Meeting Up with Online Business Friends in Person

A successful business woman who works from home on the internet spends a lot of her time alone with her computer.  In my case I often have one or two social networking sites open during the day, which provides the social aspect of my work at home.  I'm not sitting in an office with people physically, but very much engaged with others online...and from all over the world! 

Every now and then you discover a person who lives not so far from you, or one who is passing through your area when traveling, and would like to meet you in person!  Such was the case for one of my online friends who uses the name "Wednesday-Elf".  She is part of a network of crafty working grandmothers who keep in touch with one another and encourage one another. 

In her delightful little story "Meeting an Online Friend in Person", you can see how this can happen, and how our relationships with those online truly are deeper and more meaningful than some may think they are.

Related Post: Loneliness While Working from Home

Updated 11/30/18

Now I Know Why Backing Up Computer Files is So Important

Today my old faithful laptop that I worked on daily for the past 6+ years crashed.  I tried to recover it, to no avail.  I tried the disk that puts it back to factory setting, that didn't work either.  

I do most of my work on the web, so am able to reach many of my income sources, but hundreds of files are now gone...picture files, my important bookmarks to web pages, documents from some family matters I kept track of, and so much more.  I think I can live without these things in some ways, but won't really know until I go to look for something and it's not there.

So now I do wish I'd backed up my files.  It's going to be interesting to see what the coming days and weeks bring. I will occasionally be able to work on my husbands desktop computer...when he doesn't need it...like right now.

DO back up your files, especially if you are using your computer for your home business, or have important documents stored on it.

Updated 11/30/18

Simple Tips - Increasing or Decreasing Page and Text Size

Many people already know how to increase the text size or page size on a blog or website, but some of you may not, so I thought I'd let you know what I took too long to discover. In fact, I learned how to do this when someone shared it as an aside during a news report. It had nothing to do with the daily news, but it was news to me.

This tip is for desktop or laptop computers, not tablets.

All you have to do is hold the control (ctrl) key down, and at the same time tap the plus (+) key or minus (-) key depending upon whether you want to increase or decrease the size of the page. The text will usually increase and decrease along with the page. I find this so helpful and a great help in reducing eye strain while reading on the computer. If you have a related tip, please feel free to leave it in a comment.

I will also say that when I return to visit the same page again, it seems that my browser "remembers" the size I want to view the page and text in, and I don't have to increase or decrease the web page size again.  

Updated 11/30/18

Interested in becoming a VA or Virtual Assistant?

If you have wondered what is involved in becoming a Virtual Assistant, you will want to visit a site owned by someone I've been acquainted with online for a number of years. 

A Virtual Assistant in simple terms is someone who does typing and other secretarial and clerical type work from home for any number of clients.  Services you offer will be based upon your skills, you decide what you can or cannot do.  

Please take a moment to visit VA Directory and look at the main links on the page and the drop-down menus along the top to learn more.   There are links to post your job, for VA training, a forum, and so very much more for anyone who is interested in knowing what it means to work from home as a Virtual Assistant.

Updated 11/28/18

Loneliness While Working at Home

It is not uncommon to feel a sense of loneliness when you are working at home, especially if you have moved from parenting to an empty nest.  You looked forward to the day when all that chaos and confusion of combining raising children and working at home would end.  You longed for the day when you could focus on your work without distraction.  That day has come and gone, it was nice for a while, but now there may be a gnawing sense of loneliness that has taken up the place where chaos and confusion used to reside.

This may not be everyone's experience, some may thrive on working alone, but it is my experience.  I have been searching for and discovering some helpful solutions to this.  Some I am practicing, others need to be added to my life to broaden and expand it.  Let me share a few things that I've found helpful in overcoming loneliness while working at home.  Some suggestions are not new, but we often need reminders to get back on track.

