WAHM Writer Wednesday: Interview with Arlene Pellicane of Losing Weight After Baby
With Christmas holidays (and Christmas calories) just around the corner, this interview is especially timely.
If you’re anything like me, you may have had a hard time losing weight after having a baby, and keeping it off. Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Arlene Pellicane of Losing Weight After Baby. She is a true inspiration to moms who struggle to lose weight successfully after baby.
Enjoy!
WAHM-Articles: Hi Arlene, and welcome to the WAHM-Articles Blog. First of all, can you tell us about your business?
Arlene Pellicane: In 2006, a dream was born to write a book about losing weight after baby. I had experienced 3 back to back pregnancies and friends were asking me what I had done to lose the weight successfully each time. Producing the book has been my main priority and all the marketing that goes along with that. The heart of my business is to impact and encourage moms with the simple message, “You can do it!”
W-A: How does your business help moms?
Arlene: Many moms have given up on working towards losing their pregnancy weight or they need some practice advice to get started. My business is designed to come alongside that mom and fan the flames of motivation. My writing style is very action-oriented. I don’t want to produce another book that’s read but doesn’t make a real connection or cause some kind of life change. I help moms put systems in place to ensure their success.
W-A: You’re writing a new book, Losing Weight After Baby: 31 Days to a New You. What can you tell us about it?
Arlene: My book is unique because it’s written in 31 daily readings that any busy mom can read. Each day ends with an action step. It’s the opposite of a fad diet book. It’s about making small incremental changes you keep for life. I encourage moms to read it with another mom for accountability and have their own biggest loser contest for 31 days.
I had different moms read my manuscript and was especially happy when my friend who is a mother of 4 young children was able to read the book in 31 days. You can probably guess where, the bathroom!
W-A: Every new online business owner struggles to get traffic to her site. You just launched your website, www.losingweightafterbaby.com in October. What have you done to promote traffic to your site?
Arlene: Launching the site was an eye-opener. Like many, I figured having a great looking, content rich site would bring the masses. After blitzing my database, I thought the hits would skyrocket and then spread like a virus. But in reality, a few dozen of my friends looked at it and that was that. So I learned about article marketing and bought Judy Cullins’ ebook which
helped me tremendously. She advised to regularly hand submit articles to top websites so that’s become a part of my day-to-day activities along with starting a blog, setting up a profile on Facebook, and podcasting.
W-A: How have you used a podcast to market your business?
Arlene: My podcast, “Losing Weight After Baby” has been very effective in marketing my business especially on iTunes. My husband submitted our podcast to several podcast directories. Our subscriber base has tripled since we started the podcast a mere 14 weeks ago. These moms are getting to know me and will be great promoters of my book and other services someday.
W-A: How has writing and submitting articles helped your business?
Arlene: Exposure, exposure, exposure! Writing articles puts you in front of the public. The more you submit, the more you are perceived as an expert in your field. That credibility is worth gold.
It’s also been very encouraging. Sometimes you lack feedback in your home business and you feel like you’re just spinning your wheels. When I look at article stats and see that someone is actually reading my work, I am thrilled! And when I see my articles on websites I didn’t submit to, I know others are picking up my work and that’s gratifying.
W-A: You have a toddler and infant. What do you do to stay motivated when you’re stuck under a pile of laundry, dishes and to-dos?
Arlene: I go back to the basics and remember why I started “Losing Weight After Baby” in the first place. To reach moms with a message of hope.
Speaker and CEO of Buffini & Co, Brian Buffini, says we grossly overestimate what we can accomplish in one year and underestimate what we can do in ten. I find that very motivating and go back to that idea over and over again.
W-A: Do you have any words of wisdom to share with someone who’s thinking about working from home too?
Arlene:
1. Make a daily work schedule. It won’t be set in stone, but have some routines you and your kids can rely on.
2. Exercise regularly and eat smart. When you’re running on good fuel and fit, you can produce a lot more.
3. Focus on the task at hand. When you’re with your kids, don’t be thinking of work and vice versa.
W-A: Thank you for taking the time to visit us Arlene. I wish you the very best of success in your business.
You can learn more by reading Arlene’s articles at WAHM-Articles.com or by visiting Arlene’s website .
