Author: Liza Mann

Virtual Assistant

Help Liza Mann Comments

A virtual assistant or VA provides a wide range of services for both businesses and consumers.  Since you are going to work from home, being a virtual assistant will be defined by the skill set that the virtual assistant can offer.  There are lists of tasks that you will be asked to do as a virtual assistant that you can expect to be doing for a client.  It can be answering e-mails, word processing, data entry, and transcription.

The following are the key points in becoming a virtual assistant:

Location is not a problem

Being able to work home-based will take out the stress of commuting on a day to day basis.  Being able to work at home also means you don’t need to wear office attire.  You can basically wear whatever it is that you want.  You are not restricted to just working from home.  You can also work elsewhere as long as there is an internet connection and you have your laptop with you.

Your time management skills will be put to test

At least four hours a day as part-time is what you’re going to need at a minimum so be sure that time is well-spent.  Avoiding distractions is the key for this to happen.  Learn to prioritize what needs to be done so that work will not pile up before you know it.

Working from home can be distracting

Members of the family should be aware that you are still working and they should always keep the noise down for you to be able to focus on what you need to work on.  Learn to say no when they want you to do errands for them.

Being a virtual assistant is not an easy job.  It requires you to focus on work in a different environment.  This job is not for someone who cannot focus in a different work environment other than the office type.  Consider this job as a freedom to be working at the comfort of your own home without the stress of commuting.  Full-time moms are the ones who benefit the most in this kind of set up in a sense that they will be able to raise their kids and earn money at the same time.

Direct Selling

Selling Liza Mann Comments

Direct selling is a method of marketing goods and services directly to consumers.  This requires a face-to-face interaction with a catalogue presented which is left with the consumer.  This basically requires personal contact with the customer.

Factors to consider before becoming a direct seller:

Identify a product

Don’t sell products that you hardly know or you haven’t tested.  The customer will surely ask you if you are using the product and if you believe that it really works.  Selling an incompetent product will just ruin your reputation as a seller.

Choose the company

Visit the company’s website, attend a demonstration, and then decide from there.

Contact consumer watchdogs

The company’s background is important.  Things will be good to look at, but dig deeper.  The history of the company is important for you to see if this company is a good one.  Talk to others who are in the company and ask about their experiences.  It’s better to investigate now than be sorry later.

Get industry literate

Read literatures about the company.  Find out the number of distributors, average distributor earnings, and distributor dropout rates.  Request for the company’s financial statement over the last five years.

Ask plenty of questions

The one recruiting you should be able to answer all of your questions and if not, call the head office if you feel it is necessary.  Don’t join right away if your questions are left unanswered.  You need to know what you’re getting yourself into.  Don’t allow yourself to be carried away by your recruiter.

Size up the costs

The cost of entry is crucial in joining a direct selling company.  If it costs that much amount of money, how long will it take you to have a return of investment?  This typically includes a sales kit with company information, product samples, and training materials.

Review the return policy

Make sure that the company buys back at least 90 percent of all unsold inventory, sales kit, and materials that are in good condition.

Look into the compensation

Make sure you understand the compensation plan.  The money you earn should not depend solely upon recruiting new distributors.

Online Selling

Selling Liza Mann Comments

Selling stuff online is not just for stay-at-home moms.  It can also be done by part-time students or even regular employees.  You just need to keep a balance between your work, business, and other aspects of your life.

Here are ways to be a successful seller online:

Pick a design suited for you

Always remember that the design you choose will be the identity of your shop.  Things always need to be consistent in order for customers to easily recognize your shop.  Choose templates carefully.

Be consistent

If you tell your customers that you will be posting photos of items every week, make sure your really do it.  Also, there should be schedule for getting orders and delivery of items.  Customers do not like delays, so if that’s going to happen, inform them right away.

Make your customers happy

False expectations ruin reputation.  Don’t post pictures that are way more different than the actual item.  You may be able to sell the item, but your customer will think twice about repurchasing.  Also, announce a sale of items from time to time so that transactions will keep on going.

Build your reputation

Fulfilling your duties as an online seller is a big factor when it comes to online selling.  When you receive the payment for the item, make sure it will be delivered.

Manage your contacts

It is very essential for you to manage your contacts in case something goes wrong.  Don’t assume that your customers will always check online through Facebook.  Make sure you have their contact info in your mobile phone.  Customers should always be able to reach you and vice versa.

Different Methods of Generating Income from Your Home

Income Liza Mann Comments

Be a Blogger

Blogs are often informal diary-style text.  They provide commentary on a particular topic that ranges from politics to sports.  They are not just limited to texts.  Photos and videos can also be embedded in the blog for the readers to better visualize what it is being explained in the blog.

Types of Blogs

Personal blogs

Written commentary by an individual. It is more of an online diary

Collaborative blogs or group blogs

Written and published by more than one author

Microblogging

Posting small pieces of digital content that could be text, pictures, links, or short videos that is more popularly done in Facebook.

Corporate and organizational blogs

A blog that can be private. Usually used by companies as internal corporate blog to enhance communication and employee engagement in a corporation.

Aggregated blogs

Indiviuals or organization may select feeds on specific topic, product or services that allow readers to concentrate on reading instead of searching for quality.

Conclusion

Blogging is more of giving information to people without the hassle of being too formal since it is more of like a diary writing available online.  It is more about telling your audience what you experienced in trying something out.  It is very significant especially for people who wants to try something but wants to know more about it.  It’s basically like a sneak preview.

Being a reliable blogger is very crucial in gaining readers. If you want to get serious about your blogging career, you must practice on getting better each day, especially in terms of improving your content.