10 WAYS A STAY AT HOME MUM CAN EARN EXTRA INCOME
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WAYs
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A STAY AT HOME MUM CAN EARN EXTRA INCOME
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
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1. Become a mumpreneur
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2. become a party consultant
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3. Etsy store
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4. BABYSITTING
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5. Tutoring
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6. Become a Virtual Assistant
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7. Participate in focus groups
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8. Affiliate marketing
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9. Blogging
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10. Freelance
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Introduction. learn more
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Being a stay-at-home mum is, undoubtedly, a fulltime role in itself. With so many commitments alongside motherhood, it can sometimes feel daunting and, in some instances, not feasible to add work to the mix. But if you’re eager for financial freedom, ways to keep your mind active and keen to stay in the ‘career game’, there are a range of flexible workfrom-home options suitable for mums. Martin College has compiled a list of the 10 best ways stayat-home mums can manage motherhood with working at home, and comfortably earn a sufficient living. From being a mumpreneur, affiliate marketer, tutor, virtual assistant to freelance writer and designer, there is a broad range of options available. We offer our advice on what the work entails, how to get started, potential earnings, and the additional study or training that can assist you in your new venture. As you browse the pages, consider the type of work that will complement your existing skill-set, interests and family life. Asking questions about what else you may need to be successful in the role will ensure that you make the best choices to kick-start your career as a work-at-home mum.
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BECOME A MUMpRENEUR id ea # 1 Q&A’S FOR BECOMING A MUMPRENEUR A “mumpreneur ” is the latest buzzword that describes a mum who starts a business from home. According to the Australia Bureau of Statistics, home-based businesses are the fastest growing segment within the small business sector in Australia, with women three times more likely than men to start their own venture. Becoming a successful mumpreneur isn’t an easy feat. It requires careful planning, finding your niche, lots of patience and a little bit of luck. However, the results from doing it right can make it well-worth it and there are countless success stories of mumpreneurs who are contributing greatly to household incomes, whilst balancing family life. Here are the answers to some burning questions you might have about becoming a mumpreneur...
What do I need to get started? Becoming a mumpreneur is an exciting time, you’ll have the opportunity to form
a business idea and start turning this into a reality. You may already have ideas on what your business could be, but if not, opt for something that you are truly passionate about and something that you could see yourself doing long-term. It may be helpful to list hobbies and jobs you excel at and then formulate a plan on how you could create a successful business out of those skills. Mumpreneurs have started businesses in various industries including craft, food, art, virtual assistant services, bookkeeping, accounting and writing. Don’t forget to consider the amount of hours you can commit to a business, as this may influence the type or scale of the business you choose.
How study can help A Business, Management or Marketing course can give you the fundamental skills and knowledge to succeed in your endeavour. There are wide variety of online courses available that will still allow you the flexibility to balance family life with study. 4
How much money do I need? This really depends on the type of business you are planning to create. It is more than possible to start a successful business with less than $1,000 and it can be better to start small and slowly build your business then to overcommit and take on a bigger risk. However, as your business grows, it will be expected that more money will be required to support that growth. You will need to take into account the following: »» The setup required at home for your business i.e. office equipment, software and furniture »» The costs of acquiring the goods you are to sell (or costs involved in providing a service if you choose a service based business) »» Licenses and insurance if required »» Ongoing bills like internet, telephone and fax »» Marketing costs will be essential in getting the word out there. You will need to consider what’s right for your business. Advertising may include print such as flyers and ads in local papers, online advertising, email, website, social media or other relevant channels.
How do I prioritise family and business? Mumpreneurs need to set realistic goals about how they are going to juggle motherhood with creating and running their own business. The great thing is, you will be your own boss, so you need to create a schedule that allows you to work and take care of your family simultaneously. It’s also important to establish a support network with family and friends – especially if you’re business really starts to take-off.
Useful Links There are many sites available that assist aspiring mumpreneurs including: www.huggiesmominspired.com www.mumpreneursonline.com
Spend some time researching the plethora of resources available at your fingertips before diving into your own business.
To have a clearer picture on how much money to set aside for the business, try obtaining several quotes from potential suppliers and research competitor pricing.
Is it necessary to have a business plan? It’s good to start off with a plan so that you know exactly what you want to achieve and have set a time frame in which to achieve it. A good business plan is not set in stone. It should be flexible enough to evolve as the nature of your goals or business changes.
