Crowdsourcing Business How To’s to Help the Work at Home Community

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Written by: Wendy Piersall

Last year, I ran two Group Research projects - it was a group writing project with a twist. The community around this site had a lot of things they wanted to learn about, and I knew that many readers would be able to help each other with their expertise.

So we put together a big group “Wish List”. I gathered questions that everyone wanted to get answered, and then we split the task of writing How To posts that accomplished some fantastic goals for the participants:

  1. Readers were able to showcase their expertise to the rest of the Sparkplugging community
  2. The quality of the posts that were submitted was so high that they became ‘Flagship’ content on the participants’ own blogs
  3. The final roundup post sent tons of traffic to the participants’ sites (and a year later continues to send traffic their way)
  4. Readers who needed help with specific questions about online marketing, blogging and working at home got their questions answered from quality sources of information.
  5. (Read :: this is advertising for the ‘cost’ of writing a post!)

So here’s how our crowdsourcing works

I’ve wanted to repeat this project again for a long time - it’s a ton of work but it’s so rewarding, so let’s help each other out!

  1. Pick one of the following topics to write about OR suggest a topic
  2. Leave a comment saying what number you are choosing or what topic you want to cover
  3. Write up a quality How To post, or video blog it (posts must be new, and not previously published)
  4. Either trackback or leave a comment with a link to your post by noon CST Wednesday May 21st

Engage in the conversation and get to know each other better!

On Monday I asked readers what they wanted to learn more about. Here are some suggested How To post topics, but feel free to add your own:

  1. How to setup a landing page and funnel the information to a autoresponder?
  2. How to leverage Twitter to help your business grow?
  3. How to manage your time better while working in a home office?
  4. How do I get out of the idea stage and to take the leap into getting paid for my work?
  5. How do I break out of working too much because I live in my home office?
  6. How do I discipline myself to work more because life is so distracting in my home office?
  7. How can I drive more traffic to my site?
  8. How can I increase the profitability of my business?
  9. How do I know when to quit or when to persevere?
  10. How do I leverage my blog into more consulting gigs?
  11. How do I find the right business to run from home?
  12. How do I start an Etsy/Silkfair shop?
  13. How do I market myself as a freelancer/consultant?
  14. How do I get started with email marketing?
  15. How do I choose the best way to sell my products online?
  16. How can I market myself online for free?
  17. How do I get more RSS subscribers to my blog?
  18. How can I build more community around my website?
  19. How can I build my audience outside of the blogosphere?
  20. How can I pitch mainstream media to get them to cover my business?

So now I turn it over to the crowd. Please pick a topic, suggest an additional topic, submit your articles, and we’ll have a blast learning from each other. :)

Again, deadline for submissions is noon CST Wednesday May 21st

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Discussion

What do you think? Leave a comment. Alternatively, write a post on your own weblog; this blog accepts trackbacks [Trackback URL]. Comment Policy

Comments

1. On May 15th, 2008 at 1:57 pm, Colleen Vanderlinden said:

I’d like to tackle #6–How do I discipline myself to work more because life is so distracting in my home office?

I’m so glad you’re doing this again! I learned so much last year.

2. On May 15th, 2008 at 2:04 pm, Joe Cheray said:

Wendy I would like to tackle how to market yourself online for free. I have learned a lot of tips and tricks since taking Yaro’s courses and also with working with folks on Ed Dale’s 30 Day Challenge.

Let me know what deadline your looking at for our submissions to be turned in so I have an idea of what time frame I have to work with.

3. On May 15th, 2008 at 2:09 pm, Wendy Piersall said:

@ Joe Cheray:

Noon CST Wednesday May 21st

Last year I let people slip in submissions late, which turned out to double the workload. So this year I’ll have to stick to that deadline. :)

4. On May 15th, 2008 at 2:10 pm, Jenn said:

OH, I like - How to manage your time better while working in a home office? I’m off to put my fingertips to work..

Jenns last blog post..Awesome eBay Sales in April!

5. On May 15th, 2008 at 2:30 pm, Barbara Ling said:

Depending upon the color of the moon, I might be able to tackle

How to setup a landing page and funnel the information to a autoresponder?

