One thing that I learned the hard way and have overlooked is the single most important requirement that you need when you opt to work from home is A FAST AND STABLE INTERNET CONNECTION and a BACK UP THAT WORKS!!!
I should know, I hybernated for a while due to a very bad mishap with my broadband provider that loses connectivity even with the slightest power fluctuation or downpour. They claim they don't have a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) which is why their system reboots for a minimum of 2 hours everytime this unfortunate event happens. How many subscribers do they have anyway? Isn't this an investment that they should prioritize???
Well, giving them the benefit of the doubt, they can be fairly fast most of the time but you just have to include a stable internet connection for the day when you say your morning prayers specially when your main source of income is writing and you have a paper to submit.
It's difficult to get another backup internet connection when you're just starting out which is why the best alternative or back up that beginners prefer is of course still pre-paid dial up which can drive you nuts when you've been used to broadband. But then again, it's better than no internet connection at all so this should temporarily do the trick.
Mobile phone providers offer wireless broadband internet services for as low as 15 pesos for 30 minutes of internet access, and just recently another competitor is offering 10 pesos for an hour of internet access. This is a good back up but make sure you load your prepaid credits or you might ran out when you are in dire need to turn over your writing.
Securing a good back up internet provider would come later when you have something stable to get you by everyday. But until then, make do with what you have and just add a little prayer to your daily regimen.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Get paid to post sites
As you may know by now I am constantly looking for ways to earn from home aside from writing. I came across a blog that recommended some sites that pay you to either make comments on posts, start a discussion topic on their site, refer friends or start your own blog onsite.
You are probably wondering what sites I'm talking about. I was referring to Destroydebt which is an effort to help out those who are in debt. They give you tips and suggestions on how you can possibly straighten out your finances and earn from referrals and posts at the same time. Other similar sites are Mylot and Bukisa only these sites have more categories to choose from that reallycould tickle your fancy.
Don't expect much in terms of earning though as you're talking about $0.02 per post and reply to posts that you started out plus you only need $10 to cash out for both destroy debt and mylot. Bukisa on the otherhand pays you to post articles, audio, videos, image slideshows and even presentations and you can earn $4.00 pero 1000 unique visits. You need your first $50 though to cash out. You can earn money from all these sites by referring your friends and they pay through paypal.
Don't get discouraged. It doesn't hurt to spend an hour or so these sites. You can add this to part of the sites that you visit everyday and over time, you'll still get to have extra cash..
I am a new member of these sites for a little over a week so I can't really show proof of payment however I know a few people who already earned their first $10. So stay posted.
You are probably wondering what sites I'm talking about. I was referring to Destroydebt which is an effort to help out those who are in debt. They give you tips and suggestions on how you can possibly straighten out your finances and earn from referrals and posts at the same time. Other similar sites are Mylot and Bukisa only these sites have more categories to choose from that reallycould tickle your fancy.
Don't expect much in terms of earning though as you're talking about $0.02 per post and reply to posts that you started out plus you only need $10 to cash out for both destroy debt and mylot. Bukisa on the otherhand pays you to post articles, audio, videos, image slideshows and even presentations and you can earn $4.00 pero 1000 unique visits. You need your first $50 though to cash out. You can earn money from all these sites by referring your friends and they pay through paypal.
Don't get discouraged. It doesn't hurt to spend an hour or so these sites. You can add this to part of the sites that you visit everyday and over time, you'll still get to have extra cash..
I am a new member of these sites for a little over a week so I can't really show proof of payment however I know a few people who already earned their first $10. So stay posted.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Freelance writing
My very first venture into freelance work is through writing.
I was inspired by my former colleague who is now a full time work at homies mom. She initially started with Write4Pesos and earned her first pay via paypal. Write4Pesos however only gives you a payout after you have written or submitted 100 articles. The good thing about this site however, is that you don't have a deadline. You set your own pace and target as to when you would like to get paid.
It seems to easy specially if you really have the time but I still had a day job that time so, waiting to finish 100 articles seems an eternity to achieve and isn't practical because I have to pay some bills therefore had to concentrate on my dayjob for that. I didn't stop there though, I searched the web for small Philippine writing projects first.
I came across a blog of a Filipina who had a ton of writing work. I registered and wrote 10 articles for her and got paid for that via G-cash. Because I still had a day job at that time that I had to work long hours for so, I was only able to write 2 batches of writing projects for her. I guess it was a blessing in disguise because when I once again had free time to write, I was reading posts from fellow writers following up on payments with her and her blog hasn't been updated for a while.
I was able to chat with one of my fellow writers and she told me that she did a research and found out that the owner of the blog encountered some problems with several employers and wasn't paid which is why she still owed a lot of writers who did those projects for her. This fellow writer started her own site and gave me several projects. She also paid me through G-cash. She gave me several sites to visit that also offered freelance work for writers since her employers were getting a bit strict so she was limiting handing out projects to writers and doing the work herself. I can't blame her. She of course doesn't want to get into the same problem our previous Filipina employer had.
