Rat Race Mutiny

Presidents’ Day Blowout Sale

RRM — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:52:28 +0000

No matter what kind of business you run, from promoting your books as an author to selling your jams locally, a website is a necessity in today’s modern, Internet-driven world. If you’ve been thinking about getting a website, but haven’t known where to start Promo Divas can help. Even better, if you sign up by February 20th at 11:59 p.m., you can save money and get some extra promotional features that you won’t find anywhere else.

Promo Divas Doesn’t Just Make Websites, We Promote Them, Too!

Four different packages available for this sale only. Get the full details at: http://promodivas.com/promotions/presidents-day-blowout-sale

Feel free to email me with questions.

http://promodivas.com/promotions/presidents-day-blowout-sale/

Interview with Judy Katz, Professional Ghostwriter, Publisher, Public Relations Expert

RRM — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 04:12:43 +0000

I was so excited to have the opportunity interview the inspiring Judy Katz recently. Judy agreed to share with our readers how she got into the ghostwriting business, a few of her secrets to success and tips for how our readers can do something similar. I know you’ll enjoy this interview. Need ghostwriting services for your business? Judy and her team of professionals are available.

Judy Katz, Founder and President of Katz Creative Inc.

RRM: Judy, you work as a full-time ghost writer and PR rep. Tell us a little about your business, Katz Creative…

Judy: I had been doing public relations exclusively and built it up to a 12-person midtown firm. But dealing with staff personnel “dramas” and all the minutia of being “the boss” kept me from my real love…writing. So, I transitioned to a home office. I immediately cut out the commute and my luxurious 2000 sq. foot high rise was no longer empty by day. I loved being able to work all hours of the day and night, using my core strength–my writing skills, and especially ghostwriting books for others, then extending that to publishing the book through a small publishing arm I created, and then, yes back to PR, for my authors only.

RRM: How did you find the courage to walk away from a lucrative career and begin your own freelance career? I know fear holds many people back who would love to own their own business.

Judy: I had a small nest egg as a cushion, which gave me the few months I needed to find would be authors as book clients. Plus I had a greater fear, which was never daring to live my dream.

RRM: You’ve been ghostwriting for about 7 years. How long did it take you to get your business going to a level where you were making a living wage?

Judy: It was pretty fast. It’s actually too long a story for here, but basically I got a story out on the wire services about my transition, and people contacted me from all over. None of them wanted to pay, however…they all basically thought I should write their book, get them a big advance, get them on Oprah, and they would then share the largesse. So, I convinced a PR client she needed a book, that book has done remarkably well for her as a huge marketing tool for her Wall Street firm, word of mouth buzz began, and the rest is history, as they say.

RRM: You can refuse to answer this question, because it’s rather rude, but would you care to share a ballpark figure of how much you make, so readers know the possibilities?

Judy: On my best year, $500,000, on my worst $250,000. Usually somewhere in between. But, keep in mind these are gross not net. I now have a few people on staff…yes, can’t always stay a solopreneur even if you want to. One can’t do it all, especially since social media has become a large part of promoting books, and it’s very focused, intense , hands-on work that I can’t do myself if I want to keep writing books.

RRM: Why did you decide to mesh the PR with the ghostwriting?

Judy: There are other ghostwriters. We at Katz Creative (www.ghostbooksters.com) are unique in that we can write your book, design and publish it, and then…voila!…promote it! So I have to have that element. But someone else can form a strategic alliance with, for example, a home-based PR firm.

RRM: Do you still have to seek new clients or is most of your new work by word-of-mouth these days?

Judy: I network a lot and I think it’s important to keep doing that. I also give talks to any group that wants me on what it takes today to birth a book. But yes, these days most of my projects come in from my authors.

RRM: How many hours a week do you write?

Judy: Oh please…it’s all I do. I can’t count the hours. I work 7 days a week because I take on too much. Greed versus need, or the other way around? Not sure, but I fall in love with the client’s stories, for sure and want to help them become authors. It’s my passion, which is also my downfall. I will have an actual life again someday. Right now this one feels right.

RRM: How do you stay organized with all the different clients and meet various deadlines?

Judy: I don’t always. I am in trouble with one author and am playing catchup. As I said, too many plates spinning at same time. My bad. I caution others to not do as I do. Limit yourself if you can. Part of the challenge is, no one pays you quite enough to just do his or her book exclusively.

RRM: What about writing your own projects? Do you have any energy left for that?

Judy: I have energy to spare, but frankly no interest in writing my own book or books right now.

RRM: You’ve kept a thriving business in this tough economy. How have you managed that when so many businesses are failing?

