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June 12, 2023

10 Fun Ideas to Keep Your Children Entertained During the Summer

Summer is here, and so is the unique challenge of balancing work and childcare! As many of us are working from home with our kids in tow, it’s important to find creative ways to keep them entertained. To help, we’ve compiled a list of ten unusual and out-of-the-box ideas to keep your children engaged and having fun this summer. From homemade science experiments to outdoor scavenger hunts, you’re sure to find something budget friendly to keep your kids busy for hours.

1) Freeze Their Toys

This caught our eye on social media, and we just HAD to share it! Watch the full video HERE. Grab some of your kiddo’s favorite toys. Put them in a bowl of water and then freeze it. Take the frozen toys outside and let your child work on the block of ice to try and free their toys. This is a great activity to cool down, and it will help your child get creative. 

2) Create an Obstacle Course

This can be as simple or as elaborate as you want, depending on your child’s age and ability. Here are some ideas to get you started:

  • Set up a balance beam using a long piece of wood or a log.
  • Use hula hoops or pool noodles to create a “hopscotch” course.
  • Hang a rope or a tire swing from a tree for your child to swing on.
  • Place cones or other objects for your child to weave in and out of.
  • Create a tunnel or fort using cardboard boxes or blankets.
  • Use a small pool or water table to add a fun water element to the obstacle course.

Make sure to supervise your child and ensure that the obstacle course is safe. You can even time them to make it more exciting, and encourage them to try to beat their own time. This is a great way to get your kids active and burning off energy while you get some work done. You can also flip this around and ask your child to design their own obstacle course for you to complete!

3) Use Old Boxes

If there is one thing we all have sitting around in abundance, it’s old boxes (Amazon, anyone?)! There are so many great ways to recycle these with your children such as:

  • Let your kids create their own forts with boxes and duct tape
  • Ask your kids to build a car OR decorate one that you make from boxes
  • Lay boxes flat and have your children paint their own race track for their toy cars
  • Challenge your kiddos to come up with their own ideas!

From spaceships to entire cardboard cities, the sky’s the limit!

4) Have a Scavenger Hunt

To set up a scavenger hunt, first decide on a theme or a list of items that your kids will need to find. You can make it as easy or as challenging as you like, depending on the age and abilities of your children. Some ideas for themes might include a nature scavenger hunt, where your kids have to find specific plants or animals in the backyard, or a treasure hunt where they follow clues to find a hidden prize. Once you have your theme or list of items, it’s time to hide them! Be creative with your hiding spots, but make sure they’re safe and accessible for your children. You might hide things in the bushes, behind furniture, or up high on shelves.

When your kids are ready to play, give them the list of items or the first clue and watch as they race around the house or yard searching for their treasure. You can make it even more fun by adding in time challenges or other obstacles, like blindfolding one player or having them complete a task before they can move on to the next clue. Flip the script and ask your kiddos to design a scavenger hunt for you that you can complete after work!

5) Create A Numbers Game

If your child has a lot of the same toy (such as toy cars), then you can create a numbers game to help them learn! Create a “parking lot” with masking tape or markers on a cardboard box. Number each space. Take masking tape and then number each of your child’s toys and ask them to match the numbers. It can be even more fun if you set it up in a way where you can easily rearrange numbers on the parking spaces. If your kiddo is a bit older, you can even turn this into a math game. We used toy cars as an example, but any toy works! If your children have a lot of dolls, you can tell them the dolls need to get to their homes instead of their parking spaces.

6) Imagine A Toy Parade

Grab some masking tape, or string, or anything that can help you create some lines on the floor which can easily be removed later. Tell your child to line up their toys along the line to then create a toy parade which they can show you. This activity is great for younger kiddos that are learning to “color within the lines” so to speak. This can become more challenging after a straight line, create crazy loops and zig zags that they must match their toys to.

7) Create An Indoor Movie Space

Bring the drive-in inside! Use tip number three from above, and work with your kiddos to design some comfy and cool “cars” from old boxes. Then, set up a movie screen or television, and have your kids take their cars to the drive-in for a movie night! You can even set up a little concession stand and use some Monopoly money for your children to make purchases from the stand. If you have several kiddos, then you can challenge them to be in charge of the concession stand! You could also try showing short videos as intermission entertainment during a rainy-day double-feature, just be sure to set parental controls on YouTube to keep all the programming kid friendly and mom approved. 

