I'm so shattered today because Matthew (my son) came into my bed about 2.30! I never allow this normally but I was so tired I didn't send him back and the trouble is I can never sleep properly when he's with me. So the result is... I'm absolutely shattered!!!
Anyway I've been really busy today. I've been out to see a client I did a website for about putting a sale on her site. Also she's ordered a leaflet from me which is great. And been out to see Stepping Stones who I'm currently building a site for. I've got all the remaining things I needed to finish the site so that's tomorrow night's (or Thursday's) work! Excellent :-)
I feel like I've learnt a lot again. At first I think I would have gone back to bed after taking Matthew to school but now I have my business head on and want to get straight on with my work. In other words I'm now taking myself seriously. Also after first going self employed I met a lot of people for lunch (because I could!), but now I'm working really hard and enjoying it too. It sounds corny but I'm fulfilling my dream!
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Hit Counter
Another new feature I've studied up on is a free hit counter called StatCounter. I am so impressed!!! I found them on Google a month or so ago and decided to have a good look through the website. I've created new projects for each live website and put the relevant coding into the html coding. It is amazing!!! I can actually find the IP address and location of someone that has looked at a website. Incredible!
I feel much more prepared and businesslike - I feel like I'm on treadmill going further and further up hill (towards my dream of financial security and professionalism!). I think I'm going to provide customers with access to the StatCounter site to view their own statistics (only), or have a report sent to them for a small fee of £15-£25 or something like that. It would be an extensive report, although I could offer a cheaper version for less information. Something to think about.
So now I've an accessibility report and a keyword/website activity report to decide upon when I redo my website. Fantastic!!
I feel much more prepared and businesslike - I feel like I'm on treadmill going further and further up hill (towards my dream of financial security and professionalism!). I think I'm going to provide customers with access to the StatCounter site to view their own statistics (only), or have a report sent to them for a small fee of £15-£25 or something like that. It would be an extensive report, although I could offer a cheaper version for less information. Something to think about.
So now I've an accessibility report and a keyword/website activity report to decide upon when I redo my website. Fantastic!!
Wordtracker
I've studied up on Wordtracker today. This is an online service that all the professionals use for keyword analysis. I've found a competition feature that I'd missed for, where you can check which keywords are actually producing results (as terms can be searched many times, but websites haven't appeared due to various factors including websites not having keyword tags)
I've used this new knowledge to good effect and have searched for my PP6 Project for Stepping Stones Day Nursery and also my current commission Jamez Transport which is now built. I will go through the keyword analysis results with a fine toothcomb and amend the websites where necessary
I've used this new knowledge to good effect and have searched for my PP6 Project for Stepping Stones Day Nursery and also my current commission Jamez Transport which is now built. I will go through the keyword analysis results with a fine toothcomb and amend the websites where necessary
New Commission
I'm really excited as found out earlier that I've received a large website commission. 20 or more pages totalling £1500 and £45 a month maintenance package. Woohoo!!! This really takes the pressure off me financially and means I can buy a laptop in summer to take on holiday (I'm going to my parents house for 3 weeks). Plus it's good to have a laptop to take to meetings should I need one.
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Freefall's thoughts
I've posted a message on Bethany's Facebook wall to ask for some feedback on which Retrofuzz web designs Freefall like so I've more of an idea of their style. I thought it would be nice to go into the tutorial on Thursday hopefully a little more prepared
Chasing up leads
I've been very good today and have chased up all my outstanding leads by sending the 'Why Refreshing' letter on a letterhead along with a leaflet.
Why Refreshing
Leaflet
I hate doing any kind of telephone prospecting, so I decided to post letters to them. Plus I've already spoken to each company over the phone or in person, so I thought another call would be too much. I've only sent out 5 but I will send out more after doing some proper market research
Why Refreshing
Leaflet
I hate doing any kind of telephone prospecting, so I decided to post letters to them. Plus I've already spoken to each company over the phone or in person, so I thought another call would be too much. I've only sent out 5 but I will send out more after doing some proper market research
Thursday, 15 January 2009
Woohoo!!!
Oh it feels so good to have handed in all my PDP6 and PP6 work in tonight. Just one project left!!! Woohoo! I'm celebrating tonight!!!
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
Stepping Stones
Wow, the website's almost finished! I'm really pleased at how I've buckled down and just got on with the work (and enjoyed it!). I'm absolutely loving what I'm doing and 100% sure this is what I want to do for my career.
I can imagine in years to come moving to a bigger house and having a separate office within the house. I can imagine having people coming to my home office and doing work for me there ie technical work, scripting etc. I'm already looking after my house more now and keeping it clean and tidy in case any clients come to visit. Plus the tidier and more organised my house is, the better I seem to work!
