A Few Minutes For Your Body and Mind Series: Yoga Breathing By @Justine_Simard

By Justine Simard – Hire My Mum Personal Development Specialist

Have you ever given up on an activity such as meditation or yoga because you don't have the time? For busy work at home mums, taking an hour to do meditation, pilates, yoga, relaxation techniques or mind training is often a luxury that we simply cannot afford to do on a daily basis. Have you ever considered doing some of these exercises daily but only for a FEW MINUTES? You would be surprised at the new flow of energy and mind power that can result from just those few minutes of self-awareness, meditation, relaxation or mind coaching.

The life of work at home mums is filled with schedules, stress, noise, demands, multi-tasking, physical work, travel and altruism. How often do you actually channel back into yourself, become aware of your body and mind, and create new energy which comes out from within? Personally, the only way I used to become aware of my body was when it was aching, and creating new energy meant drinking more coffee! I have however been trialling a few different methods and have discovered that not only I can use some techniques in just a few minutes every day, but they also create instant results in reducing stress, increasing energy levels, focusing my mind, empowering my spirit, and improving my mood. That sounds good doesn't it?

Read the full story A Few Minutes For Your Body and Mind Series: Yoga Breathing

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What you Need and Getting Started as a VA! By @DawsonsDocuments

By Erin Dawson of Dawson’s Documents – Hire My Mums VA Specialist

Ok, so you want to be a Virtual Assistant (VA) but that’s as far as you have gotten so far?

Read on and this may assist you in starting your business and completing those next couple of vital steps.

When I started out with Dawson Documents, I was so overwhelmed with what I needed to do, to actually start working. Before I even thought about a client or completing work, there was so much more I had to do.

Research plays an important part in starting any Business. You need to be aware of what else is out there, exactly what they are offering, why they are offering it and what they are doing to get themselves known. You will need to know all of this and be clear with what YOU want to offer and what YOU want to achieve from your own Business. Google (www.google.com.au) of course is the number 1 search engine, so start searching. After doing your research you will find that some say the Virtual Assistant industry has become so popular because it helps women become entrepreneurs yet also achieves a work/life balance. This is just one reason I became a VA.

You have completed your research and you have your Business name, now what?

Read What you Need and Getting Started as a VA! the full story.

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Preparing for the job interview: by @lindaenever

Preparing yourself for the job interview is a skill itself and one that many candidates over look when searching for that new role.

Often it is easy to dismiss the importance of the interview and the impression you make as you walk through the door, interact with people within the office, how you stand or sit and the research you have done beforehand.

When returning to the workforce as a Mum it can often be daunting and scary to face the interview process so here are a few hints to make sure you have your toolkit with you:

Research:

Commonly overlooked good research and knowledge can often rank you hire than skills and know how. Research the company/agency you are interviewing with. If it is an agency find out what roles they specialise in, the clients they work with and how long they have been in the business. It not only shows you are interested in the job but in the recruiter as well

Research and the ability to call on it in the view not only gives you confidence it shows that want to become part of their team and organisation and that the role is important to you.

Have your documents ready. Take a copy of your CV or Resume. Make sure it is clear, detailed and up to date; include copies of your qualifications and a portfolio of work is also important if you have one. Presentation is important so make sure your documents are in excellent condition and you have a copy to leave with the interviewer if required.

 Dress for the interview …Read the full article Preparing for the job interview

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Ever fancied yourself as a virtual property developer?

I recently went down to my local printers with a copy of the Learn How to Build and Sell Niche Blogs ebook (kindly donated to me by author Michelle Adams) on my USB stick as it is 203 pages and I wasn't printing it at home. So while I was at it I got a nice folder for it too, turns out it was a good choice.

When I was at the Ed Dale 30DC Home conference in February I met Michelle and was very excited about it because I had already been successful at selling 4 websites in the fashion that she teaches. Keep in mind that I have been building websites for at least 3 to 4 years now. So when I came across Michelle's book I was very keen to read it as I knew it was going to be something that the BiziMums readers could really benefit from. So here is my review, whilst I consider Michelle a friend these days (even though we've really only known each other for about 2 months) this review is impartial and I do tell you what I think of each module.

