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4 Business Travel Tips for the Work at Home…

by Missy Ward

Although Statistic Brain reports that 61 percent of working mothers work from home, even the most home-based of us may have to travel on business occasionally — which means that many of us know the anxiety involved in leaving our families behind as we set off on that mission-critical trip.

I travel quite frequently to attend and speak at different industry conferences and to meet with clients. My family is used to it now, but it wasn't always easy. Here are four business travel tips for the work at home mom that can make the situation less stressful for everyone involved:

1. Get your childcare system in place. If your kids attend daycare, make sure your spouse understands the daily drop-off and pickup schedule. If you’re a single mom and you worry about the reliability of Aunt Tilly, a friend or the neighborhood babysitter to handle this task, consider hiring a professional home care provider. BrightStar Care, for example, offers a “KidCare” program that includes transportation to and from activities among its sitter, nanny and pediatric care services.

2. Separate work finances from home finances. I know from first-hand experience that there’s nothing more confusing and frustrating than trying to sift through a shoebox full of receipts at tax time. Allowing your business and home expenses to intermingle will inevitably play havoc with your home and business budgets. Fortunately, your trusty smartphone can help simplify matters tremendously. ExpenseDocs, for instance, enables you to input expenses on the fly into categorized documents. Additionally, if you've been putting off setting up a dedicated business checking account or taking out a credit card for your company, this trip might serve as the perfect reason to move forward with it.

3. Create a task schedule. Create a list of daily or weekly tasks, assign them to the appropriate people, and have them check off completed tasks one by one. If your kids are computer savvy, you can even create a Google calendar or other cloud-based schedule that allows you to actually see this process in action. (As convenient as Web-based scheduling might seem, however, don’t fall into the trap of serving as CEO of Mom, Inc. — stay focused on the reason for your trip!) If you have older children, this trip might prove an ideal opportunity to nudge them into the world of domestic responsibilities. Take some time before you leave to show them how to run a load of laundry without accidentally dyeing your white tablecloth pink, how to keep floors and carpets clean and how to give the dog his medicine. Most importantly, show them where the emergency phone numbers are and instruct them on how and when to dial 911.

4. Help your kids cope. Despite your best efforts to explain, your little ones may not understand why Mommy has to go away, and they may even worry about whether you’re coming back. Julie Weed, writing in the New York Times, notes several little touches working moms can employ to relieve these anxieties. Placing a big calendar on the wall or refrigerator door, with the dates of your departure and return clearly marked, lets your kids see exactly when you’ll be back and cross off the days until you return. The ExpenseDocs app mentioned above lets you add photos to a “travel journal” that you can then email to your family. As for communication, a video-ready smartphone or Skype-enabled laptop provides an extra degree of reassurance over an audio-only phone call, but just the sound of your voice will help your child (and you) cope with the separation.

Have a safe journey!

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6 Reasons Why You Should Start a Blog For…

by Missy Ward

This post originally appeared on itsaWAHMthing.com, where I regularly contribute articles about affiliate marketing, productivity and technology tips for small businesses and work at home moms.

Blogging has changed the way we interact and communicate with one another. Because good communication is essential for any business venture, business owners often start company blogs to make stronger connections with potential consumers. If you are a mother working from home, starting a blog can be even more beneficial to your cause. Below are six reasons why blogging is a good idea for any WAHM business.

1. Blogging promotes networking.

When you work from home, reaching your potential clients or consumers can be difficult. Cold calling takes too much time, and email marketing is not always effective. Blogging, on the other hand, allows you to reach a substantial number of consumers with a single action. In addition, if your blog focuses on your WAHM business's industry, you will attract readers who are likely to share your ideas and purchase the products or services you offer.

2. Blogs are engaging.

Other forms of networking and communication, such as mailed advertisements, discourage two-way communication. They send a message to potential consumers without inviting the consumers to respond. Blogging, however, encourages your target audience to reply to your posts and engage you in a discussion. This dynamic keeps your readers interested and coming back for more, which in turn increases the likelihood of converting them into clients or customers.

3. Blogs are cost-effective.

As an owner of a WAHM business, chances are that you have a tight budget, and you probably can't afford expensive advertising. Fortunately, blogging is an extremely inexpensive way to connect with consumers and promote your business. Many free blogging platforms are available, and you can post content for free in your spare time.

4. A blog gives your business personality.

Customers don't want to work with impersonal companies. When you create a company blog and post regularly, your target audience gets to know you as a person, rather than as a figurehead. As readers learn more about you, they will associate your characteristics with the company. For example, if you talk about your love for your children, consumers will associate your company with warmth and nurture. This makes your company more likeable and memorable in the eyes of the consumer.

5. Blogs add credibility.

One of the best ways to gain credibility with your target audience is by demonstrating your knowledge of the industry in which you operate. Using your blog, you can craft authoritative posts on important industry-related issues. As readers take in the information, they will begin to see you as a credible source for information, products and services.

6. Blogs are effective for WAHM Businesses.

Because blogs provide consumers with interesting, valuable information, consumers are more likely to visit a business's blog than its website. However, after some time on the blog, consumers often navigate to the company website in search of more information about the company's products or services. In fact, according to a recent HubSpot study, businesses with blogs receive 55 percent more traffic to their company websites than businesses without blogs. For small WAHM businesses with limited advertising budgets, this statistic is extremely significant.

Blogs can be effective networking and promotional tools for any business, but they are especially helpful for WAHM companies. Whether you are a seasoned businesswoman or a first-time entrepreneur, consider starting a blog for your company today. It may take some time to establish it, but you will be glad you did when you begin reaping the rewards.

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