I can imagine in years to come moving to a bigger house and having a separate office within the house. I can imagine having people coming to my home office and doing work for me there ie technical work, scripting etc. I'm already looking after my house more now and keeping it clean and tidy in case any clients come to visit. Plus the tidier and more organised my house is, the better I seem to work!
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
Meeting
I went to the meeting today and as I'd managed to get a portfolio together in time to take to the meeting I felt well prepared. I also took along a web design flyer, business card and customer brief form.
They took me through their existing website initially, saying what they didn't like about it (everything!). It also doesn't appear in Google under many appropriate search terms so it's not helping them in the slightest.
We discussed many different issues such as amending the content themselves (I'll look into content management systems - or suggest they use an easy program called Cute FTP), getting high up in search engines, pages required and creating a corporate image that's the same as the new brochure due to be designed shortly.
Overall I felt the meeting went very well and hope to hear back (or I'll phone them if don't hear) in the near future.
I hope I get the job (obviously) as it would be approx 15-20 pages (£900-£1500) !
What did I learn?
I feel like I learnt a lot from the experience. I think I came across well, so hopefully I don't need to improve on that side of things. I wasn't pushy but said I would call them if hadn't heard anything in a couple of weeks. I also felt like they knew I knew what I was talking about which was good.
I will continue to take my portfolio and leaflet/card with me to every meeting as I felt much more prepared and professional. I will amend the brief slightly though as I always end up writing things on the reverse and leaving sections untouched.
I did feel after the meeting that I could do with amending my prices ever so slightly. At the moment there's a big jump from 8 pages at £900 to 20 pages at £1500. I think I'm going to add in 14 pages at £1200 to make it better for me profit wise and also not seem such a big jump. I think I was unexpecting people to want larger sites eg 12 pages +, but I want to do web sites that large as it's more profit for me and also more links pointing back to my website (I put a link on the bottom of every page). Therefore I have learnt to not think too small and aim high whilst still keeping focused on my USP (Specialising in creating clear, uncluttered websites for small businesses)
They took me through their existing website initially, saying what they didn't like about it (everything!). It also doesn't appear in Google under many appropriate search terms so it's not helping them in the slightest.
We discussed many different issues such as amending the content themselves (I'll look into content management systems - or suggest they use an easy program called Cute FTP), getting high up in search engines, pages required and creating a corporate image that's the same as the new brochure due to be designed shortly.
Overall I felt the meeting went very well and hope to hear back (or I'll phone them if don't hear) in the near future.
I hope I get the job (obviously) as it would be approx 15-20 pages (£900-£1500) !
What did I learn?
I feel like I learnt a lot from the experience. I think I came across well, so hopefully I don't need to improve on that side of things. I wasn't pushy but said I would call them if hadn't heard anything in a couple of weeks. I also felt like they knew I knew what I was talking about which was good.
I will continue to take my portfolio and leaflet/card with me to every meeting as I felt much more prepared and professional. I will amend the brief slightly though as I always end up writing things on the reverse and leaving sections untouched.
I did feel after the meeting that I could do with amending my prices ever so slightly. At the moment there's a big jump from 8 pages at £900 to 20 pages at £1500. I think I'm going to add in 14 pages at £1200 to make it better for me profit wise and also not seem such a big jump. I think I was unexpecting people to want larger sites eg 12 pages +, but I want to do web sites that large as it's more profit for me and also more links pointing back to my website (I put a link on the bottom of every page). Therefore I have learnt to not think too small and aim high whilst still keeping focused on my USP (Specialising in creating clear, uncluttered websites for small businesses)
Portfolio
I'm trying to decide what kind of folder to present my portfolio of work in now! I'll have a hunt round my house, and if I can't find anything I'll make a trip over to Staples!
I feel so professional!!!
I feel so professional!!!
Monday, 12 January 2009
Cheers Gavin!
Thanks to Gavin I've got an appointment to see one of his potential clients regarding a website. The company is based in Brighouse and their existing site is very poor indeed. I'm going to get together some materials to take with me and see if I can put together a mini profile to create a good and professional impression!
The more appointments I have, I am confident the better I'll be and able to how interested the client is. I am unsure at the moment how well I come across in these appointments so I want to be as prepared as possible
The more appointments I have, I am confident the better I'll be and able to how interested the client is. I am unsure at the moment how well I come across in these appointments so I want to be as prepared as possible
Saturday, 10 January 2009
Time Management
I received a book for Christmas on Time Management. I read through it all over the Christmas period and it's already helped me to focus! What I was doing before was using a list with everything I had to do on it. This list was never ending and even though I was knocking things off the list I would be adding things on to it daily. Also I didn't seem to be able to prioritise, instead I was more determined to knock things off it, so would do the smallest tasks first so I could shorten the list!!!
