Work at Home Moms Articles – WAHM Articles

Do you have your WAHM-Articles button on your blog or website yet? That’s the best way to let your visitors know you’re an recognized expert in the WAHM community.

And you don’t have to link to our home page and make your audience dig to find your articles. You can go ahead and link right to your own articles in the directory, or your author’s profile. In fact, we prefer it if you do!

For this week, we have an extra reason for you to display your WAHM-Articles button proudly.

One of the questions I’m asked most often as a Virtual Assistant and online business owner, is how to effectively launch a WAHM website. Well, I’ve written a short report on how to do just that. And for this week, I’m giving it away for free to our authors who display our button on their websites or blogs.

So, put your button on, and leave a comment below with a link to where I can find it. If it’s there when I visit your link this week, I’ll send you a copy of the report, along with an bonus – 52 press release ideas to help you maintain the momentum you build during your launch.

So display your WA button proudly, and share your link below!

Summer’s here, and after the long winter we had in Calgary, I am SO ready to be outside instead of sitting here at my desk. In fact, by the time you read this, I’ll be nowhere NEAR my computer. Thank goodness for blog post scheduling!

However, I do still need to make money to pay for all this family fun.

This week starts the Saving Summer Giveaway where I’m giving away weekly prizes and tips to help keep your sales sizzling all summer long.

This week’s prize is one hour of article or press release submissions from WAHM-Articles.com .

You can enter the Giveaway right now and be eligible to WIN by filling out the form on the right hand side of this screen. This prize will be drawn on June 19. You’ll want to enter now so you don’t miss out. And if you don’t win this week, you’ll still be eligible to win one of the other fantastic prizes we have coming up!

So, this is what I LOVE about article and press release marketing.

When you write one article or one press release, then submit it to the popular directories, it can go viral and circulate around the Internet, busily promoting your business and getting you website traffic… while you’re on vacation or just taking the kiddos to the beach for the day!

Just writing 500 words one time can get you links and traffic and spread your news like crazy, and you don’t have to do anything. You can shut off your computer and starting enjoying summer just like me. Because if your article is good, and submitted to the right places, this marketing magic will happen all on its own!

Enter to win the Saving Summer Giveaway right now. Then go check out these article marketing specials I have going on too.

If you’re a WAHM-Articles member, I’ve just added a new bonus to your membership. You may now have a free listing in our WAHM Resource Directory.

To claim free directory listing, simply email the following information to [email protected]:

1. Your WAHM-Articles author name
2. Your Business Name
3. Your Website URL
4. Up to 2 categories of your choice
5. Up to 25 words describing your business.

Directory listings are posted first-come, first-served.

Platinum members receive higher placement and may have a banner along with their listing.

*Please note: WAHM Articles reserves the right to decline any ad. We advertise family-friendly sites only. If an ad is deemed to be inappropriate for our visitors, we will refund your payment immediately.

When you’re work-at-home-mom juggling naptimes and soccer schedules with running a business, it’s sometimes hard to think of yourself as the “expert” in any field. Most days, you’re just glad to get through without the house falling apart and making a sale or two.

In speaking with women who work from home, I’ve discovered that many of them don’t feel qualified to write articles to promote their businesses. They’ve been told that they need to present themselves as “the expert” in their articles… but they just don’t see themselves that way. So they give up on article marketing before they even really start.

I have a few ideas of why some women have problems identifying themselves as experts… Sometimes it’s because they know that, however much they know about their chosen field, there’s always someone who knows more. Sometimes it’s because they’ve gotten the idea that “nice girls” don’t brag about their accomplishments.

As for the information these women do know, they often wonder if anyone would care. Do any of those descriptions sound like you?

Here is my response to all those objections, and any others you might have…

Whatever it is you know about your chosen field, it can help someone else. And if it can help someone else, I believe it is your responsibility to share that information with people who need to hear it.

Writing articles and submitting them is one of the easiest ways I can think of to share what you know with others.

Maybe it would help if we used a word other than “expert”… or at least re-examined what an expert really is.

