WAHM University

If you’re a regular reader at WAHM University, you’ve probably noticed the lapse in blog updates.

Life happens.

Sometimes in life, we just have to pass things on, and in narrowing down my online activities, WAHM U is one of those sites that is not yielding the harvest I intend.

Perhaps it could be more productive if I transition this blog into a membership site…

However here’s the thing:

The big question is: is this blog productive for you? 

One of the things in my life that has held me back from updating this blog as I should is my need to find clear direction for my life.

As a Christian woman, wife, and  mother I have a responsibility first and foremost to my Lord.  Seeking Him first in all that I do is very important to me.

I need to take a little break in order to capture His presence in my life and to hear from Him more distinctly.  That break will include “breaking away” from the WAHM University scene for a bit until I have a good piece of God’s ultimate plan.  It may not be all figured out initially, but at least I will have a much better head start.

This is all part of the “business spirituality” topic that I speak of from time to time.

I’m not sure what  will become of WAHM U.

Has this site been of help to you?   Would you like to see it continue?  Or not?

Don’t worry…you can’t hurt my feelings.  I am looking for truth here.  If there are sites already out there a dime a dozen that offer the same type of info, I don’t wish to duplicate it and waste your time or mine.

I love helping the work at home community, and I totally enjoy the connections of online community when they do happen…but it just hasn’t been happening for WAHMU lately, and it’s because I am too busy right now, raising a little baby girl and a wonderful 6 year old.  I’m also traveling frequently with my military spouse and learning some key spiritual lessons straight from the Master Himself about family, love, submission, and humility.  Part of His plan is making me “getaway” to be with Him and let Him teach me these lessons.  At some point, I’ll be ready again to begin coaching and teaching others.

As I’m happily busy with my family I’m finding my niche in writing about family life and Christian women’s issues.  I’m also enjoying my online ministry where I connect with a group of ladies to blog about issues relating to the Christian woman.

So what will become of my online business, Faith Media, and its branch WAHM University?

What will happen to my various audios, articles, and programs on podcasting, blogging, and internet marketing?

One of two things:

1.)  Either I choose to continue WAHMU by narrowing down this site’s focus to one or two work at home issues (under the premise that it will probably go for weeks or months without an update)

or…

2.)  I sell this site to someone who can keep this going and benefit from owning a site specifically for work at home moms.  (Anyone interested?)

Meanwhile, I am taking a close, scrutinizing look at my web consulting business, Faith Media.  My husband and I are currently making plans about how or if or when I should continue offering the same types of services or if we’ll be developing a new family business instead.

So, you see, it’s all up in the air…but despite the fact that I just don’t know anything right now, my certainty is that it’s all part of God’s perfect plan.

His will be done, not mine…

Sometimes He turns our hearts in order that He may speak to us.

So what do you say?

What are your interests?

Do you want to see the blog continue?  If so, what are the topics you are most interested in?   What information would you be willing to pay for?  (I know that’s a hot button, but it’s an honest forthright question).

And finally, if you would like to have the opportunity to take over this blog, I may consider selling the website to you (which would include pushing the domain name to you, setting up the blog on your server, among a few other private details which I would discuss with you).

If interested, please leave me a comment on this post.  Or if it’s private, you can email me at: demetria@faith-media.com

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In the past couple of posts I’ve been talking about RSS feeds, what they are and how they can be helpful to the work at home mom’s business.

Well, being the social media and podcasting junkie that I am, I just have to transition from RSS to the subject of podcasting.

I can’t help but to reveal some level of excitement when I talk about podcasting. Just 2 years ago I thought it was the best invention since sliced bread. No, really…for any internet based business, I truly believe in garnering that one-on-one personal relationship with your web reader.

When you engage your readers, you do so much more than sell products or services. You CONNECT with another human being. Your message carries more weight, and crosses all barriers and time zones, and reflects a 3 dimensional REAL human being they are communicating with when you add the dimension of voice and/or video to your website.

