~*~*~ THE RAT RACE REBELLION TELEWORK BULLETIN ~*~*~ Dear Reader, A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR It’s Spring! (There’s this one daffodil here in Northern Va. that the pavers overlooked! Gadzooks! Don’t tell anyone, or heads will roll! Darn. Squish. Too late.) Today’s issue also brings news of our $100 Refer-A-Friend Giveaway, tips on how to become a Virtual Assistant, unusual ways to make extra ducats, pithy advice on books, 20 hand-picked jobs and projects, and oh so much more! Enjoy, Good Luck, and Be Well. THE $100 RAT RACE REBELLION “REFER A FRIEND” GIVEAWAY Is there something at Amazon you’d like to grab? If so, refer a friend to RatRaceRebellion.com and get a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card. The more friends you refer, the more entries you get in the drawing! Entry is simple. Just click on the “Refer a Friend” graphic you’ll find on this web page, enter as many email addresses as you want, and voila, you’ve shared the Rebellion! (We don’t archive the email addresses, they’re needed simply for your referral, which goes out automatically.) But don’t tarry, the Giveaway ends May 17! HOW TO BECOME A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT (This article, with some variations, will run later this week at Military.com in our virtual-careers column.) Chris and I receive many queries about how to become a Virtual Assistant, or “VA.” (For background, Chris is credited with founding the industry in 1995. She and I founded the International Virtual Assistants Association, the industry’s nonprofit parent, in 1999, and turned it over to its members as planned shortly thereafter.) Here are our five top tips for entering this growing field. 1. Assess your skills, and upgrade where necessary. In a nutshell, VAs provide office-support services remotely. Their expertise may range from basic word processing to calendar management, bookkeeping, website design and beyond. But all VAs have one thing in common: their services can be conveyed virtually. In other words, if you specialize in massage therapy or bricklaying, you’ll need to acquire “knowledge worker” skills before launching a VA business. 2. For clients, core skills are usually more important than VA-specific training. While prospective clients will appreciate that you have a VA certificate from a community college or similar institution, the VA’s most important asset is expertise in his or her niche (i.e., desktop publishing, bookkeeping, etc.). Even so, a reputable training program can teach critical business-management and related skills and add a competitive edge to the business, so weigh your individual circumstances as you consider the options. VA certificate programs are now offered at a number of community colleges, including Owens Community College (Ohio), Palomar Community College (Cal.), Portland Community College (Ore.), and Red Deer College (Alberta, CAN). Our own 15-hour VA training program is available to active-duty military spouses at no charge at military bases listed here. 3. Get that first client ASAP. If you’ve read our manual for Virtual Assistants, you know that Chris and I preach one two-pronged principle in particular: Keep debt to a minimum, and land that first client as soon as possible. A VA can have the most elaborate business plan in the world (and a beautiful office, dazzling gadgetry, and a website bigger than Wikipedia), but without a paying client, he or she will soon face failure. The first client not only generates revenue, but boosts morale and energy, and enhances focus. And if the VA takes good care of the client, positive word of mouth can rapidly follow, bringing more clients through the door. 4. Marketing is key. Most VAs fail due to ineffective marketing. Identify the types of clients you’d like to work with, determine where they “hang out” (what they read or listen to, where they go online or off-, etc.), then get in front of them in an appropriate context, and impress them. (Examples: Contribute an article to a client-oriented website, give a radio or podcast interview, donate two hours of your services at a local fundraiser. Offer free input in online forums where prospective clients gather.) Network through IVAA or other VA groups, and read marketing and freelancing blogs such as Seth Godin’s or Michelle Goodman’s for additional thought-starters and advice. 