In the 4-Hour Workweek, author Tim Ferris describes being an expert as knowing a little more about your topic that the audience you’re trying to reach. You don’t have to know everything about your topic, just more than the person you’re explaining it to.

In the WAHM-Articles Forum, some of our members prefer to think of themselves as simply sharing information that can help someone else. I like that approach too.

You don’t need to be a guru in your chosen field. Whatever it is you know, that’s what you should write. You’ll be surprised to discover how much you have to offer.

When I first began working from home, I avoided that title. I thought it would belittle the work I did and that no one would take me seriously if I called myself a WAHM.

I also felt very alone, having to juggle a business, homeschooling the kids, doing the housework, looking after my husband (who was very ill at the time) and finding a few minutes for myself here and there.

Quite by accident, I stumbled across a work at home mom online community for women in my city, and my whole life changed.  As I looked through the posts, I discovered these women faced the same challenges I did, experienced the same frustrations. They knew exactly what my life was like because they were living it too. I wanted to be one of them! I immediately changed my perspective and started calling myself a work-at-home-mom.

However, I quickly learned that being identified as a WAHM would not always be a positive thing.

Very soon after I discovered this group of women, they put together a trade fair for all the work-at-home-women in our city. What an accomplishment for anyone, never mind women who were raising their kids while they ran businesses from home! The organizers were interviewed for a morning news show.

After asking these women about organizing the fair, their businesses, the group of women they worked with, and balancing a business with raising a family, the journalist (who was a mother) concluded the interview with, “Well, it must be nice to be able to stay home and eat chocolates all day.”¬† Obviously, she had a lot of preconceptions about work-at-home-moms that even this event couldn’t change.

Over at Blogging Moms Anonymous, someone has posed the same question as the title of this post does, and a few others that really made me think. If you have a chance, check out the post and look for my comments too. I left my name with my comment, but you’re welcome to post anonymously.

Yesterday, I shared an article by marketing expert Kathleen Gage about your important first step to setting up a profitable teleseminar, or teleconference.

Are you wondering what to do next? Here are 7 more steps from Kathleen to help get you on your way. If you want to know even more about running a successful and profitable teleseminar, be sure to pick up a copy of Kathleen’s free ebook too.¬† Here’s the link to get your own copy.

8 Steps to a Profitable Teleconference
By Kathleen Gage

Teleseminars are likely one of the most effective methods for promoting a product or service, building an opt-in subscriber list, increas credibility amd establish your expert status.

However, to achieve optimum results you must have your systems in place. It takes more than simply hosting a call to make this work.

Countless individuals have attempted teleseminars as a route to business success, yet failed miserably when they have attempted to make money from teleconferences. Often it is because they have not been trained in how to position the call, create enough of a market demand for what they are selling, there is no call to action, nor do they have a solid follow-up plan.

With the right vision, planning and action steps, you can do extremely well with teleconferences. Here are a few of the steps involved in successful teleseminars.

1. Decide on the purpose and topic of the call. Is it to inform, educate, motivate, inspire or promote?

A simple way to determine the topic (and purpose) of the call is to address a problem your market needs a solution to. Ask your market using an online survey or even by sending a fax or letter to a portion of your market to receive great input.

2. Pick a suitable date and time based on your market. For some markets, daytime works best. For others, evenings. Find a time that works best for your audience.

3. Secure a bridge line. A bridge line enables callers to dial a single phone number and hear each other as if they were in the same room. There are numerous services available ranging from free to very high fee. I use Instant Teleseminars for my primary service.

4. Market the session. How you do this will be determined on whether or not the call is open to the public or only a select group of your current clients are invited.

5. Host the call.

6. Develop support materials. You may want to consider providing a handout or learning guide for the call. This allows listeners to easily follow along, write down points that are especially important to them and refer back to the notes long after the call is over.

Additionally, you can use the learning guide as a promotion piece for other products and services you have available.

7. Record the session. There are software programs available that allow you to record from your phone and computer. Some experts prefer this method while others prefer to outsource all the recording, editing and distribution of the audio file and call transcripts.

