Making Money at Home?

Finally some Action!

2007-09-29T14:06:00.000Z

Website development, linking strategies and monetization have been my focus recently, which is why I haven't updated this blog properly for a while. I have been busy trying to focus on setting concrete goals and getting some actual work done, rather than talking about what I should be doing.

One of the most important things I have done over the past couple of months is to sign up to the fabulous SBI site that has so many wonderful web success stories. It has definitely helped me to make sense of Keywords, Search Engine Optimisation and monetisation. I still have work to do but I have made more progress in the few weeks I have had SBI! than in the previous nine months.

Playing to my strengths, I have put up a new marketing and business website The MacInnes Partnership- http://www.macinnespartnership.com. This website provides common sense marketing and business advice to both start up and existing businesses, and is linked to a number of articles I have written for E-Zine.

My current website, At Home Working, http://www.athomeworking.co.uk/ which provides information and resources to people who would like to start working from home, has been updated.

I have also started a new blog about Christmas (because I just adore the Holidays!) called Christmas is a Comin' . This is a countdown to the festive season and is me rabbiting on about finding bargains, planning, decorations, gifts and food.

There seems to a light at the end of the dark e-business tunnel! I'm planning two additional websites and given myself two weeks to get them both up and running. Hey I'm finally on a roll!

Thanks for reading. Speak soon!

Link strategies

2007-09-26T16:17:00.000Z

I have been struggling with linking- the theory is fine- write articles, sign up to directories, get reciprocal links. I get the theory- why am I not getting the links?

I think I must do a little 'self talk' and tell myself that I can do this- and be successful.

Actions speak louder than words, and if I'm going to get a decent page rank then I need to get my act together and set myself some link goals.

Why a home based web business isn't the easy option!

2007-05-09T10:27:00.000Z

I read alot about search engine optimisation (SEO) over the weekend. I realised that I needed to increase the number of external links (still not sure if this means reciprical links or one way though).

So links it is. I spent the morning writing more articles and then searched for sites to publish them on. Found ezine, 1888 articles and Helium. Posted a couple of articles to see how long it takes to review and how it looks/links etc once published. Also found some e-zine directories which I will use for my new newsletter (will finalise the first edition this week).

From what I have read, the key appears to be the number of links related to your content- again, not entirely clear about what I'm doing, but I will keep on my current course and see if it makes a difference.

Got an email from a company wth an SEO proposal for my website. They gave me a fair overview of my site (I know this as it reflected the information I had recieved from my web hosting company's report). They provided me with a list of options, which fell into three catergories:

Natural search
W3C
Links

Again, no real surprises. After a little deliberation, I decided that I would be better learning how to optimise my site myself. That way I could apply this knowledge to each new web site I build. The drawback to this is time.

So, biting the bullet, i set to work to validate my site to W3C standards. As I understand it W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) is an international organisation set up to set standards and protocols for the web. I found a web site set up by W3C that checks your website's code and validates it. If your site doesn't comply, it gives you the errors. Fantastic! So I spent a few hours validating my pages. This is apparently important, as it helps the web crawlers. For your information the website is: http://validator.w3.org/. (I'm no way affiliated to this organisation, I just think it's a really useful tool for us non-techies out there!). Hope it helps.

Tomorrow is natural search. Better get some sleep!

Where to start?

2007-05-08T12:06:00.000Z

I can't believe it's been so long since my last post. I have been working hard trying to build the online business, but also have been undertaking consultancy work to earn some extra money. Don't believe anyone who tells you that starting any business from home is easy, and that you will get rich overnight. Like any business, it takes time to build and time to get the money flowing.

So I have had my mad moments. My pulling-my-hair-out moments. But I'm still here in one piece! Briefly over the last few months I have:

Been finessing the content of www.athomeworking.co.uk
Trying to figure out how to improve the sites ranking (if anyone can help me here I would appreciate it!)
Writing contect for several new websites (I'm good at content, just need some help with the SEO)
Working as (unpaid)script editor on a soap opera for the web (The Warrington Soap- coming soon!)
Doing some marketing and business consultancy to keep the wolves from the door

So I have been busy. Just a little frustrated with all the search engine stuff.

But onwards ad upwards. Speak soon!

Big Mistake

2006-11-19T08:14:00.000Z

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

2006-11-06T14:48:00.000Z

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

2006-11-03T19:42:00.000Z

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

2006-11-02T12:19:00.000Z

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?

2006-11-01T13:50:00.000Z

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!

2006-08-26T19:17:00.000Z

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

2006-08-26T19:04:00.000Z

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.

2006-08-20T11:27:00.000Z

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!!)

2006-08-19T14:25:00.000Z

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.