8 Helpful (and Quirky) Free Websites to Save You TIME

On October 4, 2010, In Business Ideas, Digital Life, Living More for Less, Living Radically Principles, Unique Entrepreneurship, By Vanessa

We need more time. We always need a little help. The Internet can help! Here are some of my favorite technologies to save time.

1) Notakeout and Supercook

When you are scrambling to get dinner together and did not have time to go to the market, this is a life saver. Notakeout.com takes ingredients you already have in the kitchen and gives you recipes that are quick and easy. Supercook is another recipe search engine that lets you search by ingredients you have at home.

2) Stickk

Goals are hard to keep, especially when we are super busy. Stickk.com is a site that helps you stick to your goals by emailing friends and setting requirements that if you miss your goal…you have to donate money to charity. Great, non-intrusive reminders.

3) Whenisgood

Have you ever been stuck in one of those email chains where no one can figure out which time and date works for everyone on the chain? Whenisgood solves that. Whether you are a working and need to coordinate a meeting or wanting to organize a birthday brunch this saves time and headache.

4) Mint

Mint is an amazing free website that helps you budget, keep track of bills and so much more. For anyone trying to deal with finances this is a lifesaver.

5) Google Docs

Google docs are a great way to share documents online. This can be good if you need to check over a report so you do not have to print it out or have multiple versions. You can share bills or ideas with spouses or at work. I have found that it cuts down on my faxes, emails and back and forth when editing home papers and documents.

6) Seatguru

If you are a traveler, this is for you. So often you get on a flight and realize you have the seats with an inch less leg room than everyone else—an inch is a lot on a plane! This free site lets you check out seating charts and tells you which are the best seats on each plane so you get the most bang and space for your buck.

7) Daily burn

If you are trying to lose weight, you should definitely check out daily burn with workout ideas, mixes and help. You are not on your own!

8) Let Simon Decide

If you are at that place where you just can’t decide what to do…Let Simon Decide. This is a decision making site that gives advice to help you decide what option you should choose. For indecisive people, it can save a lot of time.

I hope you will explore some of these awesome, time-saving sites. I think that they can definitely make your life a little bit easier!

 
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The Pro’s and Con’s of Being an Entrepreneur

On February 18, 2010, In Business Ideas, Digital Life, Unique Entrepreneurship, By Vanessa

Should you start your own business? Be your own boss? Set-up shop in your garage? I love being an entrepreneur and encourage many business minded people in our Venture Capital fund, but it is not for everyone.  Here are some Pros and Cons:

Pro: I am wearing my PJ’s right now.

Con: When I have to go out to a meeting, it takes a lot of effort and usually a lot of driving.

Pro: You don’t have to ask anyone for permission
I can take a break when I want to, eat when I want to and never have to make excuses to leave the office when I just want to talk to my friends on a cell phone.

Con: You have to ask everyone for favors
No bosses, means no one to pay you, which means no money. Therefore, all the time I save not having to suck up to a boss, I have to spend sucking up to strangers asking them to help me make money.

Pro: No Bosses

Con: Lots of Vocal Clients

Pro: You can do things even if they are during work hours.

Con: Don’t have an excuse when friends ask for a ride to the airport/pick them up/come to their house to help them paint…

Pro: Don’t have to worry about staying late, plugging in extra hours to get a big bonus!

Con: There. Is. no. bonus.
And lately, there hasn’t been much salary either. Oh ya! See the next one for further explanation.

Pro: Freedom to plan ahead and make my own mission statement and life goals…and actually act on them.

Con: Total uncertainty about job security, money, career, media, assets etc. There is always a big risk with business, and there is not a minute that goes by that I do not wonder if I made the wrong choice not to go corporate.

My Pro’s outweighed my cons, because otherwise I would not be writing this post to you right now.

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A Brazen Careerist: Looking Back Through 2 Years of Entrepreneurship

On February 17, 2010, In Business Ideas, Unique Entrepreneurship, By Vanessa

For our Brazen Careerist readers as well as for our:

1)    Teen interns: I want our teen readers and interns to be reminded of how important goals are and that every career has its ups and downs.

And

2)    Entrepreneur Readers: I have a few fellow 20 something entrepreneurs and other bloggers who read us for tidbits and advice on how to make it as an entrepreneur and professional blogger.

