Working from home can be a very rewarding and self satisfying career. Plenty of people dream of being their own boss and you can too, but there are some important things you need to get started.
A home office can be as simple as a desk and a computer or it can be a much more elaborate set up. To have a fully functional home office you need a good internet connection as well as phone and fax capabilities. Just this much equipment enables you to work as a virtual office assistant from the comfort of your own home. Even if that isn't the job for you, there are many others to choose from once you're set up.
Time is of the essence. Make sure you have a fair amount of time to devote to getting your home business off the ground. It will take plenty of dedication and hard work so make sure you're committed to your cause. And no matter what, don't let rejection get you down. If you're a writer or artist then you will have many experiences with rejection. However, that doesn't mean your no good, it means you keep at it until you connect with the right clientele. They're out there.
Scour job boards online and market yourself through your website and blog. Perseverance pays off so make it work for you.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
No Shortage of Scams
It's no wonder that many of us writers are struggling to find steady, full time work. With all of the websites and ads that eventually lead nowhere, it's astounding that we get anything done. I think I spend as much time wading through the false and dead end links than I do on legitimate job boards.
My complaint is that these people continue to get away with this. Sites promising hundreds or thousands of dollars a day if you pay a membership fee and constant guarantees of success are driving me crazy. The only possibly positive thing resulting from this is that I can now identify those links before I click them. But the time it took was not an even trade.
Watch out for scam sites. And remember, never pay for work. How in the world does anyone think that makes any sense anyway?
My complaint is that these people continue to get away with this. Sites promising hundreds or thousands of dollars a day if you pay a membership fee and constant guarantees of success are driving me crazy. The only possibly positive thing resulting from this is that I can now identify those links before I click them. But the time it took was not an even trade.
Watch out for scam sites. And remember, never pay for work. How in the world does anyone think that makes any sense anyway?
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Blog Directories
There are endless amounts of blog directories begging you to submit yours. It almost seems too easy. Is it?
That depends. Do you mind an exchange? Most of these directory sites insist that they will only list your blog if you list a link for them in exchange. Some may think that's fair but I find it unreasonable to think that links to multiple directories wouldn't be annoying.
Of course the blog directories that don't ask for a link are instead asking for money. Some of them are even guaranteeing a lifetime listing for a one time payment of whatever. I find those guarantees to be based on ignorance and are not all that realistic. I guess the link is the best trade off yet.
That depends. Do you mind an exchange? Most of these directory sites insist that they will only list your blog if you list a link for them in exchange. Some may think that's fair but I find it unreasonable to think that links to multiple directories wouldn't be annoying.
Of course the blog directories that don't ask for a link are instead asking for money. Some of them are even guaranteeing a lifetime listing for a one time payment of whatever. I find those guarantees to be based on ignorance and are not all that realistic. I guess the link is the best trade off yet.
Never Pay For Work
The worst thing about work at home scams is that even legitimate sites can be hiding something in the fine print. If you find any site that asks for a membership fee then do not sign up. You should never have to pay for work. Obviously if they are asking you for money, they aren't your safest bet for working at home.
Many sites for writers do this too. They promise loads of job listings for one low monthly fee. Some are even as low as $3 a month. However, in the event that you can't land a job through their listings, that's $3 you can't afford to lose. Try free sites instead like:
www.rentacoder.com
www.helium.com
www.elance.com
www.getafreelancer.com
Though you're not guaranteed to make money through these sites they are a great and free place to get started. I have done plenty of work for clients through rentacoder. Give it a shot. If you can get some regular clients going then you may be able to give up these sites for good.
Many sites for writers do this too. They promise loads of job listings for one low monthly fee. Some are even as low as $3 a month. However, in the event that you can't land a job through their listings, that's $3 you can't afford to lose. Try free sites instead like:
www.rentacoder.com
www.helium.com
www.elance.com
www.getafreelancer.com
Though you're not guaranteed to make money through these sites they are a great and free place to get started. I have done plenty of work for clients through rentacoder. Give it a shot. If you can get some regular clients going then you may be able to give up these sites for good.
Can You Really Get Paid To Read Email?
The answer is yes. You can get paid to read email. Unfortunately, the amount you make isn't enough to do much with. You'd be lucky if you made enough to cash in once a year.
If you sign up to one of these paid email sites, don't expect to make more than a few cents a day, if that. Most of the time you get paid only 1 cent to read each email and you only receive so many per week. Some of these companies will pay higher but it's rare. Essentially you get paid a measly cent to read advertisements for work at home jobs that have got to be scams.