So, I’ll have to say, one of my main focuses in my own business is to help other business women see the importance of utilizing voice based marketing/partnering/networking for their online business.

The first step toward this process is creating a digital audio voice file for your web. It could be in the form of a welcome message, or a free audio class for example. See a sample of this here.

The next step toward podcasting is to create an RSS feed to syndicate it. This automatically creates a podcast for you. You can add to this feed as often as you wish, creating new episodes and newly updated material for syndication.

In the next couple of posts I plan to explain more about podcasting and why you may wish to begin including this in your marketing strategy. I’ll also give you a heads up on HOW you can learn to podcast.

I’m currently working on a revision of my INternet Radio Podcast Bootcamp.

In the revised course, you’ll get all the steps you need to begin podcasting in a more refined, streamlined format. You’ll find the new course much easier to digest as the process is simplified by the use of “new media”.

More about the new reveal soon…meanwhile what are your thoughts about podcasting?

If you already own a podcast for your business, drop me comment below to share how your podcast has helped your business.

If you don’t already own a podcast, drop me a comment below if you have any specific questions about podcasting and how it would affect your business. What are your thoughts about podcasting in general? How do you feel about implementing this new technique of connecting with “listeners” at your site? Are you hesitant or ready to jump on board? Why or why not?

I’d love to hear from you!

Sincerely,

Your Web Media Success Coach, Podcast Consultant, & Internet Marketing Strategist

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I know first hand that managing a home business while homeschooling can be a real challenge. That’s why I am so excited about telling you about an amazing on-line homeschooling conference. Check it out here at http://www.cindysaffiliates.com/go.php?offer=kmbut12&pid=1 . 

It’s called:

ULTIMATE HOME SCHOOL EXPO 2008! 

Here are some of the great things you get!!!

Online Seminars with With 50+ Speakers!
Virtual Vendor Hall!
Free Gifts–ebooks, audios, downloads!
Special offers from your favorite Online Vendors!
Mp3 Downloads for all audios (over $2000 in workshops!)

Tickets Now On Sale!

Get More Details at:
http://www.cindysaffiliates.com/go.php?offer=kmbut12&pid=1

The best part is…it’s all on-line! Be sure to drop by and visit me at my virtual vendor booth! I am also one of the speakers…with two workshops: “Character for Mommies” and “How to Help Your Children Discover Their Life Purpose”

I’m telling you, you will not be disappointed! Go and check it out today! See you there!

kathy

life coach, writer, speaker, instructor

www.kathybutryn.com

www.kathybutryn.typepad.com/blog

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I just spent some time this afternoon, and wrote down everything that I need to accomplish this week. It is a busier-than-usual kind of week, and already I feel the tightening in my stomach, wondering how in the world I am going to finish it all. So, I took a short break, spent some time in prayer, and committed it to God, asking for his grace to see me through.

 I also thought through some practical work strategies that have helped me in the past when I have been in this position. The biggest challenge at times like this is the temptation to get distracted by all that is calling for my attention from the “to-do” list. As a result, I lose my focus…or at the very least, I find it difficult to keep my focus. Can you relate?

I want to share with you an idea that has worked for me in the past, and I look forward to using it again this week. In fact, I am using it right now as I write this blog posting. I am always amazed about what can be accomplished in 15 minutes. When I feel overwhelmed by the number of items that I need to complete, I choose one thing off the list. I put in a pair of earplugs to quiet any distracting noise, I set a timer for 15 minutes…and I go at it. I focus on that one thing. When the 15 minutes is up, I quickly re-evalute my progress. Do I need to set it for another 15 minutes? Am I ready to move to the next project?

Now, I know realistically that many projects take much more time than 15 minutes to complete. But somehow, getting a focused, running start at that project often gives me the momentum to keep at it. It helps to me to keep from sliding into a pattern of procrastination.

The other thing that I have found is often, some projects do not take as long to complete as I think they will. I build the task up in my mind and imagination to be a bigger than it really is. The 15-minute focused work time helps me to determine with greater accuracy exactly how much time is needed on a particular task.

