Venus Smileygal: Blogging

Weekend Blogging

Sunday, June 27, 2021

I've been planning to dedicate weekends to write a new post in this blog but... I obviously fail to keep up. I was able to make it a weekend habit on reading my previous blog post though... I always start with it to get into the grove of writing, but I always ended reading only and not writing any.

And here is my attempt at publishing a new post...

There was that time when I was so passionate about blogging that I do a lot of things, like making friends with other bloggers, participating in comment exchange, and actively sharing my post on all social media platforms. So while reading on my previous post I also read the comments from other bloggers who commented on my post. I visited their blog and it's so amazing to discover that until now they still actively blogging and keep up with comment exchange. If I hadn't been inactive I probably would reach their level of popularity and readership. Most of us started with low following and readership back then, they all come a long way and consistently doing those things continously. And here's me... back to square one.

Regrets... Yes, I do regret not keeping up and letting perfectionism, insecurities, and anxiety consumed me. I also have a bit of regret, when I hastely change my domain back to Venussmilegal.com. I was so happy and excited that I finally got my main domain back and immediately change the domain name of this blog without thinking of the impact. It was late when I realize in doing so, it affected my blog traffic and Google Adsense. Oh well... Might as well accept it and move on. I am really happy that I got Venussmileygal.com back. So will just have to publish more post and connect with other bloggers again to get traffic and readership.

Readership... This has been my constant struggle. When I plan to write a post and start questioning myself... "Is this post going to make sense?" "Is this is going to be valuable to anyone reading this?" And that's how the pressure of publishing quality content starts to consume my enthusiasm in sharing and writing a post in this blog.

Reading my previous post, I notice that in my early years of blogging I was so carefree in sharing things in my life. It's actually fun reading and reminiscing the experiences I've had. And then comes the time when most of my posts are reviews and insights on products. That's the time a lot of sponsors reach out to me. And so when I tried to go back to the carefree sharing I was cautious if my readers will no longer be interested when I started sharing things about my personal life. It's actually nonsense for me to think that way because first of all this blog started to be carefree, and this is a personal blog so I can share anything I wanted to share. Silly me right?

I don't know how to end the post.... So yes, this is yet another random post of what's in my mind right now.

How I Started Working From Home

Sunday, May 23, 2021

Since a lot has been asking about my work. I'm gonna post it here in my blog so I can just send this link if anyone asks in the future.

What's my work...

I've been a freelance virtual admin assistant since 2010 but I started working in an online business in 2008. To mention a few of my responsibilities... I help my clients in managing and organizing their business, setup and maintenance of their website, email marketing management, developing marketing plans for their business, managing their social media networks, and other administrative tasks.

How I started...

Before I got a work-from-home job I was struggling to find a job. I have worked as fast-food cashier, department store cashier, waitress, secretary of a small office with a salary that is not enough to pay for bills, food, and other expenses for a family of three. So during break time of my secretarial job, I have to walk around the city checking on establishments that has "Job Hiring" post. Submitted my resume and praying for a call for an interview. Until a friend recommended to apply at the outsourcing company where she is currently working.

I started working online last December 2008. I was hired by a local outsourcing company here in our city. It's not a work from home, so I report to the office from 8 AM to 5PM on weekdays. I was assigned in the SEO (Search Engine Optimization) team. My main task back then is doing backlinks for the websites of our foreign clienteles through forum posting. I research forums, sign-up, participate in a discussion and then post the client's website. I also do blog commenting. I search some related blogs and then post comments with the client's website attached to my comment. It might sound easy, but no you have a quota on how many forums post and comments to make and comments should be long, relevant, and unique.

Then as months passed, social media was added to my task. This is the reason why I joined Facebook. I remember how I used to add random foreigners to my friend list, for me to advertise and invite them to like the client's Facebook pages. Yes, that's how we do it back then. 😁

I also created accounts on other social networking sites. We were encouraged to use our personal profiles to promote our clienteles blogs and websites. This is the reason I have so many accounts in almost all social networking, I even forget the logins in some of them now.

