Introduction

The ABC's for

Work at Home Parents 

Why am I writing this? 

By: Amber Whitener

Rewriting Began - May 11, 2015
Version 3.0 in blog form @ abcbook.darkbluesun.com (If a post has been updated to my 3.0, it will be noted.)

What You'll Find Here: I must begin this interactive ebook/blog with a little disclaimer. I can make you no promise of money or success by reading this ebook. My objective is to write a how-to that is simplified and up-to-date for anyone who is investing any time or money into the options available to make money online. The internet business world changes all the time, so much changes so fast. The good part about this is that you have many opportunities to dive in. However, if you get nothing more from this book than the following sentence I will feel good about my contribution to your journey. Be skeptical until you know everything.

Credit Where It Is Due: These are my words, my hours, and my advise. If you want to share it, I only ask that you give credit where it due. The information shared in these entries are not to be copied and sold for profit or distributed for any other personal gain. This information is real, honest, and free provided to get you on your individual path to your online career potential. I am not a career advisor, I have just known so many brilliant people online who deserve a chance to share their ability to grow a better global business network. It has to be done one person at a time. There is no one business plan that fits all.

Q: Why do I care?

A: Because I am just like you. 

More On That: If I had been skeptical myself, I would likely not have made nearly as many mistakes as I have and would be much further than I am seven years into the "work at home" life. I have worked with lots of Virtual Assistants, both local and across the globe and the rules remain the same... Anyone can post testimonials online and post someone's picture next to it or post screenshots of their work in some e-folio somewhere. However, the proof is in the pudding. And in the virtual world, the pudding is live references and backlinks to and from great content.  

This has been written with the intent of educating stay at home moms and dads about real virtual business. There are way too many scammers and ponzi schemers on a feeding frenzy of the naive and inexperienced. They promise to sell you their “secrets” or stocked warehouses of "stuff" so you can start your own business and make money without having to have any prior experience doing whatever it is they are trying to push you into doing. But here’s the thing, the only people making all this "easy money" are the criminals pushing the schemes. Just because someone can afford to have a television commercial broadcast or a pretty website developed, does not mean they are a legitimate business.

A is for Analysis

You know what you are good at right? The following is a list of occupations that are easily integrated into an online business service. If you aren't on this list, oh well, there are millions of specialties that aren't here right? These are just general occupations. What are you good at and what will you be able to master?

You have something to offer the world. It might be in business, politics, media, or something for the private population. Whatever your calling is, you can use find a way to accomplish it while working at home.

Research Work You Could Do at Home

"Start with what you know."

Online Jobs	Ideas to Try or Places to Start
Administrative (Secretarial) Work	Look into virtual assisting.
Bookkeeping	Look into virtual assisting.
Cooking or Baking	Create some awesome YouTube Videos or Setup a website making your products available for purchase or write a recipe book/ebook?
Criminal Justice	Embrace the internet, it is now your new best friend… online investigation could be your new six figure job.
Data Entry	Test your touch-typing skills, get as fast as you can, then market your skills on places like our skills are needed.
Freelance Writing	* There is work for you everywhere: Advertising, Copy writing, Fiction Writing & Editing, Ghostwriting…
Fashion Designing	Start designing and start scanning and build an online portfolio. Get a sewing machine, create your masterpieces and show them off in a video etc.
Graphic Designing
Legal
Marketing	* Online marketing (social media and pay per click ads are still) opportunities are endless.
Photography	Sell your high quality photos to istockphoto or on your own site.
Physician or Medical Services	Look into working for/with companies like: Ringadoc, American Well, Teladoc, and iSelectMD, NowClinic and Soliant Health recruits offsite physician consultants for tele-visits here: Telemedicine Physician Jobs - Immediate Need!.
Programming	There is a HUGE market for app programmers right now. Look on Craig's list first if you want a local business to work for you may get very lucky. You can also check out Hire iOS Developer and find iOS Development jobs on Elance.
Project Management
Research of any type	Ancestry, People Finding, Background Checks, Market Analysis
Social Networking	Learn everything you can about Social Networks like Facebook, instagram, Twitter and even Vine. Find out what the kids are using, and start using it!
Social Services & Counseling	*
Technical Assistant	Become an assistant for daily or weekly technical jobs - you could be a BIG timesaver for many busy professionals. (Look on)
Web Designing	Look on Craig's list or go to local startup businesses and offer your expertise. (Take classes, constantly learn, and develop your skills.)
Teaching or Tutoring	Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, High School, College, Grad School, & Career Classes can be held on skype, Facetime, via video. . . YouTube is the oldest and probably still the best place for video content uploading.
Technical Support for End-Users	Write white papers, provide solutions via email, blog posts, or chat. Ask for screenshots, or utilize a screensharing program!
Therapy and Advice	Have a great website built for you or look into something like Dear Abby and see how they've set up their advice column. . .

In AllYou Magazine, there was an article called "Online Jobs That Really Pay - AllYou.com" that mentions online reseller, translator, and more. They have a great section for virtual assistants that include: As you can see, the possibilities for earning money from home are increasing all the time.

Create Plan A

Choosing to leave a traditional job and be stay at home parent is not an easy decision to make. However, once you've made the decision, it doesn't have to be a decision to stop growing professionally.

Time will not stand still while you are at home with your children.

If your choice to be a work at homer does not mean "forever" then make your business plan include your goal to rejoin the workforce if and when you desire to do so.

It is time to write up a business plan. You can use the U.S. Small Business Administration website tool to build your business plan. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. There are two mistakes you must avoid when creating a business plan. (1. Spending too little time creating a plan and 2.Spending too much time creating a plan)

Leave enough room for change and when you create enough limitation to see progress.

Connect with Others Like You

Start blogging, setup a website, or even just an online social network profile to keep track of your research and to build an audience. Find other people who have ventured into your area of interest and network with them. Remember to stay in touch with them.

Do your very best to keep the conversation going.

While you are planning and researching, be smart and keep your credit card in your wallet.

Do not quickly begin racking up debt for software, services, and fancy home office products you may never need.

Do NOT work for free. Companies like internet girl friday can be a good place to begin. However, I don't know if it is still true, but when I worked for this company years ago I did a lot of work that I was not reimbursed for

Require a fair deposit on work done or services rendered. 

Use your time wisely. Do NOT sit in front of the computer all day for two to three weeks straight researching your online business plan. (Those red, foggy eyes are not attractive on anyone.) You have to give your self a well balanced diet of research, rest, and play time. Which leads me to my next post. . .