Judy: Who knows what tomorrow will bring. Right now people need books to give them that competitive edge in their various industries, or have the time and some resources to tell their stories, for which they need my help. I have been very, very fortunate, for sure.

RRM: Anything else you’d like to add?

Judy: Sure…I extend an invitation to any of your audience who want to speak with me, to just e-mail me and then we can set up a call.

How Do I Get Clients in a Down Economy?

RRM — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 03:18:29 +0000

Spend time in your home office seeking client contacts.

Just about all small business owners, including freelancers, are wondering, “How do I get clients in a down economy?” Finding new clients is something that takes time and effort even when the economy is good. By following a few simple rules, you’ll be able to gain new clients and make your business successful.

Why Do You Need New Clients?

Gaining new clients, while retaining old clients is a key to any successful entrepreneurial adventure. No matter what type of business you’re in, you need new clients. Writers need new readers, direct sales consultants need people to host parties, inventors need new outlets to sell their goods, etc. New clients help take your business to the next level and up your annual income. The key is keeping your old clients while gaining new ones. Otherwise, your business will not grow, it will just stay at the same level.

Ways to Seek New Customers

There are many ways to seek new customers, but some of the most effective ways include some of the tried and true methods that have been around for generations. We’ll go into these in a bit more detail below. Also, we’ll take a look at some of the newer trends in gaining customers.

Referrals

One of the best ways to gain new clients is to simply ask your current clients to refer you to others. This type of word-of-mouth advertising is one of the most effective. I like to give a little bonus if the person signs up for a package and pays. For example, one of my web design clients recently referred a new client to me, so I put a $10 credit on their account and let them know about it. It was a simple thank you that the client really appreciated.

Sales

If you need new business quickly, run a few sales. Offer a percentage or certain amount off if the person signs up by a particular date. Those of you in direct sales could offer a package like one-on-one tutoring sessions for the new consultant or letting them take one of your booked parties. This helps you as well, because you usually earn a percentage of what your downline sales. Try to be creative with your sales. Limit them to 48 to 72 hours and stick to it. Don’t keep extending the sale or there is no reason for people to sign up right away. Also, don’t offer the sales too often or there is no real incentive, because the potential clients will realize you run these sales all the time. They’ll just wait for the next one.

Schedule in Time for New Client Seeking

Most successful freelancers spend 30 minutes to an hour of each work day seeking out new jobs and clients. How you go about this might be varied. You could ask current clients for names and numbers of people who might be interested and cold call. You could visit local businesses. You could post information on your social networking sites. You could even make the rounds of online chats and interviews to increase your exposure for free. Try different things and go back to the ones that work best.

Social Media

For today’s modern business owner, social networking is an absolute must. Utilize your network to find new clients. Create a post reminding everyone of what you do and asking if they will spread the word. Offer to reward the favor, of course. The main sites to start with for networking include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, but there are also many others out there, so think about what ties in best with your business and work those connections.

Stay Upbeat

Anyone who has owned a business for a while will tell you that there are ups and downs and that work will seem to lag and then will pour in all at once. Spending a set time every day seeking new work helps a bit, but it will still have lulls and busy periods. When the lulls c

Woodworkers Best High Quality Carving Tools

RRM — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 08:03:15 +0000

Source: Morguefile Archive

Whether you are an experienced wood carver, or a brand new beginner, you’ll want to make sure the carving tools you purchase are the best possible. High-quality carving tools can be expensive, but you’ll enjoy years of use out of them. There are some specific qualities you’ll want to look for in the best tools.

High-quality carving tools can be expensive, but you’ll enjoy years of use out of them. Consider starting with the most basic of wood carving tools and spending a little more on these. It is easy to expand from there. There are some specific qualities you’ll want to look for when you begin to choose woodcarving tools.

Basic Tools to Buy

Know what tools to buy first. There are some basic tools that you will use often as a wood carver. These are gouges, chisels, a rubber mallet to drive the gouge into the wood, sand paper and finger guards to protect your fingers while carving. The size of gouges and chisels will depend upon what types of projects you wish to carve. Any employee of a local hobby store should be able to help you choose an appropriate size for your starting project.

Sharper Is Better

Purchase the sharpest tools you can find. When it comes to wood carving, the key to a high-quality carve is having a sharp edge to your carving tool. Some of the best brands for a sharp edge include U.J. Ramelson, Warren Cutlery and Pfeil Tools. You can find links to these carving tool makers in the resources area below.

Will the Tool Hold its Edge?

