The End of WFH Pro

February 13, 2008 · Filed Under Uncategorized · 3 Comments 

Sad to say it but I’m closing up shop on the WFH Pro. It was an experiment for me to see if I could blog in a more “mainstream” genre as I had been blogging in very narrow niches before. I think it was a success, albeit just starting to develop it’s voice, but I want to focus my attention on my true love - RareVictorian.com. The potential audience may not be as broad, but I’ve learned you need to write about what you are truly passionate about and it doesn’t matter if you have 100,000 subs or 5.

I personally have a problem with all the “money blogs”, the “get rich”, and “blogging tips” blogs as much of it is recycled, common sense, banal, or contest-of-the-week. Give away this, give away that. Where’s the beef? Most of those blogs make less than a $100 a month and it is because you are floating in a sea of sameness. Not that money should be the ultimate goal for any blog, but when your blog is about money or getting rich or blogging about blogging, I think that is why you’re here.

For you bloggers out there - what is the niche where you personally can provide the most value to others with similar interests? Go there. It’s more fun and the material just flows from your true passions. And with an eCPM of at least $40-$80 like I am experiencing, it can pay more than just your hosting bill.

Thanks to the new friends who have subscribed to this blog and stopped by periodically to listen to my ramblings. You have my permission to de-subscribe. If you liked this blog, try out Rare Victorian and hopefully I’ll see you over there. Newbies welcome.

Thanks,
John

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Unexpected "Sound Effects" on Conference Calls

February 4, 2008 · Filed Under WFH, telecommuting · Comment 

As more and more people work from home and take company calls from there, it’s inevitable that we’ll be hearing more and more interesting sounds in the background going on at people’s homes. Everyone has heard the toddler trying to talk to daddy or mommy while they’re on an important conference call. Here are some of the other intriguing sounds you might be hearing in the background:

  • Excessive slurping of coffee
  • Small children to the extent that is sounds like the employee is moonlighting at a day care
  • Dogs barking
  • Toilets flushing
  • Trains
  • Cabs
  • Heavy breathing

The office creates a sterile environment for conference calls devoid of ancillary noise but at home, life goes on and the presence of families and their activities provide a backdrop for the modern day conference call.

My favorite is the toilet flush. I have not personally experienced hearing one on a call, but I have had friends who have heard one go down (excuse the pun) on a call. The funny thing is that many times, the initiator of the sounds can be identified since often there is a limited group of call participants who are at home while most are in the office. How many of you have succumbed to the call of mother nature and muted a call during a pit stop?

I’ve experienced an employee conducting another phone call in parallel with a conference call that I was on with them and they accidentally added the other party and the conversation to the first call! Although it was not a memorable call to listen in on, about 7 of us were listening in on a call that we weren’t invited to. Our call participants went silent as we were overcome by another conversation.

While we try to make avid use of the mute button, inevitably there are mishaps. It’s inevitable that you will be on the wrong end of the equation at some point in your work from home life.

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