Frequently Asked Questions

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10 Ways to Help Your Business This Year - Resolutions for your Business

Happy New Year!

Many people have mentioned that they are planning to work on their business after the New Year. So, the time has come and many are wondering what to do. Below is your business' New Year's resolution in 10 ways to help grow your business this new year:

1. Get organized: Have receipts flying around and file folders everywhere on your desktop? Create a system to help streamline your paperwork and information. It will streamline your day down the road.
2. Get clear: Get very clear on your messaging, your price structure, and your services. Carve out 2 hours per week to get these three done. This will not only streamline your day, but will also help you clearly get your word out to customers.
3. Establish your goals for the year: What is it you really want? How many more clients do you want or products do you want to sell each month? Sit down and create realistic goals for the year, then break them down per month. Then reflect on what is realistic in terms of your current workforce, hours per week, etc. If your goals exceed your fulfillment, then your goals need to also include growing your fulfillment side of your business.
4. Create a plan based on those goals: How are you going to reach those goals? Create a plan for marketing, advertising, promotions, R&D, etc. Create an overall plan for the year, then break them down per month, and even by week. Assign tasks to employees, coworkers, or even to yourself on your calendar. As much as it seems like a good idea, do not just throw a contest, do not just have a sale, do not just have a newsletter, do not just make a video, etc. You NEED a plan so your efforts invoke a call to action that you WANT to have happen.
5. Create a ToDo Calendar: Finally have some time to work on your business but can't prioritize, let alone remember what you were supposed to work on? Create a to-do list that links to your calendar and assign these new tasks you made from your plan above. Create a system so you constantly return to this list throughout the day so you get in the habit of seeing what is next on the list AND get the successful feeling of crossing your tasks off.
6. Reiterate your message: Let the world know about your message and services by reiterating them on all marketing materials, including your website.
7. Make time for YOU: You are not a machine and you do your best work once you are rested. So schedule some time for you during your busy week. It sounds counterintuitive, but scheduling an hour for a walk, yoga, massage, run, or just some reading time that is strictly for you, will help reenergize you and get you working more efficiently.
8. Get realistic: Does your task list have 40+ things on it each day? Maybe it is time to hire someone? Can a professional help you get something done right in 2 hours that would take you 10 hours to do just okay? Wouldn't it be worth having that professional help you with that task each month so you can spend those 10 hours making money? Or perhaps hiring a mom or high school student who needs some filler work a few hours per month to organize your office or do some errands for you? No need to hire someone to do your main tasks of your business. Just someone to help with the small tasks. Make your life easier and in doing so, you may be helping someone else out who needs some extra work.
9. Learn some more: Stay on top of your industry by subscribing to blogs or Linked In groups that pertain to your business. No need to enroll in hours or hours of classes (unless mandatory for your licensing). Just subscribe to the endless feeds of information on the internet. You will not only stay up to date on new technology and tips, but will also learn about ways to become more competitive in your market.
10. Get real help: Totally confused with what you are doing? There are thousands of professionals who can help you get streamlined in your business and in your day to day living. Spending a few hundred dollars here or there to get you on track may most likely help you earn thousands down the road. it IS worth the investment. If you don't know what to blog about, what or when to be posting to your social networks, how to properly create a newsletter that drives traffic, how to properly hold a contest or sale, how to make a video that converts, or if it all feels overwhelming, contact me or another professional and we can create a plan to make this work for you.

Above are just a few ways to help you get your business on the right rack for the year. Taking the time to help your business grow will prove both profitable and rewarding.

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I found someone who can make me a $400 website. Can you beat that price?

My first reaction is “yikes!” I have done estimates for people getting bids from these $400 guys and it's definitely comparing apples to oranges. Be sure they are being clear about what they are offering:

My first question is what does their portfolio look like? Do they create sites that visually represent the quality of service or product you provide because that is what people think when they see your site. If it's clunky, doesn't work well and visually unappealling, do you think that your site will compete with your competitors?

Once you look at their portfolio, look at your competitors' sites. Do your competitors have similar sites or better sites than these? If your competitors have better sites, then why spend the money on something inferior if this is going to be your main point of online advertising?

What type of site are you getting for $400? Is it a content management site or html site? If it is a content management site, do they train you and what does the site include? If it is an html site, how much will they charge you each time you need an update? In both cases, review what they include, what the base price of $400 includes and how much all the add-ons and changes will cost you. Also, ask them if they be providing anything custom or will it look exactly like your competitors sites.

Do they include hosting and if so, how much do they mark it up?

Do they outsource all of their work overseas and if so, what type of working conditions do these programmers have (and do you want your business associated with that?).

Here are some other questions to go through when deciding which web designer to work with: http://www.sarazimmerman.net/2011/09/29/how-to-choose-a-web-designer/

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Can I hire you as a marketing or PR consultant?

