Setting boundaries via email
Even if you love your clients, it's still super important to set up clear and simple client boundaries. This not only helps you, but is important for them as well. I promise it's helpful for everyone involved!
There are lots of emails that come through the virtual door that may test your boundaries. It can be hard to hold the limit you’ve set for yourself, especially if you really want to nail the sale or take on the opportunity. But remember that you set your boundaries for YOU. And most of the time, people respect you when you hold true to your boundaries. If they don’t, that’s their problem. Literally… you can’t solve that for them or fix their feelings.
Important! I’m not saying that you should be unkind. In fact, I find that limits, rules and boundaries are a kindness in themselves. They let people know what to expect and what won’t fly.
But since sticking to those boundaries can be hard, here are a few common ideas to help you respond thoroughly, quickly, and cheerfully to those boundary-pushing emails.
Email #1: I want a discount!
Here’s some truth talk: once you know your worth, you’ll stop discounting your prices. Only you can do the exact thing that you are offering in the exact way you’re offering it. So when someone asks for a discount, be kind but firm.
Start by sharing that you understand where they’re coming from. Having a set budget may be one of their boundaries!
Share that you can’t lower your prices. You can communicate that your prices are carefully calculated based on the process and your expertise.
Reiterate that you understand. If that means you can’t work together, no harm no foul.
Offer to refer them to someone else. This may seem counterintuitive, but people really appreciate this extra step. They probably spent a bit of time searching for someone like you to help them. They’ll leave you without working together, but may still recommend you to someone else (who CAN afford you!).
Email #2: I want extra stuff!
This may depend on the person and the project. For example, you may feel a humble request for something small is no big deal. But what if that’s the first of many requests? This can quickly spin out of control.
Again, be kind but firm. Share that, unfortunately, you just can’t offer or include that extra thing.
Offer your reasoning. This might be that it takes too much extra time, or that it’s simply not included. It can be very straightforward and simple.
Share how they can access that thing for value. In other words, if they would like to purchase the extra item, you’d be happy to share that for $$XYZ price.
Leave the ball in their court. Simply ask them to let you know if they’d like to move forward with your offer. They’ll likely decline, but if they do want to, you’re no longer giving your precious time/energy/work for free.
Email #3: I need this now!
I get these emails a lot. :) For some reason, a few people think that we are not humans but instead are some kind of creative machines that should be available at all hours of the day, any day of the week. This type of email is tricky because often the request is nice and the email conveys a real sense of need. It’s hard not to help someone in NEED! But truthfully, they probably don’t actually NEED the thing (at least not right NOW!)
Again, be kind but firm (are you sensing a theme yet?). First, acknowledge their request and that it is (or feels) urgent.
Let them know when you will tackle it. If they said they really need something fulfilled on Sunday when you don’t work weekends, let them know what your soonest availability is. A chipper, “I’d be happy to help! My next available time is Monday at…” works perfectly.
Again, confirm they want to move forward with the new arrangement. Simply ask them to let you know if that works for them.
Email #4: A complaint.
Ugh, this is a tough one. It really hits your pride and if you’re a people pleaser, it may trigger a need to “fix” it for them. But you don’t necessarily have to. This is a more nuanced email depending on the gripe, but here are a few guidelines.
Note that you understand their complaint and why they feel the need to raise it.
If you do need to make amends in some way, share how you plan to do so and what they can expect.
Let them know that their feedback is valuable. You can also share how you may incorporate their feedback into your future work, etc.
Wish them well and wrap it up.
Email #5: Waiting on payment.
Even years into business, this still happens to me occasionally. An invoice goes out, but it seems to get lost along the way. Following up with a client about money could be awkward and therefore avoided, but we all deserve to get paid! This email is actually simple and straightforward.
Keep it light. Just note that you’re checking in. Perhaps they never even received it? Or life got crazy and they plum forgot.
Offer to resend it. This is the “Let me help you help me” approach.
If you have any late fee protocols, remind them of this (and ideally send this email before they’re applied as a courtesy).
Thank them for working with you and wrap it up!
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How much money do you need to save for maternity leave?
The second part of planning for maternity leave is going to cover finances and inform everyone around you! If you missed them, check out the first two posts in this series: when you take your maternity leave and how to set up systems for your business to run smoothly.
This is the big question for solopreneurs planning for maternity leave:
how much money do you need to save?
To begin this process of discovery, break down what you pay on a monthly basis now and what you may be paying once the baby comes.
The first category to breakdown is your monthly personal expenses:
mortgage/rent,
utilities,
cable/internet,
auto insurance,
gas,
student loans/debt,
groceries,
health insurance
After this, factor in the baby expenses:
diapers,
pump,
pumping bags,
bottles,
misc. midnight purchases (it happens!).
Planning a baby budget and giving yourself some wiggle room for impulse buys can help alleviate a lot of financial stress in an already stressful situation. You will find there are typically a lot of monthly buys you did not expect for the baby.
The next category to break down are your monthly biz expenses:
marketing,
admin (scheduling apps, website host),
assistants/employees,
studio/office costs
The final category to break down will be your extracurricular expenses:
Netflix/hulu,
takeout/easy meals,
house cleaner,
travel,
savings,
shopping,
hospital bills.
These are all subject to change and might go up or down after the baby comes (ie: maybe more for house cleaning and less for travel). However, having a rough breakdown will help you create a feasible budget for the months you’ll be on leave!