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BECOME A PARTY CONSULTANT. id ea # 2 If you’re a social butterfly who loves to host a good event, then becoming a party consultant is a great way to work from home and earn additional income. This role has everything rolled up into one – shopping, socialising, friends and money – and the best part is you can host it from the comfort of your own home.
It’s my party… A party consultant is responsible for hosting a party on behalf of a company, to promote their products. Full training is usually provided and all you have to do is play the perfect host. You earn commission on sales and receive a fee for hosting the event. Working as a party consultant can include great perks such as access to the hottest new products, free gifts and discounted shopping plus flexible work hours. Not to mention the opportunity to spend time with your friends, promoting something that you are passionate about.
Party favours Work opportunities exist with a number of different party consultant companies all around the world with countless products to choose from. You can throw a party selling makeup, clothes, jewellery, books, food and lingerie for example. For the best
chance of success, pick a product or service that you and your audience will be interested in.
Getting the party started There are a number of websites where you can learn more about becoming a party consultant such as Partyplans.com.au. There are a number of well-established businesses such as Avon, the Body Shop and Under Cover Wear to consider. It is important to pick a product that you are enthusiastic about, so that it will be easy to convince your customers to purchase it.
How study can help If you’re unsure about how to successfully run an event, you may want to consider studying an online course in Events Planning or Marketing.
Useful sites www.partyplans.com.au www.thebodyshop.com.au/ TheBodyShopAtHome.aspx www.findthatpartyplanau.net www.avon.com.au www.partylite.com.au 6
ETSY STORE. id ea # 3
SIX EASY STEPS FOR ETSY au.etsy.com Stay-at-home mums with a creative flair can explore their talent and earn some extra cash with their very own Etsy store. This online marketplace offers a great opportunity for mother’s to easily sell their own products and grow their own business. Etsy is currently home to over 400,000 active sellers.
1. Explore your talent Utilise your talents in sewing, craft, jewellery making, clothing, or knitting and find a niche – it will be important to produce something unique to ensure your product is competitive in this space. Finding something that you are passionate about will ensure quality products for potential buyers.
2. Create a Plan Though it can be fun creating and selling your own items, it won’t mean much without a solid and well researched business plan. It’s essential to spend some time working out exactly what you want to achieve from your online store.
Ask yourself: »» Do you want to make this a full-time job or is it just a cash on the side venture? »» How can you make your store and items unique? »» How much time can you dedicate to your store? »» How can you promote your store? A business plan is a great way to set your goals and then monitor how you are tracking against these goals, whilst managing your time and budget.
3. Make sure the price is right When selling your goods, there’s definitely a correct and fair way to price. Though you might be tempted to under-price your items to attract more customers, compensating for your time and talent accordingly should be top priority. According to the Etsy Blog article, “A Simple Formula for Pricing Your Work”, you should use the following formula: Materials + Labour + Expenses + Profit = Wholesale x 2 = Retail
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4. The money shot Image is everything on a site like Etsy, so ensure that the pictures you use to advertise your products are immaculate. You don’t have to be a professional photographer, but take advantage of the tips and tricks available via the Etsy blog and other online forums. Additionally, make sure you describe your items in colour and interesting prose to entice buyers and to complement your images.
5. Build your brand & network Networking is vital to growing your brand and store. Become part of the Etsy community and join external sites such as forums. Promote your via multiple marketing channels including a blog (if you have one), word of mouth, and/ or social media.
6. An oldie but a goodie: eBay If creativity isn’t necessarily your strong suit, you can try selling items on eBay. Create an eBay store and clean out items you don’t need anymore. This may not be a long term investment, but it can offer short term cash solutions.
How study can help A Marketing course will equip you with the knowledge on how to promote your business and help it to grow. 8
There are a number of online agencies like babysittersrus.com.au that you can join. You will become one of their resources and people will be able to search and find you when looking for babysitters in their local area.
BABYSITTING.
What you’ll need You won’tneed a lot of equipment to get started. As a mum, you’ll probably already be equipped with everything you need. Safety is very important. Ensure objects on the floor are cleared, medicine is stored away from children’s reach, safety covers on power points and you have a first aid kit.
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You’ll also need oodles of passion and patience, which you’ll be well-versed in already. Although not a necessity, CPR is a good qualification to have under your belt, and with some agencies this is a requirement.