Learn How to Build & Sell Niche Blogs

By Michelle Adams - VRedVoice.com

The book is set out in 6 modules that are all very logical and extremely comprehensive. They are based on a real life example from go to whoa ... the only thing we don't find out in the end is how much she sold the example site for ! :)

Module 1
This module covered keyword and market research, the thing about online research is that there are so many factors to take into account and every guru has their own style of teaching it. Whilst I thought it was a little light on for explanation for a total newbie, it was still very thorough. Given that there are mountains of information about market research freely available in the internet it was probably a good idea to not bog down in it. After all the main purpose is to get you building and selling your niche blog site in the shortest amount of time possible. But I will say the way Michelle taught it was even an eye opener to me, extremely simple and intuitive.

The module moves onto content creation, I have to admit I learnt something here and didn't expect to find a section on Human ReWriter in a book like this.

Module 2
In this module Michelle covers how to set up your hosting accounts the right way ... you can take this advice or ignore it, you will still be able to do this type of business, but my personal experience has been that you are better off doing it properly from the start, it just makes everything else flow more smoothly. While the example uses Hostgator as the recommended host, you already know I use and recommend JustHost, they offer the same services, are cheaper and charge in Aussie dollars.

The next stage covered is the fun part where you install WordPress and start to see your business project come to life. Surprisingly in this module topics like permalinks structures are covered, normally they are confusing for a newbie but Michelle's simple description and imagery throughout the example case make this a non event for a newbie builder.

Module 3
I picked up some great tips and have made a mountains of notes by this stage and I was only up to about page 40!

Some new tools are introduced throughout the book and in this module Colorzilla is introduced, this tip alone will save me loads of work when I am making graphics or building websites. I usually take a screenshot and drop it into Photoshop then work out the colours etc, but this tool allows you to do that straight on any webpage. Especially useful in Michelle's methods of teaching as she covers extensively the way she themes a site to be the most aesthetically appealing.

Another tool introduced is one I use all the time FireBug, I will just quickly make one point and that is Michelle makes the assumption you are using FireFox and I would heartily agree that if you aren't using it you should be, I use Flock a version of FireFox, this tool is useful whether you are planning to sell your site or not.

By this point I am thinking that this book is amazing with the detail even if you aren't planning to build and sell niche blogs, if you just want to build a blog for your own use it will seriously help you.

This module focuses on one particular theme template, if you have any experience in building WordPress sites then you could easily adapt this information to your own personal favourite themes. The depth of detail related to how to customise colour schemes is quite impressive. A tutorial us given for another new tool I had never used before and will suit anyone with limited knowledge of graphics and doesn't own a copy of the popular but expensive Photoshop. Very quick and easily you will learn to create a customised header image for your new niche blog.

The details could be mistaken as being overwhelming but it is actually a very simply step by step explanation all the way throughout this book.

Module 4
Show me the money ... as you can gather this part of the book is about monetization and how to place banner ads and to find secondary digital products to add to your money making plans. At this point I am impressed with the theme used in the example, I have never used WooThemes before and it looks easy to use. I personally have a favourite set of themes by Studio Press.

The addition of an Amazon aStore is covered in detail and adds another level of monetization and service to the potential buyer.

Module 5
Probably the most exciting part of the process, the sale. In this module the sales process is explained, this is also the most nerve racking part since each sale is like an eBay auction where you get to watch the price go up. Michelle discusses strategies such as hold and develop or go straight to market for sale, for those choosing to sell immediately, it is discussed how to optimise your sales information for achieving the best possible result.

There are plenty of strategies for managing bids and bidders questions throughout the auction process, as well as managing the payment process and how to ensure you get your money quickly.

Module 6
Probably the scariest part is the handover or site transfer. If you follow the book to the letter up to this point you will be in the best position to have an easy handover. This is the most technical part of the book but is very well illustrated. Obviously with different levels of experience the difficulty will vary but for most people this will be an exciting learning curve especially with the guidance of this book.