This is right up there with those survey sites. Go ahead and give it a try but don't say you weren't warned.
If you sign up to one of these paid email sites, don't expect to make more than a few cents a day, if that. Most of the time you get paid only 1 cent to read each email and you only receive so many per week. Some of these companies will pay higher but it's rare. Essentially you get paid a measly cent to read advertisements for work at home jobs that have got to be scams.
This is right up there with those survey sites. Go ahead and give it a try but don't say you weren't warned.
Paid Surveys
Paid surveys are popping up all over the internet. Any work at home searches you do will result in many of them. But are they worth trying?
Many of these sites promise cash payments and even go so far as to make claims of the ability to make up to $100 a day. Not true. In my online travels I have yet to see this be reality. I tried signing up for a few of these sites and to date I have made next to nothing. Of course I also didn't invest the amount of required time into it. To make a few cents off each one you must register at each separate survey site and then wait for them to email you a survey.
If you want to give it a try for a few extra bucks, it's worth a shot. But if you think it's a good way to make a regular income, don't hold your breath. A lot of the survey sites don't even offer cash rewards but points instead that you save up and redeem later for merchandise. I find those sites to be more of a waste of time than anything else.
Many of these sites promise cash payments and even go so far as to make claims of the ability to make up to $100 a day. Not true. In my online travels I have yet to see this be reality. I tried signing up for a few of these sites and to date I have made next to nothing. Of course I also didn't invest the amount of required time into it. To make a few cents off each one you must register at each separate survey site and then wait for them to email you a survey.
If you want to give it a try for a few extra bucks, it's worth a shot. But if you think it's a good way to make a regular income, don't hold your breath. A lot of the survey sites don't even offer cash rewards but points instead that you save up and redeem later for merchandise. I find those sites to be more of a waste of time than anything else.
In a World of Make Believe - Writing Fiction
During my journey so far as a writer I have come across many types of people. Those who are writers and those who claim they are writers, yet never put pen to paper. It isn't easy being the former of the two, in fact it is damn hard work. I've spent years perfecting my craft with very little monetary gain in comparison. But like with any art, it isn't about the money.
I currently have two novels "under construction". Meaning I have written hundreds of pages in each but find myself struggling for that perfect ending. Of course when I think of all of the books I have read, the endings are almost never perfect. I doubt there is such a thing. And still I cannot find my way to the end.
This is a problem I know many fiction writers suffer from. Either you can't find the ending or you're stuck in the beginning overwhelmed by those coming to life in your pages or on your screen. But over time I've come to realize a few things. Here are a few of my coping techniques.
1. Know when to walk away.Sometimes you have to leave that world in order to get a better grip on it. It's so easy to get so caught up in your make believe world that you become part of the confusion. Step back and do something else for awhile. Give your mind a chance to clear. Approach it later when you're refreshed and seeing things more clearly.
2. Don't quit.I can't tell you how many times I see this. On a certain writer's forum I'm a member of (listed below) I often see people posting with complaints that they have unfinished work that has been sitting for months or years and they are unsure if they should pick it up again or try a re-write. The point here is that the piece is haunting them. They began to give life to something but didn't have the heart to follow it through. And then they go back to it later and have no idea what to do with it. Some advice I read from author Laurell K. Hamilton is what I carry around with me when I work on my fiction. She said that nothing else matters if you don't finish what you started.
3. Let the story write itself.It sounds a little crazy but what I mean is once you get rolling and the flow is coming so smoothly that you don't even have to think about what comes next...don't! A character truly brought to life in your mind has a way of leading the story so that they are showing you what comes next rather than you pulling their puppet strings. There is a magic here that you want to embrace. Find yourself somewhere quiet to write or somewhere that inspires you. Get into your personal groove and just let it go.
I can't claim any New York Times bestseller list credits yet but I don't intend to give up. I just need to finish what I've started. It does get hard to devote enough time to fiction especially when you're working a day job or like me and writing non-fiction for a living. But it is worth it. So devote some time to your craft and you'll be glad you did.
My recommended place to visit if you're a writer is the forum on www.writersdigest.com. A wonderfully informative place.
I currently have two novels "under construction". Meaning I have written hundreds of pages in each but find myself struggling for that perfect ending. Of course when I think of all of the books I have read, the endings are almost never perfect. I doubt there is such a thing. And still I cannot find my way to the end.
This is a problem I know many fiction writers suffer from. Either you can't find the ending or you're stuck in the beginning overwhelmed by those coming to life in your pages or on your screen. But over time I've come to realize a few things. Here are a few of my coping techniques.