Setting the timer also keeps me from dawdling. Yep, I can work at something for 30 minutes, but if I am not focusing, I really can waste half of that time. That timer is like my “work accountability partner!”

 How about you? Do you have some great strategies that help you get through busy crunch times? I’d love to hear about them. Send them to me at kathy@kathybutryn.com or leave a comment on this blog!

Have a productive week!

kathy

www.kathybutryn.com

www.kathybutryn.typepad.com/blog

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PARTY LINE TELEPHONE - Relationship Coaching

Hello!
I’m so delighted to meet you here in this virtual university. Isn’t it amazing to be part of an on-line community where we will build relationships without ever meeting face-to-face? What a privilege.

I know I’m showing my age here, but I recall a day when talking on the telephone was new way to communicate. I remember the day the big black wall telephone was installed in the living room of my house. My phone number was “North 3156” and the neighbors used the same “party line.” Picking up the phone it was common to hear Myrtle and Joyce planning a Sunday potluck dinner, or Irvin asking Dean about the cows out on the road. (I lived in a small farming community in northern Wisconsin.)

The party line wasn’t a problem – in fact people seemed to like the connection between neighbors. When my mother picked up the phone she generally took the time to say “hello” to whoever was talking. It would have been rude to hang up without at least sharing a greeting! And the beauty of a friendly neighborhood party line was that my mother often ended up adding her opinion, and a “dish-to-share” to the potluck and my family would join Myrtle’s and Joyce’s for dinner that weekend. Or, if she knew who owned the cows on the road she’d share her insights so Irvin and Dean could help the cows get to their right home. That was community. Those people knew about relationships.

And that is my prayer for WAHM U and our discussions about relationships. While we will probably never meet in person, I hope we will build friendships. Please share your insights about working from home, as well as your challenges. Working from home sometimes brings isolation and loneliness. Many work-at-home employees are juggling parenthood and their career, changing a load of laundry in between conference calls. How do we create and maintain strong, positive relationships with our business contacts and our families? Let’s talk about that!

Take a moment to visit my website www.BeginAgainLifeCoaching.com to get to know me, and then please leave a blog entry to introduce yourself to me and to the rest of our WAHM U professionals.

Diane Overgard, CFLE
Family Life Specialist and Coach
www.BeginAgainLifeCoaching.com
www.FamilyImpact.net

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There’s even more good news using RSS…

In my last post I talked about some of the reasons many people have been turning to RSS in place of using a list management system.

Here are a few other interesting facts you may want to take note of as an online business owner:

1. RSS is searchable.  You can search RSS just as Google would HTML content online.  This makes it really easy for site visitors to find the content they want
2. RSS feeds aren’t blocked by email or spam filters.  If you’ve been using email management systems of any kind, you know how hard it is to overcome this.  The fact is, that email is so tampered with and spam so prevalent that many times you might use “blockable” words in you email content, not realizing so, and have your mails blocked from the inbox of many of your subscribers.  For example, a word such as “free” or phrases like “free money” may get your email blocked…but when you’re using RSS it’s simply not the case.
3. RSS can be modified quite easily.  When you send out an email via email management system, it’s typically time stamped.  The content of that email once sent out cannot be revoked. Once it’s out there, that’s it.  Not so with RSS.  Any updates you create on your backend are immediately reflected in your post when site visitors go to read your site.

Just a few thoughts about RSS and your email management.  What are your thoughts?  Leave me a comment below…

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Hi there ladies!! How has your week been? Did you have a good Easter weekend? I’m not sure where you all are living, but I must say, there are some welcoming signs of spring “in the air” here in Toronto, ON Canada today! Yeah!!!

Before we get into these fabulous tips to avoid wasting time, I want to invite you to join me for my “Character Makeover” group life coaching tele-conference sessions. These sessions will be life-changing as we talk about how to build humility, confidence, courage, self-control, patience, contentment, generosity, and perseverance into our lives. As business women, character is what will “keep us on the rails” when the going gets tough. And no matter what other role you are presently fulfilling…like mom, wife, homeschooler, family taxi driver, sister, daughter, auntie, ministry co-ordinator…you name it - may I encourage you  to embark on this life long character-rejuvenating adventure. It will make a difference in your life!!!