Look for tools that are made from forged and tempered steel, so that they will a sharp edge longer. While you will have to sharpen your tools often, higher quality materials will hold an edge longer than more cheaply made products. The best tools will come already sharp and honed to a perfect angle. This will also make it easier for you to sharpen the tool, since the angle of the cutting edge will already be set and you’ll simply need to hone it a bit.

Storage Cases

The highest quality carving tools come with wooden storage containers that separate each tool to avoid the blades banging together, which can dull edges or damage tools. Since you will be making an investment in your wood carving tools, you’ll want them to last a long time.

Resources

U.J. Ramelson
Warren Cutlery
Pfeil Tools

Want ideas for last minute gift ideas? Check out my article on the Best Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Photo Gifts.

Costs to Start Physical Therapy Business

RRM — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 05:18:33 +0000

Physical therapists need a minimum of a table and exercise equipment.

Physical Therapy (PT) offers the opportunity to work out of your home or set your own schedule. While you can work for a hospital or medical office, you may find that the flexibility of working for yourself is much more desirable.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, estimated that in 2008 approximately 185,500 physical therapists were employed in the U.S. Around 60 percent of those worked in hospitals, physical therapy clinics or health care practitioner offices. The rest ran businesses out of their homes or traveled to their patient’s locations. How much it costs to start your physical therapy business depends upon whether you purchase tables and other equipment or work out of the offices of others.

Physical Therapy Degree and License

The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy administers the national licensing test for physical therapists. To be eligible to take this test, you must first complete an advanced degree in physical therapy from an accredited institution of higher learning. The cost of the degree can vary, depending upon the college attended and whether you live at home or on campus. At the time of publication, the cost to take the test is $370. States also charge an additional fee for license application.

Location

Choose a location for your physical therapy business. The least expensive start-up option is to lease space from a local health care provider. This also gives your physical therapy business visibility to patients in need of your services and, in most cases, the equipment you need will be on premises. Home offices are another cheaper option. If you choose to lease commercial building space, look for a location with plenty of parking and near doctors’ offices and hospitals.

Equipment

Purchase or rent equipment for your PT business. If you plan to visit patient’s homes, look for equipment that is easy to set up and take down and that is lightweight. Different equipment is needed for different types of therapy, so this cost can vary. Purchase a computer and software to help track appointments and payments.

Insurance

Call your insurance agent and find out if your current company offers business insurance for PTs or if your agent can recommend a company that offers liability insurance for your career. If you plan to drive to and from patients’ homes, you will also need to inquire about any changes to your vehicle insurance.

Advertise

Get the word out about your business with ads in the local paper, flyers, and passing out business cards. Network with doctors , nursing homes, sports specialists and hospitals. Make them aware of the services you offer and ask if they will refer you to their patients.

Costs to Renovate an Office Space

RRM — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 19:08:46 +0000

Renovations can be as simple as paint or as complex as tearing down walls.

Most Rat Race Mutiny readers work out of a home office, but a few lease office space or grow beyond their initial home space. I will cover both types of offices in this article.

Reasons abound to update an office space, including opening a new business, expanding an existing business, or setting up a home office work space. As of 2011, Bankrate.com estimates a cost of $10,526 to renovate a home office. On the other hand, Dagher Engineering located in New York City spent about $1 million to renovate its 10,000 square-foot office space. Costs to renovate vary depending upon factors like location and the type of renovations.

I will focus on the most common renovations, like paint and new carpet. If you choose to wallpaper or use other types of flooring, this can increase the costs dramatically. The most common renovation projects are listed in this particular article.

Painting

If your office simply needs to be refreshed, new paint is an inexpensive option. Types of paint vary in cost. To figure how much paint you need, add the length of each wall that requires painting and multiply that number by the height of your walls. The result is the square footage of your space. Typically, a gallon of paint will cover about 350 square-feet. If the walls have never been painted, add in the cost of coating with primer before painting.

Carpet

According to HomeWyse.com, the 2011 national average to install carpet is between $1.14 and $1.51 for each square foot of carpet. The actual cost can vary from city to city. If purchasing for a large office, negotiate a lower price as the carpet will be purchased in bulk. Keep in mind that a mid-grade carpet will last longer than a cheaper carpet and save money in the long run.

Technology

If you are remodeling your office to take advantage of technological advances, figure this cost into your renovations. For example, running CAT5 or CAT6 wire throughout the office allows users to hook directly into an office network. An electrician often buys in bulk and will get a reduced rate on this wire.

Adding Space

If your office is located in an older building, the rooms may be small and broken up. An open space with cubicles allows workers to easily talk about projects and adds space where the walls once stood. If the walls that are removed are not load-bearing walls, then the removal cost will be less. A removed load-bearing wall requires additional expense to prop the weight of the building up with a beam or other device.