8) Paint Rocks

You can start by taking your children on a nature walk to collect rocks of various shapes and sizes. Once you have enough rocks, set up a painting station outside or in a well-ventilated area inside. Give your children a range of colors to choose from and let their creativity run wild as they paint their rocks. Once the rocks are painted and dry, you can use them to decorate your garden or display them in your children’s room. They also make great gifts for friends and family. This activity is not only fun, but it also teaches your children about colors, textures, and nature. Take it a step further and put the rocks back along the walking trail for others to enjoy on their own hikes!

9) Construct Sailboats and/or Paper Airplanes

If your children like a challenge, ask them to create something they can race against each other with! Paper airplanes are simple for those that need to stay inside. Kids can decorate them and try to fold them in lots of different ways to find the best “flyer”. Or, if you can go outside, create some sailboats to see which one floats! There are kits you can purchase for this, or you can really push your kid’s creativity by asking them to find their own materials out in nature to discover what floats and what does not.

10) Bring Sports Indoors

If your child has a favorite sport they like to play such as bowling or even volleyball, ask them to create their own version of it indoors! With craft materials, kids can make things like bowling pins and a bowling ball for indoor fun, or they can use things like rubber bands and cardboard tubes to make their very own volleyball net. This can be an effective way to keep them entertained for hours while you work as they search for the best way to make a ball out of the materials they have on hand!

These ideas are a few of our own that our kids enjoy, but we would love to hear from you! What are your favorite ways to entertain your kiddos while you work from home during the summer months?

 

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June 5, 2023

I Never Hear Back After Applying for a Job…What Now?

Finding the perfect job listing can be very exciting. You send in your application materials and anxiously await news about the next step…but then you don’t hear anything. What does that mean? And is there anything you can do to get a response? These are the number one questions we hear from jobseekers, and we are here to answer them for you:

Why has the company not responded to my application materials?

Unfortunately, some companies choose not to respond at all if an applicant is not who they are looking for. While we work with every business and encourage them to be communicative with all applicants, they may still choose not to reach out. We know that many jobseekers wonder why this happens, and so we asked the companies themselves that provided these responses:

  • Many applicants do not have all the qualifications the company is looking for, so they choose to pass. 
  • Some application materials do not fully explain why the candidate is qualified for the position, so they choose to pass.
  • Companies find their dream candidate, but do not have the time to let all applicants know that the position is filled — businesses have told us that oftentimes when they do this, many of the applicants ask why they were not chosen, which takes more time for the busy business owners to respond to and get into conversations with applicants.

I sent in an application and have never heard back…what do I do?

Unlike mega job sites that do not allow you to reach out to companies, we highly encourage you to reach out to the businesses to check on the status of your application (unless they have posted not to do so in their job listing). Sometimes this will prompt companies to update you. Others may still not respond, at which time we encourage you to apply to another listing. Additionally, be sure to ask questions if you make it to an interview — ask for specifics about when the company plans to get back to candidates and what you can do to follow up if you have not heard back.

What do I do if no company has ever gotten back to me on my applications?

If you have applied to multiple listings, but have never heard back, it might be time to take a closer look at what each company is asking for in a candidate. No business ever expects to find someone with every skill they are seeking, but they normally search for someone with at least 75% of the skills listed on the post. Are you applying to listings where you only meet one or two of the qualifications? Some positions can sound fun, interesting, and new, but unless a company mentions that skill level does not matter, it is better to apply to positions that match your skill set. Companies have told us that they tend to not respond to applicants that do not closely match their job listing qualifications.

If you are applying to places that closely match your skill set, then it might be time to take a closer look at your application materials. For your résumé, hiring managers need to be able to quickly glance at it and be able to easily understand it. Sometimes it can be tempting to list every position and every software you have ever used, but companies find that overwhelming and hard to decipher amongst all the candidates. Use bullet points, and tailor your résumé for each job you apply for so that only the most important information is highlighted. For cover letters, this is your chance to explain why your skills are a good match for the company. Pick your top two or three strengths and explain your experience in those and how they fit with what the company is searching for — make sure to use the same keywords in the cover letter that were used in the job description. 

Why are companies reaching out to me but not hiring me?

