As I was out and about discovering new blogs last week, I ran into a post about freelance blogging jobs. The author was discussing whether this was a viable income opportunity and where to find blogging jobs online. The overall tone of the post was “you can possibly make a couple hundred extra dollars per month, but it is really hard to find work and people aren’t going to pay you much.”

I’m going to have to disagree with that. I know a lot of freelance writers that are making a very good living online. Let’s take a look at this opportunity from my point of view.

 

Is there a difference between “blogging” and other freelance writing gigs?

The general line of thought here is that blog posts are more conversational, shorter in length and less technical than their “article” counterparts. There is no hard-and-fast rule here however. You will need to take a long, hard look at the gig description and decide if the pay rate matches the time and effort required.

 

What do online blogging jobs pay?

This is where things get interesting and why there is so much confusion (and discouragement) running rampant. Are there people out there looking for 400-word blog posts for $1? Absolutely. I just saw one yesterday. Are they all like this? Absolutely not. I see several gig postings each week for $20 to upwards of $150 per blog post.

I hear this same train of thought for every home business venture though, “It’s fun, but you can’t really pay the bills.” If you feel this way, or someone is telling you this, you are in the wrong place. As with anything online, you can determine and establish your worth. If you so choose. If you want more pay, start looking. Start creating writing samples. Start publishing content of your own around the web that showcases your skills. Make sure what you put out there is up to par.

 

Where can I find freelance blogging jobs?

There are a number of ways to find these gigs:

60+ Places to Find Freelance Work

Set Up Google Alerts for Phrases Like “Blog Writer Needed” or “Blog Post Writer Wanted”

Start a Freelance Business and Get Your Own Clients

 

Can I get paid blogging on my own blogs?

Sure. Paid blogging jobs that are placed on web properties you own are often referred to as sponsored posts. Many pay-per-post companies or blogging networks give you the opportunity to get paid to blog on your own blog. You can also contract with advertisers yourself.

 

If you are interested in finding paid blogging jobs, get out there and take a look around for yourself. Regardless of the industry, there will be people looking to pay peanuts. There are far more people looking for quality work at rate that reflects that. They may not be as advertised, but they are there. They are waiting for you.

Have you looked into blogging jobs online? Are you making a living writing blog posts?

Do you have a dream to write your own book someday? If so, you aren’t alone…but often getting started is most difficult part. Writing an entire book feels overwhelming. Here are 5 things you can do to get started ASAP:

 

#1: Read.

Read? I thought this article was about writing. Yes, it is…but reading books on your topic will inspire you to get started. Take notes on what you like and don’t like about the books. Keep in mind what you can do to differentiate your book and provide more value to your readers.

#2: Bookmark.

Create a bookmark or favorite on your web browser called “My Book”. This way you can save web links that you can reference when writing your book. The “My Book” contents can be used as inspiration, statistics, or even quotes

#3: File.
Similar to the bookmark concept get a 3-Ring Binder or accordion file folder to stash information relevant to your book. When you read a magazine or any other document, tear it out and put it in your file. Make this habit part of your routine and “poof”, you will have instant material to write about when it’s time to put pen to paper (or fingers to the keyboard).

#4: Outline.

Take a cue from your high school English teacher and start by creating an outline. If this seems too daunting, just start by writing down topics that you would like to have in your book. You will be surprised how easily you can group similar items in order to create an entire chapter.

#5: Get Started.

Set time each week to write. Every author starts somewhere. No one is going to judge you by your first draft of your book. It takes drafts and revisions to come out with a great, final product. Everyone who writes best sellers has to get started at some point in time. You have what it takes to get started. Now it’s your time to join the ranks of the many other authors who got started just like you.

 

Terra Bohlmann, PMP is the founder of TheWorkingHouse.com. She serves the work at home community by providing inspiration, advice, and business knowledge. Stay connected with Terra on Facebook (TheWorkingHouse) and Twitter (@TheWorkingHouse). 

When I first released The How to Make Money Blogging Guide, I didn’t give much thought to publishing on Kindle. Selling eBooks on Amazon had to be a pain. Right? This week I read an article that forced me to overcome that fear and get the job done.

Susanne Myers over at Affiliate Treasure Chest noticed that the author pages of her favorite publishers had two great free pub features; Twitter and RSS feeds. Even if someone decides not to invest in your eBook, you still have the opportunity to get them as a regular reader. Without any additional work!

So, how hard was it publishing on Kindle?

Obviously, I already had the content written. That part wasn’t an issue. I hired someone on Fiverr to do the editing and necessary formatting that selling eBooks on Amazon requires. It needs to be in the appropriate format. Cost: $10. Time: 15 minutes (Not including the time I spent hovering my mouse over the Order Now button, of course.) He also included the format necessary for Nook publishing if I decide to do that at a later date.

I then had to upload the eBook to Amazon. Dear Amazon, if you are reading this, let’s streamline! For Pete’s sake, how many accounts do you need to register for over there? I thought they would just pull the information over from my Amazon Associates account. Of course not. I created a new account, put in the required information, chose my royalties and Digital Rights Management preferences, and uploaded the cover and the eBook. Then you wait for approval.

