Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Relationship Manager

Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.


Job Description: A relationship manager helps companies facilitate contracts and other forms of business communications between the client and the company.

Education: A bachelor’s degree in the related field is a necessity, with a master’s degree in business a plus.

Skills: The ability to work with clients from various backgrounds to serve both the clients and the company.

Job outlook: Since this job spans several different fields, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have specific stats on job prospects for relationship managers. However, as the economy continues to grow stronger, more companies will likely be looking to fill these types of positions with qualified applicants, including those who wish to work from home.

Possible employers: Banks, insurance companies and other businesses that deal with contracts and loans on a regular basis.

Preparation: Check out associations related to your field, such as the Relationship Management Benchmarking Association or the Association for Financial Professionals. Take refresher courses in your field to update your resume.

Get your foot in the door: Contact former employers to see about freelance or work-from home opportunities. Network at business functions in your local area, such as through the Chamber of Commerce or other business clubs.

Testimony: While networking and maintaining relationships with the office was challenging, Margarita of Arlington, Va., loved working from home when her oldest child was young. “A lot of time on the phone was used to keep in touch,” she says of her job as a relationship manager underwriting commercial real estate loans to healthcare businesses.

Until next time,


Sarah

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Blogging Mistakes

As a small businessperson, blogs can be a great way to connect with clients, new customers and the general public. However, it's easy to make mistakes when it comes to blogging. Here are some common missteps people make with their blogs.

Not being consistent with blog updates. A blog needs to be fed on a regular basis to grow.  Posting sporadically can kill a blog pretty quick.
Solution: Blog at least once a week, preferrably twice a week. Most blogging programs allow you to schedule blogs, so you can write them up in advance and have them queued up for the future.

Talking too much about your business or products. Sure, you want to mention your business or products, but don't fall into the trap of trying to promote yourself in every blog post.
Solution: Only mention your product when it truly fits well into the blog post. Limit yourself to a few mentions a quarter, if you need more hard-and-fast guidelines.

Not integrating your blog into your website. Having your blog as part of your website is smart and simple. You don't want people going to several different sites to read your blog and then find out information about your company.
Solution: Talk to a website designer about embedding your blog into your home page or website. My blog, which is run by Blogger software, is seamlessly seen as part of my website's home page.

Not promoting your blog on social media. Simply writing a blog post doesn't mean it will get read. You need to generate interest in your blog post by driving traffic to your blog.
Solution: If you have a company or business Facebook, Twitter or Google Plus account, then be sure to mention when you have a new blog post. That can help drive traffic to your blog.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can make your blog posts more readable and user-friendly.

Until next time,

Sarah

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Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Attorney

Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.


Job Description: A lawyer helps people with a variety of legal problems or issues. Education: A law degree, plus passage of the bar exam in the state where you will be practicing law.

Skills: Knowledge of the law specialty you wish to practice, such as elder care, immigration, employment-related issues, wills, real estate, etc.

Job outlook: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that “employment of lawyers is expected to grow 13 percent during the 2008 to 2018 decade, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Growth in the population and in the level of business activity is expected to create more legal transactions, civil disputes, and criminal cases. Job growth among lawyers also will result from increasing demand for legal services in such areas as healthcare, intellectual property, bankruptcy, corporate and security litigation, antitrust law, and environmental law.”

The BLS also offers this advice: “For lawyers who wish to work independently, establishing a new practice will probably be easiest in small towns and expanding suburban areas. In such communities, competition from larger, established law firms is likely to be less than in big cities, and new lawyers may find it easier to establish a reputation among potential clients.” Check out the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details

Possible employers or clients: Consider branching out on your own or joining up with other independent lawyers in the same or similar fields.

Preparation: Join the American Bar Association, your state’s bar association or a specialized law association, some of which are listed here. Network at various events or continuing education courses held by these organizations.

Get your foot in the door: Sponsor a local children’s sports team or get a booth at a school event to advertise your services. Find local events related to your specialty and mingle with potential clients, handing out business cards. Join the local Chamber of Commerce for other networking opportunities.

Testimony: Laura of Jackson, Miss., turned her love of legal research and writing into an at-home career after the birth of her first child. She works ten to fifteen hours a week as an attorney. “When my daughter started taking longer naps in the afternoon, I realized I could use that time to contribute to my family’s income while doing something that I loved,” she says.