Following are some suggestions for overcoming loneliness while working from home:

Image Credit: worradm

1. Find other friends who work from home on Facebook and Twitter - this won't completely fill the void, because we need to hear real voices and see real tangible people to do that, but it helps a lot.  There are many groups of people with like business interests that can be found and joined on Facebook.  Using the Hashtag (#) feature on Twitter you can search for "tweets" about things that interest you and share as well.  I suggest that you turn off the "notifications" feature when you join or are added to a group on Facebook or you will be overwhelmed with emails...but do keep up with the groups, you do that by going to the "Home" link in the upper right and looking at the list in the left margin.  Open up a tab on your browser with your Facebook account during working hours, and twitter as well, so you can interact when you wish, and share your accomplishments.  I have a separate account for business acquaintances and friends on Facebook, that window is open during working hours, and in the evening I check in on family and personal friends on my personal account.
2. Go out for a walk, alone or with your dog if you have one, and exercise.  I try to walk or do Yoga each day, and do fail to do so some days, but also do manage to get out there more and more.  It helps so much to get outdoors for an hour or more and run into neighbors and take in some sunshine, or walk in the rain with an umbrella when possible.  You can do a little in the gardens and feel a sense of accomplishment.
3. Get up each hour and do a chore around the house.  This helps me so much mentally and physically. It's not good to sit for hours a day if you are physically able to get up and move.  If you must sit due to a physical condition, learn about sitting exercises you can do and do some each hour to aid circulation. Youtube has many exercise videos, look up "chair yoga" or other exercises that can be done while sitting.
4. Call a friend or family member and talk a bit so that you hear a voice.  Though social networking, emailing etc. are nice, there is nothing like an "old fashioned" talk on the phone and visit with a friend over a cup of coffee.
5. Get involved in a hobby or activity through your community center or go to a Woman's Bible Study.  I do the latter each week which gets me out among women who like to share their joys and trials and support one another in and through them.
6. Consider ways that your work might include tangible or visual contact with other people. Some work done from home includes this naturally, like those who go out and show products in homes as part of their business, but for those of us who are writers, more creativity may be needed.  Join in on video chats and other visual forms of interaction.  You will find that if you "social network" as discussed in #1 above, you'll hear of events taking place like this that you can take part in.  Do so when you can.

Do you have other suggestions for avoiding loneliness while working from home?  Please do share in a comment.

Updated 11/28/18

Email Security is Important to Your Business

I know how to do quite a bit on the computer when it comes to sending email, building websites and blogs and such, but haven't a clue about the technology behind it all.  There are so many terms that I hear but do not understand.  I know that it's important for my email and any attachments to reach their destination safely and securely...I know that the information is for the eyes of the recipient only and want to keep it that way, but don't always know how this is accomplished.  But that's okay, I don't need to know all there is to know because there are good services that provide programs to help keep your incoming and outgoing email safe and secure. 

One way this is done is through encrypting your email.  Now there is a big word for you...let me see if I can explain....only because I took a moment to look it up.  By way of example, lets take a look at a service that provides email encryption for Outlook. With a service like this, your email and pdf attachment(s) are encrypted, which means that the information in the email and on the pdf are put into a coded form.  They are readable by you, the sender, and by the recipient, but are private during the delivery process.

An email encryption service seems like it would be a valuable thing to have to protect your business as well as your private email and attachments. You can read more on how to encrypt you email at this article by PC World.

Updated 11/28/18

Can you find legitimate work on the internet?

Grandmothers, or those of us old enough to be grandmothers, have a unique lifestyle. We don't have to juggle being mothers with working from home, unless we are raising grandchildren.

I remember when my children were young, life was busy, and there was a lot of energy, and a routine during much of the year. I worked from home then, and always thought that when my children were grown, it would be so much easier to get even more done than I was at that time. I'm not sure that's so true. I find I need to be even more disciplined, and make my own routines.  They are no longer "pre-made" for me by my children's activities and school schedules.

Following is an article written by a Joel Nickerson about finding a business that suits your lifestyle. It's not necessarily written for grandmothers, but maybe just reading it will spark some thought. I hope that you find something helpful in it!

------------------

There are several different reasons why somebody would want to start a home based business. For some, it is a matter of necessity and they either need to replace work that they have recently lost or need to earn additional money in order to make ends meet. Other individuals look for work at home business opportunities because they like the challenge of working for themselves and enjoy making money on their own instead of making it in a corporate environment.

Regardless of why you want to start up your own home based business, however, finding the one that will work is the most important first step that you will need to take. Although there are many different choices as far as a home business opportunity is concerned, the Internet has really added some interesting aspects into the mix. In fact, there are many individuals who are starting up their work at home Internet business and fitting it directly in with their various lifestyles. How is this true?