I officially started my company 2 years ago on my graduation day from Emory University, May 9, 2007.

Here is what I have learned:

1) Just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you should do it.

I am very grateful for the advice I get in my informational interviews with experts and other entrepreneurs, but I often hear, “why don’t you…” And I have, a lot.  But, what I realized is, just because you can do something, does not mean you should do something.  You must love doing it, if you just ‘can’ and you don’t ‘love’ it will probably not be successful, you will dread it, you will worry about it and it will take you away from things you do love.

Example: Everyone keeps telling me I should do a podcast/radioshow.  They have been telling me for two years.  “It will be such a great accompaniment to your blog!” “You are so good at talking, you should do it” I prefer to listen than to read, I wish you had some kind of an audio recording.” Finally a few months ago, I tried.  Well, I barely tried. I started, looked into getting a channel on iTunes, got a professional mic and made a little intro on Garage Band.  I recorded one.  In all honesty, it sucked. It sucked (I knew it and a very honest friend told me so) and I hated it.  I realized then and there, just because I can, does not mean I should.

2) Just because it makes money, doesn’t mean you should do it.

I found a pretty successful model to make money this year that involved training tutors to work with private families.  This is successful and my families benefit, my tutors benefit and I benefit.  But, it is not what I love.  I love to write.   This unfortunately bends the rule on above that if you do not like something it probably won’t do well.  I almost wish this part of my business was less successful because over the past year, I followed the money, not my dreams.  On my first week-long vacation  in a long time over my birthday, I realized that I had my first good night’s sleep in months.  I also realized it was the first time I had time to write in 8 months because I was not seeing clients.  I love my clients, but because of our very long waitlist, I had given up my time for what I was truly passionate about, and my sleep.  I realized it was not worth it. So I…

3) Just Started

Just start. I would say one of the biggest lessons I learned this year is you can (and should) start a major project if you only have 20 minutes.  Someone asked me last week:

“Vanessa, you start so many projects that have been on my idea list for years, how do you have time and energy?”

When I first started I used to try to book two or three days or at least a four or five hour block for big projects like adding a new page to my website, looking into starting a Speakers Bureau etc.  As those chunks of time dwindled and were actually intimidating when I felt uninspired or tired, I experimented with the sample policy of ONLY starting projects when I had 20 minutes (let me tell you, you always have 20 minutes).  The weird thing is, it worked.  All of my major projects in year 23 (see below) were started right before an appointment, conference call or waiting for company.

I realized once you ‘just start’ you have to continue, and you do more in 20 minute segments.  I never thought I would be able to figure out a way to fund my Parenting Around the World Project, especially because it means taking less client hours (the money maker), but I realized that I would never get a good nights sleep, nor be truly happy if I didn’t just start.  So, in 20 minutes I sent out 30 emails to my corporate contacts asking for help with funding.  From those first 30 emails we were able to fund the first 6 countries.

4) I am fricking scared out of my mind, so I might as well be doing what I love

Ever since I booked my first trip, I constantly think: “Oh my god, oh my god, I cannot travel around the world, turn down good paying clients and work on a book I don’t even have a publisher for.”  I have nightmares that I won’t be able to pay my rent, I will have to move home and sell my car to fund my business.   But wait a minute…I had those dreams even when I wasn’t planning to travel the world, even when I had paying clients…so, if I had those nightmares anyway, why not do what I love.  I am still scared out of my mind, but the worrying is getting less, because what I love is filling me up.

5) There is not a suffering for happiness quota

Many people (maybe you) are thinking,

“Fughfff, she just wants to get funding to travel the world.”

I spent a long time fighting this, trying to convince myself that “no, it was going to be miserable traveling in hostels, very hard, and I am only doing it because it is needed.” But, hey, that IS part of the reason, and I do not want it to be hard work.  I want to be able to do something really fun and awesome, make a living at it and put together a fascinating set of stories and ideas for my readers.  I do not want to feel guilty for this, and I do, sometimes, but this year I have really solidified the fact that

You do not need to suffer to be happy.

There is no quota of misery in order to get success.

Hard work yes, misery no, challenging yes, suffering no.