In Summary
If I had written this book I would be very proud of myself, of course there are things I would have written differently but that is just because there are many ways to 'skin the proverbial cat' and as someone who has had success building and selling websites I think Michelle's strategy/method is excellent particularly for the novice.

I am also very excited as I have probably mentioned a few times now, because I know there are so many BiziMums who are going to really benefit from this book. At the modest investment in your education of $57.00 you will have no trouble starting a work from home business like I have done.

Oh I nearly forgot two important bonuses, the first being that included in this price for a short time is the free access to the VRed Vault, a private forum dedicated to providing support to all owners of the Learn How to Build & Sell Niche Blogs eBook. And the other bonus is a 60 day 100% money back guarantee … but I know you won’t need that!

You can obtain the Learn How to Build & Sell Niche Blogs eBook here.

Please leave a comment as I would really like to hear your thoughts on virtual property development.

Cheers

Please Note: This review does contain affiliate links as I am an affiliate marketer, so if you feel that any of the services mentioned would benefit you and you choose to purchase those services then I will receive a commission. However, the content within is not based on those referrals and I encourage you to seek non affiliate links if you feel so inclined rather than miss out on this valuable product

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Fortune Cookies

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Time Management for WAH Single Mothers (Or, Have You Got A Genie?) by @ruddygood

By Tracey Rudd

Time was, when I was rather good at organising my days. As a teenager fresh out of school, I had four simultaneous part-time jobs for a while. Later, I ran large multi-national retail chain stores with some success. Yet, nothing has challenged my abilities more than trying to organise my life around my current No. 1 profession, that of a single mama, juggling a new work-from-home freelance writing/blogging business with an external university degree.

Now, I hope your personal brand of insanity is a little kinder than mine but, whichever way you look at it, we women are rather good at taking on a lot and expecting ever more from ourselves.

I recently read a wonderful blog post debating the wisdom of the trend to multi-tasking, claiming, quite rightly, that it is impossible to do one thing well when you are thinking of other things at the same time, and I whole-heartedly agree.

Still, the reality for most single mothers is the constant need to juggle your responsibilities as a parent with your responsibilities as a business person or employee, often on a moment-by-moment basis. How do you do this, and retain your sanity, without hunting around in your attic for an old brass lamp (or a time machine)?

Read Time Management for WAH Single Mothers (Or, Have You Got A Genie?)

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Beyond The Income : Work At Home Mums Blog Post By @JustineSimard

When I ask mums who want to work from home or start a home business why they want to work from home, the first answer is often 'to make money'. Many households struggle on one income, and many family cannot afford the lifestyle they want. However, I have been approached by quite a few women who don't necessarily need the income, but still want to do something else than just being a full-time mum. When we look into it further, there are indeed so many other benefits for work at home mums, going beyond making an income.

Firstly, there are obvious benefits for work at home mums, such as the flexibility to work around your kids, being your own boss, avoiding the time-wasting commute, and getting tax benefits. These lifestyle and personal benefits can allow women to fully merge their role as a mum and their professional aspirations. Most importantly, working from home can bring benefits which extend much further than lifestyle and income.

Beyond the necessity or desire to make an income while looking after your family, work at home mums pursue self-realisation, or the ability to exploit and reach their full potential. Being a mum in itself brings so many challenges, new skills and new experiences, yet many of us feel the need to do something else, something for ourselves and separate from our role as a mother and spouse. Being able to learn, develop and use our skills in a personal project brings a different kind of reward and feeling of accomplishment. It's not about being a super-mum. It's about being a great mum, and also being ourselves, with our own identity, ability and power to use our skills, participate and contribute.

Read all of Beyond the Income

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Eye Of The Baby Tiger - Video

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My Family

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New blog article What is a VA? by Erin Dawson

According to articles on msn.com, a Virtual Assistant (VA) business is one of the hottest home-based businesses going around. A Virtual Assistant can be so something every business needs, the costs are low to start, and although some businesses need to be educated on how a Virtual Assistant works, and why they benefit their company, once they know how to use a VA- they would most likely never go back to hiring a ‘Staff Member’.