Things to do Explore your creativity and come up with activities that make you the best babysitter in town! Art, craft, cooking, reading, acting, singing, dancing, exercise – are all great activities to keep the kids occupied and content.
Working hours & pay rate Becoming a babysitter can be a great way to combine your passion for children and make some extra money. It also allows your own child to make new friends and assists in their growth and development.
Getting started The best way to get started will be to ask around within your circle of friends or local neighborhood. Word of mouth is your best bet for getting customers, so check with your friends and friends-of-friends to see if they are in need of a babysitter. You can also create an ad online or in your local paper, ensuring that your respondents live locally.
As a babysitter you can set your own hours of work. You can stipulate in your ad that you prefer to babysit from your own home. In terms of pay, it can vary greatly. You may choose to charge per hour, with additional rates for more than one child or set a flat rate for the whole time depending on the amount of children. Some sitters also set a minimum number of hours and on Sundays and Public Holidays you can expect to charge a higher rate. You’ll want to ensure that the cost is reasonable for your clients so to get an idea on how much to charge, obtain quotes from other babysitters in your local area. Since you will be doing it from your own home, it will be a low cost set up for you. 9
4 EASY STEPS TO TUTORING. id ea # 5 If you have a passion for educating children and want to earn money at home, tutoring may just be the answer.
1. Use your qualifications When electing a career in tutoring, ensure you pick a subject that you are qualified to teach and passionate about. The most popular subjects include Math, English, Science, and a foreign language. Again, this will depend on the student/ age group you choose to tutor. You should always start in your field of expertise and then branch out to other subjects once you have established a solid client base.
2. Set yourself up In terms of your classroom, you have two options: real or virtual. Feel free to set-up your home as the tutoring space, but also explore your online options through communication tools such as Skype or webcam. Online tutoring allows you more flexibility to work around your schedule and potentially expands your client base to other cities and towns.
3. Find your clients
so consider the age range you plan to tutor and where you might approach them. You can utilise your social network by asking your circle of friends and family, or alternatively advertise in your local school newsletter or paper. There are a number of online tutoring services including Tutor. com, Tutorvista.com and Eduwizards that look for freelance tutors. You could also search through online forums or other mum-friendly sites.
4. Set up a schedule & RATE The best part about tutoring is you can create your own schedule. Most parents prefer after-school tutoring as opposed to weekend or evening, so be prepared to create a schedule with that in mind. Be sure to create a schedule you can adhere too because cancelling won’t look good. As for rates, $20 per hour is generally a good starting point, but this can be adjusted to suit your skill set and as your abilities increase.
Useful links Tutor.com Tutorvista.com Eduwizards.com
You will need to spend some time sourcing clients, 10
Virtual Assistant.
If you have prior experience working as an administrator or as an assistant, becoming a Virtual Assistant (VA) is a great way to utilise your skills from the comfort of your own home. Internet communication tools such as email, webcam, Skype and Google Chat have given mums unprecedented flexibility, and the ability to communicate with customers and co-workers in an effective and efficient way.
What you need If you’ve got a good internet connection, computer and admin skills, you’re on your way to a VA career.
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Where to find work Once you have the essential skills and equipment on hand, check out the various job sites that advertise VA positions. You’ll find jobs advertised on sites such as Freelancer, Elance, Virtual Assistant Australia, oDesk, Guru and Behance Network.
The work Generally, a VA works as an independent contractor, completing administration and secretarial tasks online. There are opportunities to be hired across different industries and occupations including Real Estate, Accounting, Executive Assistants, Medical Transcription Assistants, Legal Assistants and Marketing Assistants. Your tasks will vary accordingly, but may include: »» Booking flights, accommodation, reservations
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»» Emailing tax invoices »» Data entry »» Word Processing »» Customer service
Useful links myvirtualassistant.net.au thevirtualassistant.com.au
»» Transcribing
www.freelancer.com.au/work/virtualassistant-jobs-australia
»» Social media
virtualangels.com.au
»» Web design or graphic design assistance
www.avaa.asn.au
Hours and Pay The benefits of being a VA include being able to work in your own home and employers are generally flexible with work hours. VAs tend to be paid on a hourly rate, depending on your experience, skills, and industry. In terms of salary, rates are adjustable based on experience and industry, but generally range from $15-$60 an hour.