8. Follow-up. After the call you should have a definite plan of when and how you will follow-up with those who were on the call and those who were unable to make it. If you are selling a product or service, sales are often made hours, or even days, after the call is over.

Access your FREE report, The Truth About Making Money with Teleseminars here.

To celebrate the launch of WAHM Articles’ book, Saving Christmas, The Saving Christmas Giveaway is starting in just a few short days! November 17, to be exact. We’re drawing one prize a day… for as long as our prizes last.

And we have some wonderful prizes to share with you. More will be added every day, so keep checking back to see what’s new.

They’re listed below, in no particular order. Prizes will be drawn randomly, so no guarantees as to what you’ll win on any given day.

Here’s how to enter the Saving Christmas Giveaway:

1. Send an email to me at [email protected]

3. The subject of your email needs to be Saving Christmas Giveaway

4. In your email, just send me your name and the country in which you live.

5. If I draw your name for a prize, I will email you at the address you emailed me from, so please use one that you frequently check. You’ll have three days to claim your prize, or it goes to someone else.

Now, here are the great prizes you can win! We have more coming in, so come back often to check. Also, if you’re interested in donating a prize, there’s still time! You can email me here.

Prize #1. Featured Advertiser on Work At Home Space (this prize has been WON!)

One month Featured Ad displayed on the homepage of Work At Home Space. It has a maximum of 300 words and you can include a banner. Banner preference 468×60 or less, or 125×125.

Value $30

Donated by Work At Home Space
http://www.WorkAtHomeSpace.com

Prize #2. 1 month advertising front page of Faithful Grannies (This prize has been WON!)
“Christian Work From Home Moms and Grandparents”

Donated by Faithful Grannies
http://www.faithfulgrannies.com

Prize #3. Paperback copy of A Christmas Present for Goliath

Recommended for ages 4-7, this illustrated, 30 page book tells the story of Jesus’ birth from a delightful new perspective.

Value: $9.95

Donated by Ruth Willms
http://www.RuthWillms.com

Prize #4. 1 month advertising front page of WAHM Choices
“Work at Home Moms Choices”

Donated by Work at Home Moms Choices
http://www.wahmchoices.com

Prize #5. 2 hours of PR services from Diana Ennen of Virtual Word Publishing (This prize has been WON!)

Value $180 ($90 per hour)

Donated by Diana Ennen of Virtual Word Publishing
http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com

Prize #6. 1 month advertising front page of Work At Home Divas Online (This prize has been WON!)

Donated by Work at Home Divas Online
www.workathomedivasonline.com

Prize #7. Scentsy Candle Bar and Car Candle

Value $8

Donated by Scentsy, IncomeWax.com
http://www.IncomeWax.com

Prize #8. 1 month advertising front page of CWAHGrandparents

Donated by Christian Work At Home Grandparents
www.CWAHGrandparents.com

Prize #9. Printable Inspirational Cards (This prize has been WON!)

Value $10

Donated by Anne Goodrich
http://www.goodrichdesign.net and http://www.pearlsandgrace.net

Prize #10. 3-month membership to DealingWithLearningDisorders.com (This prize has been WON!)

Value $44.91

Donated by DealingWithLearningDisorders.com
http://www.dealingwithlearningdisorders.com

Prize #11. 20 page ebook (This prize has been WON!)
Custom, ghostwritten ebook on any topic (except adult content)

Value $400

Donated by Tina McAllister, Ghostwriter
http://tinamcallister.com

Prize #12.  Web Design Services from Designed by Lara (This prize has been WON!)

1 custom basic blog design for WordPress or Blogger. Design comes with simple signature, one 80×15 blog button and 3 credits towards image purchase from istock. Note: Prize is subject to designers schedule and our policies.

Value $125

Donated by Lara Velez of Designed by Lara
http://www.designedbylara.com

Prize #13. Family Coaching from Judy H. Wright aka Auntie Artichoke (This prize has been WON!)

I am a family coach and author and I will donate 45 minutes of family coaching on the phone. This also includes 2 or 3 follow up emails.