6) It never makes sense looking back

I always wondered how I would use my Chinese major, my Latin American Studies major and my East Asian Studies major. I always wondered why I took Spanish and French in High School.  I always wondered if my undergraduate thesis on Chinese Underground Hip Hop and Urban Youth would come in handy.  I always wondered how my fascination with parenting would help me travel the world.  Now I know.

7) Give more than you ask, but still ask

I have been posting and linking to thousands of websites, people, campaigns and products over the past 2 years of blogging.  Usually I did not request (almost never demand) anything in response.  And I was happy to do this.  I realized that the less I kept tally, the better I felt.  Yet, I still wondered, if I ask in return will it come back? I have learned that if you have been generous and you ask for help, you will often receive.  I have reached out to most of my network asking them for ideas, contacts and funding for the trip and the book.  I am so grateful that many people I never would have expected have offered.  I am so thankful for that and learned that you always have to give more than you ask, but don’t be afraid to ask.

So, here we go, I am asking for help with our goals:

Goal 1: Write my book: Parenting Is Flat: How Globalization Has Changed Familynomics

Goal 2: Get funding or make enough passive income to be able to travel to 30 countries to get my case studies on the 30 families.

We need:

a) A sponsor for 3 Flip video camera’s to send to Families to film one average day

-This project is a great opportunity for companies or brands to reach over 500,000 of our parent and teen readers across the globe and be associated with a fun, inspiring and insightful project.

b)    International families in where both parents and children were born in that country and at least 1 child under the age of 18 (see countries we already have below)

c)    Help with Passive Income: If you want to help fund our trip, please

-Buy one of our books
-Click on an ad on the site
-Sign-up for a webinar
-Get our teleclass
-Subscribe to our newsletter

All of these things help us fund!

Status:

Found and Interviewed:
X Singapore               (Thank you Daphne!)
X Canada                     (Thank you to the Daly’s)
X Nicaragua              (Thank you Gema!)
X Israeli                     (Thank you Becca!)
X US            (Thank you Gail!)
X Sweden        (Thank you Malin!)

X Argentina

X Chile

X Uruguay

I will keep you updated and I hope this time next year, I will be able to tell you we have funding for all 30 countries.  If you have an idea for a sponsor, or families, please email [email protected]

I am grateful for your help, thank you in advance,

Vanessa

My Entrepreneurial Timeline:

I wrote this mostly for me, to help see where I have been and was not going to post it, but then thought it might be helpful for you.  So, here it is…

Age 16-18:

-Began writing my book, interviewing other teens and parents about why they were so angry.  Finished writing it and offered it for free to benefit fighting families.  I loved working on it, but buckled down in school over pursuing publication to have strong applications.

-Took Spanish and French at the same time in High School because I was told “it will make up for your disabilities in math and science for college applications and jobs.”

Age 18-20:

-Started Emory University and became a Chinese major to add a fourth language.

-Triple majored (I had, like, no friends) in Chinese, International Politics (with an emphasis on Latin America) and East Asian Studies.

-Adults in my life told me to get a JD/MBA (Law and Business degree), I had a passion for language, travel and studying globalization, but did not like my international law classes, politics or international investment.

What I learned:

I love to interview people about their relationships and life patterns.

I was unhappy in College.

Age 21:

-Began writing my thesis: “Underground Hip Hop and Chinese Urban Youth” and moved to Shanghai to interview Chinese teenagers about globalization through hip hop.

-When I learned that most Chinese teens were just as disgruntled with their parents as American teens, and how much I loved interviewing them, I realized I had to pick my book back up and look into publishing.

What I learned:

I was not going to be happy in a ‘traditional career.’

I wanted to work with youth and families, and find a way to tie it to internationalism.

Age 22:

-During my senior year of College, took my allowance and self-published my book, You’re Grounded! and filed to be incorporated.

-Hired employees in India to build my blog. (now RadicalParenting.com)

-Began to speak and work privately with families to supplement blogging income.

What I learned:

Everything about starting a business (through trial and error, informational meetings with other entrepreneurs and Business books for Dummies): tax law, finding funding, how to be a blogger, how to start viral campaigns, how Talent Agencies work, how much PR firms cost….

Age 23:

-Built an associate program to train and send-out mentors to help take private clients. Ended up training and hiring 6 associates, one office manager and 60 interns.