Yes. I have volunteered on a Board of Directors for an art council and on a city’s art steering committee. I have years of art experience, design experience and marketing/PR experience that I bring to each project. I have helped a handful of start-up businesses with their marketing plans (and portions of their business plans) and can help guide you along. Furthermore, I can help write copy for your marketing materials and do public relations for you if you find yourself stumbling. I also write and distribute press releases for local publications as well as help with setting up and running your social networks. I charge an hourly fee for these services.

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Do you personally work on my design project or use a team of professionals?

For graphic design, I do all of my own designs and illustrations. For web design, I do the basic design and layout, html and javascript programming, web optimization suggestions, etc. I work with my husband and a local Truckee team of programmers for .php, eCommerce, MySQL, database and all other advanced programming needs. For search engine optimization, I work with a Truckee-based marketing consultant to help crunch numbers and variations.

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I am a start-up and have a tight budget. What can I do to save money on this project?

If you have a tight budget, you can save money by creating a defined scope of work and providing ALL necessary items. However, to make it an effective project, you really need to have an understanding of marketing, what your business really needs AND have a lot of time. You don't want to put the money into something just to have something out there. You want to make it work for you. So, if you do have an understanding of marketing and have some time, then here are the things you can gather to save you money with your project:

1. Figure out who your target market/audience is.
2. Decide what you need. For small businesses, I recommend investing in the basic package of a logo, stationery, business card design, a brochure/rack card or a postcard/flyer, a website and basic social networks.
3. Surf the web and scan images from magazines. Find styles, looks, colors and fonts that you like and get those in an electronic file for me.
4. Compile all of your text for every single line of your project, proofread, have your team approve it, and put it into either one Word document or txt file or into a folder.
5. Gather all of your images. If your images need cropping or altering, and you have know-how, please alter them how you like. Clearly name each image accordingly and save them as a .jpg, .png, .psd , or .tif at 300 dpi.
6. Combine the text, the images, ideas you like, and anything else your project requires and send it to me in 1 or 2 emails or via mail on a Mac formatted CD.
7. If you do not know what you want after doing this research, call me and I can help give creative suggestions.

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What items do you need from me to create my website?

To make things smoother, please contact me with the following information:

1. Surf the internet and see what "style" of websites you like. Copy those url's and place them into one document or email (word doc, rtf, txt, or Google doc file/or one email). Often, clients save time/money if they just want the look of a site mimicked. If you don't find a site that you exactly want to mimic, record the details of what you like of the site.
2. Figure out how many pages you want and your navigation bar buttons, (i.e. HOME, ABOUT, etc) and if there are any subpages that you want (such as ABOUT> AUTHOR BIO> COMPANY BIO, etc).
3. Compile all the text for every single page. Make sure it answers all the questions of who, what, when, why, where, and how (so many sites do not), as well as explaining how this site/company provides a service that is unique in some way and why they should work with you. Please both proofread and edit. It is faster to use text that is final then making a lot of changes afterwards. Text needs to be provided in an unformatted .txt, .rtf, or .pages doc. If you are using Word, please do not add any additional formatting.
4. Compile photos that you want and clearly label each one according to which page it is for, (i.e. photo_home1.jpg). The resolution for web projects need to be at 72dpi. But if you later want to make a brochure with this same look, etc, then provide me with images that are at least 300 dpi. Let me know if you will be resizing your images or if you will be expecting me to, and if you need photo enhancement done as well.
5. If you have not legally purchased photos and need some ideas, talk to me and we can discuss illustrations, clip art, or stock photo options.
6. Please provide the logo and all company identity info. If you need that, I can help you there too. Often once a client agrees on color choices, fonts, etc, it becomes so easy to just pull that through the entire website, brochures, flyers, mailers, business cards, etc. If you are not planning on doing that and just want some ideas for this site, I am happy to give some creative suggestions.
7. Your hosting and domain information, login and password. I can also help you with hosting and domain name if you need help setting them up and/or suggestions.
8. All login and password information for any accounts you need linking or addressed, such as Google, AddThis.com, LinkedIn.com, Twitter.com, Facebook.com, VerticalResponse, etc. If you need me to help you integrate these, then I need account info. Please call me with all of your password info- do not email me those items.
9. Let me know if you will be needing training, how much of this you will be providing and what you need help with.

I will provide a list of all items and some dates these are due to meet your deadline.

If this is all overwhelming, one of my strong points is providing creative direction. I learn more about your site, your target audience, and overall purpose. From there, I can design you something that can fit your needs.

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How much will my design project cost and what do I need to get started?

Every project is different so every estimate varies. This is based on the information you provide me in a defined scope of work:

• A defined scope of work for the project (i.e. logo, brochure, illustration, etc)
• What exact components you are supplying (i.e. brochure images and text versus needing me to do copy writing and finding/purchasing stock photography; do you have a clear idea of a design you like or not? Do you have an existing logo and/or identity?).
• Look and feel (i.e. trendy graphics, photo realism, contemporary art)
• Objective - A.KA. Target Market (i.e. wanting more clients who are women 50 years+, young adults applying to college)
• Size of business (i.e. start-up versus corporation)
• Marketing assistance (i.e. if you need me to help you figure out a marketing plan and overall strategy in addition to the design projects)
• Number of revisions and how many people have a say in those revisions
• Deadline

Contact me with the scope of your project and I will give you an estimate. If you do not know how to develop a scope, I can help you develop a defined scope at an hourly rate.

