DIY Website DOs and DON’Ts

August 31, 2010
by courtney
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This post is completely unplanned but positively necessary to read.

So, I’ve been giving my website a makeover myself, with only an elementary understanding of HTML and CSS. Of course, I’ve wasted a boatload of time and frustration trying to do things that were beyond myknowledge. So, to pass on some DIY website wisdom I wish I’d known before I dove in…

Don’t

  • Spend more than 5 minutes trying to figure out a problem that’s outside your area of expertise. Get help!
  • Compromise content for design. Get the content up. You can change the look later.
  • Agonize over a 1/4 inch, barely noticeable misalignment for 6 hours. Oh yeah, I did.

Do

  • Learn code basics so that you can make small tweaks without running to your friendly designer (and nickle-and-diming your way out of business) every time.
  • Hire an expert when you’re out of your element.
  • Have fun doing a different kind of work for a while!
  • Learn new things, and write them down. There will be a next time!

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Like my new outfit?

June 29, 2010
by courtney
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CSWrites is in the midst of a wardrobe change!

I decided that my website needed a fresh new look. Here’s what’s happening around here.

  • Simpler design – I’ve decided to ditch the image-heavy, somewhat busy look of CSWrites.com, and replace it with a clean and fresh theme.
  • From stagnant page to blog – I’m running the site as a small business blog with a freelance writing flavor. From there, you can still access my services page and portfolio.
  • Spectator to participant – I’m hoping the new look and feel will spark interaction and synergy between small business owners and writers.

Let’s see what happens!

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Social media: free publicity

June 17, 2010
by courtney
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You may have played around with social media Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and blogs for fun, but have you ever used them to make business contacts?

Though not a replacement for face time and phone calls, these days, social media is almost necessary to market yourself and your business. It’s a quick, efficient, and free way to keep your name fresh in a potential client’s mind so that you’re the first person they think of when a need arises.

Here are a few ways to network from the comfort of your computer chair.

Networking sites. Sites like Facebook and LinkedIn feature profile pages, fan pages, groups, and low-cost advertising to promote your business. Pick and choose which options suit your needs.

Microblogs. Services such as Twitter and Google Buzz let you drop a quick hello to your network. Anything goes – post a useful tip, an interesting article, a motivational quote, or a random thought that has popped into your head.

Forums. Message boards on a topic of interest connect people with shared interests. Whether you’re asking questions or offering your expertise, you’ll regularly interact with a highly targeted group about specific topics.

Business blogging. You have expertise to offer, right? Write about it! Posting tips, tricks and happenings in a topic not only keeps you fresh in your network’s mind, but it also let’s others find you through search engines and referrals.

Writing isn’t your strong point? No worries, you can hire a professional copywriter to write or edit your posts for you. Professional copywriting is affordable and gives you the polished image that your business needs. To be an authority, you’ve got to look like one!

So, how do you leverage these services?

1. Register. Sign up for all you can think of ASAP, even if you’re not going to use them right away. That way, you can reserve your name or business name.

2. Build your networks. Start with your current friends, family and business contacts. Because of news feed features, you’ll be visible to others who may be interested in your services. You may be surprised at who starts paying attention!

3. Interact regularly. You get out of it what you put in. Frequent interactions will nurture a lively social media network.

The best part? You don’t have to concern yourself as much with being judged on appearance and composure as you would with more direct interations. (Though, you should always observe online etiquette behind your computer screen!)

Enjoy your easy, free business boost!

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How to network without feeling like a huge dork

May 25, 2010
by courtney
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I’m not gonna lie. I have a slight internal struggle every time I do networking things. I feel like a big fat cheeseball turbo dork. In real life, I’m a calm, carefree, dare I say cool person. But as soon as I walk into a networking event, I feel like my teeth go bucked, my waistband hikes up to my ribs and my feet grow too big for my legs to carry.

At first I thought that these things made me feel like a loser. But that’s not it. I don’t feel like a loser at all. Every time, I leave better off than I walked in. Usually, I’ve learned something from someone, or met someone who made me think about something differently. That’s a pretty sweet feeling. So what is it?

Is it just that networking events feel unnatural? Should I limit myself to people like Ms. Ayurveda Practitioner I met while our kids were playing at the playground? Or Mr. Ink Cartridge Recycler I met while stuck in a waiting room? Of course not. Because there are so many people out there I haven’t met yet!

But yes, it feels unnatural that we all chose to be in this room together for the sole purpose of meeting each other.

So what? Why is it uncomfortable?
Because the only one yapping louder than the over-caffeinated keynote speaker is our own ego, telling us that we’re here because we’re losers who can’t make friends ourselves. That we’re weak because we’re looking for help meeting people. Friends, your ego is not your friend. What do we do about it?

I personally tell my ego to shut it’s cake-hole. Maybe I need help, maybe I don’t. Who cares? Either way, there are a bunch of people who go to these things ready to work with each other. A bunch of people you can help by doing what you love. There’s nothing dorky about that.

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What the flea market taught me about confidence

May 2, 2010
by courtney
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A few times a year, we make the trek to Rodgers, Ohio for their Friday flea market. This isn’t your typical tables-with-trinkets flea market. Over acres of land, you’ve got livestock, crafts, farm equipment, produce, designer “inspired” sunglasses, puppies, Navy surplus, and lots of who-would-want-that?

Okay, so this is a small business blog, and we’re talking about flea markets? Stick with me here…

I met a man who takes your pet’s photo, etches Fido’s likeness onto a ladies’ leather bag, then paints the design to match your furry friend’s markings. WHILE YOU WAIT.

My point? I promise, I’m getting there…

I also walked past a man who jovially boasted, “best cherries in town, best cherries around,” over and over. That’s a pretty strong claim, if I do say so myself.

Where am I going with this? What do cherries and purses with dog faces have to do with networking?

These two salesmen taught me that it’s okay to be confident in what I do. In fact, it would serve me well. Think about it. The leatherman put his two talents together – painting pets and etching leather – to form a product that he thought people would want to buy. He had the confidence in his art to put it out there. And you know what? He sells pet bags. Lots of them.

And the cherry guy? He truly believes that he has the “best cherries in town, best cherries around.” He believes in his product so strongly that he will make himself hoarse in order to get the message out. In fact, he’s doing shoppers a favor by letting them know that they have the opportunity to get their paws on these rockin’ cherries. And his booth was swarming with cherry-hungry buyers.

The moral of the story is that you have something to offer, and people deserve to know about it. No matter how strangely delightful your product idea is, somebody out there wants it and is willing to pay for it. No matter how many cherry pushers are out there, you know your cherries are the best choice. Keep this in mind when you meet someone new, and they’ll see it too. Just watch.

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