Some businesses do send out a notification once they have filled the position. It can be tempting to reach out to companies to ask for feedback, but most of them have told us they simply do not have time to provide it to every single applicant that applied. Instead of directly asking the company, you can always talk to our team — they are more than happy to provide feedback on your application materials to try and pinpoint why a company went a different direction.

If you have reviewed this information and still find yourself struggling, consider our Cultivate Course or our Job Seeker Services that can help. These resources will give you the additional edge you may need to get hired!

Do you have other questions that we did not address? Reach out and ask! We would also love to hear other job seeker’s tips and tricks that they have found most helpful when applying for remote positions.

 

 

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May 29, 2023

Maximizing Your Potential with a Small Business Mentor

Starting and running a small business is no small feat. From creating a business plan to dealing with the financials, there are so many aspects that entrepreneurs need to consider. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it all alone. By leveraging the expertise of a small business mentor, you can maximize your potential and increase your chances of success.

Why Use a Mentor?

  1. Experience: A good mentor will have years of experience in the business world and will have faced many of the challenges that you are currently dealing with. By tapping into their knowledge and expertise, you can save yourself a lot of time, money, and headaches.
  2. Objective perspective: As a small business owner, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day details of running your business. However, a mentor can provide an objective perspective and help you see the big picture. This can be incredibly valuable when it comes to making important decisions or pivoting your business strategy.
  3. Networking opportunities: Mentors can also help connect you with other professionals in your industry or community, providing you with valuable networking opportunities. These connections can open up doors for your business and help you reach new customers, clients, or investors.
  4. Emotional support: Starting and running a small business can be an emotional rollercoaster, and it’s important to have someone in your corner who understands what you’re going through. A mentor can offer emotional support and encouragement when you need it most, helping you stay motivated and focused on your goals.

Overall, having a mentor can be a game-changer when it comes to running your small business. Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business for years, finding the right mentor can help you reach new heights of success and achieve your full potential.

What to Expect from Your Mentor

When you decide to work with a mentor, it is important to have a clear understanding of what to expect from the relationship. Here are some things you can anticipate when you partner with a small business mentor:

  1. Guidance and advice: Your mentor will provide you with the knowledge and insights they have gained through their own experiences. They will offer guidance and advice on everything from setting business goals to managing employees.
  2. Accountability: A mentor can help keep you accountable to your goals and aspirations. They will challenge you to stay focused and motivated, and hold you accountable for the actions you commit to taking.
  3. A sounding board: Sometimes, you just need someone to bounce ideas off of. Your mentor can serve as a sounding board for your business ideas and help you assess their feasibility and potential.

By working with a small business mentor, you can gain valuable knowledge and insights that can help take your business to the next level. The key is to find the right mentor who aligns with your values and goals, and to make the most of your relationship by being open, receptive, and willing to learn.

Making the Most of Your Relationship

When working with your mentor you should set goals, be open and honest, listen and act on their advice, stay accountable, and show gratitude. Sometimes bringing on a mentor can be difficult, though. Schedules get in the way and finding the time to connect can be tricky. However, there are still options available.

If you want to learn from some of the best experts in the business, you can also check out our self-paced course Hiring Made Easy. Learn what you need to get together before hiring someone, how to handle interviews, how to determine fair pay rates, and more. This is all done on your own time, so it truly works with your schedule. Lesley Pyle, founder of HireMyMom and creator of Hiring Made Easy, has 20+ years of experience as a small business owner and remote worker that she is passing on through this course. It’s a lot like having a business mentor without trying to rearrange your schedule to learn something new. Plus, if you have questions or need a little more support, you can always contact us to get in touch with a real human being who can help!

 

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May 22, 2023

What Skills to Highlight on Your Résumé

No matter where you are in your career, deciding which skills to list on a résumé can be tricky. After all, you have so many talents, which ones should be included in job applications? If you are looking to reenter the workforce after being a stay-at-home parent full-time, there are actually skills you used to raise your children that can go on your résumé. If you are looking to make a career change, then you most likely have a general idea of which skills to list, but this blog can be a good refresher for you!

The Basics

It is important to tailor your skill listed on your job application materials for each position you apply to. Of course, there are some core skills that are good to keep from application to application such as time management, being organized, and the ability to work independently. However, employers are also looking for extremely detailed talents that you might have. For example, if you have experience with Microsoft Excel, that should be listed. Depending on how you want to set up your résumé, you can either just list what you have experience in such as Microsoft Excel, WordPress, etc., or you can also include the number of years of experience you have. Keep in mind, employers want to be able to look at your job application and quickly determine what your skills are. If you already have lots of text on your résumé making it look crowded, stick with listing just the skills.

