In my previous post, I pondered on how to tie my enthusiasm for my one-room school heritage into my blog and my writing/speaking home business.  I listed various ways I could do this. 
Then it occurred to me…make a scrapbook, illustrated journal or CD about my heritage.  Then teach others how to do this with their school memories and provide scrapbooking kits.  These scrapbooks don’t have to be about a one-room school education.  These could include any school memories.
This also could expand upon my idea of providing kits for teaching scrapbooking in nursing homes.  In other words, Themed Scrapbooking.  The brainstorming could …read more

As you’ve read in Home Businesses I’ve Pursued, I’ve been involved in a number of ventures over the years.  Would I have been better to have stayed with one or was I right in becoming involved in a number of them, some of which I operated simultaneously? 
Some people might say I’ve jumped around a lot and didn’t stick with one thing.  Others would realize that times change, the economy changes, our lives change, regulations change and markets change.
Changes in Technology
I can’t think of any that I could pursue just as I did when I started, especially any home business I …read more

HomeBizNotes.com

If you or your family entertain thoughts of writing…to write about your home business, to relate stories, or for pure fun, you might enjoy the series I’ve begun at One Book Two Book, Mary Emma’s Writing Tips. 
Although the weekly tips, prompts and activities are slated for young writers, they will work for anyone.  If you home school your children while working from home, you may find them of interest.
These activities will appear at One Book Two Book each Sunday. I also will suggest books and web sites where you can find help and inspiration, too.
I’ve written many articles and stories about …read more

HomeBizNotes.com
Yvonne Russell, in her post, Do You Take Your Home Business On the Road, asked if others bloggers operated their businesses while traveling.  I’ll expand upon her post and give some insight into how I operate my writing/blogging business from home and during my travels. 
Perhaps others will share some of their business/travel tips. 

I do find a laptop is a necessity.  Then I can type most anywhere, even when I don’t have Internet access.
Since much of my writing nowadays is blogging, I do need Internet access somewhere along the route.  Even when I write for print publications, the editors want the material …read more

HomeBizNotes.com
Yesterday, I related how I self-published my children’s anthology, Tales of Adventure & Discovery. This covered why and how. Today, I’ll discuss illustrations for the book and choosing a cover.
Illustrations
I also realized I needed some illustrations for the book. I do some sketching and painting. I’ve actually sold paintings, posters and greeting cards. But I don’t consider myself predominately an artist.
However, when I looked into the cost of hiring an illustrator or finding a print program that allowed me to use the work for a book, I decided to do the illustrations myself. If I’d had more time, I …read more

HomeBizNotes.com
I’m featuring a drawing/giveaway (in conjunction with the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival) for a copy of my self-published children’s anthology,Tales of Adventure & Discovery, described in the post, Mary Emma Allen Publishes a Children’s Anthology .It contains fun stories for youngsters, ages approximately 6-10. I also illustrated the anthology.
Authors (generally considered home business owners) may find ideas in it to use for a book project they’re considering publishing. Parents and children like the stories. Teachers also use this book in their classroom, and I include it when giving author presentations and teaching writing workshops for children and adults.
The second part to …read more

HomeBizNotes.com
Add Advertising, Affiliate Links, Your Own Information, Products, etc. (Part 5)
By Lindsay Buroker
(Lindsay left a comment on one of my posts here at Home Biz Notes. When I visited her blog, Writing for Your Wealth, I thought, “This information is great for online writers.” So I invited her to write a guest post.
Actually it has evolved into six parts because Lindsay has so much to share. Read the Introduction to this series
Also Part 1, Apply the Profit+Passion Principle to Choose a Niche
Part 2 , Write Content that Matters to Your Audience
Part 3, Build …read more

HomeBizNotes.com
Build a Community (Part 4)
By Lindsay Buroker
(Lindsay left a comment on one of my posts here at Home Biz Notes. When I visited her blog, Writing for Your Wealth, I thought, “This information is great for online writers.” So I invited her to write a guest post.
Actually it has evolved into six parts because Lindsay has so much to share. Read the Introduction to this series
Also Part 1, Apply the Profit+Passion Principle to Choose a Niche
Part 2 , Write Content that Matters to Your Audience
Part 3, Build Traffic to Your Blog with Incoming …read more

HomeBizNotes.com
Build Traffic to Your Blog with Incoming Links (Part 3)
By Lindsay Buroker
(Lindsay left a comment on one of my posts here at Home Biz Notes. When I visited her blog, Writing for Your Wealth, I thought, “This information is great for online writers.” So I invited her to write a guest post.
Actually it has evolved into six parts because Lindsay has so much to share. Read the Introduction to this series
Also Part 1, Apply the Profit+Passion Principle to Choose a Niche
Part 2 , Write Content that Matters to Your Audience
Guest Post
In the old …read more

HomeBizNotes.com
Write Content That Matters to Your Audience

(Part 2)
By Lindsay Buroker
(Lindsay left a comment on one of my posts here at Home Biz Notes. When I visited her blog, Writing for Your Wealth, I thought, “This information is great for online writers.” So I invited her to write a guest post.
Actually it has evolved into six parts because Lindsay has so much to share. Read the Introduction to this series
Also Part 1
Guest Post
Once you’ve got a niche, think about your target audience. Who do you expect to read your blog? Fellow students? …read more