First of all, an Internet home based business can be run at any time of the day or night. Next, you get out of a home based Internet business exactly what you put into it. Even if you don t have much time at all when you re first starting out, it is still possible to see results from small efforts.

Picking a home based business is something that should not be done on the spur of the moment. There are literally thousands of home based internet business opportunities out there. Some are legitimate, some are questionable. Once you find the right one, however, you will recognize it. When that time comes, do your research, talk to some people who are already involved in the program, and take the opportunity and make something of it. If others are happy with the program chances are you will be too.

Perhaps you have tried to work on the Internet before and have not really seen much in return for your efforts. It can be very discouraging if you are working in the wrong corner and trying to do something that is not going to produce any results, no matter who does it. The best thing that you can do in these circumstances is to find someone to follow in order to know which way you should go. As a matter of fact, having a mentor in front of you is one of the best ways for you to become successful with your own Internet business in a short period of time.

Although it may seem simplistic, having a mentor to follow is not something that should be overlooked. If you choose the right one, they have already forged a path to success themselves and can take you by the hand and lead you there as well. Sure, it is going to take some work on your part but it will be well worth the effort whenever you see it pay off and your home based business succeeds.

Author Resource: I have checked Joel Nickerson's links that were provided in the original article, and they are no longer active...but the advise is good. 

Updated 11/28/18

How to get Housework Done if You're a Working Girl

Working girls, whether single, moms or grandmothers, can benefit from a few tips on how to mix work with housework.  This can be especially challenging if you work from home.

I happen to work from home, but this can help even if you work outside the home.  Personally, I came off the long winter months feeling down in the dumps.  I wasn't able to balance my work with my housework, and always felt pulled to be doing money-making things when cleaning, and cleaning when working.  At home, all of your responsibilities surround you.

I did something that many can do.  I set alarms in my phone to remind me to run and do various things around the house.  Not only did it benefit me in getting work done, but also got me up from sitting regularly throughout the day. 

Many have heard of FlyLady.net - this is a site that will set you on the right course...but you are responsible for setting up a schedule that fits your lifestyle.  She has daily routines all set up for you and ways to organize your time. You can receive reminders by email and also encouraging stories, if you have time to read them.  At this update there is a very helpful app that you can add to your smartphone to keep track of what you've done and what you still need to do. 

For example, she has what she calls a "Home Blessing" where you go through your home in an hour in 10 minute segments get a number of things done. Some do each 10 minute task spread throughout the week, I like to do it in an hour, it's good exercise and starts off the week nicely. I do this each Monday, and have set alarms in my phone with each task - they go off every 10 minutes and I move on to the next thing.  Having a small home, and being young..or I should say physically fit...helps too.  If our home were larger, I may set each task for an additional 5 minutes and spread the tasks over the week a bit more, but for now, Monday's work for me. The wonderful thing I've learned is a lot more time is spent thinking about getting a thing done than actually getting the things done. 

Another thing that I do from FlyLady is the weekly zones. You focus on a main room, and maybe an additional small room, each week. I've set an alarm in my phone at a time that is suitable to me for "flylady zone" and when it goes off, I look in the emails that come in for the "Flight Plan" of the day, and do what is suggested for that zone...it inspires me, and I may do a little more than suggested, or on weeks when I'm ill or days when my husband has days off, I don't mind as much when I don't get to a mission, because things in general are so much better than they were before I started.

I feel so much better about my home...it's not perfect...but it's also not my master any longer...I'm mastering it.  I feel better when I'm sitting down to do my work because I know an alarm will go off to remind me to do a task around the house...I don't have to take up "brain power" that's needed to focus on work to remember, and it feels so good to get up and move around when the time comes to do that task, and so good to see the results!

You can do this too...even if you are depressed by your surroundings and situation now...push through it, the results will go a long way to helping your state of mind.

Updated 11/28/18

Do You Have a Facebook Page?

The old year goes out with the face of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, on the cover of Time Magazine, and the new year comes in with a question from me.

Have you started a "page" for your business on Facebook?  Have you joined Facebook?  I joined long ago, but did nothing with my account at all, just let it sit for what could have been a couple of years, I've lost track.  But finally I started spending more time visiting and updating personal facebook page, and since have started a profile for more business related things on Facebook....but I have yet to do a "page" and keep it going. 