I also do the social bookmarking tasks. I don't know if these websites still exist, but I do know Reddit is still very active now.

January of 2010, is when I nervously ventured on freelancing while I am still working at the office. After my office work, I go to a friend's internet cafe to work for my own client because I don't have a PC or laptop then. I found my first client who is from the United States while searching for an online job listing at OnlineJobs.ph. I'm working during his daytime which is nighttime for me, thats 6PM - 1 AM. The best thing about my first client is that he is okay with me still learning on the task. So most of my work back then is 50% training and 50% implementation. His business was my training ground on WordPress and hosting. From setting up several websites from scratch, managing the hosting, maintenance of the website, adding content.

After 2 months of working with him, I was able to buy my own laptop. All my hard work paid off, I no longer need to work long hours at the internet cafe and came home late. For a single mom, it was tough being out the whole day and don't have that much time to take care of my son. It was a blessing I have my mom who take care of my kid while I was out making a living for us.

At this time as well, the local outsourcing company that I'm working with has some internal trouble with pioneering employees, things got so messy. After a long thinking and asking for advice from freelancers and bloggers friends, I decided to quit at the local outsourcing company and focus on my on client. As the cliche quote from Alexander Graham Bell goes... "When one door closes, another one opens."

My work-from-home journey started...

While I am still working with my first client I found my second client who is from Switzerland. Luckily, when I started working for my second client he provided me a laptop and paid for my monthly internet bill for the first year. So I was off to a good start with my freelancing journey.

My Swiss client was so happy and pleased that I am so eager and interested to learn something new in the online marketing business, so he enrolled me in so many training. He even bought software and tools to expand my knowledge and skills. And that's how I got my image editing and video editing skills. His business has been my training ground for marketing, project management, and business management. Experimenting with video marketing, social media, online advertising, and more. In his company, I learn to develop business tactics and marketing proposals. To understand clients and to learn the ability to make the client understand the project even if he isn't a technology-knowledgeable person.

15 years after, I am still using the PC that my Swiss client bought me back then when the laptop can no longer support the image and video editing task that I was working on. I just did some upgrades on it last year.

Both clients were a blessing because they have helped me a lot in building my confidence in freelancing, honing my skills, letting me test and learn new software and tools, and provided me with lots of support to start my online job easily.

Where to look for online jobs?

From my experience, I found most of my clients from OnlineJobs.ph (I recommend for beginners VA) and Virtual Staff Finder Careers (recommended for advance VA).

I have a friend who also works from home and she mostly gets clients from Upwork.com

I hope this will help you in starting a work-from-home career too. Best luck on your journey, have more patience and willingness to learn. You'll surely go a long way.

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Welcome back to Venussmileygal.com!

Saturday, April 03, 2021

Hi y'all! I'm so happy today because I finally got my original domain -- venussmileygal.com!

After how many years of waiting I finally bought the domain at a cheap price. I was so surprise because it was very expensive the last time I checked.

If you're wondering how I lost this domain.... 5 years ago, I updated my header image and reverted my blog name from EmoterGoddess to Venussmileygal. I created a blog post for that (read here) with the story how I lost my original domain.

Earlier this year I've been meaning to go back to blogging but every time I attempt to create a blog post it all ended to draft. I got overwhelmed of so many things I want to share in my blog and also I don't know where to start after a long time of on and off in blogging.

Getting back my original domain inspired me to blog again. I think this is a sign. I also get this domain in time for Holy Week break, where I have a few days off from work. So I have time to work on some updates on my blog.

I still don't know where to start. I still feel overwhelmed of so many things I wanted to share, but I'm gonna take it slow. I will keep in mind the following benefits of blogging for me...

Blogging is the process of writing a blog, an online journal in which you share your thoughts. And just like how I did before when I was younger where I write down my thoughts in a diary notebook, writing my thoughts in my blog will help me unload everything that's on my mind.

Blogging will make you practice gratitude more. Sharing about the places Ive been, food I've tried, things I bought, and the achievements helps me to realize that I am blessed. And sharing this in my blog reminds me to be thankful for every small and big things and experiences.

