I posted our history of trying to earn extra income … the story of how we got into the internet marketing world. But, what’s a story if there is no lesson to be learned. So what if you jumped through all kinds of hoops if you aren’t better equipped to do it more successfully next time.
This time, I’d like to share what we have learned over the years. What I would do differently or what I wouldn’t do at all.
Ahem.
Yes, yes, alright already! I know what you’re thinking. Like, I wouldn’t give out my bank info again. Ever. (You’ll have to read the article to know what that’s about!)
1. Do. Not. Quit.
Just don’t do it! You have to give it all you got and then take it a little further. It’s kind of like someone saying, “I’m going to train for a marathon,” and then they only train for one or two days and say, “Well, that didn’t work!” You have to put in 110%. Cliche? Yes! Absolutely right? Yes! Like I always tell my kids, anything worth doing is going to be hard to do. You’ve already discovered that there are no get-rich-quick plans that actually work. You are going to have to work your fingers to the bone to make this thing work. You’re an entrepreneur. It takes dedication, commitment, sacrifice mixed with some blood, sweat and tears. That’s the stuff an entrepreneur is made of!
2. Be a team.
I would have stopped trying many many moons ago if it weren’t for my husband. We are a fabulous team. Not everyday is picture-perfect but we lean on each other. When one of us is down, the other is the encourager and vice versa. Your family is going to be your best support system, your favorite co-workers, your strongest network. Communicate with them about your dream, your vision for what you are doing. Talk to your husband. If he’s saying ‘no’ maybe it’s because of some underlying fear that you’ll be chained to the computer forever and completely neglect him. Let your kids take part – let them bring ideas for articles to the table, write an article about their funniest quotes and read it with them.
3. Invest in some training.
No matter what you choose to do, be it blogging or trading penny stocks, learn from the experts who are doing it well. There are amazing packages from millionaires who will charge you and arm and a leg for the intensely powerful information on how they made their millions. There are free youtube videos and books at the library to glean from. Just learn something each and every week. Commit to taking in something new on a regular basis and you’ll be amazed at how much you know at the end of the year. One of the best things we ever did upon deciding to “go for it” with this blogging thing was to buy a training package from Yaro Starak. I think what we learned there propelled us light years ahead of what we ever could have learned on our own.
4. Schedule.
Oh, how I wish I could shout this one from the rooftops! Someday, I might get brave enough or frustrated enough to actually do it! Do you have any idea how much more you can accomplish by being on schedule? Get up at the same (decent) time everyday, get dressed (do NOT work in your pajamas!), and so on. Having a schedule allows you to make attainable goals. Having a schedule allows you to actually get something done with your day. Having a schedule allows you to keep the house clean, the kids entertained, the husband happy, and the blog updated! (All the instances of “schedule” that you see linked to an article on my blog are linked to different articles! I talk about schedule a ton!)
(4a. Follow your schedule. You can spend every day for the next year creating the absolute most perfect schedule any blogger ever had. But, it really doesn’t matter if you don’t FOLLOW IT!!! Don’t make excuses. Don’t ditch the schedule after one day. Don’t wait until you’ve created the perfect schedule. Start tomorrow! Start right now!)
5. Network with others.
Join the local Mommy group that does play dates. Get on board with your Chamber of Commerce. Comment on other blogs and develop a relationship with the writer. Put yourself out there and you just never know what might happen. I contacted a local radio station to see what their prices were for advertising. We aren’t even close to being able to afford a radio spot, but I wanted to have something to aim for in the budget and because if I didn’t do it while I was thinking about it, I would forget. The station manager contacted me and said that they need help with their site and maybe we could trade services!!! You just never know!!
Surely you’ve learned a WAHM lesson that I haven’t gotten to yet! Please share it here.
What would you say is the best/worst lesson you’ve learned?
What would you share with a new WAHM just starting out?
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Fantastic article. We learned about the training the hard way a long time ago. If we would have just invested into coaching right from the beginning, we would have been much further in our business. Coaching or coaching products accelerate businesses or blogs. We thought we were saving money at the time…..it hurt to find out we didn’t.
WAHM Solution recently posted..Weekly WAHM Check-IN- Stress & Short Fuses
I am so glad that we decided to buy that training. I really think it has saved us so much time. Have you invested in some training since then? The two we love are Blog Mastermind and Niche Blitzkrieg. Blog Mastermind is strictly a training program and Niche Blitzkrieg is a “making money online” philosophy/program with lots of great training built it.
Great article. I often sit down at the beginning of the day without a list and end up feeling like I haven’t gotten as much done. Having a schedule for the day is definitely on my list of lessons learned. I do recommend getting a dry erase board for lists… cuts down on paper waste.
Renee @ WAHM Hosting recently posted..Getting Personal
Thanks Renee!! It’s so funny you should mention the dry erase board – we have one just for our business ideas/flow/to-do list and one for our homeschooling *stuff*! I’m glad you reminded me about that!
How long have you been running your WAHM hosting site? I could probably learn quite a bit from you since we are just starting our own web design biz!
Thanks for stopping by!
I’ve been running WAHM Hosting since 2007, but I’ve been helping wahms since 2005. Are you going to do designs only, or are you looking into hosting as well? I ask because I’m currently looking for some designers to partner with.
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I am so humbled and excited that you would want to partner with us!! I sent you a reply via email.
Hi HGM,
I hope all is well with you and your family. I am interested in starting a work at home online marketing business. I saw your article from 1/8/10 on the Niche Blitzkrieg system which you rave about. I was wondering if you’re still using the system and if so, how quickly were you able to make your first dollar?
I know that nothing worthwhile in life is easy and I never expect it to be. I’m just wondering how much time and effort does it realistically take to make a $1?
I am a retired individual living on social security so I don’t really have any disposable income but I’m willing to invest a little amount if there’s a reasonable chance of making some money within a reasonable amount of time.
Any help and insight you can provide is greatly appreciated.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Alex
For a WAHM just starting out, I would recommend trying to find someone who has just started their own business and starting to see their first signs of success. So often, there are many things coming at you at once when starting on your entrepreneurial path and it seems overwhelming. Having someone you can talk to that has already gone through their initial obstacles and is already starting to see some success can really help you emotionally and also provide you with a framework of what you need to do to make your first sales and how to organize your business.
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