How study can help A qualification in Business or Management can provide skills essentials to administrative assistants such as project management, time management and effective communication. A course in IT can give you fundamental skills in word processing functions and an understanding of technology that would be useful when operating in a virtual environment.
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PARTICIPATE IN A FOCUS GROUP. id ea # 7 If you want some stimulated discussion, love expressing your opinion and want to get paid for it, taking part in a focus group maybe ideal for you.
What is a focus group?
How much can you earn? Pay will vary based on the focus group you are participating in, but there is the possibility to earn $50-$100 for an hour’s worth of discussion.
How to get started
Focus groups are a form of market research that helps companies and manufacturers in creating or improving products and services. You can take part in a focus group about almost anything and you are asked about your views, opinion, beliefs and attitudes towards what the company has on offer.
Perform a Google Search on focus groups located in Australia and sign up. Your name will be placed on a list, and you will then be called upon to take part in the discussions. The more reliable and available you are, the more you’ll be called on to participate.
What does it involve?
Useful resources
Participating in a focus group usually involves a bit of travelling, but they are usually held in major capital cities. A researcher will guide the discussion, and the focus group will be required to answer questions and talk about the product amongst the group. There are also ways – through use of webcams and Skype – to participate in online focus groups. Check out www.onlinefocusgroup.com.au for more information.
www.mysurvey.net.au www.srcentre.com.au paidfocusgroups.com.au onlinefocusgroup.com.au
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How?
AFFILIATE MARKETING. id ea # 8
To work as an affiliate marketer, you just need to find the right products to promote and determine the best channels to promote them on. Sign up to affiliate marketing websites, such as Clickbank to gain access to a database of products. Pick a product you are passionate about and that you can build an affiliate business on, then find ways to seamlessly integrate this into your blog or website and promote via different social media channels including Facebook or Twitter. You will be given a tracking link to incorporate on your site so that the company can monitor how many enquiries you are receiving and the traffic from your site. It’s also important to have a strategy in place so that you receive the most benefits from your efforts.
Who? Where? When? Mums of all skills levels can partake in affiliate marketing. All it requires is a computer and internet access. Schedules and location are also flexible. If you set it up correctly, it only really requires a few hours of attention every week.
THE 5 W’S AND H OF AFFILIATE MARKETING With the burgeoning online market, there are various ways that stay-at-home mums can make money by simply owning a computer and an internet connection. One of these is affiliate marketing – an almost automatic job that requires little attention but has great earning potential.
What? Affiliate marketing involves promoting other people’s goods on the internet. It doesn’t involve any selling on your part – you’re just acting as a conduit between the seller and the consumer. As an affiliate marketer, you’re responsible for putting the customer in touch with the seller’s site. Every time a sale is made through your efforts, you get a commission.
Why? Affiliate marketing is convenient and inexpensive since you don’t have to worry about additional costs – such as franchise fees, premises, equipment or products. You just do the online marketing using a special ‘Affiliate Link’ created for you and the rest almost takes care of itself. You don’t even have to deal directly with sales or customers. Currently, the affiliate marketing industry isn’t very prominent, so your earning potential is great.
How study can help A qualification in marketing can provide you with the knowledge of how and why we market for business to assist you with your affiliate marketing venture. 14
5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT BLOGGINg. id ea # 9
passionate about – food, craft, art, fashion, beauty, books, films, motherhood – and then create engaging and informative posts around those topics.
2. Content is king A blog is only as good as its posts, so ensure that your content is engaging, relevant and up-to-date. If you’re passionate about your topic, this shouldn’t be too difficult. However, if you are struggling for ideas, you can always have a look at other relevant blogs and websites for inspiration. Even if you’re not a fantastic writer, ensure that your posts are clean written without grammatical or spelling mistakes. It is a good idea to have a friend or family member provide feedback. Look is also vital, so choose a blog layout that reflects what you want your site to say. There are many pre-made layouts already accessible, but you should be able to customise the look yourself or perhaps enlist the help of a friend who has some knowledge in this area. Lastly, ensure that you are posting regularly to keep your readers coming back for more.
3. Build a following Whether you’re an avid writer or not, blogging is a great way to express your passion and opinions on a subject, while making some extra cash on the side. Simply sign up to a Wordpress or Blogger account and you can start blogging for free – and you could earn a lot more than you bargained for.
The first step in building a great fan following is to produce interesting, original and regular content. You can also create a network on which to cross-promote your work through inbound links, guest blogging and sites like StumbleUpon and Digg, which aggregate interesting content for readers.