Now I still have that list, but I also have a daily to do list. It sounds like lots more writing, being counter productive, but it's actually working really, really well. I prioritise tasks now and spend much more time working hard in order to get those things done. I don't get frustrated any more by a huge never ending list in my face. I now feel like I can be a success as I'm more focused and able to complete websites quicker than before
Now I still have that list, but I also have a daily to do list. It sounds like lots more writing, being counter productive, but it's actually working really, really well. I prioritise tasks now and spend much more time working hard in order to get those things done. I don't get frustrated any more by a huge never ending list in my face. I now feel like I can be a success as I'm more focused and able to complete websites quicker than before
Near the end of the PDP6!
After meeting with Patrick on Thurs night I want to see if there's anything I can add to my project that I've done but not added or reflected on. Points I can think of are:
- Interview evaluations (how they've helped me)
- Multicultutral Awareness (photos I've used for PP6)
- Business Link Courses (learning and networking)
- Any other quantitative & qualitative data
- Work done for other clients (create portfolio to take to clients)
- Alteration ideas to my website
- Future plans for the business
Other than those points I think I've pretty much covered the brief
I've really enjoyed this brief as it's forced me to look at my own corporate identity and create something that I believe is really good! It's help me to believe that I can really run a successful business, something I didn't believe before. I always felt a bit of a "bodged" business, in other words very amateur and unprofessional but now I have my website, business cards, corporate stationery and business account, I very much feel like a real business woman with a real purpose and mission to succeed.
- Interview evaluations (how they've helped me)
- Multicultutral Awareness (photos I've used for PP6)
- Business Link Courses (learning and networking)
- Any other quantitative & qualitative data
- Work done for other clients (create portfolio to take to clients)
- Alteration ideas to my website
- Future plans for the business
Other than those points I think I've pretty much covered the brief
I've really enjoyed this brief as it's forced me to look at my own corporate identity and create something that I believe is really good! It's help me to believe that I can really run a successful business, something I didn't believe before. I always felt a bit of a "bodged" business, in other words very amateur and unprofessional but now I have my website, business cards, corporate stationery and business account, I very much feel like a real business woman with a real purpose and mission to succeed.
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
The business
I've been quite surprised after updating my business plan to see how well the business is going and that my initial goals were actually fairly tentative and achievable. After being fully self-employed for the first time, I have more of an idea what kind of money I need to bring in and also what my expenses are and my market etc.
Tomorrow I'll update my cash flow and profit & loss forecasts which may be just as enlightening!
Tomorrow I'll update my cash flow and profit & loss forecasts which may be just as enlightening!
Monday, 5 January 2009
New Year, new start
So back here again! I've finally recovered from a very nasty flu/coughing bug which has kept me feeling very under par all Christmas but better now thankfully!
I've loads to do now I'm back to it. Loads of college work and loads of work for my business which is so exciting!! I'm really chuffed the business is going well, especially at this time of year and business climate (credit crunch etc). My parents have been staying at my house all over Christmas and New Year although we went to Dublin for Christmas. It was lovely apart from being ill! My mum had bronchitis too so it's not been the same as usual.
I've not done any college work since doing the ethical manifesto so need to get cracking now as the deadlines for the PDP6 and PP6 are fast approaching!
I'm really pleased now though because I've finally handed over doing the book-keeping for Undercliffe Cemetery in Bradford. I took on the duties a year ago, learning Sage Instant Accounts and double entry book-keeping as I'd never done it before. It has been invaluable, adding another string to my bow plus helping me understand accounting for my own business. I handed everything over to a Pakistani gentleman called Harry Kang from the accountants Carringtons. He was a lovely, down to earth person and very funny, a real pleasure to deal with! He advised me to get my previous year accounts filed online asap so as to avoid a £100 fine if not done before 31st Jan. I did them the same day!! It was the extra push I needed just to get them done.
I've loads to do now I'm back to it. Loads of college work and loads of work for my business which is so exciting!! I'm really chuffed the business is going well, especially at this time of year and business climate (credit crunch etc). My parents have been staying at my house all over Christmas and New Year although we went to Dublin for Christmas. It was lovely apart from being ill! My mum had bronchitis too so it's not been the same as usual.
I've not done any college work since doing the ethical manifesto so need to get cracking now as the deadlines for the PDP6 and PP6 are fast approaching!
I'm really pleased now though because I've finally handed over doing the book-keeping for Undercliffe Cemetery in Bradford. I took on the duties a year ago, learning Sage Instant Accounts and double entry book-keeping as I'd never done it before. It has been invaluable, adding another string to my bow plus helping me understand accounting for my own business. I handed everything over to a Pakistani gentleman called Harry Kang from the accountants Carringtons. He was a lovely, down to earth person and very funny, a real pleasure to deal with! He advised me to get my previous year accounts filed online asap so as to avoid a £100 fine if not done before 31st Jan. I did them the same day!! It was the extra push I needed just to get them done.
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