5. Don’t forget to make it a family decision. A significant career decision should involve your partner (if any), and any older children at home – but especially when a home-based business is involved. Launching a VA practice requires serious commitment and sustained effort. The family, too, will have to make adjustments. (And bear in mind that, like individuals, not all families will be ready for a home-based business, even if it’s only part-time.) Excluding them is not only unfair, it can jeopardize your success. In other words, before you leap, you should not only look, but bring the trampoline into the picture. UNUSUAL SOURCES OF EXTRA DOUGH Up in cowtown, Connecticut, where Chris lives, a local farmer has put several of his kids through college by renting one of his fields as a parking lot each year for the agricultural fair. So how about renting your basement to someone who needs some storage space? Well, that may sound a little off the wall, but this week’s netsurfing did turn up some innovative ways to make some extra shekels. (Fine print: We don’t necessarily recommend ‘em; we’re just reporting the net-scape. With a special tip o’ the hat to Trendwatching.com for cuing us to the sites.) -- Parkingspots.com: “Connects those needing a parking spot with those renting parking spots.” -- ParkatmyHouse.com: A similar deal. -- Storeatmyhouse.com: “Have extra space around your home? Use Storeatmyhouse.com to advertise storage space in your around home or attic and charge other people to use it.” -- AirBnB.com: Got an extra room or futon? Rent it out! “Rent nightly from real people in 866 cities in 73 countries.” -- RedesignMe.com: “On RedesignMe.com companies… ask you to brainstorm about one of their (new) products or services. You can help them by uploading Redesigns. A Redesign is your idea in response to their challenge.” Redesigns earn points that can be redeemed for Amazon gift cards, iPods, and other bounty. FROM THE R3 MAILBAG -- QUESTIONS ABOUT WORKING FROM HOME, AND OTHER RAT RACE TOPICS DEAR R3: My teenage son wants to be a writer. He absolutely loves words. I’ve given him every writing book I can think of, and I’m out of ideas. He has a birthday soon. Do you have any suggestions? R3: Try “The Superior Person’s Book of Words,” by Peter Bowler. Funny, witty, dry, delightful. (And on the inside you might inscribe it, “To a Very Superior Person. From his Mother.”) FREEBIES AND CHEEPIES Herewith this issue’s freebies, from our Wild Freebee wranglers. If you see something you like, be sure to grab it fast, as free stuff goes quickly on the Net – and double that in a recession. (Sorry, but we have no control over supplies, or when the vendors decide to halt their offers or fulfillment.) Enjoy! Free sample Root Awakenings (for your hair) by John Frieda: http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid69580.aspx Free sample Aveeno Nourish+ Hair Care: http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid69402.aspx Free cup of coffee at Starbucks on April 22 (Earth Day) - Bring your own mug; Canada only: http://www.starbucks.ca/en-ca/_Social+Responsibility/Earth+Day.htm Free 10x13 Portrait at Sears - No session fee: http://www.searsportrait.com/cpi/en-US/offers/CSO02 Free OneTouch UltraMini Meter (blood glucose meter for people with diabetes): https://www.qualityhealth.com/campaign?c=1726&rf=32579&logicalPID=CD339_ For more freebies, go to http://www.ratracerebellion.com/freebies.htm. RAT RACE QUOTE OF THE WEEK "If swimming is so good for your figure, how do you explain whales?" -- Anon. Rebelliously Yours, Michael Michael D. Haaren, Editor-in-Chief The Rat Race Rebellion =>=> New Leads for Home-Based Jobs and Projects <=<= *Editor’s Note: All positions are screened, but we can’t of course “guarantee” the legitimacy of any hirer or lead, so please do your own ‘due diligence’ as well! Also, please note that on occasion the hirer will decide to change the description or the availability of the job or project shortly AFTER the summary is published here. (Unfortunately, we have no control over this.) Therefore, be sure to read the underlying ad carefully, and apply promptly for any job that interests you. 1. Customer Service - Temporary 1-800-FLOWERS is looking for temporary home-based Customer Service Reps. Their criteria are very specific, so please read carefully. Must be a resident and live in one of the following states: Arizona, Delaware, Florida , New Hampshire, New Mexico, Montana, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Virginia. Must be able to work flexible full-time schedules from April 27, 2009 through May 10, 2009 (with the possibility of a May 15th completion date). For more: http://ww4.1800flowers.com/template.do?id=template8&page=9000#1 2. Freelance Primary Grades Reading/Language Arts Writers and Editors Quarasan is looking for Reading/Language Arts Writers and Editors to assist with primary grade Reading Language Arts. For more: http://tbe.taleo.net/NA4/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=QUARASAN&cws=1&rid=25 3. Answer Questions - Weegy Expert "Weegy experts are paid $0.20 (USD) for each conversation that they are involved in. Payments are transferred to your PayPal account when your account reaches $20. You can view an online summary of your compensation status at any time." For more: http://www.weegy.com/Home.aspx?Id=SignupExpert 4. Freelance Admissions Essay Editors EssayEdge.com is again seeking "excellent freelance editors and writers educated at Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Columbia, and Princeton to complete