Reentering the Workforce

If you are reentering the workforce, you may feel lost as to what skills to put down in a job application. Sometimes, it can seem like you do not have talents to include, especially if you have been out of the workforce for an extended period of time. However, raising kids requires lots of wonderful skills that can easily be transferred to the workplace. Some talents include: time management, administering schedules, meeting deadlines, multitasking, management, and more! If there is room on your application, list some details about how you gained these skills. Include this in your cover letter too, where you have more room to elaborate on how you will use those talents in a job.

Career Changes

If you are making a career change — whether you are moving up the corporate ladder or trying something new — you can call on your past experience to list on your résumé. It helps to be very specific. For example, if you managed a team, list that as a skill and include the size of the team, length of time you managed them, and if it was an international team, it’s good to include that too! Keep in mind that you need to tailor your experience based on the job you are applying for, so on one application you might list team management of a team of ten, and on another application you might mention that team was international so you have experience managing different time zones. 

Keywords

For more guidance, look at the job listing itself. What keywords does the company use? Do they mention someone who is organized, or do they ask if you have experience with project management software like Asana? Use the description to write your résumé! Use important phrases that you notice repeated in the description to highlight your own experience. Not only does this help companies fit your experience into what they are looking for, but it also shows that you have a good grasp of the job description — and that you spent time truly reading it!

If you need help figuring out what to list on your job application, chat with our advisors as part of our Job Seeker Advisor Services. An HR expert can guide you through creating the perfect résumé for your dream position.

Do you have more tips you want to share with us on what skills you choose to put on your job application? Let us know!

 

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May 15, 2023

3 Reasons Small Businesses Should Use a Paid Job Site

For small businesses, finding the right candidates to fill a position can be challenging. To begin the hiring process, your company first must decide what job sites to use to list your open position. Many companies gravitate towards free sites because they are simply that — free. We understand that small businesses especially are on a tight budget, but you usually get what you pay for with a free site; that includes a barrage of unqualified candidates, scams, and investing your company’s time and money to wade through all the white noise just to find the best candidate. To save your business time, money, and effort, it is better to stick with a paid job site. Let’s dive deeper into why paid job sites, like HireMyMom, may be the best fit for your company:

1) You Get What You Pay For

Let’s take a look at this with a pros and cons list. 

For the free sites:

  • pros: there is no financial cost
  • cons: too many applications, unqualified candidates that are not legitimate job seekers, your listing is lost in the millions of other posts

Paid sites:

  • pros: a more select pool of highly qualified candidates, a real human being to talk to if you run into issues or need guidance, less time spent wading through scam applications (and more time spent on legitimate job seekers)
  • cons: there is a cost

We understand that it can be a difficult decision to invest in a paid job site such as HireMyMom. The upfront price may appear to be a deterrent, but through countless customer stories and our own findings, it is more budget friendly in the long run to use a paid site: 

“The quality of the people who I have found have been consistently exceptional, and at very affordable prices.” — Paulette Ensign

“We have been strapped for time so we decided to try their Concierge Service, which was a huge help…this service has saved us a lot of time!” — Laurie Peterson

Consider this: how much money and time will your company use to pay someone (or multiple someones!) to post a job listing, wade through applicants, conduct interviews, and onboard a new hire? This can add up quickly and end up costing your business quite a bit of money. Instead of that, a paid job site cuts through all the noise which means you spend less time searching for the perfect hire and more time working towards your company’s goals with a new team member! Additionally, we often offer discounts for businesses, so make sure you are part of our email list to be the first to receive updates on those! When visiting our website there should be a popup where you can register for the list, OR just scroll down to the very bottom of our site for the sign up form!

2) The Convenience of a One-Stop Shop

If you’re a small business owner, time is of the essence. That’s why HireMyMom has a great solution for busy business owners who need help finding the right candidate: HireMyMom Business Concierge Services. With this service, an HR expert will create a job post, read through applications, conduct interviews, and even onboard new hires – all to save you precious time. What’s more, the HireMyMom business concierge service makes it easy for business owners to find the right candidate for their needs quickly. Their experienced HR team will be able to assess each applicant’s skills and qualifications, ensuring that the most qualified candidate is chosen. Furthermore, because the team is comprised of seasoned HR experts, they know exactly how to craft effective job postings and conduct successful interviews – giving you peace of mind knowing that your hiring process is in good hands. 