Blogging will remind you of good memories. Reading my past blog post helps me remember good times with good people. And also reminds me of the things that Ive experienced and achieved. Some past memories also inspires me on how to live in the present.

Blogging will give you opportunities and freebies. I must admit, seeing some progress in my Google Adsense also inspires me to actively update this blog. And there are still businesses who still continually reach out to me for collaboration. Reminds me of the good old days, where I used to shop online for free and received so many products in my house. My outfits before are mostly sponsored. Even though I don t go out more often now but I miss dressing up.

Liebster Nomination 2016 From Kitty Journal

Tuesday, November 08, 2016

Hi y'all! Hows life?
I'm currently addicted to Instagram and getting the hang of Twitter, that most of the time I spent most of my spare time there rather than blogging. I am not sure if that's good or not. What do you think?
How about you which social network do you hangout the most?
By the way, if were not yet friends on Insta and Twitter feel free to connect with me and shoot me a comment on my profile so I can follow you back. I'm @Venussmileygal on both social networks. ^_^
Today, I am going to answer questions that Kai of Kittyjournal.com sent for Liebster nomination.
Thank you Kai for the thoughtful nomination. I enjoyed answering the questions...

1. What’s the story behind your blog name?

Venussmileygal has been my online nickname. And so when I created a personal blog I name it after my online nick. However, back then I am not managing my own domain and hosting so when the domain named expired and was not renewed immediately, the domain was taken away by others because it has a page rank of three and has high traffic. Got totally devastated and I almost stop blogging. When I slowly recovered from that blogging breakdown, I rebuild my blog on EmoteraGoddess.com. I name my blog Emotera Goddess because I am very emotional that time.

July this year I rename my blog back to Venussmileygal.

2. Who’s your inspiration in life?

My son and my mom. They are my drive to work hard and stay healthy because I know they need me.
And as for my son, he inspires me to be a better and stronger person everyday. I strive to be good and mindful because I know he looks up to me.

3. For what in your life do you feel most grateful?

Family and career... Hopefully in love life soon. :D

4. What’s your favorite dish and why?

Tough question.... I actually love a lot of food.

5. Name one person that left a huge impact on your life.

My son. Having him had a large impact on my life because when I had him every aspect of my life changed. He opened my eyes to something that I didn't see, learn things I didnt know or would never thought I should learn, and find courage to face the cruel circumstances in life. Being a single mom is tough but I am able to stand and move forward to give him a comfortable life now and a brighter future.

6. Do you play any musical instrument? What are those?

No, but I would love to continue learning guitar. I initially learned guitar way back highschool but I stop.

7. If you were given a chance to talk to God, what would it be and why?

Would probably ask me Him when does He plan to send me the love of my life? hahaha

But seriously, I just want to thank Him for all the blessings He has given me now and for always there behind me, extending His hand when I lost my path, carrying me when I cant stand, wipe my tears when I cried a lot and gives me a big hug when I needed it the most. :)

8. Would you ever travel to a non-air-conditioned bus?

I actually prefer non-aircon bus specially in long trips because I have low tolerance of cold air. I feel dizzy and easily get stomach spasm when long exposure to cold air condition.

9. Do you have a planner? How do you keep them neat and accordingly?

I do have a lot planners which are already old. In fact, what I am using now is an old planner from previous years. :D

And that's how I keep it neat and order by not using it that much. hahaha! Kidding aside, I am no longer as religious as before in making use of planners. I am kinda sort of a spontaneous person.

10. Name one restaurant you would like to have/own someday.

A fancy coffee or pastry or tea shop. I've been dreaming of owning a cafe like those we see in Korean dramas.... Quaint, has fancy cups and saucers, decorated with flowers and hand paintings, and has a garden. :D

11. Ramen or Pablo Cheesecake?

Ramen. ;)

There you go everyone. I hope you enjoy getting to know me a bit through this questions... If you have some questions for me, feel free to send them to me in the comment sestion below. I would love to answer them on my next blogpost. ;)