-Outgrew my website, and relaunched the blog with other features:

Teen Speakers Bureau, Parent and Teen Webinars, Teen Internships, Private Social Networks for Other Professional and Casual Teen and Parent Bloggers.

-Worked on other major projects:

Wrote my first e-book, Signed with talent agency William-Morris Endeavor, Got managers, Began work on a TV Show, Set-up funding campaign for webisodes.

Age 24:

-Knew that I was getting too old to write about parenting from the kid’s perspective so further built up my intern program and started LivingRadically.com.

What I learned:

-How to make money as a professional blogger

-Give, give, give, give, give.  There is enough to go around, collaboration is key, never keep tally of favors, if you can give, give.

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How and Why to Self-Publish Your Book

On February 16, 2010, In Business Ideas, Digital Life, Unique Entrepreneurship, By Vanessa

I get a lot, a lot, a lot of emails about how I self-published my book from friends, business, associates, and random people online.  I have also had many people ask me at speaking engagements and via email about my story and how I published my book, “You’re Grounded!” when I was so young.

Please do keep in mind, this is just my experience, I am definitely NOT a seasoned professional in this area and these are just my opinions.

My Quick Story: I finished writing the book almost completely when I was 17 and did not even think about publishing it until it was all done.  When I thought I would publish it, I contacted a few literary agents that my family knew, who explained to me the steps and issues below, and I made the decision to not even try to get into a traditional publishing house (see why below).  I hired an independent editor I found online and contacted a few different companies to self-publish.  I chose iUniverse and have been very happy with them.  I now have a literary agent at Endeavor William Morris Talent Agency and we are working on a few new book proposals and possibly getting my first book, “You’re Grounded!” re-published with a traditional house because my sales have gone so well.

Step 1: Write the Book (or at least the Book Proposal)

When people email me with an idea or a few notes, I tell them to keep writing before they even think about how to publish to keep writing.  Whether you want to go traditional or do it yourself, you should have an introduction written, a table of contents and the first three chapters written (a basic book proposal).

Step 2: Evaluate Costs

There are many differences between self-publishing and traditional publishing.  The first is cost.  Self-publishing costs vary greatly.  The biggest difference, is that if you go with a traditional publishing house they will probably pay you up front, yet if you do it yourself you put up the initial costs.

Step 3: Your Ownership?

This is one of the major reasons I self-published.  I wanted complete control over my content, title, name and book.  I did not want to have to go to anyone if I wanted to change something or do something with it later.  Typically, with a traditional publishing house you split ownership, and therefore control over your materials.

Step 4: Think About Barrier to Entry and Editing

Typically, authors have a literary agent and then the literary agent pitches your proposal to their contacts at traditional publishing houses.  The literary agent helps you with your book proposal, pitching and even packaging of your materials and typically gets 10% of profits.  I have heard that it is nearly impossible to get traditional houses to look at your material without an agent.  This was another reason I did not want to go with a traditional publishing house.  I knew it would be a long time before my book would be on the shelves, and I wanted it out immediately.  I also have heard that once you get into houses, they like to take apart and change your manuscript and this can often be a difficult, tedious and frustrating process.  On a positive note, traditional publishing houses know what they are doing.  Usually, they can work magic with incomplete manuscripts.

Step 5: Legitimacy

I will say this; traditional publishing houses are looked upon much, much more favorably by other authors, the media, and informed buyers.  If you self-publish you will always be explaining why you did not go with a traditional publishing house.

Step 5: Are You Going to Self-Promote?

Traditional publishing houses are machines of promotion.  They have outlets, interns, people, staff, connections, experience, poster board and snazzy looking bookmarks they print for you.  When you self-publish you are on your own.  Publishing is just the first step and then you are in charge of a lot of marketing.  YOU will be selling our book out of the back of your car, arranging book signings (you have no idea how much goes into those).   You have to have a lot of energy, time experience (or ability to learn quickly and from someone who knows) and money to cover these costs.  Self-publishing can be perfect for people who already have an audience because with a traditional publishing house, their cut is really paying for their media contacts and PR department.  If you do not need this, do not do it!  Once I published “You’re Grounded!” it was trial and error that I got it out there.  I read a lot of books on self-publishing and talked to every author I could find.   Traditional publishing houses do a lot of this for you.

