Alyice Edrich - The Dabbling Mum - Writing
Battling through to her goal...low income... government assistance... embarrassment but still Alyice got to where she wanted to go
In 1999 I researched a business idea that I thought I’d thoroughly enjoy. And for awhile I did, but then we moved states and I couldn’t get my license for an entire year—some rule about needing to be a resident of the state first. Needless to say, continuing in that line of work was a no go and I’d either have to return to the corporate world or start a new business. I opted to start a new business.
With the Internet at my fingertips, I did some research online and discovered that I could make money by offering my services as a web designer and freelance writer.
I had already written an e-book, “Tid-Bits For New Signing Agents”, for the business that I had successfully run prior to moving states so it was a natural progression in my eyes. Besides, I always wondered what it would be like to own my own magazine, have a regular column, and write for a living. And thanks to the Internet, I knew it was a possibility.
At first, I started out with a free web host and free advertising techniques. I designed a web page and began marketing my services via forums, message boards, and article distribution. I made a few goofs along the way, but I learned early on that the only real way to market oneself in forums and message boards is to put a small ad in the byline and to make relevant, knowledgeable comments without pitching one’s self. Eventually it began to pay off.
As time went on, I realized that I’d never be the web designer other needed. Sure, they’d start out wanting a simple html coded web page to display their freelance services—sort of an online resume. But eventually they all wanted to move into something more complicated and I just didn’t have the desire to learn about scripts and other technical jargon. So I dropped the web design part of my business.
Dropping the web design part of my business freed up my time to improve and grow my talents as a writer. As I grew more comfortable in my writing talents, I realized that I wanted more control over the income I brought in, so I started my own magazine—complete with affiliate links, hire a writer links, and products for sale.
In the beginning, I bartered my writing services in exchange for articles for my newsletter and/or website.
What makes this a real success story is that this all occurred while my husband quit his job to return to college full-time and we had just recently moved from one state to another—with no family or friends nearby. Since my husband was in school full-time, it was up to me to provide for our family.
In the beginning finances were tight. We lived on our savings and whatever income I could bring in. We lived in an area that paid, on average, $9 per hour. After subtracting babysitter fees, I was better off working for myself. But that left us without medical insurance so I had to humble myself and put my pride aside. At first, we received state aide for medical and dental, then as my business grew and my income improved, we moved from free state-covered medical insurance to a premium service. Luckily, the state offered wonderful insurance premiums for nearly $200 a month. But that wasn’t my first experience with humility. When the first winter arrived, I couldn’t pay the high electricity bill. It was either the bill or food for the kids. Luckily, our city offered a one-time help service. We even went on the free school lunch program for awhile.
To be honest, it was embarrassing—even embarrassing to admit now. But I had a family to take care of, and whether I went back to work in the “real” world, or I continued with my business, I was going to have to seek assistance so I bucked up, and persevered.
Since that first attempt, my magazine, The Dabbling Mum®, www.thedabblingmum.comhas grown and transformed into a respectable publication and I’ve been blessed with wonderful writing opportunities.
What also makes this a success story is that my family hasn’t suffered. Even when money was tight during the first year, we managed to grow closer together and bond in ways I don’t think could have happened had I been forced to take a job outside the home.
This website is brought to you as a World Community Service
by the Orange Town & Around website in Australia.
It was the only way I could afford content and I couldn’t see asking someone to write for me for free if they weren’t getting something out of it, too. But as the money began to come in, I realized I could use my time more effectively by paying a nominal fee to use original articles non-exclusively while archiving them indefinitely. I’d give a generous byline, complete with active links back to the writer’s main site and/or product for sale.
And thus began my career as an online publisher and magazine editor. But it wasn’t easy.
