Dear Yasmeen:
Unfortunately, there is no "correct" answer to give you. It takes
drive and determination to make a home-based business a reality. One of the
things that I have found is that by working full time, you are
"allowing" yourself to not put in the hours necessary for marketing
yourself and your business...since you have an income to fall back on. Can you
cut down? Whereby forcing yourself to make the business a reality?
For marketing, I always advice to look in front of your nose before trying
to go national on the internet. I started by volunteering to do a church
website in my area. From there, I did a web design for my husband through his
job at the University. That led to two other contracts for designs within his
department with more waiting in the wings. Do some volunteering for local
organizations, be seen and heard within your chamber of commerce or other
local groups. Time and time again I hear that word of mouth is the best
advertising around!
For more information, check out www.Staffcentrix.com. This is an
organization specifically for Virtual Assistants. The really nice thing about
Sx is that they have a referral network, giving you the opportunity to bid on
jobs that come directly from the people looking for VA's! Not only that, they
have a very active member's only listserve ... others in the same
"boat" as you, sharing ideas and information and occasionally
clients!
If you want more information on marketing yourself on the web, check out
"Guerilla Marketing for Home-Based Business" or Marcia Yudkin's
great books (www.yudkin.com). Best to you,
About the PowerHomeBiz.com Guide:
Tammy Harrison is a successful
home-based working mom for over five years. She holds a degree from Mizzou in
Consumer Economics. Her business focuses on Marketing and Creativity for
Small Businesses as well as numerous other small
businesses. For more information, you may contact her at