Do You Squidoo?

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This article was written by Guest Blogger Pat Fenner of Network From Home.

What does a giant squid and stuffed cabbage have to do with making money at home?

I got an email the other day with a quote credited to 1996 US Presidential candidate Ross Perot: “Get up in the morning and look in the mirror. You’re your own job security.”

Couldn’t have said it better myself! Used to be that I believed that a home business was the ticket to financial freedom; these days my feeling is that it may be the ticket to financial stability. I’m in the sub-section of baby boomers that is not counting on Social Security to even be available by the time I’m ready to use it. We’ve homeschooled for years, and have always relied on a single income to get by. My husband has been working in the construction industry for decades, and we watch in horror as that industry is being decimated on so many levels. Yup, for us, working at home in a viable business seems to be not only our ticket to retirement, but maybe to the electric bill next month.

So, now, the answer to my question! While sorting through the tangled issues I brought up above, I’ve come to realize that the “working at home in a viable business” doesn’t fall under any one specific job. There is no 1 answer to the question: “What can I sell from home?” Or, “What is the best company to join?” Or, “What product is “the way” to make money on the internet?” The future of income for home businesses ~ and perhaps business in general ~ is “multiple streams”. Hence, the giant squid and stuffed cabbage!

While researching possible income sources for myself, I’ve come across an on-line publishing site that has wonderful potential for those of you with any interest, skill or passion (in other words, anyone alive)! It’s called Squidoo. For some unknown (at least to me) reason, the squid is its mascot. And recently the most popular article, or lens, as they’re called on this site, has been on stuffed cabbage!

Squidoo is one of the dozens of sites out there referred to as social marketing or Web 2.0. It’s a simple, free and easy way to post content that others may be interested in while establishing yourself as a leader or professional in the field. If you already have a home business, you can use articles not even related to your opportunity to spread a web of influence and grow a following of readers who become interested in what else you’re doing or involved in (i.e. your business!). So, it’s free advertising! And beyond that, they’ll actually pay you to do it! Squidoo’s profit sharing policies make it possible to earn a monthly income stream. I know of one woman who makes about $400 a month from her content! Now this won’t make you rich, but it’s nothing to laugh at when it’s one of your income sources.

So go take a peek and see if it’s something you’d want to be a part of! Log on to www.squidoo.com and look through a few lenses: you’ll be amazed! Some are serious, some for fun, some political, some educational ~ just incredible. They have lots of on-line help and tutorials. Getting started is very easy; the site is quite user-friendly. If it seems like too much (especially for you “tech-challenged” boomers, like I was!), contact me and I’ll help you along. And do leave a comment if you read the stuffed cabbage lens ~ tell ‘em Pat sent you!

Pat Fenner is a veteran homeschooler of 14 years. Her passion is to help homeschoolers ~ and other at-home moms ~ tap into their unique interests and abilities to develop a viable home business. Using Web 2.0 and the principles of attraction marketing, she coaches small business owners on free and low-cost ways to get their message out without breaking their budget! Visit her blog: and sign up for her Learning and Earning at Home! newsletter. You can also follow her on twitter.

photo credit: °Florian