Many of you probably know that you can make "pages" about your business. The pages do need to be updated regularly, and if you have many interests like I do, you are going to have to have a plan to visit those pages...something to remind you.  You do receive an email once a week about activity on your pages, just as you receive one telling you about friend's birthdays on you personal profile page.  You access the business and interest pages that you make from your main profile page by clicking "account" in the upper right of the page, then going down to "manage pages" in the drop-down menu.

Take some time to explore Facebook, if you haven't already, it seems like everyone is using it. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Updated 11/27/18

Plan Now for Recess at Work Day Tomorrow

Ladies, are you planning on taking a special break tomorrow, whether you work outside of the home or work at home?  With the economy as it is these days, in some cases fun is being taken out of many workplaces.  Vacations are shortened; no longer do some get vacation days PLUS sick days, but get an allotment of days that have to be used for whatever - whether it be a sick day, personal day and if you have any days left, you may actually be able to take a vacation.  This is how it was at my husband's company.

On the lighter side, if you have any influence in your workplace, June 17th is a day for a little fun...I'm not sure where the "Recess at Work Day" phenomena got started, but it sounds like a good thing.  Plan something special...an outing with the girls different from the usual; have something special delivered to the company to enjoy; play music loud and dance up a storm...okay, maybe I'm getting a little carried away...but you get the idea.

Updated 11/27/18

10 Tips: How to Be Your Own Telemarketer

Many of us cringe when we hear the word "telemarketing" thinking of those phone calls that come right around dinner time or during your quiet evening when you finally put your feet up after a long and busy day.  Because of the abuse, you can now register to be put on a "Do Not Call" list so that you no longer receive these calls (hopefully).  Making contact with people is, however, an important part of a successful business, including phone communication.

In observance of "Telemarketing Awareness Week", I thought it might be a good idea to take a look at good telemarketing practices.

1.  Don't use an automated service to make your calls for you...there is nothing I hate more than receiving a call from a "machine" or recording....now known as "robo-calls".  I hang up on these as soon as I know it's a solicitation and block the number on my iPhone.

2.  Try to sense whether the person you are calling is a "get to the point" type person or someone who will want to be engaged in conversation before you try to sell them.  Personally, my heart sinks when someone I care about calls and carries on friendly conversation, only to find out further into the conversation that they are calling me about something they are selling.  I'd prefer that they say a few friendly words, then tell me what they are calling about...depending upon how things go, we can do the friendly talk later.

3.  When you speak to someone in person or by phone who may be a potential customer, or team-member if you are a network marketer, tell them you will be calling and if possible agree on a time that is good for them. 

4.  Don't call at dinner time...and take into consideration time zones if you are calling out of your time zone.

5.  Personal pet peeve - don't call soliciting business or sales on Sunday. Again, this is something I, personally, don't appreciate as I believe that Sunday is a day set aside to rest...yes, many have to work on Sunday, I know all that....but am just giving you something to think about.  If you know the person you are dealing with, you'll know how they feel about calls on certain days of the week.

6.  Don't call over and over again if a person has made it clear that they are not interested in what you are offering.  I would say call no more than twice, then if it's clear they are not interested, let some time go by, perhaps contact them another way, keep in touch as a (sincere) friend, and see what opens up over time.  I had a woman who called me constantly, once or twice a week, finally had to put a stop to it. She is sending along emails now and then, I don't mind that so much, and who knows...one of these times I may just click on the link in that email. (It's years later at this update, and I never did, and finally did tire of the emails.)

7.  Don't be put off if a person isn't interested, if you're a sensitive type, hearing "no, I'm not interested" can bring you down, don't let it...in reality, only a small percentage of those you contact, especially if you are doing "cold calling" are going to be interested...so move on.

8.  DO offer something special to a customer that has made a purchase, or to encourage them to make a purchase, like a percentage off their next order, or a free item with their next purchase.

9.  DO at the outset, identify who you are clearly when you call and ask whether you are calling at a good time.

10. DO ask for referrals if all goes very well with your contact.

I'm sure there are many other helpful tips, and pet peeves, feel welcome to share yours in a comment.

Image credit: 526663 on Pixabay

Updated 11/27/18