Lord knows I even dream about stuff like this nowadays….(and folks say I don’t have a life! HAH! :) )

Barbara

Barbara Lings last blog post..Today’s Words of Wisdom - 4 Simple Steps Anyone Can Do For Mega Publicity

6. On May 15th, 2008 at 10:15 pm, Mary-Lynn said:

Wendy, we helped one of our readers with the problem of avoiding distractions while working from home. (#6)

You’ll find our suggestions to her here:
http://tinyurl.com/5o74yv

Mary-Lynns last blog post..9 Questions to Answer Before You Make Extra Mortgage Payments

7. On May 16th, 2008 at 2:27 am, lornadoone said:

Ha, ha. Since I’m actually going to be researching this topic for a project I’m doing for a client, I’ll go ahead and take #11, “How do I find the right business to run from home?”

8. On May 16th, 2008 at 9:08 am, Sarah Lewis said:

I’ve been thinking of a post all week since a friend asked how to do something and this serves as motivation to write it. :)

I’m going to write “How to get a custom blog or website design on a small budget.”

I’m also looking with a lot of interest at the “How to setup a landing page and funnel the information to a autoresponder” item….

Sarah Lewiss last blog post..How to keep content on the front page of your WordPress blog

9. On May 16th, 2008 at 9:17 am, Easton Ellsworth said:

I’m in. I’ll tackle #7: “How can I drive more traffic to my site?”

Easton Ellsworths last blog post..How to Overcome Blogging Failure: Tips from Author Barry Moltz

10. On May 16th, 2008 at 1:42 pm, Genesis said:

Hmm, the one I wanted, “How to manage your time better while working in a home office”, is already taken . . . so I´ll write on How to Set Up an Efficient Work at Home System.

11. On May 17th, 2008 at 8:47 pm, Teresa Morrow said:

Wendy,
I would like to add one to the list…how to use networking effectively to help grow your work at home business?

Is that ok Wendy? Please let me know.

Sincerely,

Teresa Morrow
Key Business Partners
Virtual Assistance & Online Promotion for Coaches, Speakers and Writers
http://www.keybusinesspartners.com

Teresa Morrows last blog post..Amy Sherman Book Blog Tour - Distress Free Aging

12. On May 17th, 2008 at 9:38 pm, lisa said:

i’ll tackle the “how to set up an etsy shop”

should be fun.

lisas last blog post..Loop de Loop Earrings Set of 3 Hand Formed Circles in Sterling and 14 karat gold vermeil

14. On May 19th, 2008 at 4:15 pm, Easton Ellsworth said:

Done!

15. On May 19th, 2008 at 6:22 pm, Cory Huff said:

Wendy, I would like to suggest the topic:

How to Keep a Work/Family Balance When Working from Home.

Cory Huffs last blog post..Don’t Bash Your Wife

16. On May 19th, 2008 at 6:30 pm, JoLynn Braley said:

Hi Wendy -

Here’s my topic (not on your list) - How To Stay Healthy & Fit While Working From Home. ;)

I love group writing projects, thanks for doing this!

JoLynn Braleys last blog post..Just For Fun on Friday at The Fit Shack - 4 Things

17. On May 19th, 2008 at 7:06 pm, Mother Earth said:

I’d like to do the manage time one - i’ll title it work from home and plan the perfect day or something like that …due wednesday - sounds fun!!!

Mother Earths last blog post..Natural Approaches to Menopause

18. On May 19th, 2008 at 7:11 pm, Katja @skimbaco said:

I’m more than happy to write about #2.

How to leverage Twitter to help your business grow?

I’ll link up on Wednesday morning.

Katja
@skimbaco

Katja @skimbacos last blog post..Testing snacks for our road trip, healthy snacks

19. On May 19th, 2008 at 10:25 pm, Sarah Lewis said:

Mine is up here: How to Get a Custom Blog or Website Design on a Small Budget

Thanks for the kick in the bum to get going on this!

Sarah Lewiss last blog post..How to Get a Custom Blog or Website Design on a Small Budget

20. On May 19th, 2008 at 10:54 pm, JoLynn Braley said:

Hi Wendy, here’s my post (should show up in comment luv below…)

Thanks for the fun! :)
JoLynn Braleys last blog post..How To Stay Healthy & Fit While Working From Home

21. On May 20th, 2008 at 7:15 am, Will Scott said:

Hi Wendy,

I have a few ideas for #8 How can I increase the profitability of my business?

Sort of a World is Flat, 4 Hour Workweek take on life :)

22. On May 20th, 2008 at 9:15 am, John said:

I’ve written one on turning your idea into a business - the link should appear in the comment luv.

Johns last blog post..Government To Call On Entrepreneurs To Become Mentors

24. On May 20th, 2008 at 1:37 pm, jenn said:

How to manage your time better while working in a home office - all set. Should see it below w/ CommentLuv.

