your husband/wife's profile. Remember that more often than not the first five years of a child's life are their sculpting years and it's probably not the best idea to build a 16hour day career during these five years. Find out what works for you and then make it happen!

First I'd like to share some Mythbusters:

Working from home is ideal- it is not, for various reasons. It will take much more effort to balance work and life as there is no physical boundary between the two , you may get cabin fever and things like 'what's in the fridge and the laundry basket' may distract you. Also, friends popping in because you’re always at home may become a distraction. Keep a diary and stick to it, an appointment with yourself is just as important as an appointment with a client.

Quit and go big (and go home)- though there is some value in this , it's probably better to start with the two hours before bedtime or hour before the kids wake up...lunch time or your coffee break. But know when to quit and build bridges when you do.

Market research can be done via FB- truth is, I see this every day- just because someone likes your page does not mean they will support your business. When someone says they think your product is awesome, it does not mean you can go ahead and quit. If 143 motherhood forum mommies say they will support you, trust me they will not...necessarily- all of this means nothing before you get money in the bank and get people to actually pay you for your product.

That being said - herewith the good news.

Working from home can work for you, but be sure to have an accountability partner and be disciplined. Internet and telecommunication make it possible to work from anywhere- here are some ideas that moms, dads and parents to be can do from home.

1) Internet

2) Sales

3) Franchises

4) Products and services you know and trust

5) FB pages that may help you with exposure

1) Internet Blogging or Content Writing

The internet does make it possible for you to make money. A simple WordPress site , free themes etc are available everywhere. Find a niche and start a blog or test whether people like your writing style by guest blogging for other sites. Usually, these sites repay you with brand exposure and or a link back to your site that helps with traffic to your site. A great tool you can use to give you an idea about how your business grows is http://www.alexa.com/toolbar. Though the free version is not as accurate as google analytics it is easier to use and install for the lay person. It gives your site a ranking and gives feedback on sites linking into your blog.

If you feel like writing but do not have the time for a full-time blog you can become a "content writer". This means you write articles for other blogs or companies. I suggest you look at Freelancer. They offer regular jobs and you work as a freelancer. Make use of "Milestone payment" to ensure they pay you on time every time as there are always people looking to steal your hard work and not pay you. Entry level will pay about R200 for 400 words. As you grow you and your speciality grows e.g if you are a physio writing a blog for a medical page you can charge your per hour rate. Freelancer is also ideal if you are a blogger, need content and do not have the money to employ someone full time or you need some help. The link will say hire someone but just subscribe as either or both an employer and or a jobber.

Three affiliates worth looking at:

• Broadband - RSAweb affiliates earn money by signing up customers with RSAweb. They bill and support that customer once they have been approved. All Affiliate Partner services receive annuity commission, enabling you to build up a stronger monthly annuity income as your customer base grows. You will have to be a registered business or registered sole proprietor. Go to http://www.rsaweb.co.za/partner-program-signup/

• Paytel - Becoming a Paytel affiliate entitles you to a profit share that their customers bring to the company. Customers sign up for a Paytel 083 number for any business. Paytel will divert the new Paytel Number to any landline of the customer’s choice. Upon answering the phone the customer will start earning 34c per minute and you make 50%. If you were thinking of still getting a mommy business number, consider getting one from Paytel and earn money as people phone you. Go to PAYTEL to try it out for free for 30 days!

• Affiliate.co.za Click on the image below to head over to the Affiliate.co.za site and signup to become a publisher

  

• AdMarula Click the image below to head over to the AdMarula site and signup to become a publisher.

• Complete online surveys to earn some money for jam 

Sites offering guest posts and thus advertising and marketing for your products for free:

www.thingstodowithkids.co.za - email media@thingstodowithkids.co.za for options

samomblogs.co.za

http://epicmommyadventures.com/guest-bloggers-wanted/

www.samommy.co.za

http://moneysavingmom.com/guest-post-submission-form

2) Sales

I usually get the chills when people advertise marketing jobs salary based on commission. and then they expect you to work 8 hours a day selling their products. The internet and cold calling make it possible to earn according to your schedule. Cold calling is often also only cold calling if your leads are cold. Like a general service to a general client (e.g. cellphones) but if you were selling a product and service that you believe in, to someone you are sure needs it and you have the system to back it, it becomes “helping” someone instead of cold calling or hard selling. If you believe in your product and know your product you will be good at marketing your product.

3) Franchises 

www.babyboxswop.co.za

4 & 5) Products and services

If you have got your product then you can use the following FB  platforms to market:

Mondays:

www.facebook.com/samommy247

www.facebook.com/mamahoodCapeTown

https://www.facebook.com/MommyMallSA

Fridays

https://www.facebook.com/MomtrepreneurSA

Good luck and leave comments if you have more ideas and suggestions!! Read more about our affiliate system here http://www.thingstodowithkids.co.za/article/affiliate-income  

Paytel Example