Step 6: Complicated Loopholes

A couple of authors described to me some of the difficulties they have had with self-publishing houses on really odd stuff that we would not know about (another reason to have a literary agent).  Some of the things I have heard: they make you buy your books back if they do not sell, they market you for 6 months and if nothing breaks they stop working on your book and that there are a lot of politics in houses with little authors versus well-known authors.

Step 7: Pick Your Place

After hearing some of these stories, and knowing that I wanted complete control of my material, I just needed to figure out how to self-publish.  I was really deciding between iUniverse and Lulu.com.  Honestly, I looked at many other options I thought these were the best choices out of all the ways you can do it.  Lulu gives you complete control and is absolutely free (although I have heard it can be hard for first time authors without some help) and iUniverse is a company where you buy packages and they help you self-publish but do not take any control.  I have loved working with them, and although I am now looking to go traditional I would definitely publish with them again.  I think I paid around $1000 for their gold package which helped me get my barcode, get onto Amazon, get a copyright and everything.  They took care of all of that for me and gave me hours of phone support during the self-promotion process.  They still deliver all my books to my speaking engagements when I go.  If you use them, please tell them I (Vanessa Van Petten author of You’re Grounded!) sent you!

Step 8: You Have Just Started

Please keep in mind that publishing is barely the first step.  The real work comes after publishing with the promotion.  This is a lot of work.  I have done everything from sneaking my book into bookstores so people perusing the parenting sections would try to buy it and then the bookstore would have to order it when it was not in their system (yes, really) to pretending to be my own (British) secretary Madge when trying to get people to display my book.  It is all worth it though, if you love your message and reaching out to people!

Moral of the story and my advice: If you have the opportunity to work with a traditional publishing house (and they are willing to give you money up front and cover your costs of marketing) do it! If you are starting from the beginning, it can be like climbing a mountain to get your manuscript in front of traditional literary agents and get them to bite.  This is when I often recommend trying to find a literary agent.  If you cannot find one of those, you should definitely consider self-publishing.

Good luck, once you publish, send me your parenting books and I will review them for my site!

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What is Professional Blogging?

On February 9, 2010, In Business Ideas, Unique Entrepreneurship, By Vanessa

I get a ton of reader questions related to my career as a blogger, here are a few:

1) What is professional blogging?

Professional blogging is getting paid to blog, this can be through sponsors, ads, free products and reader subscriptions.

2) What led you to try it? And did you have any previous experience in Internet-related enterprises?

I knew that most authors have blogs to get more readers and sell books.  When I published my book I knew I should probably start a blog and I love to write, so I was excited.  I did not have any real experience with internet related enterprises except I worked for two companies helping them with social networking and their businesses.  Of course, I used the internet for personal use all the time.

3) How did you get the word out about your blog?

I do a ton of social networking and learned from other experts out there.  Now I even have my own classes about how I got my blog traffic so high.

4) Is blogging a 9 to 5 job for you or a 6 to 9 job? Or is it something in between? Basically, I’m wondering whether it’s a hobby or it has morphed into a job?

I am a full time professional blogger, working on it for about 4 hours per day to pay my bills.  I love doing it, and would do it if I was not paid, but do make a living doing this.

5) Does it pay? If so, is it by page view, through advertising or does somebody pay you to host the site?

Yes it pays.  You can live off of it through ads, sponsors and affiliate markeitng plus book and teleseminar sales.

6) When you think of competition, what do you think of? Do you think of any specific blogs out there? Or do you think of newspapers, rss feeds, diggs, or social networking sites such as Facebook?

Other parenting blogs are competition in a way, but mostly they are my biggest help.  Social networks are not competition they help me spread the word and get new traffic.

7) When blogging, what information do you use? Is it mostly opinionated? Are your opinions based on factual information?

Opinions mostly, but I do reference a lot of news stories and reports done by various research institutes and marketing companies.

8) Do you think blogging is competition for journalism? Why or why not?

Yes.  Bloggers are personal journalists.  I think that journalists can be bloggers and vice versa, true journalists find bloggers helpful I would think because we can cover different niches.  Bloggers also need journalists to reach a different kind of media.

9)  Do you see blogging as a fad? Something that will go away? Or do you think it is already deeply entrenched in society and is here to stay?

