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Why Start Your Own Blog Design Business?

January 10, 2010 By Laurie Leave a Comment

According to the WordPress.org counter, the latest version of WordPress has been downloaded 1,800,000 times. You can see the number increase moment by moment for yourself at http://wordpress.org/download/counter/. It’s proof that WordPress is fast becoming the website building tool of choice for ever growing numbers.

A year or so ago I had to tell my new clients about WordPress. Today, they’re coming to me asking about it. They’ve heard that WordPress is user friendly and easy to keep up dated and they want to know if it can work for their website needs. When a main street baker calls me up to ask if he should be using a WordPress blog, you know that word is getting out there.

In 2008 I created a membership program designed to teach others how to launch and run a blog design business to serve their local small business community. I believed then – and even more so now – that this is a niche crying out for more providers.

I named my program Blog Evangelists. The 12 month lesson plan teaches everything from market research to local branding to business management to teaching clients about using social media.

Sure, there are thousands of blog designers on the web – but small businesses love to work with their fellow local business owners. This is great news for anyone just about anywhere.

If you live in a small town, you may be the only blog designer around and have a ready market to serve. Even if there are other design providers, they probably don’t specialize in WordPress blogs and from my experience, most have very little awareness of social media – let alone try to teach their clients about it.

If you live in a large community, you can always choose to target a specific group within it. Perhaps you’ll become the go to guy for ‘old town merchants’ or you’ll specialize in serving solopreneur owned restaurants.

The idea is to position yourself so that your clientele feels certain that you are the perfect designer for them – no doubt about it. Even if there are hundreds of others who could do the job, they’ll prefer you just because.

The businesses in your neck of the woods quite literally need you to evangelize them. They need to hear the good news that having an effective web presence can be affordable and manageable. They need to learn about social media and how simple search engine optimization tactics that come easy with WordPress can help them rule local search pages.

You, with even a basic understanding of internet marketing tactics can be a huge asset to these small business owners – and with the training provided in Blog Evangelists, you’ll be armed and ready to help them achieve their web marketing goals.  Attend the FREE Webinar on January 19, 2010 and get all the information.

About the Author:

Kelly McCausey is an experienced blog designer, internet marketer and creator of Blog Evangelists. From now until midnight on January 22, 2010, you can grab access to the entire Blog Evangelists course together with Lynette Chandler’s complete Blog Theme Bootcamp for one low price. http://www.blogevangelists.com

Filed Under Biz Ops, WAHM Tips

Organization tips for WAHMs

July 2, 2009 By Laurie Leave a Comment
Apple iPod nano (third-generation)
Image via Wikipedia

Do you have piles of papers on your desk? Is there a stack of receipts shoved in your drawer? Do you ever find yourself looking for a phone number that you just know you wrote down somewhere? If you are suffering from a lack of organization, here are some suggestions on how to tackle it.

It is no secret that having a disorganized work area is counter productive. By getting organized – and staying organized, you will be able to get more work done in less time.

If you are computer-friendly, you may be familiar with the program Outlook. You can use Outlook to keep track of your emails, your daily schedule, your to-do list, client phone numbers and email addresses and more. You can even synchronize your MP3 player to Outlook and keep all of your info with you wherever you go!

For those that are not as technology advanced, you can still get organized by using old-fashioned paper products. If you do not have a planner, get one! There are many kinds of planners to choose from, in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Find one that fits your needs and use it to keep track of doctor appointments, school meetings, your work schedule, etc. Set up a client database to keep track of phone numbers, emails and other information. You can do this by getting some 4” x 6” index cards and a recipe box.

April 15 is a day that many Americans dread – it is the due date for your taxes! An easy way to keep track of recipes is to get a hanging file folder and 12 manila envelopes. Have one envelope for January, one for February and so on. During the month, throw all your receipts in the corresponding envelope. When the month is over, tally up your receipts and write it on the outside of the envelope. That way, when tax time comes, most of your work will already be done.

By taking some time each day to “take care of the little things” you will stay organized, feel less stressed, and get more work done!

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Filed Under WAHM Tips Tagged With Envelope, File folder, Google, Index card, Mail, Microsoft, Microsoft Outlook, Talk radio, Windows

How A Life Coach Can Help WAHMs Succeed!

May 20, 2009 By Laurie Leave a Comment

Every mom knows the importance of organization; add a business to the mix and organization becomes even more important. As a WAHM, you need to know where your child’s play date is, when your next deadline is due, and what you are making for dinner.

A life coach can help you develop an organization system, set priorities and stay in control of your schedule. You’ll no longer waste precious time looking for things you’ve misplaced and you will no longer miss those important deadlines.

Get the Job Done & Spend Quality Time With Your Kids:
In many cases, women become WAHMs because they want to spend more time with their children. However, when you have deadlines to meet and clients to please, finding time to spend with your children can be difficult.

A life coach can help you develop a work routine that will allow you balance your time between work and family. When you have a routine in place, you will know which hours are for work; and which are for play.

How a Life Coach can Help WAHMS Spend Time with Their Spouse:
It can be easy to put romance on the backburner when you have your hands full. As a WAHM, you are tackling two “more than full-time” jobs. It is important to make time for your spouse, so that your marriage does not suffer.

A life coach can help you and your spouse work out a schedule where you both take on various household tasks. Having your spouse take over some of your chores will free up time on your schedule to create a date night together. You need time to be husband and wife, not just “mom” and “dad”.

How a Life Coach can Help WAHMs Get Time to Themselves:
By nature, women tend to be people pleasers; a life coach can help you learn to say “no”. This will prevent you from taking on more work than you can handle. When you take on too much, your natural response is to limit the time you take for yourself. This can be a big mistake. You deserve to take time out for yourself; take a walk, read a magazine, get a manicure.

You will notice that when you take a break to be alone, get your thoughts together, and recharge your batteries, you will have renewed energy and passion for all areas of your life!

Next Steps:

If you need an extra hand getting what you want out of life, contact Certified Life Coach, Aurelia Williams. She’ll help you design a life that allows you to reach your business and personal goals; cultivate more fulfilling relationships and that elusive achieve work/life balance you’ve been striving for.

Click here to learn more about her coaching program.

Filed Under WAHM Tips