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Running a home business is hard/exciting/exhausting/invigorating.
I’d love to tell you that working from home is all unicorns and rainbows, but I won’t. It’s incredible—but also incredibly challenging at times!
But, as the old saying goes, “If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.”
I have worked from home full-time for over twelve years, but there are days when I still feel like a newbie. The online world is shifting and changing, and not always for the good. But there are also days I know I have gained knowledge and experience worth its weight in gold.
I’ve learned to prospect for new business consistently, set boundaries for myself, and have multiple streams of income running at all times. I’ve also learned not to put all my eggs in one basket.
If you are a freelancer, virtual assistant, or small business owner, the best thing you can do for business longevity is to have multiple income streams coming in at all times. Your core business is being an author or running a direct sales-related or online business. Your core business is being a graphic designer or service provider who works as an independent contractor (like me). Whatever you choose to do, having your fingers in multiple money-making pies makes good business sense.
Business Income -The Spokes of your Business Wheel
I’ve always compared my business plan to a wagon wheel, the old West kind with a solid core and multiple wooden spokes. I’m sure there’s a prettier analogy, but that one has always worked for me.
Examples of “Spokes” for your Business “Wheel”
More of the Same: Start pitching to others if you have successfully written for one magazine. Your past published articles act as a resume and proof to other publications that you are an experienced writer. Scan your published clips, create a document with links to additional work you’ve created and sold, and you can even do as I did, such as make a freelance portfolio page on your website to send prospective clients to.
If you are used to doing blog posts for one client, ask for a referral for another. Haunt sites like UpWork.com and HireMyMom.com to find new work opportunities. Even if you have plenty of action, never stop prospecting for more. You can use the work you are doing now to leverage new income opportunities.
Don’t Dismiss the Littles: By “littles,” I mean the sites like TaskRabbit and Fiverr that offer payment for your actions for a small amount of money. I know offering a service for $5 barely seems worth your time, but sites like Fiverr have been a steady source of easy work for me for almost two years. Last year, I funded nearly all of my Christmas gift-shopping expenses with the money I earned from Fiverr. The key for you, the service provider, is SPEED. Only offer gigs you can do quickly, in 15 minutes or less. Since I write fast, I offer the option of 300-word parenting articles or 300-word social media articles for $5.00. Another work-from-home mom that I know is a proofreader on Fiverr and makes a respectable income from proofreading other people’s work while her five kids nap, play, or after they are in bed for the night. Don’t rule out these smaller streams of income. Fiverr may take a little time and patience to build up a client base, but it can become a stable revenue stream, not a big waste of time.
Get Creative: I have been an eBay seller since 2000, and though I have never experienced a landslide of income, I can tell you that those $20 sales always come at a great time. I highly recommend setting yourself up as an eBay seller and not selling any items under $10 in value. Study other sellers’ listings to see how they do things, ask for free boxes and packing materials from area businesses and do your best to take quality pictures. Even simple photos snapped with your iPhone will work if the item has a good (and extensive) description and a fair price. There are many fantastic reselling YouTubers with unique educational content to get you on the right path and keep you there.
Create Your Products: This one is one I have yet to perfect…but I am still trying! Currently, I’ve self-published two non-fiction business books, FREElance FREEdom and MOM BOSSING, and I’ve also traditionally published my first children’s book, Sissy Goes Tiny.
NOTE: Just because you’ve published a book doesn’t automatically mean you will be rolling in dough. Marketing books in a noisy and crowded online world takes work. But as your authored books catalog grows, so will your income.
Affiliates: I know people are doing super well with affiliate income. I’ve made money every month with affiliate sales. If you are unsure what affiliate sales are, this site explains them perfectly and gives you some of the best affiliate partners available.
Use the skills you already have: You may already be utilizing the knowledge in your noggin as part of your money-making endeavors; I know YOU know more than the services you are offering now.
Did you know that, somewhere in the world, is someone willing to PAY you for the knowledge that you possess? Only some people love bookkeeping or can write with ease. You may have a skill that someone could desperately use for their business right this very moment. Much of what I do as a Virtual Assistant is doing just that: helping business owners with tasks in exchange for a nice income. Review my What it Takes to be a Virtual Assistant Series.
There is no magic pill for expanding and diversifying your small/home business. Like anything worthwhile, it will take plenty of time, blood, sweat, tears, and possibly some cuss words. But it is very doable. Start by brainstorming what “spokes” you can add to your business wheel.
You got this!
More Resources for Your Side Hustle Journey
MOM BOSSING
MOM BOSSING: The Freedom to Create the Business You Love is a book filled with personal stories, resources, support, wisdom, and encouragement from a solopreneur who has worked as a mom boss. This step-by-step guide shares the truth, fears, tears, and cheers of being a mom who is building a business empire on her own terms. If you are looking for a new career for the “second half of life,” venturing into direct sales, rocking a home business, or dreaming of leaving a dead-end job, this book provides the building blocks needed to move forward with a healthy dose of humor authenticity. In many ways, this book could also sport the tagline of Building a LIFE on Your Own Terms.
I was lucky to have Becky Flansburg join us at Multicultural Children’s Book Day when we first began our nonprofit. She was the “head elf, ” meaning she did everything from project management to helping us get sponsorships. In the early years, we couldn’t keep her busy for more than a few months a year, even though that was very part-time. Becky’s contribution to the team helped us grow our nonprofit, and, in turn, we could keep her busier. Now, as a “mom boss,” Becky shares her journey and wisdom for moms who want to try solopreneurship. It’s particularly helpful for anyone who wants to become a VA (Virtual Assistant).~author and mompreneur, Mia Wenjen
Also available on IndieBound.com.
FREElance FREEdom: Creating the Work-From-Home Life You Crave
Have you ever dreamed of working from home on your own terms instead of being confined to a corporate cubicle or windowless office? Have you ever dreamed of earning a steady and honest income while having plenty of time for friends and family?
Lucky for you, it is all very possible. I have successfully lived this life for over 12 years, and I can’t imagine supporting my family (and following my dreams!) any other way.
This robust 90-page e-book and resource guide contains a treasure trove of excellent information about working from home (on your own terms), all rolled into a handy read-at-your-own-pace guidebook.
Whether you want to pursue a career as a freelance writer, virtual assistant, graphic designer (and more) this Resource Guide will provide the insight, tools, guides, advice, and strategies applicable to any freelance business. If you want the basics of getting started without support and coaching, this eBook is for you.
For anyone looking to start their freelance career, or up their game, this book is the perfect place to start. Jam-packed with actionable items and details about even handling unruly clients, well-meaning visitors, and kids while working from home – this book has it all! Highly recommended!~author and mompreneur, Carissa Andrews
For those who are contemplating the freelance lifestyle but need a guidebook with baby steps, this is your manifesto! Becky Flansburg shares her tips for balancing a freelance career with a family including the nuts and bolts such as the online tools she uses for networking and running her business. Becky is a gentle and realistic cheerleader for anyone who wants to work at home as a solopreneur.~Mia Wenjen
FREElance FREEdom is Available on Kindle
Also available on IndieBound.com.
Available in Paperback on Amazon: mybook.to/FREElanceFREEdompprbk
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