It will go away a bit, but will always remain because as long as there are people and a medium for them to express themselves, they will use it.

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Youthology

On December 21, 2009, In Business Ideas, Unique Entrepreneurship, By Vanessa

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To Be a Youthologist and Teen Life Coach Read Below.

To Book A Youthologist For Your Family Click Here.

What is Youthology?

Youthologists are trained to inspire, equip and assist their clients in creating a happier, more organized spaces, relationships and learning to live a more balanced life based on each client’s personal goals and priorities. They help young people with every topic and area including self-esteem, study skills, room organization, friends and getting along with parents.

As a Youthologist, you also enjoy, study and maintain knowledge of current trends, issues and news going on with youth today.

What Do You Do As a Youthologist?

Youthologists will use the Youthology and Youth Coach Manual, videos and training course to learn Vanessa Van Petten’s amazing process to help youth identify their goals, priorities, stress triggers and areas of desired change. Youthologists will learn how to assess each challenge and then make an action plan based on each client’s needs.

Youth Coaches can offer the Youthology process and may package it along with coaching, organizing, or other services, and set their own fees for their offerings. (Youthologists keep all of their fees.)

Why Become a Youthologist?

The economic downturn has caused many amazing individuals to be out of work and has put additional stress on families and youth who need more help. If you’ve every thought about starting a homebased coaching or organizing business, or adding Youthologist Certification to an existing business, now’s the time to sign up!

If you enjoy helping young people reach their goals for their home, family, and personal life, and school we hope you’ll consider becoming a Youthologist.

The Youthology Masters Program offers state-of-the-art online training and the tools you need to build a successful business from start to finish.

You can grow an existing home-based business with leads and media opportunities from radicalparenting.com or add the Youthology certification to your credentials as a psychologist, counselor, professional organizer, life coach, teen life coach, youth coach, nanny, babysitter or other profession.

Youthologists:

  • are committed to being great mentors and Youthologists and helping other kids, teens and families do the same
  • manage their own business and set their own schedule
  • set their own fees and keep all the fees they earn
  • are members of the Radical Parenting Inner Circle of Leaders
  • are associated with the trusted, nationally recognized Radical Parenting Brand
  • receive business-building leads from the Radical Parenting Web site
  • learn from Vanessa how to garner media opportunities
  • are associated with a company committed to positive family values and helping young people
  • make a difference in the world by helping people improve their home, family and personal life
  • are part of a community of fabulous women and men
  • love keeping up with youth trends and news in their local and global community

Is Youthology a Career?

In a word: Absolutely.

Youthology has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, CNN and many more as the new way for communicating with youth and parents. It has also been used in TV and radio shows with real families such as the Real Housewives of Orange County. You can build your brand, business and life-long career learning how to help youth and families and is often an alternative to therapy, teaching or counseling. We also have many students, moms and teachers who want to work part-time have flexible hours and make great income doing what they love.

How Much Money Can You Make As a Youthologist?

You set your own rates. You keep all of your own fees. The average Youthologist charges $70 per hour and works about 10-12 hours per week.

What are the benefits of becoming a Certified Youthologist?

As a Certified Youthologist you can have your own home-based business, work flexible hours and set your fees. (You keep all of your fees.) We also have many students, counselors and teachers get the Youthology certification.

If you already have a home-based business, by adding Youthology certification to your services you gain a powerful marketing arm through association with the trusted Radical Parenting brand, increase your client leads, and enjoy marketing and business-growth opportunities generated by the established Radical Parenting brand and Vanessa’s media exposure.

  • You learn to be a better sister, friend, mother, wife, coach while helping others do the same.
  • You create ongoing income through coaching, organizing, inspiring and other services you may offer.
  • You learn from Vanessa Van Petten how to increase your influence and expand your business through speaking, writing, and media interviews.
  • You help build strong youth, strong families, and strong communities.
  • You experience the joy and fulfillment of making a positive impact and significant difference in the lives of young people.
  • You are part of a company that is committed to positive family values.
  • You are part of a company that is committed to helping you become your personal best through helping others and doing what you are passionate about.

How Do You Become a Youthologist?

Contact Lynn: [email protected] with a paragraph about why you want to become a Youthologist. She will approve you as a trainee.

What is the Training Process to Become a Youthologist Teen and Youth Coach?