The best part is…you will have 8 hours of life coaching from a certified Life Purpose Coach (that’s me!) for only $50.00. That’s right…for just over $6.00 a session. That’s amazing. You do not need to find a babysitter, leave your home, look for parking, or even put on your makeup!  In fact, the best part is, the dress-code is “p.j. cozy.” My favourite! Our sessions start on April 1 and go to May 22!

Here is the link to my invite to you!  http://www.kathybutryn.net/Invitation%2003.25.08.doc  You can also go to my website at www.kathybutryn.com for more information. I so hope you can join me…and I very much look forward to getting to know you better!

Ok, so let’s dig in! Here are 12 great ways to avoid wasting time!

1. Think about the task before starting it.2. Try not to handle too many things at once.3. Do not begin a new project before completing the first one.4. Finish a project; don’t leave it hanging.5. Try not to double up on needless paperwork; keep it simple.6. Do not try to do everything yourself; delegate7. Try to focus on the task at hand; avoid interruptions.8. When someone is speaking to you; listen fully without thinking of other matters.  In this way, nothing will have to be repeated.9. When running errands, call ahead to ensure your items are ready, if applicable.10. Schedule appointments either in the early morning or after lunch to avoid waiting.11. Plan as much as possible the night before (lunches, clothing etc.)

12. Plan “traveling” time into your schedule.

 May you have a very productive day today!

kathy

www.kathybutryn.com      www.kathybutryn.typepad.com/blog      kathy@kathybutryn.com

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• Free and Paid Tuition
• Online Training
• New Students Welcome!
• Start Now!

This site is dedicated to serving the professional work at home mom and woman entrepreneur, whether novice or experienced- to gain a thorough knowledge of online business trends in order to help you succeed at your own internet based business.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Hi there my fellow Work at Home Moms!! I’m so glad to be back with you!

I hope you’ve had a good day. Today was a rest day for me. Not because I didn’t have lots to do. But, because I am getting good at knowing the signs.

“What signs?” you may be asking yourself. Let me explain…

These are personal signs. Signs that I recognize. Signs that those closest to me recognize too. However, I went many a year without even being aware that there were signs.

You see, I have gone through most of my adult life addicted to hurry. That’s right…always having to be busy - and going at life at a bizillion miles-an-hour. Yes, there were lots of reasons for that…but I’ll save that for another post. About  6 years ago now, through a series of life events, I came face to face with my addiction. I had to face some of the consequences that this hurry-sickness was having on my life. And I began to make some changes. Finding a peaceful pace in my hurried world was my priority. Interestingly enough, as I began to make the changes, I had a new awareness…an ability to know the signs…the signs that tell me that it’s time to slow down; it’s time to rest for a while; it’s time to re-evaluate.

One thing I have noticed however, no matter how many changes we make to be intentional about keeping “a peaceful pace in our hurried world,” life still happens. There are unexpected things that pop up and need our attention; there are fun, family events that we want to be present to; there are problems that need our energy in solving. All of these these things can take time that we had not really planned to give when arranging our schedules.

I had a happy week last week. My oldest daughter, Jennifer, and I went wedding dress shopping  (for her dress…not mine!) on Thursday night. We arrived home well after 10 pm with the announcement that we had found “the dress.” The family scrambled to re-arrange our Friday night plans so that we could all go out to see “the dress,” get final approval from Dad, sister, and brother, and make the big purchase. Saturday morning found us on the road to spend the day with my Mom and Dad for my Mom’s birthday.  Sunday was a full day giving an extra hand to my hubby Alan, who is also a pastor.

I protect my evenings, and rarely am out late at night. But this past week, being out of the house late, and on the weekend for 2 full days, I found that by Sunday afternoon, I caught myself getting “short” with my answers. I found I was yawning almost every minute. I could feel impatience stirring up from within me from frustration of “tasks not complete” due to the events of the past few days. And I could also feel the tug to be by myself…everyone was “bugging” me.  The signs.

