End of Summer Wrap Up
The end of summer makes me really, really happy. As the weather gets cooler, days a little shorter and leaves start to fall from the trees, my soul is truly happy.
Finally – Fall!
Maybe it’s from nervous and excited memories of back to school shopping and starting new classes or just my love of getting back in to sweaters and boots, I love fall.
(I’m from Washington State, all this humidity and intense heat just makes me uncomfortable!)
So in the tradition and geeky love of all things fall/back to school, here’s my end of summer wrap up: Keep Reading…
Common Web Site Mistakes to Avoid
It’s tricky business, planning and designing a great web site when you’re doing it on your own. You want to stand out in the crowd, generate lots of traffic and most importantly, successfully represent and sell your product or service. I think for most, your web site feels personal as well. You’re taking a big leap, putting your self out there and shouting to world, “Here I am – look, over here, this is awesome!”
With that in mind, it’s important to recognize several common mistakes that may actually distract or worse – drive away visitors from your site. The good news is, these can all be easily prevented or corrected. Here are a few common cringe worthy issues and how to avoid them: Keep Reading…
Tags: business, Design, Web Design
Posted in Some Basics, Web Design, business, continue learning, resources | No Comments »
The Work Better – Feel Happier Plan
For most of us (well, at least for me) there are never enough hours in the day. I’m always wishing for more time to get through everything I want or need to do that day; writing on calendars, making my infamous lists and trying to figure out new ways to stretch or create more time.
Working, having a family and trying to make time for yourself in between can seem an impossible task but I’ve been thinking about this more lately and decided to start re-thinking how I prioritize, plan and execute. Keep Reading…
Tags: business, Freelance, Productivity
Posted in Freelance, continue learning, job tips, lessons learned, setting goals | No Comments »
The Redesign Process – Tranquil Hearts
Susan Wright, founder of Tranquil Hearts, is one of those dream clients everyone hopes for. Easy to communicate and work with, she knows what she wants and what will not work for her and is so laid back and positive, the process of building her initial web site could not have been a more smooth and happy experience. Months later, speaking to Susan about her business and web site, I jumped at the chance to work with her further on redesigning the site to better communicate who Susan is and what her work is all about. Keep Reading…
Tags: Creativity, Design, redesign, Web Design
Posted in Creativity, Design, Uncategorized, Web Design, Web Development, site re-design | 1 Comment »
Just not that in to you? Why sometimes clients disappear
Meeting with or speaking to a new, potential client is always a little exciting and nerve racking but most times, a happy occasion. When things go well, you’re sharing information or ideas and they seem not only happy but excited to be working with you and getting their web site off the ground, then it’s an ever greater time. After exchanging contact information, you start preparing your big ideas that you know will blow them away – how can they not? But a strange thing happens, they never call. Even after a follow up call or email, nothing. Keep Reading…
Tags: business, customer service, Freelance
Posted in Freelance, continue learning, customer service, job tips | 2 Comments »
Becoming UnStuck (or Creating Your Own Map)
I feel like I’ve written a lot in the past about being “stuck”, whether it’s having trouble coming up with ideas, looking for design or color inspiration or just feeling like you’re hitting a wall.
But is there anything more panic inducing? More frustrating and scary? Maybe it’s just that way for me.
I like to have a plan. Keep Reading…
Tags: Creativity, Learning and Inspiration
Posted in Creativity, Design, Leanring and Inspiration, continue learning, facing fears, lessons learned | 1 Comment »
Typical Client Red Flags: What Warning Signs to Look Out For When You Take On a New Client
Let’s face it, any profession where you deal with clients or customers can be challenging. Sometimes it’s enough to make you seriously consider cleaning toilets at McDonalds for a living. Before you go to extremes though, let me pose one simple question to you.
Are you qualifying your clients? Keep Reading…
Tags: business, Freelance, Web Design
Posted in Freelance, Web Design, business, resources | 1 Comment »
Tips on Creating a Smooth, Easy Process For Launching Your Web Site
For many people, thinking about launching your web site is exciting and full of expectations but can also seem daunting, confusing and overwhelming. Finding a designer, concerns about cost as well as the entire process to get your site off the ground can be filled with anxiety creating unknowns.
I do believe this process should be exciting but doesn’t have to be a difficult or negative experience. Here are a few tips and helpful information that can help the process go smoothly and much more worry free. Keep Reading…
Tags: business, customer service, Design, Web Design
Posted in Design, Web Design, business, customer service | 1 Comment »
Women Who Inspire
I love discovering people who do extraordinary things. Over the last year or so , I’ve discovered some amazing, powerful, brave women and I’m incredibly grateful. I’ve been really been touched by the work they do and what they stand for and I really wanted to share and celebrate them in some way. I’m inspired not only by their acts but by their hearts and minds. Keep Reading…
Tags: Inspiration
Posted in Inspiration, Uncategorized | No Comments »
The Upside of When Things Go Wrong
Recently, I’ve been realizing that some of my bad experiences in the past have actually been good or were at least, needed at the time. They’ve taught hard lessons but I’m better for it today. They don’t feel good when they happen but they also allowed me to recognize my part in the problem, to learn from the situation and to walk away a little wiser. Not always an easy process but one I’m becoming more grateful for.
Here are a few situations that have happened (some more than once) that at the time, made me furious, sad or frustrated but also sent a message, taught something I needed to know and actually ended up saving me later down the road. Keep Reading…
Tags: business, Freelance, Web Design
Posted in Freelance, business, continue learning, job tips | 1 Comment »