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    graphic design templates stocklayouts Creative Graphic Design Templates

    Take a look at these creative templates for brochures, flyers, newsletters, stationery, postcards, ads, menus and posters for a variety of businesses. If you're faced with time limitations, budget constraints or simply need new creative ideas, let these designs do the work.

Home ArticlesCEREAL MOM?

Guide to Working at Home with Young Children, Toddlers, and Babies - A FREELANCE CEREAL MOM?

by Sharon Davis

I recently heard a woman say that being called a "work at home mom" was professionally demeaning. Being one myself, my initial reaction was to agree with her. "That's right, I'm a professional, I'm not just a bored housewife dabbling with a hobby here," I said to myself.

Upon reflection however, I came to realize that I disagree. Deeply.

 

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Working out of your home while caring for children makes for some unique (and comical) situations. If you can't have a sense of humor about these things, then maybe a field job is more your style.

But let's face it, just how professional can you be when much of your work is done with a toddler on your lap? And that is, after all, one of the great benefits of working at home; you can consult with clients wearing bunny slippers if you like. Who's to know? Sometimes we just need to keep things in perspective. I know that the work that I do is top quality, and I don't sweat what others think of my work environment.

But I do wonder how that woman deals with some of those little challenges that come with being a work-at-home parent.

For example, maybe she feels that going out of the house with soggy Cheerios stuck to her behind would be professionally demeaning. She must have found a way to avoid this. I should call her...

Not being able to locate a pen because they're all in use fishing Barbie clothes out of the toilet. This might be seen as unprofessional.

Or, while trying to convince a potential client how you would be the best choice if he's looking for quality, professional results your 2-year-old is proclaiming proudly, "I went poo-poo Mommy!" over and over.

I've known others who have tried to mask their true work environments using some creative metaphors. For example:
"As soon as my colleague completes his current assignment" really means..."As soon as my 5-year-old is done with his Mr. Potato Head CDRom"
"We'll be outsourcing the finishing work" really means..."My teenaged daughter will be earning her allowance by collating and stapling your reports"
"I have an urgent matter to attend to" really means..."My 3-year-old has been awfully quiet for the past few minutes and she was recently asking for a haircut"

Does this mean I should lock my kids in their rooms while I'm on the phone? While that can at times seem like a perfectly sensible idea, usually basic time management helps to avoid these situations. My view is that if a client thinks that the quality of my work will be less just because I have children, he can look elsewhere.

Maybe I'm shutting the door on some business, but I refuse to have my children feel that they come second. And I do, in fact, think of myself as a Mom first, and a business owner second. Besides, I think that the day is getting nearer that people really won't mind their projects delivered with a few soggy Cheerios on them.

--------------------------------
Sharon Davis is the Mother of two girls, the owner of 2Work-At-Home.Com and the Editor of the site's monthly ezine, America's Home. In her spare time she reminisces about what it was like to have spare time.



Articles from the ALL FREELANCE ARTICLES & RESOURCES BLOG Add to Technorati Favorites

How to Build a Strong Relationship with Your Customers - A Guide to Customer Relationships for Freelancers & Self EmployedOne of the best ways to run a good business as well as keep the clients which you currently have is to build a strong relationship with your clients. Everyone likes to feel appreciated and this is true for those who have a business relationship. The clients want to feel as if they matter to the business owner as they are part of the reason why the business is still in existence. There are a few ways for business owners to build a strong relationship with their customers as doing so will not only maintain their client base but possibly expand it as well through recommendations.

Mar 31

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SPOTLIGHT CONSULTANTS FROM OUR FREELANCE COMMUNITY

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    Billing Orchard Invoicing and Billing for Freelancers
Billing Orchard - Billing and Invoicing Software for Freelancers Billing Orchard's Invoicing for Freelancers

A complete, secure, online billing application that maintains hourly service billing, flat fee billing and recurring charges. Integration with Authorize.Net and other leading payment gateways provides hands-free recurring billing with a sophisticated CRM system.

Mar 26

Free Online Business Courses, Workshops, and Seminars for Freelancers

If you feel like you are just going through the motions, and that you have no idea whether or not you are running your business properly, then you will be happy to know that there are many free small business courses, workshops, and seminars online. Below you will find a large list of these free educational courses.

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Mar 25

MARKETING PLANS : List of Marketing Plan Tools, Utilities, Samples, Kits, and Software

A freelancer developing an effective marketing plan must have the right tools to foster success in business. The following list contains several links of marketing plan tools to produce a successful business.

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Mar 20

MARKETING PLANS : A Collection of Articles for How to Outline and Write a Marketing Plan for Freelancers Starting a Home Business or a Small Business

A solid, well-prepared marketing strategy is the foundation of success in business. The freelancer or any type of business owner must become informed on the development of an effective marketing plan. The following links will focus on marketing plan articles for the freelancer to have a successful business.