And I listen to the signs now.  I knew it was time to slow down. Time to spend some time on my own.

I didnt’ want to bore you with the details of my life last week. However, I did want to make these points.

 1.Recognize that it isn’t just the “stressful” things in life…the “crisis” that can set us off balance in life…it’s the fun, and happy things too.

 2. Make time in your schedule for the unexpected. Be sure that there is margin in your life to spend time with your family, and those who are important to you.

3.  Learn to recognize the signs. Your signs that tell you “enough is enough” or “it’s time to slow down.”

4. Take the time to slow down, to rest, to re-evaluate. That may mean setting your work aside for an afternoon; or going to bed an hour or so earlier; or taking the kids to the park for the morning; or going for dinner with your hubby; or turning off the TV and reading a favorite book instead.  Discover what it is that renews you, that rejuvenates and energizes you.

I challenge you today to become aware of “your signs.” It will help you find a peaceful pace in a hurried world!

kathy

www.kathybutryn.com      www.kathybutryn.typepad.com/blog    kathy@kathybutryn.com

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If you have an online business and you use email publishing to connect with your subscriber list, raise your hand…

So…that includes me.

Here’s a great question for you: Is email publishing dead?

Many online companies are now preferring the ease of RSS subscriptions rather than newsletter marketing. If you don’t know what RSS is, take a look at this post to find out more.

Welcome to the new way of cutting edge client relationship management. I’m so convinced about this method of content delivery that I’ve decided to switch over.

I’ve decided to transition my email subscriptions over to RSS.

Keep reading to find out why…

So before I go any further…let me just offer you the opportunity to subscribe to this blog’s feed so that you can keep up with our syndicated content via RSS!

In actuality, email was created to be a 2-way communications channel, whereas RSS subscriptions were meant to be a one-way mode of communication between content provider and interested person.

A couple of highly techie people at noosphere believe that email will soon die out as RSS takes its place.

I’m not so sure I’d completely agree with a looming death certificate for email based subscriber management, so don’t go making hasty decisions to halt your current email marketing program.

However, I’d encourage to take a look at what RSS can do for your business. Here are a few reasons switching to (or at least adding an RSS option) to your business may help your long term profitability:

• RSS is always on time. Your subscribers don’t have to continually plug in their email address with each new piece of breaking news your company disseminates. They’re already plugged in to the source content (your feed) and each time you add an update to your feed (your blog), your subscribers automatically receive an update on their end and are able to download your new data. So your “newsletter” is never late. Very nice indeed.
• RSS subscription is typically free. I don’t know of an rss delivery service that charges an arm and a leg…and if you go with basic services it’s at no cost to your business. That means no more paying monthly fees to mailing list provider services, nor do you have to format your layout for text versus graphics. Think about it –this just means less headache for you!
• RSS can be used with an email program or without. It’s fully independent of an email client (all your subscriber would need to do is check their feed aggregator for new content you’ve uploaded to your blog!) It’s also easy to integrate with email. For example services such as FeedBlitz and Feedburner now allow your subscriber to receive your RSS feed updates via email.
• RSS means privacy for your subscribers. It’s quite possible that many potential subscribers never get on board because they are afraid They never have to offer their email address to your company, which may make them feel safer about receiving your content. They simply subscribe to your RSS feed via their feed aggregator (such as NewsGator and FeedReader) and have automatic access to your content without having to worry about their email address.

So, you see, switching over to RSS is a great way to continue connecting with your audience without some of the hassles that email based services can bring.

I’ll have more for you about RSS transitioning and how it can help your business on next week…

For now, I hope you’ll follow me on over to my RSS feed and get plugged in for automatic updates at this blog. In the months and weeks to come, I plan to eventually phase out my paid mailing list service…so if you’re not subscribed via RSS you won’t be receiving my updates.

To stay plugged in:

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