Bidding a Lawn Care Contract

RRM — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 05:28:22 +0000

A mowing business can be lucrative and fairly easy to start. When it comes to bidding on jobs, however, you should follow specific steps to ensure you make enough money to cover your time and that you are competitive with other companies in the area. Every agreement should take into account how often you will mow and how much area will be mowed.

Gather information for the bid

Determine how much grass you will be mowing and how often you will mow. If you own a commercial mower with a larger than standard cutting deck, you may want to insist on using your own equipment to reduce time. If you use your own equipment, that will factor into the cost. Also, ask if there are any special areas of concern in the yard and if they want any special features, such as diagonal mowing cut (this takes longer). Also pay attention to any problem areas that need to be worked around such as hills, ditches, playground equipment, trees and landscaping.

Salary

Decide how much you want to make per hour. If you’d like to make $12 an hour and will be working by yourself, then you simply factor in $12 for every hour it will take you to mow at this location. The best way to guesstimate the time it will take you to mow is to use your equipment on your own yard. You will then know how much space can be mowed in an hour. Add time on for a lot of yard decorations, playground equipment and so on. Don’t set your prices so low that you can’t meet costs or are working for less than minimum wage.

Fuel Costs

Add on the cost of gasoline for the mower and for your vehicle and driving to and from the work site. You may also want to add on a few dollars for a repair fund. If you run your equipment full-time every day, then you will need to repair and replace it eventually.

Details

List every minute detail on the bid. Include how often the yard will be mowed, the exact area that will be mowed and any special services added on, such as edging once a month. Break the cost down. Some customers will want to pay for the entire mowing season, but most will prefer to pay once a month.

Contact Information

Include contact information on the bid, so the customer can easily get in touch and sign a final contract. If a bid was given to a customer and that person has not called within a few days, give the customer a quick follow-up call to see if there are any questions.

Earn $10 – Over and Over

RRM — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 05:06:04 +0000

Hello all,

I could really use your help, but there’s something in it for you, too. Many of you already know that I’ve started a new web design and promotions business called Promo Divas. Right now, if you refer someone and they sign up for a package, I will send you $10 via PayPal. As soon as we receive our payment, you’ll get yours (Payment must clear). You do not have to have a certain number. We will pay out the $10 affiliate fees daily. If you’re like most freelance writers/people, getting some quick money in your pocket can be a real boost to your financial health. You can get all the details by sending an e-mail to:

Iwant10@lorisoard.com

Thanks so much.

Lori

Designing Purses Interview

RRM — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 07:44:16 +0000

I had the pleasure of interviewing Kelli Turner of Kelli Diane Designs. If you’ve ever considered designing purses, Kelli’s story will likely inspire you.

About Kelli

Lori Soard: Kelli, you actually disliked handbags as a child. Can you share that story with our readers?

Kelli Turner: Yes, when I was a little girl, my mom would always try and have me carry a purse. I really disliked purses and did not want anything to do with them. I didn’t want to carry one at all.

Lori: When did you finally get interested in purses?

Kelli: I finally got into purses when I was about 21. One of my best friends was really into purses and then I started liking them. I would go to downtown LA and buy a purse almost every weekend. It got to the point where my mom told me I could not bring another purse into her house. I would even hide the purses that I bought so that my parents would not know I had brought another purse into their house. However, I was a young student and couldn’t afford expensive purses and that is why I would go downtown and sometimes get 3 purses for $10.00. To a college student that is a great deal. That is actually a good deal for anyone these days! However, they were not good quality purses and after awhile some of them fell apart.

Becoming a Designer

Lori: How did that love of purses translate into designing purses?

Kelli: Since I love purses so much, I thought, “Why don’t I start designing my own purses.” I always gave purses to my friends and family as gifts. I figured why not give them a purse that I designed.

Lori: Where do you get your inspiration for your designs?

Kelli: I get inspiration for my designs from my family and friends, and that is why all of my purses are named after them. My first design was the Diane Satchel which was named after my mother.

Lori: What kinds of materials do you use and why those materials? I notice you use a lot of leather, but unusual colors. How do you decide what colors to use?

Kelli: All of my purses are made out of leather, but the unique thing about my purses is that the interior will never be the same. When you open the purse, you don’t know what you are going to get.

Starting a Design Business

Lori: You’re the designer and you started your business from scratch and built it. What was the most challenging part of this process?

Kelli: The most challenging part of this process was finding a manufacturer. It took me over a year to find one. I searched overseas, New York, etc. and finally found one right here in CA.

Lori: You do custom designs for bridal parties. Can you share a little more about this for any bride-to-be that might be reading this?