1. Know when to walk away.Sometimes you have to leave that world in order to get a better grip on it. It's so easy to get so caught up in your make believe world that you become part of the confusion. Step back and do something else for awhile. Give your mind a chance to clear. Approach it later when you're refreshed and seeing things more clearly.
2. Don't quit.I can't tell you how many times I see this. On a certain writer's forum I'm a member of (listed below) I often see people posting with complaints that they have unfinished work that has been sitting for months or years and they are unsure if they should pick it up again or try a re-write. The point here is that the piece is haunting them. They began to give life to something but didn't have the heart to follow it through. And then they go back to it later and have no idea what to do with it. Some advice I read from author Laurell K. Hamilton is what I carry around with me when I work on my fiction. She said that nothing else matters if you don't finish what you started.
3. Let the story write itself.It sounds a little crazy but what I mean is once you get rolling and the flow is coming so smoothly that you don't even have to think about what comes next...don't! A character truly brought to life in your mind has a way of leading the story so that they are showing you what comes next rather than you pulling their puppet strings. There is a magic here that you want to embrace. Find yourself somewhere quiet to write or somewhere that inspires you. Get into your personal groove and just let it go.
I can't claim any New York Times bestseller list credits yet but I don't intend to give up. I just need to finish what I've started. It does get hard to devote enough time to fiction especially when you're working a day job or like me and writing non-fiction for a living. But it is worth it. So devote some time to your craft and you'll be glad you did.
My recommended place to visit if you're a writer is the forum on www.writersdigest.com. A wonderfully informative place.
I've spent so much time online lately writing and browsing for more writing jobs that I haven't taken the time to appreciate the things I have. Like my 2007 Dodge Charger SXT. And no I am not getting paid to write this.
Some of us are old enough to remember when the Charger was a young, rebellious muscle car. Not me. I'm new to the Charger family, only been part of it for a year. Like many the Duke of Hazzard were barely on rerun status when I was a kid and those types of cars had long since given way to the smaller, more economical cars of today.
But let me say, I was no stranger to the classic cars and what they stood for in their time. All it took was a movie like Grease to make you appreciate the cool factor of your ride and other rides. Now at an age of adulthood I am the proud owner of my own Dodge Charger. True, it has grown up with those who knew it originally but don't let the new look fool you. It's still a beast inside.
The new image of the Charger is definitely one of those "you hate it or you love it" looks. I love it. Not only is it powerful, even the most basic model has something on cars in its competitive class, but it's great to look at. Available in a variety of models and colours, there is a Charger for everyone, literally. Engine is available in 2.7L, 3.5L and 5.7L Hemi. Go back in time to Sublime green or jump ahead to something new in bold red or midnight blue. Of course, it's rumoured that the fastest colour is black but there's only one way to find out.
So why not stop into your local Dodge dealer and take one for a test drive? I commend you if you can walk away without making a deal.
Some of us are old enough to remember when the Charger was a young, rebellious muscle car. Not me. I'm new to the Charger family, only been part of it for a year. Like many the Duke of Hazzard were barely on rerun status when I was a kid and those types of cars had long since given way to the smaller, more economical cars of today.
But let me say, I was no stranger to the classic cars and what they stood for in their time. All it took was a movie like Grease to make you appreciate the cool factor of your ride and other rides. Now at an age of adulthood I am the proud owner of my own Dodge Charger. True, it has grown up with those who knew it originally but don't let the new look fool you. It's still a beast inside.
The new image of the Charger is definitely one of those "you hate it or you love it" looks. I love it. Not only is it powerful, even the most basic model has something on cars in its competitive class, but it's great to look at. Available in a variety of models and colours, there is a Charger for everyone, literally. Engine is available in 2.7L, 3.5L and 5.7L Hemi. Go back in time to Sublime green or jump ahead to something new in bold red or midnight blue. Of course, it's rumoured that the fastest colour is black but there's only one way to find out.
So why not stop into your local Dodge dealer and take one for a test drive? I commend you if you can walk away without making a deal.
Maybe it's just me but I am finding that when you search the term "blogging" or "getting paid for your blog" the results are rather disappointing. There are tons of people blogging about getting paid to blog but they never really say how. I find this interesting because I'm wondering how the hell they're getting paid then. Are there any real blogging jobs? Or maybe there just isn't enough room in the blogosphere for anymore full time writers to grab some extra side jobs.
