A few days ago I was talking to another mom about how she sometimes feels she is missing out on valuable time with her children by working outside of the home. She expressed her desire to run her own business where she could have her own hours and be able to spend more time with her family. I suggested starting an online business.
One of the wonderful things about the internet is that it allows people that have very little time, low start-up money, and minimal experience to start a business that might be unachievable in a traditional business setting.
With the rising costs of daycare and other costs associated with working outside of the home, more and more stay-at-home moms (SAHMs) are looking for ways to make an income while their kids are at school or napping. In my post, Make Money as a SAHM: 10 Awesome WAHM Opportunities, I wrote about some great online and offline opportunities that can bring in considerable income for SAHMs.
But making money on the internet via blogs, websites, and online businesses is not just for SAHMs. I know many working parents that also make extra money from these avenues as well. If you are enthusiastic, resourceful, talented, and somewhat business minded, you would do exceptionally well managing an online business.
SAHMs as Successful Business Owners
Most SAHMs are excellent candidates for managing a successful online business. To succeed you need the following characteristics:
- A huge level of discipline
- The capability to delegate authority well
- The talent to organize the daily tasks of business and household naturally
- The ability to utilize whatever time you have efficiently
How to Start and Online Business
Sometimes the hardest part of starting an online business is knowing where to start. Here are three things to consider before starting on your venture.
Know your End Product
Answer these questions before investing your time and energy into selling or creating anything. While visions change, having a clear idea what your goal is will help you to streamline your talents into the correct channel. Ask yourself:
- What will I sell?
- Is the product or service I am selling created by me or by someone else’s?
- Who do I want to sell to?
- Do I have the materials needed to create and/ sell my product?
- How am I going to get customers to your website?
Pick your Passion
Whether you create a blog, a product website, or another form of online business, make certain that your product or service is something that you love and are dedicated to. Running an online business can often be tiring, frustrating, and require a lot of commitment. When you first start an online business, you may find yourself spending a lot of time and energy with little to show for it. Make certain you love the product or service that you or selling or you will soon quit when the going gets tough.
Do your Research
A little comprehensive research on your product/service and your target market will help you better understand what works and what does not. Look at other online businesses and websites and speak to others who sell the same or similar products or services to save yourself some time. Remember: why reinvent the wheel.
How SAHMs Can Make Money Online
The following involve ways that moms can make money via online opportunities, especially blogging.
Product Review Websites and Blogs
Product review websites and blogs are a great way to gradually build income. Essentially you create a blog that focuses on reviewing particular types of products within a particular category. For example, if you know a lot about baby products you might want to start a baby product review site where you examine all the different baby-related products when they get released. You can make money via online advertising, guest posting, and paid sponsored reviews and posts.
Expert Websites and Blogs
The expert website is a great way to develop an ongoing and sustainable income stream with just a little work each day. With an expert site, you are writing about a specific topic that you are an expert or know a lot about. For example, if you have a communications degree you might want to start a blog about writing in an area or niche you are interested in. Or if you have great parenting advice you could start a “mommy blog” and ideas, tips, and advice to other parents.
Expert blogs often make money with the same methods as the review sites in addition to a much more powerful method known as your community readers manage most of the content and promotion of the site.
Online Sales
Blogs are an exceptional marketing network for countless online businesses. Whether you make your own products or sell via a direct sales company, websites and blogs are helpful tools in showcasing your products.
Here’s how it works, once you start your blog, begin to grow your community via customers, other bloggers, and other interested parties. Increase readership and customers by writing compelling content blog posts about 3-5 times a week. These blog posts can focus on:
- Educating your readers on the product
- Talking about your company, their mission, and what they do for the community
- Tips, important issues, and the lifestyle your product focuses on.
For example, if you sell a weight loss product, writing blog posts about healthy eating and exercise will bring more visitors to your site and encourage them to purchase your product.
Stay tuned tomorrow when I discuss more how to set up a website or blog and the importance of blogging for business.
This is going to help a lot of people who don’t know where to start. What a valuable resource.
The potential is limitless, isn’t it? Online is where we all are these days, so this is a great place to focus.
Liz Mays recently posted…PAPER TOWNS Movie in Theaters Now!
There are so many options too. I have never been into direct sales but someone who sells weight loss products or make-up could do really well with a website and a blog.
It’s so important to have a passion for whatever business you venture on. I love blogging so it was a natural fit.
Toughcookiemommy recently posted…Affordable Housing Community Coming To The Bronx #uhcgouverneurplaceapartments #Ad
It’s an amazing time in the world to be a stay at home mom – the opportunities for income are amazing!
Kristen from The Road to Domestication recently posted…Home Matters Linky Party #47
Online businesses are great, so many are in fear of doing it. I did it for a while but recently walked away from the business side of things as it got to be taking too much time from my family even if I was home. It is great though when you find the balance because as you say – low cost to start up and ability to be home.
I could stand to earn some extra money. It’s always good to see what kinds of options might be available out there to try.
I agree! Starting an online business may be the hardest part but it is very fulfilling once you’ve started! It pays well, too!