Perhaps your family needs some guidance in teaching children responsibility, or blended families, or whatever. You choose.

Value $100

Donated by Judy H. Wright aka Auntie Artichoke
http://www.ArtichokePress.com

Prize #14. Spring Jumpstart from Connie Ragen Green (This prize has been WON!)

6 part Spring Jumpstart teleseminar course with Action Guides

Value $197

Donated by Connie Ragen Green
www.EbookWritingandMarketingSecrets.com

Prize #15. Featured Advertiser at Work at Home Jobs

Tammy is giving away one month of Featured Advertiser on the front page of:

Work At Home Jobs

This will be a full featured ad with your button or banner that will link straight to your website.

Value $30

Donated by Tammy Embrich of One Stop Web Employment.com
http://www.onestopwebemployment.com

Prize #16. One month advertising space on From Dominique’s Desk

Value $10

Donated by Dominique Goh
http://dominiquegoh.com/

Prize #17. Gourmet Votives (scents vary)

4 fabulous, aromatic Gourmet Votives made from a proprietary natural wax blend.

Value $15

Donated by Scent-Sations Inc.
http://www.mommamia.scent-team.com/

Prize#18.$10 gift certificate from Bishop’s Corner Web

MUST place order by email to [email protected]. Gift cards cannot be combined.

Value $10

Donated by Bishop’s Corner Web
http://bishopscornerweb.com

Prize #19 Free Month Featured Sites Text Ad from Mommy’s Helper Online

One 3 – 4 word text ad to be displayed on our home page for 30 days.

Value $30

Donated by: http://www.MommysHelperOnline.com

Prize #20 Free Copy of Kickstart Your Online Business from Mommy’s Helper Online

YES! You Can Earn a Decent Living Online With Your Website! And Here’s The Good News … It Doesn’t Need to Be That Hard!¬† Let me show you exactly how I do it!¬† Includes a free 14 Day eCourse & ebook – 20 Surefire Techniques to Insure Your Website Explodes!

Value $9.99

Donated by http://www.mommyshelperonline.com/kickstart.html

Prize #21 Free Copy of Exposed – 36 Secrets to Building a Spectacular List from Mommy’s Helper Online

Most people get list building wrong, dead wrong. They either don’t know how to get subscribers to their lists in the first place, or they don’t know how to keep them when they’ve already got them!¬† In this ebook, I show you many ways you can instantly start adding tons of subscribers to your lists!

Value $9.99

Donated by http://www.mommyshelperonline.com/list-building-secrets.html

WAHM Articles is celebrating our new book with a Christmas giveaway, and I’d love to help you get some more exposure for your business this season.

I’m looking for prizes to add to our draw, which begins November 17.

Any product or service that would appeal to moms is a good fit for this giveaway.

If you have a product or service you would like to promote this season, let me know and we’ll include it! You can email me at [email protected]

And be sure to read about the other exciting things we have to celebrate Saving Christmas. Let’s make the best Christmas ever!

I’ve been away from this blog for far too long! But I promise, I have good reason.

I’ve been putting together the first e-book published by WAHM Articles, Saving Christmas. If you’re looking for a stress-free, money-free, back-to-the-basics Christmas this year, you need this book! It comes with $100 in bonuses you can share with your family and friends too! Here’s the link to more information, and how to purchase.

A few days ago, Jill Hart from CWAHM interviewed me about the book and WAHM Articles. You can listen to the interview right here!

This afternoon I received one of those emails I’m going to hang onto for a long time. I might even print it out and post it beside my computer, just as a reminder.

It was a note to congratulate me on being a recipient of the VAccolade Business Entrepreneur Award from the Virtual Assistant Networking Association (VANA). You can read the blog post announcing my award here

This award is a huge honor for me. VANetworking is the place where I first asked all my stupid newbie questions when I began working online four years ago. Oh wait… according to VANetworking founder Tawnya Sutherland, the only stupid question is the one you don’t ask when you have the opportunity to do so.

Well, good. At least I didn’t make THAT mistake!

So thank you to EVERYONE at VANetworking for all of your support and help, and for counting me as one of your own.