Finally, with HireMyMom’s one-stop shop approach to recruitment, small businesses are able to streamline their hiring process and get the help they need quickly with legitimate job seekers. Plus, they don’t have to worry about dealing with multiple recruitment platforms or taking the time to manage the entire process themselves – saving them both time and energy. 

3) Access to a More Qualified Pool of Candidates

When looking for the perfect candidate for a job, it pays to have access to the best and most qualified pool of applicants. By using a paid job site like HireMyMom, small businesses are able to tap into a network of qualified applicants who are also willing to invest in their own success. 

Not only do these job seekers care about the quality of the work they do, they are also invested in the position they are applying for. Paid job sites offer greater security and job stability than free job boards, so the legitimate job seekers you find are more likely to be professional and committed to the role they are applying for. 

Additionally, with a paid job site, businesses can create detailed job postings which will give them better insight into an applicant’s qualifications and abilities. This will enable businesses to find candidates with the right skills and experiences for the position, reducing their time spent vetting applications. 

Are you on the fence about signing up for HireMyMom? Contact us to ask any questions you might have and a real person will reach out with answers!

 

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May 8, 2023

Growing in Traditions: Celebrating Mother’s Day

As the spring weather continues to get warmer, leading into summer, many start to get their gardens ready for the height of the growing season. For a friend, they start this journey on Mother’s Day. Every year, all the women in the family get together and visit every local plant nursery to find beautiful annuals for the garden. From fragrant gardenias to stunning hibiscus plants, the day is always filled with laughter, fun, and the wonderful smell of greenhouses.

It’s a tradition — a Mother’s Day tradition. For this family, the tradition just seemed like a fun way to get the family together and travel around town. Now as an adult, there is so much more meaning to the day. 

Gardening in and of itself is more than just pretty flowers that smell nice. It is about putting in the time, effort, and hard work to help something grow. It is about nurturing something and being patient as it works up to its full potential to display the most gorgeous colors or the tastiest of vegetables. Gardening is also about loss, and understanding how to move on when something you have invested time in does not work out: like when a hail storm comes through and damages plants, or when your loveable dog Fluffy digs up your newly planted lilac bush and uses it as a chew toy. It is also about letting go at the end of the season when the frost takes over and all the hard work of the summer comes to a close. It is about appreciation for all that you put in, and all that you got out of the experience.

If we look at it closely, gardening is a lot like motherhood and the lessons you try to teach your children as they grow. As a mom, you work to teach your children patience, and the effort it takes to put in hard work to achieve goals and dreams. As a mom, you are there through every season of your child’s life, and you help them navigate through the good and the bad. As a mom, you instill important values in your children such as understanding that as one season closes, another begins — and how to pick out the perfect plant for your front yard. As a mom, you create traditions with your children that are fun but that also will follow them through their lives.

As an adult now, during our weekend Mother’s Day tradition, it is clear that the day is more than just spending time together. It is about creating memories and learning valuable lessons that can be used throughout life. With that in mind, we would like to say Happy Mother’s Day out there to all those hard working moms. We know you do not hear this enough, so let us say it again for you:

You are amazing. You are talented. You are appreciated.

And, in keeping with our own traditions at HireMyMom, we have a giveaway to recognize just how special moms are to us. Head over to our Instagram page to enter to win:

Treat yourself by entering to win this amazing package when you visit our Instagram page! Join us in our yearly Mother’s Day tradition of giving something away to a very deserving mom. And, let us know what traditions you have in your own family to celebrate just how amazing you are.

 

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May 1, 2023

Homeschooling Your Children? Here’s What You Need to Know While Working Remotely

Are you considering homeschooling your children for the upcoming school year or are you currently homeschooling? Working from home and homeschooling can present some unique challenges, but it is also a great opportunity to ensure that your children receive a quality education while remaining under your care. To help you with homeschooling while working remotely, here is an overview of what you need to know.