freelance editing jobs for the company." For more: http://www.cyberedit.com/hub/jobs.shtml 5. “Ticket Pullers” TicketPuller.com needs speedy typers who are great at navigating the Internet. Job involves securing tickets for popular sports and entertainment events. You are paid for successful sessions. Please read the FAQ at the site linked below. For more: http://ticketpuller.com/ 6. Freelance Market Research/Report Writer Mintel is looking for a freelance Market Research/Report Writer with "at least 3-5 years of relevant experience and be highly skilled in consumer research/data interpretation." For more: http://tinyurl.com/dkx9be 7. Freelance Resume Writers ResumeEdge.com is looking for freelance Resume Writers to "complete jobs helping write and edit resumes and cover letters using existing resumes and cover letters and additional information." For more: http://www.cyberedit.com/hub/jobs.shtml 8. Court Researchers Sunlark Research is seeking independent Court Researchers in counties across the US. Some areas will be busier than others, with the "amount of work available in a given county depend[ing] largely on the population base and growth and mobility of the area..." For more: http://sunlarkresearch.com/Work-for-Us.php 9. Freelance Writers/Bloggers Sparklife Blog is looking for freelancers who can make "laugh-out-loud" blog posts daily for a high school and teen audience. For more: http://www.mediabistro.com/joblistings/jobview.asp?joid=88928&page=1 10. Proposal/Technical Writer (GSA Proposal Experience) Clarity Consultants is seeking a Proposal/Technical Writer with GSA proposal experience. Position will involve writing proposals on a regular basis, and sorting through RFPs coming from the GSA. For more: http://tinyurl.com/dmzktn 11. Expert, Kids Parties and Celebrations About.com, owned by the NY Times, seeks a part-time Expert (“Guide”) to write about Kids Parties and Celebrations. For more: http://beaguide.about.com/applynow.htm 12. Curriculum Manager Kaplan University seeks a Curriculum Manager to manage course development projects. For more: http://tinyurl.com/crkk95 13. Freelance Writers Groupon is looking for freelance writers. No formal writing experience is required, but a sense of humor is important! For more: http://www.mediabistro.com/joblistings/jobview.asp?joid=88913&page=1 14. Medical Transcriptionists SoftScript, Inc. has posted an ad for home-based MTs with at least 4 years’ experience. For more: http://www.mtjobs.com/job_detail.cfm?RowID=17399 15. Grades 7-12 ESL/ELL Writer and Editor Quarasan seeks a freelance Writer and Editor to write or edit "top-quality material for use with students across grades 7 through 12." For more: http://tbe.taleo.net/NA4/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=QUARASAN&cws=1&rid=53 16. Blueprint CSS Freelancers SilverKey Technologies is looking for freelancers who love Blueprint CSS. Must be based in the US or Canada, and be able to "give a full 8 hours per day to the project on the days we have pre-arranged." For more: http://www.authenticjobs.com/jobs/3489/ 17. Expert on Web Humor About.com, owned by the NY Times, seeks a part-time Expert (“Guide”) to write about Web Humor. For more: http://beaguide.about.com/applynow.htm 18. Business Proposal Rep 2 Oracle is seeking a Business Proposal Rep to "direct project management support for the delivery of high quality, competitive proposals to Oracle external prospects." For more: http://tinyurl.com/cryn4w 19. Freelance Copy Editor Business.com seeks a Copy Editor on a full-time, temporary basis to work for a period of one to two months on websites including Business.com, Work.com and DexKnows.com. "The editor will work remotely but we prefer candidates living in the Los Angeles area." For more: http://www.business.com/jobs/index.asp#freelance_copy_editor 20. Educational Content Reviewer scoyo is looking for a part-time/freelance Educational Content Reviewer with experience and training in US Math or Science education (grades 4-8). For more: http://tinyurl.com/d6ktm9 ******************************* That’s this week’s issue, Dear Reader. Until next week’s issue, don’t forget to visit us for fresh job leads at http://www.ratracerebellion.com/job_postings.htm ! Rebelliously Yours, Michael -- Michael D. Haaren, Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief Staffcentrix, LLC Email: mhaaren@staffcentrix.com Co-author of the bestseller on working from home as a Virtual Assistant, THE 2-SECOND COMMUTE, now available at Amazon.com or http://www.2secondcommute.com. See what else we’re up to on the Web, at http://www.WAHBoom.com (our new work-at-home site for Boomers), http://www.msvas.com (our Military Spouse Virtual Assistant community), and http://www.fse-entrepreneur.com (our Foreign Service spouse e-Entrepreneur community). ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ All contents copyright 2008 Staffcentrix, LLC, "The most trusted name in home-based careers."(TM, SM) All rights reserved.