Sarahha Maker

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Tuesday, 7 August 2012

The Ins and Outs of Kickstarter

Posted on 00:00 by Unknown
If you're looking for funds for a project, Kickstarter might be for you. "Funding For a Small Project or Product with Kickstarter" from Small Business Trends provides an overview of how this online service works and why it might be good for you.

Here's how Kickstarter works: you basically pre-sell a product to real consumers before it's ready for the market. If your project has a clear goal and will eventually be completed, then you can use Kickstarter to raise funds. Starting a business, however, does not qualify as a project. Categories include art, comic, dance, design, fashion, film, food, games, music, photography, publishing, technology and theater.

Of the more than 26,000 project successfully funded, more than 18,000 raised between $1,000 and $9,999, which makes Kickstarter a good fit for small business projects.

Until next time,

Sarah
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Posted in funding work from home, Hired at Home, Sarah Hamaker, Working from home | No comments

Thursday, 2 August 2012

Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Genealogy Researcher

Posted on 00:00 by Unknown

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

Job Description:A genealogy researcher helps people find their ancestors.

Education: None necessary, but a background in history is a plus.

Skills: The knowledge and ability to find records and other historical documents relating to personal heritage and genealogy.

Job outlook: U.S.Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that “Employment of historians is expected to grow 18 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations.” Check out the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details.

Possible employers:Check out the National Genealogical Society, the Association for Professional Genealogistsand Genealogy Research Associates for leads. Consider starting your own consulting business or joining with other genealogists.

Preparation: Join the National Genealogical Society or the Association for Professional Genealogists. Take genealogy research courses from the above-mentioned organizations.

Get your foot in the door: Start with your family or friends and offer to do a family tree for a reduced price or as a gift to gain expertise and recommendations.

Testimony: Ashley offers genealogy research assistance through the website FIVERR. “I help people start their family trees going back four generations from their grandparents,” she says, adding that she has had more than 300 clients so far. “I have been a researcher for over 25 years now. … Most folks cannot afford the price for an Ancestry membership or to hire a professional genealogist. I offer the service for the working man and I love what I am doing.” She backs up her research through U.S. Census reports, military documents and other historical data.

“I don’t know if this will ever grow to a revenue that would support the household finances. However, the revenue I generate does supplement and make things easier at the end of the month,” says Ashley. “I encourage you to think outside the box, find your passion and market that passion. I love genealogy and I love the fact that I am able to help someone discover who they are and where they come from.”

Until next time,

Sarah

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Posted in ancestor, at-home work, genealogy researcher, Hired at Home, Sarah Hamaker, Working from home | No comments

Tuesday, 31 July 2012

Getting Clients to Pay

Posted on 00:00 by Unknown
Managing cash flow is essential to any small business, but getting customers or clients to pay in a timely fashion can be a tricky business. In "6 Simple Tricks to Avoid Late Paying Customers," Meredith Wood offers some good advice.

1. Check out clients in advance. Know who you're dealing with before you're left with a big invoice that goes unpaid for months. Just as your customers might ask for references before they sign with you, so you can ask clients for references before agreeing to take them on, especially for projects that will involve big payments.

2. Clearly state your invoice terms. Be upfront with how and when you expect to be paid. For example, I always ask for payment within 30 days of sending my invoice. Just having a payment due date can spur follow-through.

3. Mind your manners. Using "please" and "thank you" when sending invoices can go a long way to getting them paid quickly.

4. Make it easy to be paid. Have a PayPal or similar online option for easy of payment. For long-term relationships, you might see if the client will do direct deposit. One association I work with on a regular basis was more than happy to convert paper checks mailed to me to direct deposit into a checking account. I get paid quicker and they save money not on printing and mailing checks.

5. Be understanding. Sometimes, clients get into a tight spot. Be willing to be flexible or accept a payment plan.

6. Be gentle in reminders. Also be polite when following up--those handling your invoices can make honest mistakes, so it pays to be nice. As your grandmother might have said: You catch more bees with honey than vinegar, and the same holds true for getting your money.

By following these simple steps, you can make getting paid more painless.

Until next time,

Sarah
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Posted in Hired at Home, invoices, payment options, Sarah Hamaker, Working from home | No comments

Thursday, 26 July 2012

Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Image Consultant

Posted on 00:00 by Unknown

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

Job Description:An image consultant is one who helps clients develop a wardrobe of clothing and accessories that fits their lifestyle and person.

Education: None necessary.

Skills: The ability to help clients select a flattering wardrobe for their lifestyles.

Job outlook: The job outlook will depend on your location, with more urban and metropolitan areas having more of a potential client base than rural settings. As with any service-related business, the successful ones are those that have a clearly defined mission and customer base.

Possible employers:Network at a variety of functions, including charity and business events, to hand out business cards to garner interest.

Preparation: Join the Association of Image Consultants Internationalfor training and networking opportunities.

Get your foot in the door: Ask an image consultant if you can tag along during a client visit to see what this job would entail. Talk with personal shoppers at department stores for advice.

Until next time,

Sarah
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Posted in at-home work, image consultant, Sarah Hamaker, Working from home | No comments

Tuesday, 24 July 2012

How to Manage Twitter

Posted on 00:00 by Unknown
I recently started a Twitter account (@novaparentcoach), and was very happy to see this article on how to tweet because already I was feeling overwhelmed with keeping up with Twitter. In "How Do I Tweet? My Small Business Time Saving Twitter System," Jeanne Rossomme gives five tips on how you can use Twitter to promote your business.

1. Schedule weekly tweets via Hootsuite or other social media managing sites.

2. Use Twitter to tease your readers back to your blog or website. In other words, don't give it all away on Twitter.

3. Put your followers into categories, and develop specific tweets for each category.

4. Review Twitter at least daily.

5. Respond to direct messages in as close to real time as possible.

By following these simple steps, you can soon be tweeting with confidence.

Until next time,

Sarah
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Posted in | No comments

Thursday, 19 July 2012

Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Garage Organizer

Posted on 00:00 by Unknown

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

Job Description:A garage organizer reorders clutter in client garages, often with the assistance of garage-specific storage systems.

Education: None necessary.

Skills: The ability to organize and clean garages, often involving heavy lifting.

Job outlook: A recent newspaper article found that high-end garage organizing companies are growing at a rate of 25% per year, which can translate into work for the little guy as well.

Possible employers:Check out the National Association of Professional Organizers. OnlineOrganizing.comand Organizer Ufor leads. Consider starting your own consulting business or joining with another garage organizer in your area.

Preparation: Join the National Association of Professional Organizers. Take organizer courses from the above-mentioned organizations.

Get your foot in the door: Ask family or friends with messy garages if you could reorder their space for promotional purposes. Take good before and after photographs and be sure to get testimonial quotes for your marketing pieces.

Until next time,
Sarah
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Posted in at-home work, garage organizer, Hired at Home, Sarah Hamaker, Working from home | No comments

Tuesday, 17 July 2012

At Home News July: The Power of Print

Posted on 00:00 by Unknown

Printed materials can showcase your business in a fresh way. The July issue of At Home News provides tips on how to develop the right printed materials for your at-home work.

If you're not a subscriber, you can sign up for the free monthly e-newsletter by clicking on the Newsletter tab. I never sell or give out my subscriber list.

Until next time,

Sarah
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Posted in At Home News, Hired at Home, marketing, print, Sarah Hamaker | No comments
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