I completed the upload process around 8pm last night. I woke up this morning to an email stating it was approved, I was ready to start selling, and I should go create my Author Page. Great! That’s what we came here for.

Another account. At least this process only needs done once. To create your account, you will need to choose your eBook from what is available on the site. This keeps non-publishers from creating accounts. This was a super simple process also, other than writing a bio. I hate writing these. The Twitter feed comes right over. It states the RSS feed may take up to 24 hours to populate. But, I’m done! Less than 12 hours ago I sent my file over Fiverr guy.

This was far less painful than I had imagined. Publishing on Kindle will not only allow me to reach another audience, but it will also give my Amazon Associate followers an opportunity to earn commissions from promoting the eBook. I would highly recommend getting your content repurposed on Amazon. I have quite a few reports I have written over the course of this blog that I will likely put up over there also.

Have you considered selling eBooks on Amazon?

When breaking into the virtual work scene, you will need to decide whether you are going to go it alone or work as a freelance subcontractor. Many of us do a little of both. There is no right or wrong answer, but there are both pros and cons to working as a subcontractor.

 

Pros

You get paid, regardless… at least you should. It doesn’t matter if the client pays up for the work you completed. Your contract is with the person you are subcontracting under, not the end client. It is their responsibility to track down payment, and your payment schedule should not be dependent upon when or if the client pays. Never sign a contract that states otherwise.

Someone else is doing the marketing and contract negotiations. In addition to relieving yourself of Accounts Receivable duties, you can also take off your Marketing and Legal Department hats. The individual/company that subcontracted you will be responsible for bringing in new clients.

 

Cons

You have to give up control. You may not be able to work one-on-one with a client at all, or as much as you prefer. This can put a damper on creativity and the growth of the contractor-client relationship.

You take a pay cut. Convenience comes at a cost. You no longer have to do the dirty work of marketing, negotiating and tracking down payment. That is worth something. Plan on the individual subcontracting you to take a little off the top of your hourly or project rate.

You may be kept in the dark about things that will eventually impact you. You are a subcontractor not a partner. You likely won’t be kept in the loop when it comes to how business is going. You may not know until the “no more work” email comes. When you are contracting your own clients, you many times have a little advance notice – from the horse’s mouth or instinctively – when things aren’t quite right.

Noncompetition; Nonsolicitation. Both of these terms are things you will need to understand if you want to be a freelance subcontractor. These clauses are commonly put into subcontractor contracts. They are not all bad. Many will simply state that you cannot solicit your contractor’s clients for a certain period of time after parting ways. However, some go far beyond that. If there is a clause that you are uncomfortable with or feel may impact your earning potential down the road, don’t be afraid to ask to have it removed or changed. Even if your contractor states they have no plans to enforce the clause, it is better safe than sorry.

 

What did I miss? How do you feel about being a freelance subcontractor? Does it relieve the pressure or hold you down?

 

I have seen a few predictions for top work at home jobs in 2012 floating around this past week. Many are pretty much the same as what I read last year – Social Media Experts. Social marketing isn’t going anywhere. But, that isn’t your only option if you are in the market for a change. There are far more opportunities to explore if you are new, and possibly a few twists for those of us that have been around the work at home block.

 

Writing

I discussed in a previous post that Google’s Fresh Update will likely be good news for online content creators. Though we saw content mills come to a screeching halt with 2011’s Panda Update, there will likely be interest in more specialized writing services as opposed to clients seeking the same respun content we have experienced in previous years. Personalization and curation may be the name of the game this year. And don’t forget the election is in November. Political blogs are always huge during the time surrounding a big election.

Social Media

This one is sticking around. Social media continues to grow in both popularity and importance to website owners. So, what will be different in 2012?

Social shares are the new backlink. With search engines adding these shares into their ranking algorithms, there will likely be more need than ever for businesses to grow and nurture a social network. Especially as we all try to figure out how to best leverage Google+ and Pinterest.

Social Writing Services

When you combine writing and social media offerings, you can add a hybrid package to your Services page. Growing that social network can happen quickly through things like guest posting, IF the guest poster isn’t a disappearing act. If you have a blog that accepts guest posts, you know the type. They show up for the backlink, but they don’t stick around to answer questions from your readers, help promote the post, etc. These business owners are often contracting the services of a dump-and-dash SEO company. You can give these business owners far better service by not only pitching, writing and submitting that post, you can stick around to help promote it and respond to any comments. This makes blog owners very happy and at the same time encourages those potential readers to follow the guest poster back to their own network.

Another spin on the hybrid writing service is the combination website design/content creation service. The only thing better than having someone else build your website is having someone else create all of the content as well.

Customer Service

Keeping on top of customer complaints, questions and even kudos, is still at the top of the “must do” list for becoming or staying a successful business. Customer service comes in many forms for the telecommuter. You can start your own customer service business, or you may choose to work as an Independent Contractor with one of the firms that handle customer service for a number of businesses. Arise, LiveOps and West at Home are a few that hire contractors or employees for a number of clients. 1-800-Flowers, U-Haul, and Hilton are a few that handle their own work at home customer service hiring.

