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Month: March 2011

Self-Publishing For Profit

You may have only come here to view our expanding directory of work at home jobs for moms, but if you’ve got writing talent you’re on the brink of discovering an entirely new career: self-publishing. As the popularity of ebook readers like Amazon’s Kindle or Barnes & Noble’s Nook continues to rise, so does the popularity of ebooks. With growing consumer demand for content, writers with an interest in self-publishing are finding this to be a lucrative avenue, indeed.

Did you know that in less than a week’s time you can publish your own ebook and begin earning a profit from online sales? With quality writing and strong marketing, some authors are making thousands of extra dollars each month from ebook sales. Of course, not everyone is finding the same success, as results on these things always vary. But then, on the other hand, some authors aren’t just making thousands per month, they’re actually making several thousand dollars per day!

While you may think that self-publishing is a difficult task too far beyond your reach, our research tells us just the opposite. According to those who have been there and done that, the actual process of self-publishing on Kindle or other ebook outlets isn’t too difficult at all. Furthermore, a lot of authors who’ve had previous book deals with established publishing houses are finding that, in a lot of ways, they actually prefer self-publishing.

And, no, you do not have to be a well-known author in order to find success on one of these venues. And, no, you don’t have to set your books at a high price in order to earn a profit. In fact, some of the authors that are finding the most success with online publishing were previously unknown and– get this, they are making a killing selling .99 cent books!

If you don’t believe me, take a look at some of the authors who’ve found notable success via online publishing:

Amanda Hocking

J.A. Konrath

Zoe Winters

H.P. Mallory

And, folks, this is just a tiny sampling of the authors who’ve carved lucrative careers for themselves in online publishing.

If you’ve ever thought about writing a book (fiction or non-fiction), you owe it to yourself to look closely into the possibilities of self-publishing. While at one time doing so held a certain stigma, those who understand how digital technology is rapidly changing the publishing landscape also understand that, while print will (hopefully) never be obsolete, consumers have spoken and guess what they said? Ebooks rock!

One final thought before we send you away with a few links for further exploration; you do not have to own a Kindle, a Nook, an iPad or any other type of reading device to begin a self-publishing career. You don’t even necessarily have to read other people’s books on these devices if you’re curious to check a few out before you take the plunge (you can actually download a Kindle app right to your computer and read from there, and there are lots of other places that sell ebooks that can be read on your computer). So, if you’ve ever toyed with the idea of self-publishing before, we want you to know that this is an excellent work at home career choice.

To learn more, thumb through a few of these links:

Who Said It’s Hard To Sell Fiction On Kindle?

A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing

Kindle Primer (A virtual how-to post to help you get started right away)

The Rise of the .99 Cent Kindle e-book

How to Publish on Smashwords

CreateSpace

Aaron Shepard’s Publishing Page

So what else do you need? Absolutely nothing! The world of self-publishing awaits…so get to writing, ladies!

Guest Post: Try Etsy For Work At Home Jobs For Moms by Lisa Shoreland

Why search for work at home jobs for moms when you can create your own? Today’s guest post, brought to us by Lisa Shoreland, is one that you don’t want to miss if you’re into crafting or if you know someone who is.

Work at Home with Etsy

When it comes to working, the enlightened advice always seems to be, “Do what you love.”  Unfortunately, people believe that they don’t have the luxury to do so (many of them are right), and opportunities for moms to work at home seem lacking.  If you love to craft, however, Etsy may be able to help turn you from a crafty mom to a work-at-home mom.

For those of you who have yet to discover Etsy, my advice is to go there now and see the wonder for yourself.  It’s a charming website that gives anyone who tries an equal opportunity to work from home and sell their wares to people across the world.  Your wares—be they clothing, candles, accessories, or even baked goods—sell based on who wants them.  This means you’ll have to do your part in advertising to improve your chances of sales, too.

Do you knit or crochet?  Do you make jewelry?  Do you sew?  Can you make soap or lotion?  Are you well-versed in web or graphic design?  Are you a photographer?  Do you want to work from home?  Consider selling your products or services on Etsy.

If you’re met with a positive response, you might even go through your neighborhood and inquire local boutiques if they’d like to sell your wares.  Having a successful Etsy store may give you increased credibility.

Preparing For Business

Becoming a work-at-home mom via Etsy isn’t just about crafting, though.  You’ll need the following materials to successfully advertise, present, and send off your wares to buyers.

  • A computer to access Etsy and communicate with buyers
  • A camera to take well-lit, clear, and high-quality photographs of your wares, which you will upload via computer onto your Etsy store
  • An inventory of products already made to present to potential buyers
  • A business plan to keep you on track with your goals.  How much money do you hope to make?  What is your spending budget?  Who are you selling to?  How will you advertise your business?
  • Enough funds for the monthly membership fee for owning a store on Etsy (generally under $20 a month).  The site has a built-in shopping cart system and payment/fulfillment structure.
  • Access to transportation to the post office, as you will be shipping your products out to people across the country yourself.

Marketing Your Business

  • Evaluate other Etsy stores.  Which ones are popular and what do they sell?  What are other stores selling similar items to yours?  What’s working and what’s not?
  • Choose a niche.  As with blogs, it’s easier to market your business if you do or sell something specific, like painting or photography (but likely not both).
  • Make a memorable logo and store name.  If you’re having trouble with these, you can browse Etsy for people who will do this for you.  Some will even design and print your business cards.  Luckily, most reputable Etsy storeowners are prompt on shipping (something for you to heavily consider when opening your business).
  • Advertise on other forms of social media, like your Facebook page or Twitter feed.  If you have a blog, be sure to add a link to your Etsy store.  Hand out your business card to friends and family like candy on Halloween.
  • Don’t expect to make it big at once.  As with any work-at-home opportunity, success will likely be slow and gradual.  The harder you work and the more avenues you push, however, the sooner and bigger success will arrive.

Bio: Lisa Shoreland is currently a resident blogger at Go College, where recently she’s been researching physicians assistant scholarships as well as occupational therapy scholarships. In her spare time, she enjoys creative writing, practicing martial arts, and taking weekend trips.

 

Be sure to also check out our growing directory of companies that offer work at home jobs for moms. ~Work at Home Mom Center

Announcing Our Directory of Work at Home Jobs For Moms

We’re in the process of building a directory of companies, leads and websites offering work at home jobs for moms. Please visit the directory here and feel free to contact us if you know of other places where telecommuting jobs are offered. Our work at home jobs for moms directory is a work in progress, so remember to bookmark and check it frequently.

So far, we’re offering places to find call center and customer service jobs from home. As well, we offer leads on where you can make a few dollars as an online juror and find other assorted work at home jobs for moms. Moving forward, we hope to also share where you can find work at home attorney jobs, at home pharmacy jobs and more. Telecommuting jobs are gaining in popularity and, as we learn of new opportunities, we have every intention of sharing them with you.

If you’re new to the site or if you’re looking for specific information on work at home jobs for moms, be sure to visit our article archives for a vast selection of topics covering the world of telecommuting. We know that it’s easy to get discouraged when looking for work from home opportunities, but we want to encourage you that real work at home jobs for moms do exist and we’re here to help you find the one that’s perfect for you. If you ever have questions or comments, please contact us on our contact form.

So, what are you waiting for? There are legitimate work at home jobs for moms out there and the perfect position is waiting for you. Take a deep breath, focus and visit our growing list of possible work at home employers, now!