New Business

[akagrp]

Hello Barb

It is always difficult keeping the business fresh after so many years. I know as it it something I too have always needed to do as referrals are great but they tend to be out of left field if not a formal referral system in place.

I would suggest joining networks such as Australian Businesswomen as it not only gives you an outlet to promote your services but a great tool of learning from the members. I am a Mentor with ABN but have to say I learn so much from my Mentorees an its great to see how they support each other in the sessions, it becomes like a mastermind group.

Try writing articles on the benefits of great design and branding and post to different sites that your target market is drawn to.

Market yourself around Australia as a design house you could be anywhere and still be able to service the client. Invest in an online meeting program, I personally use gotomeeting cheap and allows me to service my clients around australia and overseas.

All the best with it

[Astrid]

Re: AGDA, I'm not sure that you'll find someone there to join forces, but at least you have the chance to talk to colleagues and put up an online profile.

I think you need to find marketing people, not just business developers. Rather strategists who are looking for someone in design and advertising to compliment their services.

[adiaccounting]

Merging is a good idea but I advice you to first do some projects with the person with whom you want merge your business.

Another thing which will be very awkward and interesting to you is to hire any freelancer's services. This is probably an unconventional way but many newbie try this way and its easy to find over the internet.

Hope my advice will be helpful to you. Please ask me if you want to know more about this option.

Have a great day

[wordmistress]

Originally Posted by TDGDESIGN

I am not very good at networking myself.

Hi there. Your name is Craig, right? I'm only guessing because I looked up your website but one of the most fundamental things about networking is to get your name out there!! Who do we talk about if we mention you? How do we address you?

Another thing is, whilst you've done a good thing by starting to use the Flying Solo forums for feedback and advice, you're not making the most of every single opportunity to network.

1. Use your name.
2. Create a signature including your web address or a hyperlinked key phrase.
3. Consider adding a photo of yourself as an avatar so we can 'see' who we're communicating with.
4. Don't make it difficult for others to find you or know who you are.

I'd love to help if you need any copywriting assistance. There is very little text on your website and your page titles don't change with each page. Even a small amount of content can help with being found when someone searches for what you do, if it's written appropriately. I can also help with press releases and Google Adwords campaigns.

You need to start flying above the radar!!

[TDGDESIGN]

Originally Posted by Astrid

Re: AGDA, I'm not sure that you'll find someone there to join forces, but at least you have the chance to talk to colleagues and put up an online profile.

I think you need to find marketing people, not just business developers. Rather strategists who are looking for someone in design and advertising to compliment their services.

Hi Astrid,
Sorry for the delay in replying, I have been frantic for a few days.

Thanks for your advice. I work with a few marketing people already but even though I am happy to do work for them, getting them to work on my business is another matter. I have done everything myself for such a long time I find it hard to delegate (I am a bit of a control freak). But I have finally decided that even though you may be able to do everything, doing it all well is another matter.
I am redoing my website and I will join AGDA. I think you are right about it but as you said, at least it gives me another professional profile.

[TDGDESIGN]

Originally Posted by adiaccounting

Merging is a good idea but I advice you to first do some projects with the person with whom you want merge your business.

Another thing which will be very awkward and interesting to you is to hire any freelancer's services. This is probably an unconventional way but many newbie try this way and its easy to find over the internet.

Hope my advice will be helpful to you. Please ask me if you want to know more about this option.

Have a great day

I am interested, tell me more!

[TDGDESIGN]

Originally Posted by wordmistress

Hi there. Your name is Craig, right? I'm only guessing because I looked up your website but one of the most fundamental things about networking is to get your name out there!! Who do we talk about if we mention you? How do we address you?

Another thing is, whilst you've done a good thing by starting to use the Flying Solo forums for feedback and advice, you're not making the most of every single opportunity to network.

1. Use your name.
2. Create a signature including your web address or a hyperlinked key phrase.
3. Consider adding a photo of yourself as an avatar so we can 'see' who we're communicating with.
4. Don't make it difficult for others to find you or know who you are.

I'd love to help if you need any copywriting assistance. There is very little text on your website and your page titles don't change with each page. Even a small amount of content can help with being found when someone searches for what you do, if it's written appropriately. I can also help with press releases and Google Adwords campaigns.

You need to start flying above the radar!!

Hi Gina,

I appreciate your comments.

Some of the things your mentioned were just me being a newbie and have now been rectified. I also think someone erroneously posted something meant for someone else. Anyway...

I am redoing my website now. I have mostly used it as an online portfolio rather than a sales tool. About 3 websites ago, I had it full of glowing testimonials from happy clients with a 10MB downloadable portfolio (that is the problem with showing print design work online) but found that most prospective clients just wanted to see my work on line.

Having said that though, I see the sense of making my new website more marketable and I would be happy to discuss it with you further and if we can get some SEO in the mix it would be good.

I am a bit busy for the next week but will try to contact you ASAP.

[exstatic]

Originally Posted by TDGDESIGN

Hi Gina,

I appreciate your comments.

Some of the things your mentioned were just me being a newbie and have now been rectified. I also think someone erroneously posted something meant for someone else. Anyway...

I am redoing my website now. I have mostly used it as an online portfolio rather than a sales tool. About 3 websites ago, I had it full of glowing testimonials from happy clients with a 10MB downloadable portfolio (that is the problem with showing print design work online) but found that most prospective clients just wanted to see my work on line.

Having said that though, I see the sense of making my new website more marketable and I would be happy to discuss it with you further and if we can get some SEO in the mix it would be good.

I am a bit busy for the next week but will try to contact you ASAP.

Hey Craig,

Good to see you are taking action with your website.. I think you can still combine everything you need to on your site, from good text content to an optimised online portfolio (rather than a huge 10mb one!).

The key to effective SEO for any site is to provide unique good quality content regularly.

Things like blogs, news articles, testimonials, portfolio updates etc.. all add to the SEO mix and help your site promote itself.

If you are working on a remake of the site, one of the best CMS or platforms to use from an SEO perspective is Wordpress (www.wordpress.org) it is super easy to use and customise and will provide a great platform to build your online profile with.

I'll chat with you next week.

[TDGDESIGN]

Originally Posted by exstatic

Hey Craig,

Good to see you are taking action with your website.. I think you can still combine everything you need to on your site, from good text content to an optimised online portfolio (rather than a huge 10mb one!).

The key to effective SEO for any site is to provide unique good quality content regularly.

Things like blogs, news articles, testimonials, portfolio updates etc.. all add to the SEO mix and help your site promote itself.

If you are working on a remake of the site, one of the best CMS or platforms to use from an SEO perspective is Wordpress (www.wordpress.org) it is super easy to use and customise and will provide a great platform to build your online profile with.

I'll chat with you next week.

Thanks Brendan,
Good to see someone else is working so early on Sunday!

[exstatic]

Originally Posted by TDGDESIGN

Thanks Brendan,
Good to see someone else is working so early on Sunday!

Haha.. yep.. it's only that my wife is out for the morning otherwise it wouldn't happen.. especially on Valentines day!