How to Set Up a Schedule That Works for You

Start by evaluating your work schedule and family commitments, as well as the learning needs of each child. If you have multiple children, try to find a schedule that works best for them and is least disruptive to your daily routines. For example, if one of your children needs more guidance or has difficulty with certain subjects, then consider scheduling extra time for them during the day. You may also want to consider having different schedules for different days of the week. This can be helpful for parents who work on different days or have varying work hours. You can use this strategy to prioritize particular topics or activities on certain days.

Once you’ve determined the framework of your schedule, create a daily routine with designated times for schoolwork, playtime, meals, and other important activities. It’s important to also include breaks for both you and your children so everyone can recharge and relax throughout the day. Try to keep a consistent routine as much as possible. Establishing clear expectations and boundaries around school time can help to ensure that the entire family is on the same page. Additionally, you may want to designate specific “school hours” that you stick to each day, even if they look different from a traditional school day.

Finally, consider incorporating extracurricular activities into your homeschooling schedule. These activities can be anything from online classes, to arts and crafts, to physical education. Allowing your children to explore their interests outside of the core subjects can help break up the monotony of their day and give them something to look forward to. Additionally, this time can be used for you to get work done.

Tips for Successfully Homeschooling While Working Remotely

  1. Establish a routine and stick to it. Set clear expectations, designate specific times for each subject, and create a timeline for when tasks should be completed. Also set the routine for when you will be working and should not be disturbed.
  2. Set boundaries between work and school. It can be difficult to separate work and school when you’re in the same space, so make sure you create designated zones for each activity and provide your child with structure and supervision.
  3. Utilize online resources. Take advantage of online courses, videos, and educational apps to supplement your curriculum and keep your child engaged. Our own supportive Facebook group can be a wonderful place to ask your fellow moms for help in this area as well.
  4. Make time for breaks and physical activity. Make sure you build in time for movement and breaks throughout the day so that your child can stay focused and alert during lessons. These breaks are good for you too!
  5. Talk to your child about their feelings. Check-in regularly with your child to gauge their emotions and comfort levels regarding their homeschooling experience. If they are feeling overwhelmed, consider taking a break or exploring other learning activities. You can also do this with your own work, so that you can communicate any struggles you are facing while balancing work and school so that your employer can help.
  6. Stay organized. Staying organized is key when homeschooling while working from home. Use a planner or calendar to keep track of your child’s assignments, deadlines, and progress and how those fit into your work calendar.
  7. Utilize technology to connect with other homeschoolers. Online communities for homeschoolers are great for finding support, sharing ideas, and helping your child stay connected with peers who may be experiencing similar struggles.
  8. Take advantage of one-on-one time with your child. Working from home can create unique opportunities for quality time with your child. Make sure you take advantage of these moments to bond and engage in meaningful conversations with your child as they learn.

Do you homeschool your child? Tell us your favorite tips and tricks for balancing school with remote work!

 

 

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April 24, 2023

Old is Gold: Use Your Previous Projects as Inspiration for Your Current Ones

Do you ever feel stuck in a creative rut? When you need inspiration for your current project, why not take a look at your old documents and projects? Your past work can be a great source of creative ideas and can help you to jumpstart your current projects. Let’s take a look at different ways to identify and utilize the valuable lessons learned from past projects and how to apply them to your current ones:

The Importance of Looking Back

Taking the time to look through documents and projects from the past can not only inspire you but also provide you with valuable insight into how you can approach a similar project. This is especially true for those who have been working in the same field for an extended period of time. Not only does looking back help provide a better understanding of what you’ve accomplished, but it also provides an opportunity to reflect on any mistakes or lessons learned that can be applied to future projects. Reviewing old projects is also a great way to get out of a creative rut or jump-start a project that is stuck in a mental dead-end.

What to Look for When Reviewing Old Projects

When reviewing your old projects, there are certain elements that you can look for that can help you to gain some inspiration. First, take a look at the project’s overall theme. You may find that your original idea can be adapted and updated to be relevant to the current trends and needs of your target audience. You should also examine the structure of the project. How was it organized? Are there any elements that you could use in a new way? Perhaps you could rearrange the steps to create an improved workflow or add new features to make the project more user-friendly.

Next, consider the style of your project. How did you present the information? Was it written in a conversational tone, or did you use more formal language? Were there any unique visual elements that set it apart? Examining the project’s aesthetic can help you to come up with ideas for updating your current project. Finally, take a look at the project’s success rate. Did it achieve its goals? What could have been done better? Understanding where your old project fell short can help you to improve your current one. With a few tweaks, your original idea can become something even better!

