I’ve been doing a lot of research about different writing avenues. I am still a copywriter for hire, but I’m also exploring blogging for pay, and Web writing. Let me know if you’re in need of any of those services.

I’m also going to move to a new host, so I can begin accepting advertisers and sponsors. My loyal readers, please use the link from my website to find this blog when it moves. I’m going to start a few more blogs as well.

Funny, I’ve never been much of a writer. That is, I never spent a lot of time writing for the fun of it. But I found out that I’m good at it, and it’s actually enjoyable.

On another note, I’ve decided against sending my daughter to daycare after all. So she’s home with me again, and at the sitters’ as well. We’ll see how it goes.

Things aren’t moving along as quickly as I’d like.

I’ve realized a few things need to be changed. Marketing is my downfall as a writer. But if people don’t know about my services, they won’t be able to use them. And just as important (or maybe even more important), even if they know I exist, it doesn’t help if they forget about me.

This month my focus will be on marketing to new prospects and reminding old prospects that I’m still here. I’ll also ask former clients for referrals.

In other news, I just landed a new project with an existing (satisfied) customer. I’ll be writing bios for the client’s staff, to be published on their website. In addition, I’ll continue writing brochure copy for their real estate listings.

Onward and upward!

Even with all the ups and downs of working for myself, I realize there are definite personality reasons why I must.

Here’s the evidence.

1. I can’t do just one thing. These past few weeks I decided to blog, become a webwriter, start a new housecleaning routine, enroll my daughter in daycare, and optimize my website.
2. I don’t get places on time. Imagine how well that works when I have a boss.
3. I have a toddler. Who knows when I have to get up or when I get to bed.
4. No boss standing over my shoulder.
5. I like to work really late at night, or really early in the morning, depending on the day.
6. Sometimes I like to work at Starbucks. Or the local park.
7. I have a toddler. Did I mention that already? If she’s sick I’m right here.
8. I can wear whatever I want.
9. I can be loud, quiet, messy, neat, or whatever I want!
10. I think I can do a better job than everyone. So I’m putting my money where my mouth is!

Great news! Peter Bowerman, author of “The Well-Fed Writer,” wants to include me in his new book!

He was looking for inspirational stories of copywriters, and my being a WAHM will be one of them. I’ll announce when it’s official (when the book goes to print, and my story is in there). I’m looking forward to having my story showcased in what will be a very popular book.

I feel like a hypocrite, but I think I need to enroll my daughter in daycare. It’s getting harder and harder to get any work done while she’s at home. I want to keep her with me, but if I can’t make a living, life will quickly become dismal.

Our first try with daycare was not up to par. They didn’t give the babies soft enough food, my daughter cried for 5 minutes and no one comforted her (I ran in and saved her, though), and they didn’t have an educational focus.

This new daycare was different. They teach numbers, colors, sign language, and focus on motor skills, art, and music too. My smart cookie already knows numbers (up to 20), colors, and lots of signs, but I’m glad she’ll be in an environment where these things are encouraged.

And best of all, she seemed to really like it. I walked out a few times and she was fine.

With my primary caregiver (family) out of commission for awhile, this is a necessary step. Besides not getting any work done, I’m finding myself losing patience. It’s tough being the sole parent. I don’t get any break, unless she goes to sleep. It’s emotionally draining.

Even with daycare, though, I’ll have a much more flexible schedule than I would working for someone else. Now…to figure out how to get to the daycare.

Days like this serve to question my commitment to owning a home business. But we’ll get through it!

I’ve started taking this cool online class that teaches SEO techniques. It’s called, ironically, SEO-Techniques. I’m adding their site to my blogroll. It’s free, and I’m learning a lot. I recommend it so far, and I’ll post an update when I finish the class and have fully implemented the techniques on my website. One of the best things is that it repeats. So check it out.

I so misunderstood SEO. I have a million tags for this blog, for instance, which are totally unnecessary. I’ll be cleaning them up soon.

I’m still negotiating some writing gigs, and continuing to write for my main client. And, of course, I’m still sending out emails. I’m beginning to realize I need to do more than just cold email. I need press releases, maybe an ezine or enewsletter, an SEO site, and some cold calls.