There are many things to consider if you do decide to start your own Virtual Assistant business. This series of 5 Articles will help you understand just what it takes to be a VA. I will tell you what you need to get started, give you the resources that you need, what to do once you have started, how to get those clients, how to market and brand your Business and how to keep your business going.

Read What Is A VA?

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Build & Sell Niche Blogs (Virtual Real Estate Development)

I have just downloaded my copy of Build and Sell Niche Blogs by VRed Voice (aka Michelle Adams) and that is an acronym for Virtual Real Estate Development.

I am planning to review this eBook here in the next few days, that’s if I can get through all 200 + pages in that time. So far it appears to be extremely comprehensive.

So stay tuned for the review

Build & Sell Niche Blogs - Virtual Real Estate Development

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Build & Sell Niche Blogs (Virtual Real Estate Development)

I have just downloaded my copy of Build and Sell Niche Blogs by VRed Voice (aka Michelle Adams) and that is an acronym for Virtual Real Estate Development.

I am planning to review this eBook here in the next few days, that’s if I can get through all 200 + pages in that time. So far it appears to be extremely comprehensive.

So stay tuned for the review

Build & Sell Niche Blogs - Virtual Real Estate Development

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Office Pics

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Untitled

Visit Hire My Mum to gain instant download access to a FREE copy of my
business report, Learn How to Outsource Your Business in 2010. It's an essential resource for any business owner struggling to deal with
workload, family life or inability to grow ... We are but one person, but
our business doesn't need to be.

Learn how outsourcing can help
your business.

(2508 KB)
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Visit Hire My Mum to gain instant download access to a FREE copy of my
business report, Learn How to Outsource Your Business in 2010. It's an essential resource for any business owner struggling to deal with
workload, family life or inability to grow ... We are but one person, but
our business doesn't need to be.

Learn how outsourcing can help
your business.

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Work At Home Mums: Making Time For Yourself.

I wondered if this subject would be worthy of a whole article, however it is an important factor in the lives of work at home mums which is often ignored. I've often included in previous articles the importance of having a healthy lifestyle and work-life balance, with good eating habits, exercise, time to relax and to have fun. Although we are all aware of the benefits of having such balance, we often prioritise work and our children, only to find ourselves with no time left to look after ourselves.

Including time for activities which bring energy, relaxation and fun is simple, in theory. Most of us probably make new resolutions regularly around new healthy habits. Unfortunately, these often fade away or don't take place at all. So I have identified the 3 things which together make a strong plan for adopting and maintaining the activities which can help work at home mums be focused, productive, healthy and relaxed.

Read Hire My Mum Personal Development Specialist Justine Simards article Work At Home Mums: Making Time For Yourself.

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How To Succeed As A Single Mama - or - About That Missing Manual?

Much like any other aspect of parenting, single motherhood doesn't come with a manual.

Every one's journey to single motherhood is a little different: some come through grief and loss, some come through choice, and some are unsure quite how they found themselves here but are daily growing to like the place better and better. Yet few of us arrive knowing what to expect, nor how to proceed once we've reached this place.

I stood in Borders in the heart of Brisbane a couple of weeks ago; always a pleasure for me, but with some of the gloss taken off by an impatient, footsore, rather hungry small boy. It meant that I had to make the most of the few minutes I had, and I made a beeline for the Parenting section. I was on a mission, satisfying an idle speculation which was rapidly becoming a truth – that there were almost no books on Australian bookshelves about single motherhood. There really IS no manual.

Read more of Tracey Rudds Single Mamma - How To Succeed As A Single Mama - or - About That Missing Manual?

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Hire My Mum 7 Sunrise Video Pitch Entry

Here is the Hire My Mum entry to the Sunrise Family Business video pitch, have a look and leave a comment, I love to hear your feedback.

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