Your initial training is conducted through interactive online classroom sessions where you participate and watch videos, forums, assignments, and the manual at the state-of-the-art Youthology Master Program web site hosted by Ning. You may attend “forum classes” and complete your course work when it is convenient for you, work at your own pace, and take the final examination when you are ready.

Once you have been accepted as a Trainee in the Youthology Masters program, you will be given an invite for the online classroom. Upon receiving your invite, you will be able to log-in to the Youthology Masters Program Web site, access the lessons and assignments, watch the video presentations and look at all of our other resources that will help you grow your business as a Youthologist and coach not only how to be one. There are 12 training modules that cover various topics, including the Goal Making Assessment, Study Skills System, the Family Peacemaking process and how to build a successful business as a Youthologist. You should expect to spend at least 1 to 2 hours on each module.

After you complete the training forums, to receive your official certification and begin building your Youthology Coaching business, you must score at least 75% on the final exam. If you do not receive this minimum score, you will be able to review your training materials again and retake the test up to four times within a second 30-day period. We are committed to helping you succeed!

What is the Course Material?

Think back to when you were a high school or college student. It’s likely you had to take some required courses that seemed to have little to do with preparing you for real life. This is certainly not the case with the Youthology Training Course! You will learn how to inspire young people, organize them and teach them to be passionate, while also learning more about yourself! (See a sample syllabus below)

What do I need to know about paying online for training?

Is my credit card information safe?

We send you and invoice via PayPal, you may also pay by check if you prefer. We do not retain your information.

What if I run into a technical problem?

You can e-mail us at [email protected]

What does it cost to become a Youthologist?

The regular cost of enrollment is $499, but in consideration of the economic climate and requests from many coaches, we are offering a $100 “Recession Discount.”

Register now by emailing your request to [email protected]

How will I build my business?

As a Certified Youthologist your clients come from at least seven sources:

1. Referrals from the Radical Parenting web site

When you become a Certified Youthlogist, if you desire, your name will be added to the Certified Youthologists page on Radical Parenting. Potential clients may click on your name to learn your contact information or to be linked to your web site.

2. Referrals from Youthology Home Base

Radical Parenting receives many queries from people who want to work with a Youthologist. We pass on these leads to Coaches, based on performance.

3. Media Interviews

Some Youthologists desire to do media interviews to build their business and gain exposure as an expert. Vanessa has helped many coaches and youthologists gain local and national media exposure. Youthologists have access to training resources and pitching strategies for media endeavors.

4. Vanessa Van Petten’s media interviews, books, and website

Vanessa Van Petten makes regular media appearances—television, radio, magazines, newspapers, and the Internet—and speaks at events across the country. These appearances and events provide opportunities to promote Youthology on a national and local scale on your behalf. Her books, The Dirt-E Secrets of An Internet Kid and You’re Grounded! mention youthology.

5. Your own network of friends and contacts

In the Youthology Masters Program you learn how to build your business through networking in your community.

How do I get my own Coach or Youthologist website?

Vanessa works with many coaches to build their own website, brand and online products. See her social media consulting.

Do I need to be a computer expert?

You do not need to be a computer expert, but you do need to feel comfortable using a computer and accessing the Internet. Our tools are easy to use. If you are new to using a computer and the Internet it will be helpful if you to have someone you can consult about basic computer questions.

How does becoming a Youthologist work with other Life Coach or Professional Organizer programs?

Becoming a Certified Youthologist is an excellent match for a Life Coach or Professional Organizer. It will help you grow your business and provide you with certification and personalized service to offer your clients.

The service is also a great marketing tool. When you speak to groups or meet new families this is a great jumping off point for getting new clients with the question, “what is youthology?”

What is the refund policy?

An individual who withdraws from program and seeks a refund within the first 48 hours of enrolling will receive a refund equal to 80% of the original registration fee. No refund will be made after the 48-hour period following registration. Therefore, it is imperative that the course objectives, guidelines, FAQs, Coaching Agreement, and course format be reviewed within the first 48 hours of enrolling in the program.

Requests for a refund must be made by e-mail addressed to [email protected] stating the claimant’s time of registration, reasons for requesting the refund, and credit card payment information. Refunds will then be processed within 48 hours.

 
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