The past few days have been interesting. My caregiver has been unable to watch my daughter, so I’ve had to become quite creative. Working during naptime and after her bedtime has been pretty successful — except for the couple of nights I fell asleep while putting her to bed. Luckily I was able to wake up during the night and continue.

In the meantime, the next several months I will have to investigate daycare (aaack!!) Luckily I have this cool new laptop, with wireless, so I can hang out near the daycare in my favorite coffee shop and still work.

No one said this would be easy. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I recently faced the dilemma of bringing my daughter to a client meeting. Her only caregivers were unavailable, and I don’t have any backups. Being a very protective mother, I am very slow to introduce new people into her young life.

My client needs to meet soon, but I would have to bring my almost 21-month-old with me. It will probably be a moot point (I need to stay close to home to help care for my caregivers), but it brings up a possible future dilemma.

My option(s)?

1. Work with clients via conference calls, webcams, and recorded phone conversations. Most materials can be sent by email, mail, or express mail. Face-to-face meetings can take place during any stage of the project.

2. Market to clients who are more distant, so the option to travel is almost nil.

Being a work-at-home-mom can have some challenges, it’s true. But the alternatives aren’t exciting at all.

Daycare is an option, but there are potential problems. The last time we tried it, both me and my daughter became ill for two weeks. And she cried horribly for the short amount of time she was there. My parenting belief is that babies don’t cry unless something’s wrong. And to put my child into a situation where she cries is not something I will do (unless it’s an emergency).

My daughter needs a lot of intellectual stimulation…not something I’ve found at the average center. Most wait until the child is 2 before starting potty training; many aren’t teaching letters, numbers, colors, shapes yet. They seem to be just mass babysitting. A place for parents to drop off their kids for their convenience. I will only use daycare if it becomes a necessity.

My daughter already knows her colors, shapes, alphabet, and numbers up to 20. And she’s been using the potty (sporadically, I admit) since she was 14 months. And she’s a talker and knows a lot of basic signs.

So, any daycare has to do a lot for me to feel okay. On top of that, they have to be safe. Tall order. That’s why I work from home.

The computer doctor saved the day! Sorta.

I got most of my files retrieved, but the computer itself isn’t up and running yet. No matter for now. I got what I needed. Unfortunately, my daughter won’t have her own laptop yet, but she’s content (for now) to play with it even though it doesn’t do anything.

This past week has been a busy one. Besides working on writing projects, I’ve had to clean up my backed up material. I had thousands of old email messages to wade through. I’m a bit of a packrat when it comes to the computer. I had to actually delete a lot!

Couple all of this computer work with dealing with a very spirited 20-month-old, and things are very hectic. But that’s the life I’ve chosen.

And I’m loving it!

Lately I’ve been working into the wee hours of the night, because that’s when my daughter is sleeping. But I’m exhausted! Going to bed at 2 or 3 in the morning and getting awakened around 8 just isn’t cutting it anymore.

Everyday I plan to put my daughter in bed by 9, so I can get just 2 or 3 hours of work done before going to sleep at a reasonable time. Tonight I’ve been successful (at the price of her not getting a nap all day). It’s almost midnight and I am going to bed!

Today I worked on learning about the Microsoft Outlook Business Contact Manager program. This will hopefully keep my business on track.

Tomorrow is computer doctor time, along with a Mommy-Daughter field trip. I have another project to complete as well, and I’ve set aside nap-time for this task. And of course, as I said yesterday, I must get another email campaign underway. And a press release.

So much to do! Not enough hours in the week.

Housework? I’ll get to it. One of the perks of being the sole adult is that no one expects dinner at 6 or a spic and span house.

Each day that my daughter grows, I find that it’s easier to get work done while she’s home. Not easy. Easier.

Maybe I’m learning how to work in spurts. Or what tasks keep her occupied and happy for reasonable amounts of time.

It’s funny. Before I had her I swore I wouldn’t let her watch T.V. until she turned 3. Maybe other stay-at-home single moms have figured out how to accomplish this feat. Personally, I find Sesame Street, Teletubbies, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse to be educational lifesavers.

We don’t veg out in front of the T.V. all day, but when one of her favorite shows is on I make good use of the time.

This week my goal is to get some more cold-emailing done. I’m learning that when I have business I need to keep advertising. I read that writing a press release is important for a copywriter’s business. That’ll be one more task I complete this week. I’m also considering starting another blog.