Applying What You’ve Learned

Once you’ve reviewed your past projects, it’s time to apply what you’ve learned. There are a few ways to do this:

  • First, look for elements that you can use in your current project. This could be anything from design techniques to coding tricks. Consider how the elements you found could be implemented in your current project. Make sure to only use elements that will contribute positively to the outcome of the project.
  • Second, look for problems that you solved previously and consider how they can be applied to your current project. Solutions that worked well in the past may provide the perfect solution to a problem in your current project.
  • Third, review any feedback that you received on your previous projects. If you have comments or suggestions that were made on your previous projects, consider how they can be applied to your current project. Additionally, look at any mistakes that you made in the past and use them as an opportunity to learn and grow. Then, get your team involved! Ask for fresh feedback or advice. Make the project collaborative and get other viewpoints. This can lead to fresh inspiration!
  • Fourth, remember to take breaks now and again when reviewing past information. While starting a new project can be exciting, sometimes you can get bogged down as to why past projects did not turn out the way you hoped or expected. Take time to step away and return refreshed. If you are managing a team, encourage them to take breaks as well!
  • Finally, review the results of your past projects and compare them with your current project. Try to identify any areas where improvements can be made, such as refining your workflow or using more efficient tools and processes. Take note of the successes from your previous projects and see if you can replicate them in your current project.

Once you’ve done this, make sure to set goals for your new projects! This will ensure that they move forward and do not get left behind.

How do you use past projects for inspiration? Let us know so we can share it with the HireMyMom family!

 

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April 17, 2023

The Power of Video Marketing for Your Business

Video marketing has become an increasingly popular tool for businesses looking to increase their brand awareness and reach a larger audience. Whether you’re a small business just getting started or an established business looking to grow, videos can be a great way to effectively market your business and build a strong brand. Learn more about the different types of videos you can create, the best platforms to share your videos, and tips for creating effective videos that will engage your audience and build your brand.

The Benefits of Video Marketing

  1. Reach a Wider Audience: Video marketing gives businesses the opportunity to reach an even wider audience, including potential customers who may not have otherwise heard of your business. With videos, you can quickly get your message out to a large number of people and create lasting connections with them. 
  2. Showcase Your Products or Services: Videos can be used to demonstrate how your products work, explain their features and benefits, and even provide virtual tours of your facilities. 
  3. Establish a Personal Connection: Videos allow businesses to create a personal connection with their customers and potential customers. By telling stories and sharing personal experiences, videos help to build trust and relationships with viewers, increasing customer loyalty and engagement. 
  4. Increase SEO Rankings: Video content can also help improve your SEO rankings, as search engines like Google tend to favor websites that include video content. This can help to increase the visibility of your website, driving more traffic and leads to your business. 
  5. Enhance Social Media Presence: Videos are a great way to engage with your followers on social media, providing interesting content that can spark conversation and get people talking about your business. Additionally, videos can be easily shared across multiple platforms, allowing you to reach a wider audience and increase brand awareness.

How to Get Started with Video Marketing

  1. Create an Online Presence: You should have a website, social media accounts, and email newsletters.
  2. Choose a Video Platform: Popular platforms include YouTube, Vimeo, and Wistia. Each of these platforms offers different features and benefits, so research them to find the one that’s right for your business. 
  3. Set Your Goals: Once you’ve chosen a platform, set specific goals for your video marketing campaign. What do you want to achieve? Do you want to increase brand awareness or generate more leads?
  4. Choose Your Topics: Try to pick topics that are related to your business and that will appeal to your target audience. Think about what questions they may have and create videos that provide helpful answers.
  5. Plan Your Content: Determine the length of each video and what type of content it will include. Will it be an interview? A demonstration? A tutorial? 
  6. Promote Your Videos: Post them on your website, social media accounts, and other platforms where they can be seen by your target audience. You can also create email campaigns and send out notifications when new videos are released. 

Tips for Creating Effective Videos

  1. Keep It Short: Attention spans are short and people don’t want to watch long videos. Aim for 1-2 minutes in length if possible.
  2. Tell A Story: People respond to stories because they can relate to them, so make sure your video has an interesting plot and characters.
  3. Show, Don’t Tell: Videos are a great way to show off your product or service, so use visuals to demonstrate what you’re talking about.
  4. Include A Call To Action: Always include a call to action in your video so that viewers know what you want them to do next.
  5. Use Appropriate Music: Music is an important part of any video, so make sure you use music that fits the tone and style of your video.