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Will you design my website?

Yes, I currently take select web design projects. To make things smoother, please contact me with the following information:

1. Surf the internet and see what "style" of websites you like. Copy those url's and place them into one document or email (word doc, rtf, txt, or Google doc file/or one email). Often, clients save time/money if they just want the look of a site mimicked. If you don't find a site that you exactly want to mimic, record the details of what you like of the site.
2. Figure out how many pages you want and your navigation bar buttons, (i.e. HOME, ABOUT, etc) and if there are any subpages that you want (such as ABOUT> AUTHOR BIO> COMPANY BIO, etc).
3. Compile all the text for every single page. Make sure it answers all the questions of who, what, when, why, where, and how (so many sites do not), as well as explaining how this site/company provides a service that is unique in some way and why they should work with you. Please both proofread and edit. It is faster to use text that is final then making a lot of changes afterwards.
4. Compile photos that you want and clearly label each one according to which page it is for, (i.e. photo_home1.jpg). Since it is the web, dpi doesn't matter as much. But if you later want to make a brochure with this same look, etc, then provide me with images that are at least 300 dpi.
5. If you have not legally purchased photos and need some ideas, talk to me and we can discuss illustrations, clip art, or stock photo options.
6. Please provide the logo and all company identity info. If you need that, I can help you there too. Often once a client agrees on color choices, fonts, etc, it becomes so easy to just pull that through the entire website, brochures, flyers, mailers, business cards, etc. If you are not planning on doing that and just want some ideas for this site, I am happy to give some creative suggestions.
7. I can also help you with hosting and domain name suggestions.
8. If this is all overwhelming, one of my strong points is providing creative direction. I will need to learn more about your site and your target audience and overall purpose. But from there, I can provide some ideas on color, content, etc.

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What is in a defined scope of work?

A defined scope of work is something that provides a written description every single thing you need for your project, from actions per navigation menus online, to the exact content and images to be used on a rack card. It is something that spells out every nuance of the project. For web design, a scope of work would include at least the following:

• a wireframe with actions per item included
• exact description of the graphic elements to be used for header, background, buttons, head tags, etc.
• exact text to be included on each page, including headers, links, and bullet points
• exact images to be included in the content, for which page, and if they need to be resized, touched up, or needing a css value.
• the site to be built live or in a hidden development site
• all automated responses and emails of where they are to be sent to and how often
• if there will be a user AND client login, if a database or information storage is needed and if so, what type?
• social network links or widget coding
• if training will be needed
• etc.

If you are not sure what you really need for your business, let me help you define a true scope of work.

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I have a large project. How do I get started?

1. First, compile a defined scope of work. If you do not have a defined scope of work, contact me. I will have you sign a contract that basically says you will pay me for the time to create a defined scope of work. This is called the “planning stages.” I will work with you at an hourly rate to complete a defined scope of work during this stage.
2. Once a defined scope of work is created, I will provide you an estimate of how much the project will cost with one change at each stage.
3. Upon approval of the estimate, you will sign a contract, provide a deposit and any items needed to complete the work, and I will get you scheduled and begin working.

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Why should I spend money on creative design when I can get someone to do it cheap?

Your branding (i.e. logo design and promotional material “look”) will be how your clients visually remember you. It is imperative to invest in branding that you really like and that really defines your company’s message. I’ve worked with a client who bought a simple, discounted logo package from a design firm. My client never loved the logo because it was “blah” but used it for their business because it was cheap. It didn’t “say” anything about their business. They found themselves often clarifying what their company was and what their services are. A good logo should “say” that in a glimpse of the graphic and tagline. When they came to me, they had been using this logo for years so the logo was on everything: their business cards, rack cards, website, brochures, t-shirts, you name it. This client not only paid for the original design and all the promotional materials that had that design on it, but also paid for a second design and new promotional materials. Furthermore, they had to resubmit copyright paperwork and fees. If they had just spent a little more money hiring someone to create a look and logo they liked, they would have actually saved money in the end.

If you are on a budget, figure out what your budget is. Branding, marketing and advertising can all be part of your marketing budget, which you can write off. If you need help determining a practical marketing budget, visit the Small Business Administration http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/sbdc/index.html or SCORE http://www.score.org/index.html. I believe that adding some creativity to your branding will help you stand out from your competitors. I am interested in making something completely suitable for you, that defines your product/business and that will promote your product/business to your target market. If you need help deciding who your target market is and figuring out your, marketing plan, I have years of marketing experience and can help you there too.