Thanks so much!

jenns last blog post..How To Manage Your Time Better While Working In A Home Office

25. On May 20th, 2008 at 7:48 pm, cory huff said:

Hey there! My post is up. Thanks for the good idea and the motivation. I really liked the “how to get a custom blog on a small budget” post. It was really, really good!

cory huffs last blog post..How to Make Sure Your Marriage Survives Your Work at Home Transition

26. On May 21st, 2008 at 12:27 am, Cheryl Smith said:

Hi Wendy,

My post is a suggestion not on your list - How to Network (in person) for Introverts. You can find it at http://www.culturesmithconsulting.com/news/2008/05/21/networking-in-person-for-introverts/

Cheryl Smiths last blog post..Networking (in person) for Introverts

27. On May 21st, 2008 at 2:18 am, Chris Perrin said:

I have launched my new productivity blog at http://blog.theparsystem.com/ by answering…

How to manage your time better while working in a home office?

I also enabled CommentLuv. Enjoy!

28. On May 21st, 2008 at 10:08 am, Mark Silver said:

Hey Wendy,

thanks for that ‘last call’ tweet. How about this one:

“Profitability: How to get from ‘just enough’ to ‘extra.’

It’s an article on an html web page- it was from before I was blogging. If you want to use it, I’m happy to drop it into a blog post- I can make it happen today, rather easily. If not, I’m happy to just contribute energy towards your collection.

29. On May 21st, 2008 at 10:29 am, Joe Cheray said:

Wendy here is my submission

http://wildheartsworks.com/157/how-to-market-yourself-for-free-via-the-net/

It goes live around 11 am today.

30. On May 21st, 2008 at 11:31 am, Gary Lee said:

Chose No. 1 about landing pages and autoresponders . . . . hope I made it in time - http://www.mrgarylee.com/how-to-build-a-landing-page-for-an-email-autoresponder/

Gary Lees last blog post..How to Build a Landing Page for an Email Autoresponder

32. On May 21st, 2008 at 1:20 pm, Kristen said:

Hi- I posted about Twitter, but now that I know there will be a link I’ll further explain some of the points and make it a bit more in depth
http://www.tubbybundle.com/blog/how-to-use-twitter-simplified/

33. On May 21st, 2008 at 2:19 pm, lisa said:

wendy, had a little family “thing” can i still submit an article tonight? :)
lisas last blog post..Go GREEN ring - recycled, reused sterling silver ring

34. On May 21st, 2008 at 3:50 pm, Barbara Ling said:

Hello,

Here’s my calmly-written entry entitled, and I quote,

How To Write A Bazillion Miles An Hour When No Coffee Is In Sight.

Oops, sorry, that’s my mental current state of mind. :) Here it is:

Beef up your list by powering up your autoresponder mastery

Methinks it’s time to start Coffee #N where N is a HUUUUGE number brewing…. :)

Best wishes,

Barbara

Barbara Lings last blog post..Today’s Words of Wisdom - A Bird In The Hand Is Really Dumb If…

35. On May 21st, 2008 at 10:47 pm, lornadoone said:

Leave it to one of your own authors to forget about the “noon” part of the deadline. Here’s my post about choosing the right home-based business for you: http://www.sparkplugging.com/freelance-parent/find-the-right-home-based-business-to-start/

36. On May 21st, 2008 at 10:53 pm, Chris Perrin said:

It might help if I gave a link to the actual post…

http://blog.theparsystem.com/2008/05/21/productivity-and-the-home-office/

37. On May 21st, 2008 at 11:06 pm, Joe Cheray said:

Wendy Word Press had a brainfart on my end and my submission was still in the queu at 8 pm this eve I had over ride the time stamp so it is live now.

Joe Cherays last blog post..How to Market Yourself for Free via The Net

38. On May 21st, 2008 at 11:15 pm, Katja @skimbaco said:

I’m super late, but I did the “How to leverage Twitter to help you grow”…

Katja

http://skimbaco.blogspot.com/2008/05/how-to-leverage-twitter-to-help-your.html

Katja @skimbacos last blog post..How to leverage Twitter to help your business grow

39. On May 22nd, 2008 at 4:13 pm, Will Scott said:

Goodness Wendy, that zero day deadline is rough with a business to run!

Let’s see how this CommentLuv thing works…

40. On May 22nd, 2008 at 6:24 pm, Will Scott said:

Looks like no love from CommentLuv: http://www.searchinfluence.com/blog/2008/05/outsource-your-brain/

Will Scotts last blog post..How to Outsource Your Brain for Fun AND Profit

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