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Mar 18

BUSINESS PLANS: Business Plan Examples, Samples, Templates, Software and Tools

In any type of the business including those people that perform freelance work, the proper tools are necessary to become a success. The following links consist of selected online tools for the freelancer to develop an effective business plan.

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Mar 16

BUSINESS PLANS : A Collection of Articles for How to Outline and Write a Business Plan for Freelancers Starting a Small Business

Business plans are necessary in all types of businesses … and this also includes freelancers. Writing an effective business plan will help you plan out the success of your future business. Factors such as customer base, profit potential, as well as many other factors will be placed in this document. The business plan will help you, the freelancer, think through every aspect of your future successful business. We found the following business plan articles to be very helpful and we hope that you will find them to be useful too.

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Mar 11

Online Tools and Software for Task Lists and To Do Lists - Perfect for Freelancers & Self Employed Business Owners

A freelancer’s time is precious and he/she must follow precise tasks to maintain productive performance and income. The following link list will examine useful online tools that will keep the freelancer in a productive manner. The following list is a list of To-Do Lists and Task Management Lists tools and software.

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Category: Freelance Projects - Staying Organized - Time Management - Freelance Resources | Trackback | 1 Comment »

Mar 9

How to Invoice Your Customers Properly : A List of Online Guides on Invoicing for Freelancers

In a previous list, the freelancer was presented with a list of tools for creating invoices. The following links will present the manner and methods in which to develop a proper invoice for the freelancer of any business type. With the following helpful guides and tutorials, you as a consultant will understand the steps that you will need to take in order to invoice your customers properly.

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Category: Freelance Finances | Trackback | No Comments »

Mar 4

Invoicing & Billing Tools / Software for Freelancers Needing Help with Invoices

The Invoice is an important part of any type of business out there, including for the freelancer as well. The basic definition of an invoice is a detailed list of goods shipped or services rendered with an accounting of all costs included in the document. As a freelancer, we might not feel comfortable dealing with invoices or money in general. The links below offer a vast variety of online invoicing and billing tools for the freelancer in all business types.

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Category: Taxes - Freelance Finances - Staying Organized - Lists - Freelance Resources | Trackback | 1 Comment »

Feb 25

How to Defeat Writer’s Block - Tips & Hints to Overcome Writer’s Block

Helpful hints and tips to overcome the dreaded White Page Syndrome - There is probably nothing more dreadful and problematic for a writer than not being able to get going, being stuck on a menacingly white page. Many a time, one or more writing assignment make us feel like Jack Nicholson in “The Shining”; one step shy of freezing to death in a haunted hedge maze. Once the choke has started its nefarious effect, it becomes quicksand, drowning us further and further into an inability to come up with something to properly put down on paper.

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Category: Lists - Freelance Writing Tips | Trackback | 1 Comment »

Feb 19

Ways to Get More Customer Referrals for Your Freelance Business

In the world of freelance, customer referrals are everything. The amount of customer referrals will often determine how successful one’s business can really be. As word spreads quickly, having customers refer others to you and your services is a wonderful way of gaining new business and making more money. There are a few distinct ways to get more customer referrals for your business.

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Category: Client Relationships - Self Promotion - Client Referrals | Trackback | 3 Comments »


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  • Billing Orchard
  • Billing Orchard Invoicing and Billing for Freelancers
    Billing Orchard - Billing and Invoicing Software for Freelancers Billing Orchard's Invoicing for Freelancers

    A complete, secure, online billing application that maintains hourly service billing, flat fee billing and recurring charges. Integration with Authorize.Net and other leading payment gateways provides hands-free recurring billing with a sophisticated CRM system.

    Read more
  • Search for Online Schools with Distance Learning Classes Perfect for Freelancers
    Search for Online Schools with Distance Learning Classes Perfect for Freelancers
  • Free Trade Magazines
    TradePub - Free Trade Publications for Freelancers Free Trade Publications & Magazines

    Browse through our extensive list of free Business, Computer, Engineering and Trade magazines, white papers, downloads and podcasts to find the titles that best match your skills and interests; topics include management, marketing, operations, sales, & technology. Simply complete the application form and submit it. All are absolutely free to freelance professionals who qualify.

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  • SitePoint Web Design Business Kit for Freelancers
    SitePoint Web Design Business Kit for Freelancers SitePoint's Web Design Business Kit 2.0

    The followup to Brendan Sinclairs successful Web Design Business kit is a comprehensive look at all the business aspects of working as a web designer. It's thorough and has some excellent advice in it.




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