6 More Virtual Income-Generating Ideas for Mom Entrepreneurs
Motherhood is not just a state of being – it is probably the best career training out there! Even women who wonder before giving birth when their motherly instincts will make an appearance, find themselves becoming a nurturer, teacher, protector, counselor, role model (aka leader), and much more once their little one arrives.
In our increasingly virtual world, mothers have the opportunity to apply these skills outside of the traditional workplace, and many are finding entrepreneurial online endeavors to be the ticket. It turns out that moms – creative song-maker-uppers and game inventers, choosy consumers, and relationship builders– are great at running web-based businesses as well. Below are seven ideas to get you started in and serve as a launching pad for something all your own.
An upfront tip – for many of these ideas, it really helps to have a PayPal account and access to a computer you don’t have to share.
7 Sensational Online Business Ideas for the Mom Entrepreneur in 2012
The economy has forced us to be more creative than ever when it comes to making money. Many of us have been laid-off, or are having a hard time re-entering the workplace after years of childrearing. As a result, more and more of us are considering starting an online business.
We have researched seven online businesses that have the potential to reward you with a steady stream of income, and don’t demand a huge start-up investment. When considering what home based, online business is best for you, be sure you select one that you’re passionate about and have the skills and experience to support your passion. Let’s ponder a few ideas.
How One Mom Makes Money Online – Is This You?
Back in the day, if you were a Mom that wanted to figure out how to stay home with your children, and you told someone you were going to try to figure out a way to make money on-line, you would get one of two responses. One, friends and family (especially family) would have told you that everything on-line is a scam; and two your family’s response would probably be, “Go get a J.O.B.!”
Take another example – if you told someone you were going to become a Mommy Blogger and make money blogging; you would either get a confused response of…“What? You’re going to make money logging?” alternatively, again your family’s response would be, “There’s no way you will ever make money doing that!”
Well, now making money online with an online business is no longer a myth. If you do it right, the dream can be real and it can be yours, Mom. Continue Reading >>
What You Can Do Today to Improve Your Credit Score (and Finances) Tomorrow
Does bad credit make life more difficult and expensive? Absolutely. Is it forever? Absolutely not. Regardless of your income and expenses, you can take steps today that will make your score a little higher tomorrow and a lot higher over time.
Late payments. Maxed-out cards. Bankruptcy. Judgments. Defaults. Liens. When it comes to your credit score, nothing is more damaging than these credit sins. And damaged credit equals reduced flexibility and opportunity, especially when it comes to new loans, potential investments and oftentimes, employment.
But if you’re determined to turn a new leaf, the good news is that you can improve your credit score. You don’t need to hire a professional – in fact, be wary of so-called “experts” who say they can eliminate bankruptcies and late payments in exchange for thousands of dollars. They can’t, and you might have wasted thousands of much-needed dollars.
Mother’s Day Special Offer
A Mother’s Day Special – A Mom Biz Retreat
As moms and entrepreneurs, we run across all types of products and services that may help us with our business and personal life. We also run across many events and conferences that may be worth attending that could help us take our business to the next level or connect with just the right person to work with on a specific goal. I ran across an event that I think all mom entrepreneurs should consider, plus wine, chocolate and pampering are all a part of it (and as moms we always need more of that).
It’s called the Mom Biz Retreat. So you might ask, what is the Mother’s Day Special? The facilitators of this event are offering $75 off for Freelancemom.com friends.
Profit + Interest = Pinterest – 10 Tips for the Mompreneurial Pinner
I have no doubts that you’ve heard of Pinterest by now. I’ll also bet my son’s next tooth (and those are long and hard to come by) that you’re a Pin-holic yourself, or at least know of someone who is. Let’s just set the record straight right now: Pin-holicism is a national epidemic amongst women.
In fact, of the 10.4 million pinners in the online space, 80% are women just like you and me who spend an average of an hour and 17 minutes a day insatiably pinning. But we don’t just pin blindly, 80% of us trust and believe in our pins.
These are rather solid statistics, particularly for our purposes. As mompreneurs and business owners, why wouldn’t we take advantage of it? What could be better than a platform teeming with an audience that’s ready to pounce on our next pinned product, idea or inspiration. Especially for the fact that when they pounce, there’s a strong chance they’ll purchase. In fact, consumers referred to outside sites by Pinterest are 10% more likely to make a purchase on that site than visitors from other networks.
That said, as a mompreneur or business owner, it’s impossible not to reap the benefits of Pinterest unless you just don’t utilize it. While some brands are tossing billions of dollars at online advertising, other smartie-pants brands have jumped aboard the pin board.
Sold on the idea? Kudos! Now it’s time to consider these big 10 tips before incorporating Pin-treneurism into your businesses strategy. If done right, you’ll spark profit and interest on Pinterest.
1. Think
Before choosing to pin for business, it’s important to ask yourself if it makes sense. Put simply, it isn’t for everybody. If you’re a jewelry maker or an interior designer, jump on in. If you have a dog sitting business, your place on Pinterest would depend on strategy. If you’re crafty and daring in your endeavors, Pinterest could work for you. Try creating boards around dog humor, best dog products, etc. By positioning yourself as a dog expert in a way that is pinnable, you may race ahead of the pack.
Great Opportunities for Mom Entrepreneurs in May 2012
Two great current opportunities for mom entrepreneurs to explore in May 2012:
Grant Money
I know one of the hardest things to attain as you are running your business is money! Let’s see, $12,500, plus mentoring. Does that sound like something you could use? There is a grant available for companies that fit the criteria that Eileen Fisher is looking for as she selects candidates for her grant program. Looks like a great opportunity for women to apply to, for not just financial reasons, but for the experience and learning that comes with it. Check it out here.
Promotion – Inspire other Mom Entrepreneurs
Want to be featured in the Huffington Post alongside other successful and innovative mom entrepreneurs?
Want to share your success and challenges as a mom entrepreneur so you can inspire others?
Here is your chance. The Story Exchange is a network of women who encourages other women to start their own business. They accomplish this through inspirational videos, news, blogs and expert advice. I looked at quite a few of the videos and I walked away inspired and touched. They will select four women to blog about and your story can touch many other women internationally.
Want to start sharing? Start here.
Let’s continue the discussion at the Freelance Mom Forums.