Kelli: Yes, one of my friends was having a wedding in Greece so I came up with the idea to make clutches that were white leather and the interior was the Grecian blue and white. Each bridesmaid received a clutch and wore it the day of the wedding. After that, I decided that I would do customized clutches for bridal parties.

Lori: Do you worry about the current fashion trends or just create what you know you’d love?

Kelli: I do a little bit of both. I study the fashion trends and then like to put my own twist on it. I see what colors are in and then I go from there. I pick designs and colors that I like and ones that I know others will like. I don’t want to be exactly the same as other designers out there so I like to add a unique color and interior.

Lori: How many new designs do you release each season? What can we expect for fall/winter 2011?

Kelli: I usually try to release two designs each season. This fall/winter I am going to bring back a couple of my customer’s favorite clutches and men’s wallets, and a nice tote bag.

Lori: Are any celebrities carrying your purses? Who?

Kelli: Yes, there are a few celebrities that have my bags. Loretta Devine, Kelly Price, Shanice and her mother, Naturi Naughton, Dena Cali, Desiree Coleman Jackson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jody Watley, and a few more.

Lori: What purse are you carrying right now? Which is your favorite?

Kelli: Right now I am carrying the Diane Satchel in Red. I always carry one of my clutches coin purse and wristlet. My favorite design is my clutches, because I can carry them everywhere and they fit all the necessities: ATM card, Driver’s license, lip gloss, camera, cell phone, keys and much more. I also like that I am not lugging a huge purse around when running errands or a night out on the town.

Giving Back

Lori: A portion of your proceeds go to the Foundation for Living Beauty. Why are you passionate about helping this particular organization?

Kelli: My Mother is a cancer survivor and I have many family members and friends that are cancer survivors and a few close ones that have passed away. Kelli Diane Designs donates a percentage of our proceeds to The Foundation for Living Beauty. This foundation helps women living with cancer and cancer survivors deal with the daily stresses of their condition. Each clutch comes with a purse charm of the pink Breast Cancer Ribbon. This clutch is made of soft high quality leather and fits money, credit cards, cell phone, keys and more. It is easy to carry around all day and night and won’t weigh you down when on the go! This clutch is named after one of my mother’s best friends who passed away from breast cancer and her daughter who is a breast cancer survivor

Final Thoughts

Lori: Anything you’d like to add?

Kelli: I love designing purses; it is my passion and my dream. I believe that in life everything happens for a reason and that people were put into your life for a reason, season or lifetime. It is your job to figure it out. No matter how many people discourage you, or don’t believe in your dream keeping pursuing it. It is your dream, not theirs, and you are the only one that can make your dream a reality.

Get a Grant for Group Foster Home

RRM — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 01:48:47 +0000

If you’ve thought of fostering children, then you may want to consider opening a group home. There are so many children that need a safe place to go. Sometimes they need a place for just a short period of time. Sometimes they need a permanent home until they are old enough to survive on their own. Fortunately, there are funding options to get group homes started.

According to a 2009 study conducted by the US Department of Health and Human Services, there were 423,773 foster children in the care of various states. Out of those children, about half were in non-relative foster care situations. In some states, the availability of places to foster children in the system is lacking. Group homes can help fill the gap by providing care for several children at once in a family-like setting. Fortunately, there are grants to help get these homes going.

Transitional Living Program for Older Homeless Youth

The Department of Health and Human Services offers a grant program called Transitional Living Program for Older Homeless Youth. This program provides help to facilities that provide long-term, residential help to youth aged 16 to 21. The goal of these programs should be to help the youth learn to live successfully on their own in the future. You can apply for the program though the Grants.gov website.

The Community Entitlement Grant

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers a grant that is aimed at helping people provide services in their community. Group foster homes fall under this grant, so organizations wanting to start such a program can apply for funding from HUD. The funds are available to cities and counties with between 50,000 and 200,000 residents.

Community Facilities Grant

This grant is sponsored by the United Stated Department of Agriculture. It is for communities with 20,000 residents or fewer that want to develop community facilities such as group homes for foster children. Those who can apply for this grant are nonprofit organizations, towns and municipalities.

County Services

Check with your county’s child protective services agency to find out if any local grants are available for which you can apply. Corporate sponsors and state and local government funding is sometimes available to help with the expenses of starting and running a group home.

Religious Organizations

Contact local religious organizations to see if they offer any funding for community projects. Local churches likely won’t be able to offer more than some supplies and prayers, but the main offices of large denominational groups like the Southern Baptists, the Catholic Archdiocese and the United Methodist Church may be able to provide assistance or point you in the right direction.