Being a work at home mom isn't for everyone. But, if you're going to do it, you're going to have to take a few steps to make sure that you do it well. Below are some work at home tips that work well for me.
Create an office space. You might think that working at home means you can sit with your laptop o your couch in front of the television. That might work for some, but for most of us, work has to be separated from the rest of life's events. Even if you don't have a separate room for your office, try to make an area in your house that is devoted just to your work.
Set a schedule. One of the great things about working at home is that you get to set your own schedule. You need to take that schedule seriously if you expect others to take it seriously. After all, if you don't respect your work time, why would anyone else?
Break your work down into manageable time slots. Recognize that part of working at home means you have to do it all. You'll be the accountant, the public relations and even the labor force. Don't forget to schedule time slots for all of these functions. Whether you do a bit every day or have specific days for each function, scheduling them in time chunks means that you can get into a routine, which leads to better performance and higher levels of organization.
Work at Home Tips
Is Google Looking in Your Window?
I've heard rumors that Google is stepping up their game again. They've been trying to drill it home that they are looking for quality content, while writers have been trying to learn how Google defines quality content. How does Google know if you're an expert in your field? As far as I can tell, they know the same way your friends do.
Imagine if Google could look in your window. Would your life show them that you're an expert in your field? For instance, if you run a daycare, it's obvious that you're an expert in your field if you maintain an educational atmosphere and are on a constant search to step up your game. People come to you with questions about child rearing and preschool education. You fairly breathe daycare language. You are an expert in your field.
Well, Google IS looking in your window (figuratively at least). It seems that what they're looking for now is social media optimization (SMO). What you do in Facebook and Twitter have an impact on how Google views you. So, those who write daycare articles but only post in Twitter and FB about their late night drinking crusades, well let's just say that if they ever saw the first page rankings before, they won't be there for long.
I'm not a math person. I'm not one of those search engine marketing experts who can sit down and tell you exactly how many of which keywords you need to use to get consistent page views. I write for several companies and they all have their own formula. I'm a writer. That's what I do. I try to keep my name on things that are relevant to me in real life. I will naturally have some leverage with Google using SMO because of the way I live. But, I'm going to have to step up my game when it comes to getting the numbers right.
For that reason, I'm considering hiring a search engine marketing firm. Writing is my speciality and search engine marketing is their specialty. If I hire a firm like this, I can focus on the things I'm good at and they can help me let the rest of the world know that I am the expert in my field. When it comes to being an online success, you have to create an online presence. Word of mouth is still the best advertisement. But, times have changed. You don't call your neighbor for advice anymore. You ask your Facebook friends. Social media marketing is the window that Google looks through to judge your level of expertise.
Jerry Foust Speaks Out about Education
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| Jerry's Kid Side |
KF(Kathy Foust): You've used your degrees in a somewhat nontraditional manner. What degrees do you hold?
JF(Jerry Foust): "Bachelor's in Music Education (all grades) from Butler University; Master's in Postsecondary Educational Leadership from San Diego State University. Currently finishing a second Master's in Music Education at Stephen F. Austin State University."
KF: You do quite a bit of work with children. Recent changes within the educational system have limited the involvement of the arts in public schools. How do you think this is going to impact future generations of students and educators?
JF: "California's education system was always the model for the world, but now very few schools have formal arts programs. As a music educator, I feel very strongly that music is its own individual, unique intelligence. And that kids (and adults, for that matter) get something out of music - performing, listening, understanding - that they can't get anywhere else. It makes me sad that, even though the Arts are considered a core subject in No Child Left Behind, music and the Arts continue to get short-changed.
In my current position, we serve about 1,500 kids a year with outreach programs. They get to come - some of them for the very first time - to our theater and see our professional shows. We see them fall in love with music and theatre and dance and technical theatre arts for the first time. It's pretty powerful."
KF: Since you do often work closely with children, you're able to see how music might influence them. What are the benefits that children might take away from their experience in your programs or from music in education in general?
One of the things I've learned in my old age is that there has to be joy in making music. That's why I love my men's vocal ensemble. Every Sunday night, we come together to rehearse, and we have so much fun and work so collaboratively that the concerts we do seem secondary. I as the conductor have created an atmosphere where the process of music-making is as important as the product. And I have people who come BACK to music after years or decades away from it.
So I guess I would hope people choosing this path would do it for the right reasons. Those who do it for the right reasons create lifelong musicians, and are able to advocate for music in a way that trophies and competitions and forced private lessons can't."