Travel

They tell us that the economy is picking up! Woohoo! And, the Olympics will take place in London this year. That may mean an upswing in the travel industry. Cruises, Inc. and Prestige Travel Systems are two companies that offer franchise-type or direct-sales-type business opportunities. They do require an investment, but they are legitimate companies.

 

Those are just a few of my personal predictions. What do you think will change in the work at home landscape in 2012?

Even if you have a traditional outside-of-the-home job, work at home opportunities can provide a great way to earn extra cash in 2012. Many offer flexibility that you don’t often find at common second jobs like waitressing or working in retail. Here are a few ways to earn extra cash in your free time this year.

Direct Sales – If you are a fellow female, chances are good you have been invited to more than a handful of home parties. There is far more to choose from than Avon and Mary Kay these days! There are companies that specialize in food, candles, children’s books and toys, health & wellness, jewelry, purses, scrapbooking and more. Start-up costs can be minimal depending on the company. Check out my Best Direct Sales Companies blog for overviews of companies by product and start-up cost.

Ecommerce – Are you a crafter? A bargain hunter? Consider selling your goods.  Sites like Etsy and Artfire  are great for selling handmade items. If you are a garage-saler from way back or have a newly found picking passion, consider reselling those items you snagged for free or cheap on eBay.

Microgigging – If there are small online tasks that you can perform quickly, you may want to consider a few microjob sites. Sites like Fiverr or Fivers World will allow you to post small jobs that you are able to perform. These gigs range from conventional to quirky. Take a look at the gigs available on a few sites in my Sites Like Fiverr post for service ideas that you can offer.

Sitting – Housesitting, dogsitting, babysitting, senior-sitting – we all need a sitter for something. Sittercity helps connect service providers with those in need. And, they go beyond sitting. You can also list your services as a housekeeper or tutor.

The sky is limit when it comes to earning extra cash working at home. If you need even more ideas check out 40 Businesses You Can Start From Home.

Last week I Shared and Tweeted a few of The Work at Home Wife’s top home business blog posts of 2011. Here those are again, just in case you missed them.

How to Start a Customer Service Business – Good customer service is imperative to a successful business. This opens up a huge need for online service providers to cover.

The Best Direct Sales Companies: Choosing the Right One for YOU – This was one article in a series of guest posts. The ongoing interest in these posts was one of the reasons I went on to create my Best Direct Sales Companies blog.

Starting an Online Service Business: Free Guide – It’s a free guide! Enough said.

Starting a Laundry Business – This is an article I submitted to Yahoo! Voices way back when it was still Associated Content. I had no idea it would be so successful. After all, I don’t like doing laundry enough to do it for a living. Do you?

40 Businesses You Can Start From Home – Not sure what type of home business you would like to start? Here is a little inspiration.

What would you like to learn more about in 2012?

Starting a home daycare sounds like the perfect home business for many parents. Being a daycare provider eliminates the childcare needs you would have if you worked outside of the home. At the same time, it provides an income source that your family likely needs. Unlike many of the options we explore on The Work at Home Wife however, far more is involved than a domain and hosting package.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has an amazing How to Start a Quality Child Care Business document available that will help you determine whether or not this is a good fit for you and your family. It certainly isn’t a business for everyone. Questions you need to ask yourself and that will be detailed in SBA’s document:

• What are the different types of child care programs? (Daycare isn’t just daycare.)
• Is there a need in my community?
• Why do I want to start this business?
• What are the legal requirements?
• Where will my business be located?
• Business structures and tax laws
• Do I need insurance?
• How will I finance my business?
• How will I market?
• How will I manage my new business?
• Safety, storage and setup
• Planning the program
• Training

There are numerous aspects here to consider. This is one of the reasons I am going to let SBA’s document do most of the heavy lifting. They outline and explain those most important details – legal and financial. You are also going to find several questionnaires and self-assessments within those pages that will help you determine if this business is right for you.

Marketing

This paper is outdated when it comes to marketing. I see a few local daycares using social media in my very rural setting. I would 100% recommend taking advantage of social marketing. Get your business on Facebook at the very least. The benefits here are many. This can for certain bring in new business, but it can also be a great way to communicate with parents. You can not only relay important announcements, you can also get them more involved.

Other marketing avenues to consider may be hanging flyers at local businesses or apartment buildings, business cards, Craigslist, online community directories, etc. I also think this may be a perfect business for implementing a referral system. A parent refers a new client, they get $X off their next bill.

Contracts

This fabulous document does not go much into contracts. You absolutely MUST have a contract. Always. There are so many little details involved with child care services. A contract will ensure both parties are clear on what is expected. You don’t want to end up on The People’s Court.

 Where to Get Help

Starting a home daycare can be a tad confusing and stressful. If you need a little helping hand or business advice, contact the U.S. Small Business Administration or SCORE. Both of these places have tons of free resources available online and/or can connect you with a knowledgeable local party for assistance.

Here is the link again for the SBA’s How to Start a Quality Child Care Business.

Have you run a home daycare? What insight can you share?