I tried out one website she recommended and I didn't have to pay to be a member of this site to get projects or work from their clients. I tried my luck placing bids on getafreelancer and got my first project there. I came across several clients who awarded me short article projects. Short articles that pay $2 for 500-word articles, $1.50 for 400 word articles, $1.25 for 300 word articles and $1 for 250-word and below articles. I didn't mind the low rates because I get a minimum of 5 articles to write anyway which isn't bad considering I was just starting out at that time and I don't have a portfolio to show clients anyway.
After I have submitted and have been paid for the clients that I worked for that were based in the UK, Texas, USA, and 2 from India, I am now getting additional projects from them and am struggling a little bit to fit them all into my schedule. I had to turn down a few of them and I concentrated on just 1 client who was very easy to deal with and paid me through paypal after I submitted my articles. She is now the source of my income. I get writing projects from her in batches of 5 in a day. In the event that I am able to submit my work to her early, I can still request for a few more for the day.
Making $14-15 a day 7 days a week is as good as if you were working in a regular office only you don't need to pay for transportation to get there and you can take a break when you're tired. Maintaining this income from working from home of course requires patience, proper time management and discipline. You have to allot the same number of hours as when you were working in the office, to make it work.
I was inspired by my former colleague who is now a full time work at homies mom. She initially started with Write4Pesos and earned her first pay via paypal. Write4Pesos however only gives you a payout after you have written or submitted 100 articles. The good thing about this site however, is that you don't have a deadline. You set your own pace and target as to when you would like to get paid.
It seems to easy specially if you really have the time but I still had a day job that time so, waiting to finish 100 articles seems an eternity to achieve and isn't practical because I have to pay some bills therefore had to concentrate on my dayjob for that. I didn't stop there though, I searched the web for small Philippine writing projects first.
I came across a blog of a Filipina who had a ton of writing work. I registered and wrote 10 articles for her and got paid for that via G-cash. Because I still had a day job at that time that I had to work long hours for so, I was only able to write 2 batches of writing projects for her. I guess it was a blessing in disguise because when I once again had free time to write, I was reading posts from fellow writers following up on payments with her and her blog hasn't been updated for a while.
I was able to chat with one of my fellow writers and she told me that she did a research and found out that the owner of the blog encountered some problems with several employers and wasn't paid which is why she still owed a lot of writers who did those projects for her. This fellow writer started her own site and gave me several projects. She also paid me through G-cash. She gave me several sites to visit that also offered freelance work for writers since her employers were getting a bit strict so she was limiting handing out projects to writers and doing the work herself. I can't blame her. She of course doesn't want to get into the same problem our previous Filipina employer had.
I tried out one website she recommended and I didn't have to pay to be a member of this site to get projects or work from their clients. I tried my luck placing bids on getafreelancer and got my first project there. I came across several clients who awarded me short article projects. Short articles that pay $2 for 500-word articles, $1.50 for 400 word articles, $1.25 for 300 word articles and $1 for 250-word and below articles. I didn't mind the low rates because I get a minimum of 5 articles to write anyway which isn't bad considering I was just starting out at that time and I don't have a portfolio to show clients anyway.
After I have submitted and have been paid for the clients that I worked for that were based in the UK, Texas, USA, and 2 from India, I am now getting additional projects from them and am struggling a little bit to fit them all into my schedule. I had to turn down a few of them and I concentrated on just 1 client who was very easy to deal with and paid me through paypal after I submitted my articles. She is now the source of my income. I get writing projects from her in batches of 5 in a day. In the event that I am able to submit my work to her early, I can still request for a few more for the day.
Making $14-15 a day 7 days a week is as good as if you were working in a regular office only you don't need to pay for transportation to get there and you can take a break when you're tired. Maintaining this income from working from home of course requires patience, proper time management and discipline. You have to allot the same number of hours as when you were working in the office, to make it work.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Starting Over
I just turned another year older and I'm just about to start my Blog. I tried to start one too many times but only managed to get 3 posts on it in a span of 4 years. Pathetic! I have always had the passion for writing however, I've been concentrating on the wrong things like making others richer and ending up sicker than ever rather than pursuing a career in writing which I have always had a passion for.
There's no use crying over spilled milk! It's never too late to start over!
2009 is a year of new beginnings for me as I have finally taken that huge step of taking the challenge of working full time from home. It's never easy starting over but dedication, patience, focus, and hard work means a better year up ahead.
I will share income opportunities that would work for me with others who would like to take on the same challenge as I have of working from home and surviving in this blog on top of things that I just feel like writing about. So learn and earn with me.
There's no use crying over spilled milk! It's never too late to start over!
2009 is a year of new beginnings for me as I have finally taken that huge step of taking the challenge of working full time from home. It's never easy starting over but dedication, patience, focus, and hard work means a better year up ahead.
I will share income opportunities that would work for me with others who would like to take on the same challenge as I have of working from home and surviving in this blog on top of things that I just feel like writing about. So learn and earn with me.
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