Big Mistake

I've been working at home- but instead of working on my blog and website (which should take only a couple of hours per day)- I have been decorating. That is a big mistake when you want to keep your blog and your website fresh. Everyone needs a break from time to time, but everything I have read about successful websites and blogs tell you that it's important to keep focused, and keep the information flowing.

Well I have learnt my lesson, and will try much harder in future.

I have been cooking up a new site idea and about to start a new blog to find out if it's as interesting to others as I think it is! Once it's up and running, I will add a link to this site so that you can check it out.

Fireworks and other bangs

I am making progress on the writing front. I have written a number of articles- some about working from home, some more specialist including PR, marketing and management articles- and am now applying to become an online author for several sites. Had a LOUD weekend- as I'm sure most of you in the UK did. I did try to get down to some work over the weekend, but only managed an hour late afternoon.

With the clocks going back and the dark descending upon us earlier, the fireworks began at around 4pm, and didn't stop until after midnight (so much for the 11pm curfew!) Some of the fireworks were amazing though- the bangs were SO LOUD, and the colours so bright- you'd have thought you were in a Florida theme park at times!

It was interesting to note that my kids were not that bothered this year about the fireworks. They watched some of the huge rockets that were set off in our neighbourhood, and when it came down to the few we had bought to set off in our back garden, they were not really interested. The phrase 'money up in smoke' did come to mind, and I have vowed that next year I'll keep my purse tightly shut when I go past the fireworks at the supermarket.

Oh well, back to the grindstone I guess.

Testing Time

Who said working from home is an easy option? Spent most of the day playing about with designs for the new product. Some good results, but the tests raised a lot more questions than the answered. No surprise really, but I'll need to do a lot more research before I'm ready to design a product that will be close to production quality.

Also started to write a series of articles related to my business experiences. Need to find the best e-zines to publish these on- any suggestions greatly appreciated.

The website is beginning to move up the rankings. Just need to work a little harder to establish the right level of traffic. Check it out at www.athomeworking.co.uk

Cracking new Business idea

I woke up last night with a fantastic idea for a new business. Got up, went straight to the internet (didn't even stop for my morning coffee) and started to research. Couldn't find anything similar, so I think I may have found a bit of a niche. I have decided to blog the development of this new business idea. This will keep me focused, and make sure that I do something positive every day- otherwise what will I have to say?!?

First things first. It's a great idea- I'm not going to disclose it yet as I need to do a few things first:

1. Test my idea to see if actually works
2. If it works, I need to do a few different samples, source suppliers and work out the costs to actually make this thing.
3. If the costs seem sensible, then I will write out my full blown business plan, and sort out my Intellectual Property.

It's exciting. better get on with it.

Will post later today, or tomorrow and keep you up to date.

Where on earth does the Time go?

Who said working from home was easy? And if anyone tells you that starting an online business, or working from home is any easy option, then please do not listen to any more of their 'advice'. Working from home, just like working in a company (large or small) is hard. It takes thought, and it takes planning. There is no magic wand. However, it can be lucrative if you hit on the right product (or service)- or niche in the online world.

I can't believe it's been so long since my last blog. I think I must have written about 25 blogs in my head- not much good stuck in there though!!
The trials and tribulations of getting a google sitemap together, listing on directories, just getting dynamic content to work...it's driven me mad. But I have finally got the site launched. Now I just have to build it up and get a decent ranking.

ALL HELP IN THIS AREA GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!!!!

Simple things have slowed my progress down. Putting www. infront of the sitemap entry when I was trying to find the info about the site must have added a week to my launch timescale. For 'real' webmasters, this must be such a joke. But to us mere mortals, trying to feel their way around the web and develop a business, it's the little things that can be the difference between success and failure.

I have a comedy of errors and would be delighted to share experiences with anyone undergoing similar problems.

Well I shall sign off now, and formulate my next move in the battle for ranking and success. See you soon.

In the words of Mick Blogger- I can't get no site-isfaction!

I can't believe how frustrating web site building can be. I've signed up with 1 and 1. Their hosting package seemed pretty good value, and I thought the website builder would be great to get me going. It is good- but I decided I needed more versatility (silly me!!!!) adn so I bought Dreamweaver and put together another version of my site.

Great- my site looks good, and the navigation is just what I wanted. Just one major problem. I'm struggling like mad with the dynamic content stuff - all I want to do is capture the data from people who want my newsletter - but I'm turning grey trying to do it. I can't even integrate the CGI's from 1 and 1.

I must be either totally thick- or these developers don't make it easy for us non-techies. (I'm probably thick, I know!)

Another day of frustration over- better get the kids something to eat before they fall asleep in front of the TV.

Till next time.

Deciding on an Idea

I have spent days thinking about possible ventures, writing lists. I have gone through so much paper- it's a good job I recycle!

I've decided that there are several online ventures that I'm going to pursue. But after discussing my situation with family and friends, I realise that I have a lot of experience and knowledge that I could pass on. So I'm going to put together an advice ite based on my past experience, and that of business colleagues. Hopefully it will be of help to other people in a similar position to myself.

Once that's up, I'll get on with some of my other ideas- so I better get on with it.

Well, after a night on the internet, I realise that there are thousands of 'home working' opportunites out there. A surprising number promise to make you thousands per month. I could spend thousands finding out that they are all a load of rubbish! There are a couple that sound interesting. I might check them out - I'll keep you informed.

But for now I think that I would be better sticking to my original plan, and set up my own thing. Keywords are interesting things. The ones that are of real value (high KEI's I think is the term) are the ones with the most competition. Not surprising really. From what I can gather, you are supposed to find keywords that are related to what you want to promote, but that are in a specialised enough niche to ensure that you get a high enough page ranking. Hmmm. Sounds easy enough, but I am struggling a bit with this one. What's a niche for cruise, or marketing? Maybe I should set something up about trying to set up working at home? But where's the niche here?

I think I need a day away from the computer, write out what I'm interested in again, and think a little more creatively.

Will sign in again tomorrow- unless I get a brain wave (which is highly unlikely!!)

Research, Research, Research

I can’t really have people coming to the house- and I haven’t got the flexibility to be able to go out and meet clients- so consultancy work is not an option. Weighing everything up, I’ve decided that some kind of online business is going to be my best option.

I have searched the web trying to find good information about how to make money online. I found some good (and free!) ebooks, from people who had made money through the web, and I have read these avidly. They have helped me to get familiar with the latest terminology, and I have been able to get some great tips on how to formulate a successful online business. But I still need to decide what business I want to develop.

I have now spent hours(when everyone else was in bed), thinking about the things that I know something about, the things I am interested in, what I enjoy doing etc. I’ve narrowed (!) it down to:
· Marketing (I know a lot about this subject)
· Website design (I know something about this, but want to learn more)
· Juggling time (kids, caring and work)
· Cruises (would love to have been a cruise rep in another life)
· Holiday planning with kids (I’m a dab hand at finding good places at the right price)
· Writing (oh to make my living writing scripts in Hollywood!)
· Christmas (should have been one of Santa’s elves!)

Not sure what the list says about me, but at least it’s giving me a starting point. So what do I do with this list? How can I turn any of these into regular income? This is what I'm not sure about.

I’m now going to spend tonight searching the web for sites linked to keywords related to the above. Not sure what I’ll find- but I better get on with it.