During my search I did find a number of what looked to be legit blogging sites. For the most part their requirements were simple: at least 3 months of blogging before signing up. Here's a list for anyone interested in giving it a shot.www.payperpost.comwww.blogitive.comwww.smorty.comwww.payu2blog.comI plan to go back and check them out when my time is up. Unfortunately, I've had this blog for a while but never was sure what to do with it until now.
There is definite plus to being your own boss, whatever it is you do. But it's tough too. It's been a while since I've had some steady article work (took time off to devote to my fiction) and now getting back into the swing of things is not all that simple. But I was swamped during the summer before my break. It shouldn't be so hard to find that in between.
During my search I did find a number of what looked to be legit blogging sites. For the most part their requirements were simple: at least 3 months of blogging before signing up. Here's a list for anyone interested in giving it a shot.www.payperpost.comwww.blogitive.comwww.smorty.comwww.payu2blog.comI plan to go back and check them out when my time is up. Unfortunately, I've had this blog for a while but never was sure what to do with it until now.
There is definite plus to being your own boss, whatever it is you do. But it's tough too. It's been a while since I've had some steady article work (took time off to devote to my fiction) and now getting back into the swing of things is not all that simple. But I was swamped during the summer before my break. It shouldn't be so hard to find that in between.
Article Writer 4 Hire
That is the name of my newest website, a free one from Google.www.articlewriter4hire.googlepages.com will take you to my site where I basically state my experience and my willingness to write quality, informative articles for a fair price.
I published my first article on Associated Content today. Unfortunately, because I'm Canadian I'm not eligible to get paid up front, only by the click. I find that highly unfair. But I'm willing to give it a shot. Helium is much easier to get content onto but it seems harder to make money there. They have a contest section which I just discovered today where there is some earning potential. One thing I really do like about Helium though is that they list the things they need writers for. That makes it a little simpler.
I have yet to discover if this Google adsense thing is for real. I mean, how many people really click those ads? I never do. But I suppose someone must for the damn things to be all over the internet.
I published my first article on Associated Content today. Unfortunately, because I'm Canadian I'm not eligible to get paid up front, only by the click. I find that highly unfair. But I'm willing to give it a shot. Helium is much easier to get content onto but it seems harder to make money there. They have a contest section which I just discovered today where there is some earning potential. One thing I really do like about Helium though is that they list the things they need writers for. That makes it a little simpler.
I have yet to discover if this Google adsense thing is for real. I mean, how many people really click those ads? I never do. But I suppose someone must for the damn things to be all over the internet.
How Much Can You Make Writing For Submission Sites?
For the last year or so I have been freelance writing online. All of the work I have done to date has been for clients that I have found through websites like RentACoder.com. Bid sites like these can become tedious and tiring over time. Most of the clients offer well below deserved rates and many people are willing to work for that which ruins it for those of us who want to get paid what we feel our work is worth.
I've heard a lot of hype about sites like AssociatedContent.com and Helium.com being great places to get started as a fulltime writer online. So far I haven't had the patience to try my hand working on those sites. So this weekend I decided to give it a shot. I signed up to each of them and got started writing. After a couple of days I have made next to nothing on Helium but have received a message from Associated Content stating that they would like to offer me an up front payment for an article I submitted. It was about fires in the home and what comes after. Which I have first hand experience in since working in disaster restoration.
So if I hear anything further from these sites I will be sure to update. I joined a couple other similar sites as well. We'll see if they amount to anything. I've heard claims from writer's who swear they make $500 a month with these types of sites. I'm skeptical although I'm sure if one could build a regular following of readers over time, this could happen.
With all of the potential ways to make money online, some of them have got to be potential earners. In most cases it's quite easy to spot the scams. Anything asking for money certainly isn't going to be legit. Stay away from those.
I've heard a lot of hype about sites like AssociatedContent.com and Helium.com being great places to get started as a fulltime writer online. So far I haven't had the patience to try my hand working on those sites. So this weekend I decided to give it a shot. I signed up to each of them and got started writing. After a couple of days I have made next to nothing on Helium but have received a message from Associated Content stating that they would like to offer me an up front payment for an article I submitted. It was about fires in the home and what comes after. Which I have first hand experience in since working in disaster restoration.
So if I hear anything further from these sites I will be sure to update. I joined a couple other similar sites as well. We'll see if they amount to anything. I've heard claims from writer's who swear they make $500 a month with these types of sites. I'm skeptical although I'm sure if one could build a regular following of readers over time, this could happen.
With all of the potential ways to make money online, some of them have got to be potential earners. In most cases it's quite easy to spot the scams. Anything asking for money certainly isn't going to be legit. Stay away from those.
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