Measuring the Success of Your Video Marketing Campaign

  1. Analyze Your Viewership: Look at how many views your videos are getting, how long people are watching them, and where they are coming from.
  2. Track Conversions: If you have a website or a landing page associated with your videos, you can use tools such as Google Analytics to see how many people have clicked on your video and then converted into a lead or sale. 
  3. Monitor Social Engagement: Look at likes, comments, shares, and other forms of engagement to get an idea of how popular your videos are with your target audience. 
  4. Ask For Feedback: Ask questions in the comments section or in your social media posts to get an idea of what people think about your videos and if they would like to see more. 

We hope these tips are helpful for your business! What other tips have you found helpful? Let us know so we can share them!

 

 

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April 10, 2023

3 Tools Every Remote Worker Needs in Their Toolkit

Working remotely means that you and your team must be well coordinated to ensure everyone is on the same page. We have noticed companies using three main tools to get the job done, and we wanted to share these with you! All of these tools are incredibly versatile and can help to streamline your workflow, boost productivity, and increase collaboration. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with them before seeking remote work — if you are not sure where to start, we offer training in these tools and more to prepare you for your dream remote position!

1) Asana

Asana is an incredibly popular tool for remote teams, and it’s not hard to see why. Asana allows you to easily manage tasks, track progress, assign tasks to team members, and keep everyone on the same page. It’s also great for organizing projects into different categories and tracking deadlines. You can easily set reminders and due dates, comment on tasks, attach files, and track progress across the board. You can also create groups and assign members to them, which helps with communication and collaboration.

Asana also offers reporting tools that let you track progress, analyze team performance, and get an overall view of how your project is progressing. The platform also offers integration with other tools such as Google Calendar, Dropbox, and Zapier, which makes it even easier to use. With Asana, you can create a comprehensive project plan and ensure that everyone is on the same page. With its easy-to-use interface and powerful features, Asana is an essential tool for any remote team; many teams use this or equivalent software. While each has its unique features and quirks, they tend to all work in a similar fashion. Once you learn one, you can easily use the others! If you are more familiar with another platform such as Monday, then mention that in your cover letter, résumé, and interview. Those skills are certainly transferable if the position you are interested in uses a different project management software than the one you have used.

2) Google Docs and Google Sheets

Google Docs is a powerful word processor that allows you to create, edit, and share documents online. It also provides collaboration features such as revision tracking and commenting so multiple users can work on a document at the same time. Google Sheets is a spreadsheet program that enables you to organize and analyze data. With Google Sheets, you can quickly create charts and tables, store data, and work collaboratively with other users.

Google Docs and Sheets are incredibly user-friendly and come with an abundance of features that can help make remote work easier. For instance, you can use the “Explore” feature to quickly get insights from your data. You can also easily format text, images, and other elements to improve the look and readability of your documents. The real-time collaboration features make it simple to share and review documents with others, even when you’re miles apart.

Whether you’re writing an important report, crunching numbers, or putting together a presentation, Google Docs and Google Sheets are essential tools for getting the job done right. As a remote worker, these two applications will become an indispensable part of your toolkit. If you are familiar with Microsoft Office’s products, then you will easily be able to use Google’s products!

3) Slack

Slack allows team members to communicate quickly and easily through messaging, file sharing, and voice and video calling. Slack also offers an array of integrations with other tools, including Asana, which helps to streamline team collaboration. The user interface is intuitive and makes it easy for team members to keep track of conversations, tasks, and updates. With the ability to create custom channels for specific topics or projects, Slack helps remote teams stay organized and on top of projects. This tool has grown to be one of the most-used platforms we see, followed closely behind by Microsoft Teams.

Here is what all these tools boil down to: you need to be familiar with a project management software (such as Asana), you need to be able to use tools that allow you to collaborate on your thoughts or numbers (such as Google Docs and Sheets), and finally, you need to know fast ways to communicate with other team members. As aforementioned, once you learn at least one of each of these three tools, you will be able to transfer those skills to others. This can seem overwhelming, but remember, we are here to help. We offer job training that covers tools like these and more from time tracking software to video call software. 

 

 

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