Until next time,

Sarah

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Work Space Outside of the Home

Sometimes, we need to have a place to work outside of the home, whether it's to concentrate on a project or to meet with clients in a more formal setting than a coffee house. That's were co-working can help. Co-working basically is a shared office space where a group of small businesses or entreprenuers can hold meetings or simply work at a desk. CNBC's recent article entitled "5 Ways Co-working Helps Small Businesses" gives some tips on how sharing office space can be a smart move for home-based businesses and other small companies.

Networking. Getting to know other small business owners can help you make new contacts to expand your business.

Perspective. Having a wide variety of businesses in the same space can be a great way to tap into other experts when you need it.

Balance. Having a separate office from home can help you keep your work at work and your home life at home.

Efficiency. Most shared spaces provide mailing and copying services right on the premises, which can save on time.

Money. Sharing space with others can be a significant savings over renting your own space.


Co-working isn't for everyone, but it might be just the ticket your business needs to grow.

Until next time,

Sarah

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Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Policy Reviewer

Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.


Job Description: A policy reviewer works with state or federal agencies in providing research and solutions related to that department or agency’s policies.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in related field a necessity, with a master’s degree a plus.

Skills: The ability to see all sides of the big picture in looking at various policies; the ability to work with different people on writing and implementing policies.

Job outlook: Anecdotal evidence seems to indicate freelance or contract work for policy reviewers might be on the rise slightly, given that some states are experiencing a surplus in funds. However, it’s trickier to say whether federal departments and agencies will be hiring contract policy reviewers.

Possible employers: Various state and federal agencies, as well as companies that contract with those departments.

Preparation: Brush up on your skills in your particular area of expertise by taking extended learning courses or attending seminars or conferences in your field.

Get your foot in the door: Contact former employers to see about freelance or contract work in your field. Attend conferences or seminars for networking opportunities.

Testimony: “So much of the work that I did was interacting with different sub-agencies within the department that were in completely different buildings, so even if I was in the office, I would not necessarily have face-to-face meetings with my colleagues,” says Christy of Fairfax, Va., who segued her government agency job into a work-from-home situation. “I have total flexibility to make my at-home job work best for the family and not the office.”

Until next time,

Sarah

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When To Give It Away

For small businesses, knowing when offering something for free can be a good return on investment can be a tricky thing. CBS's Moneywatch recently listed several reasons when giving it away can be a good thing for small businesses.

As a thank-you gift. To show your appreciation to loyal or frequent customers, giving away something along with a note thanking them for their service, can go a long way to establishing continued patronage.

As a way to apologize. We all make mistakes, and, after fixing one caused by your error, offer the customer a little something extra to smooth over any still-ruffled feathers.

As a prize. People love to win things, so try running random-drawing contests for your customers a couple times a year. Make sure the prize is worthy of attention to make it extra special.

As a random act of kindness. Sometimes, bestowing a gift on a customer or client "just because" can reap rewards beyond the gift. Those random gifts can trigger much good will and positive word-of-mouth.

For more ideas, check out "Sell more stuff by giving it away."

Until next time,

Sarah

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Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Potter

Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.

Job Description: A potter makes functional and one-of-a-kind stoneware, such as serving bowls, vases and dishes, among other things, from clay and other moldable substances.

Education: None necessary, although formal training will likely increase the artist’s skills.

Skills: The ability to work with clay and other moldable substances.

Job outlook: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that “despite the competition, studios, galleries, and individual clients are always on the lookout for artists who display outstanding talent, creativity, and style. Among craft and fine artists, talented individuals who have developed a mastery of artistic techniques and skills will have the best job prospects.” Check out the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details

Possible customers: Considering taking a booth at local craft fairs or hold your own show to build your own clientele.

Preparation: Join the American Art Pottery Association for networking, courses and marketing assistance.

Get your foot in the door: Showcasing your wares at local galleries can be a good way to garner new customers.

Testimony: “Creating pottery gives me purpose and an outlet for doing something I think is valuable and rewarding,” says Jennifer of Fairfax, Va. “To bring the beauty of the natural materials given to us in creation into homes is important.” She loves pottery and working with her hands in the quiet of her own studio, which is in the basement of her home. There, she works anywhere from 10 to 30 hours a week creating one-of-a-kind and functional stoneware.

Until next time,

Sarah

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