1. Find your niche Blogging is a prolific activity and there are numerous blogs on the internet about every topic under the sun. But that shouldn’t deter you from starting one. Pick something that you are
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4. Make some money Getting to the most important part of any blogging enterprise – making money. Once you have enough relevant and engaging content – and a solid fan following to boot – there are various ways to start earning cash from your efforts. The most common ways to make money from blogging include: »» Ads: RSS, Google AdSense »» Affiliate marketing: Advertising other people’s products on your blog and receiving a commission if your readers buy »» Guest blogging »» Paid product reviews
earn money, and each case is different. It is important to keep in mind though that most bloggers probably won’t make a fulltime living out of just blogging. According, to ProBlogger. net, the majority of new bloggers (28%) earn less than $10 a month. But over time and savvy moves, it is possible to monetize your passion.
5. HAVE FUN If you are find yourself lacking the motivation to update your blog, then pick another topic. Blogging about something you love should be an enjoyable experience and it shines through when you write about the topic. Plus it gives you the motivation to continue posting.
»» Selling links
»» Selling blog merchandise These are only some of the many ways to 16
BECOME A FREELANCER. id ea # 10 For mums-on-the-go, freelancing offers you the ability to combine your skills and experience with the flexibility to set your own schedule.
Why freelance? The best thing about freelancing is that with the right amount of skill, enthusiasm and dedication, you can start working immediately – and from the comfort of your own home. If you’re in creative fields of writing, design, photography, art, marketing or events, for example, it’s possible to find regular and well-paid work. Freelancers can enjoy a greater variety of assignments than in a regular job. The fact that you can choose the projects you want to work on gives stay at home mums greater flexibility to balance work and family.
Types of freelance work available Freelancing gigs are available across various creative industries, so there is an opportunity for you to explore your skills and talents. If you’re a wordsmith, you’re in luck as most prolific freelance jobs are in writing. If writing isn’t your forte, there are still various jobs available in fields as diverse as graphic design, online marketing, social media marketing, programming, and web design.
How to become a freelancer If you’re starting out as a freelancer, it’s best to pitch your ideas to different outlets as well as create an online portfolio of your work. For example, for freelance writing, you can pitch creative ideas to local magazines, websites or newspapers, or work as a copywriter. There are also numerous sites including Freelancer, Elance and Helium, where your words can earn you enough cash to make a living. Hours and rates vary depending on the project, and with enough experience, you will be able to set your own pay rate. The pitfall of freelancing is that most start off earning close to nothing and most freelancers start on a casual or part-time basis. But it is possible – with a solid portfolio and enough clients – to earn enough to work as a fulltime freelancer.
How study can help Graphic Design, Event Management and Marketing are qualifications that offer fantastic careers in freelance work.
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ABOUT MARTIN COLLEGE. Martin College has been a leading provider of career-focused education since 1976. The College offers a number of Certificate and Diploma level qualifications in Business, Management, Marketing, IT, Graphic Design, Tourism, and Events. Dedicated to learning, Martin College offers a number of flexible online courses ideal for busy mums. It’s a great way to refresh or update your skills to kick-start your work-from-home career.
Why study online? There are a number of reasons that online study can be perfect for mums. Aside from the fact that online study provides you the flexibility to get an education from home, it also allows you to update your knowledge and get your mind back in the career game. A qualification will give you the added credentials and increase your marketability for at-home jobs. If you’re interested in being a mumpreneur, studying an online course will give you the skills and knowledge to ensure your new business has the best chance of success! You’re online learning experience will include: »» Flexibility: Our Online Learning platform means you can study anytime, anywhere and learn at your own pace. »» No up-front tuition fees: With VET FEE-HELP, you can study now and pay later. »» On-going support: Through the online learning platform, Study Smart, you’ll have easy access to other students and teaching staff through chat forums, video, email and phone. »» Rewarding education: Engaging course material to help you build or extend your skills Martin College understands mums are busy, so let one of our careers education advisors assist you in exploring study options and determining how you can meet your career aspirations with a Martin College online course. Contact our friendly team by phoning 1300 762 129 or by visiting Martin College.
ELENA ZABELLERO Advanced Diploma of Marketing student, Martin College “As a single mum of two children and working full-time, finding the time to study can be challenging… but it was made easier with Martin College’s Online Course and suggested study guides.”
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