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How to plan for maternity leave as a solopreneur
During pregnancy, I realized that all the information about maternity leave dealt with people in corporate jobs – rarely people that work for themselves. I had to figure out everything myself (I did a LOT of deep googling). I wanted to help solopreneurs plan for maternity leave without the hassle, so created plans, worksheets, and posts to help teach others what I learned myself.
Preparing for Maternity Leave Part 1:
First, you want to get an understanding of what maternity leave will really feel like, specifically with regard to your emotions and expectations. You may think that you will feel a certain way, but you don’t really know how you will actually feel until you walk through each step.
Everything will change: your emotions, relationships, energy levels, etc. All of this is normal, but remember that while you may think everything will feel fine, it may not – and that is okay!
How do you know when to stop working?
What is the final day that you cross off your to-do’s? This is different for everyone, but there are some good guidelines to follow.
The first is to reverse engineer your time. After 35 weeks, focus your attention only on ‘nice to dos’. These are things that you don’t have to get done and are not crucial. Things such as Instagram posts, newsletters, and expenses.
Before 35 weeks focus on ‘must dos’. These are tasks such as client work, scheduling blog posts, etc. Again, this is all relative to each person and you may feel super exhausted around 30 weeks and need to lay in bed for hours a day, so keep that in mind! If you can, you may also want to scale down your hours slowly instead of stopping altogether.
How long should you plan to be out on maternity leave?
This is personal. I can’t answer that for you! However, I like to say plan for whatever you think you’ll need plus a little more. You can always come back earlier, but it is harder to add extra time at the end after you have scheduled finances, delegations, etc.
Should you work during maternity leave?
This is also different for everyone, but I can give you a few pointers. For many, it depends on the type of work you do. In general, it is better to handle minor tasks: responding to emails, writing posts or newsletters, checking in on social media - but the key is to not stress yourself out with anything work related. Give yourself permission to just be present!
Here are another few things to consider:
Maternity leave shorter than 12 weeks puts women at higher risk of postpartum depression and anxiety.
Will you/how long will you be breastfeeding?
And how long can your partner take off?
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Questions to ask yourself when you’re in a business funk
Everyone’s creative process looks different, but a lot have the same initial phases. Here are a few thoughts on how to streamline yours.
Every few years, my creative brain starts to wander. I imagine new businesses I could start or new projects that really feel like they would light me up. I fantasize about how amazing it would be to take on these new roles and shake up my routines. When these thoughts bubble up, I admittedly follow them down the rabbit hole of creative dreamland. What I always end up realizing is that I don’t actually want to burn everything down and start over.
So what is bringing up all of this distracted energy?
What’s usually happening is a little below the surface (always is, right?). Sometimes this happens around a season of rest or wintering. Sometimes this happens when you’ve been at it awhile and are beginning to feel those telltale signs of burnout. Sometimes you do have more to give or may have had a shift in your values or priorities.
Whatever the reason, if you find yourself feeling like you're in a business rut, here are some questions you can ask yourself.
What do I like doing?
What DON’T I like doing?
What am I really good at?
What is really important to me right now?
Who is really important to me right now?
What will have the greatest impact on my life and/or my business?
Using these questions will help you determine what to focus on and what to let go of. From here, you can begin to find ways to incorporate new creative ideas into your current business; you probably don’t need to burn it all down and start anew.
Getting into a funk is a natural part of life and business. Everything is cyclical after all. Pop open your journal, ask yourself these questions, and see what comes up.
Rest is not a reward
Everyone’s creative process looks different, but a lot have the same initial phases. Here are a few thoughts on how to streamline yours.
What is the deal with our cultural idea of rest? It seems to be synonymous with lazy, unproductive, invaluable, and even shameful. I’m here to remind you, no… implore you, to reconsider these ideas of rest. KC Davis speaks to this idea of rest being deserved inherently and not something we only deserve at the end of productivity.
We only have so much energy at any given moment.
As we exchange that energy throughout our daily lives, we become literally depleted of that energy. Imagine you work 6 hours with clients everyday, but then continue on to clean your house, take care of kids or pets, go for a run, chat with a partner, check in on a family member, and on and on. Each activity depletes your energy storage.
A good way to think about energy is as a glass of water. Some activities in our lives require a lot of that water (eg: client work, parenting, exercise, etc). Some activities may only need a small sip (eg: writing an email or doing the dishes). And some activities may be more like an energy exchange (eg: chatting with a friend), which is more like giving a little water and getting a little back. But at some point, your cup is running low. You just don’t have any more water to give to anyone, including yourself. We all have limited energy.
And so, we rest. We recover. We re-up.
It’s a critical part of the process! And it allows you to actually give more than if you push on through.
But another belief many have is that rest is the thing at the end. It’s the reward for all the hard work. “Once I do XYZ, then I can take a break”. “If I can just squeeze out three more emails, then I will let myself rest.”
Rest is not a reward. Rest is something you are inherently worthy of.
It is as essential as food and water. It makes you better at everything else. There is no shame in resting, sleeping, meditating, going for a walk, watching a little Netflix, folding the laundry tomorrow, or never folding the laundry at all. You are not lazy. You still have value.
Allow yourself to take breaks. Pencil it into your calendar if you have to. Put the laundry out of sight. Do whatever you need to do to shift the belief that your rest is not as valuable as your work.
We are all worthy of rest.
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What is a holistic business?
Everyone’s creative process looks different, but a lot have the same initial phases. Here are a few thoughts on how to streamline yours.
Holistic businesses are ones that support the whole person behind the business, not just their business needs. Spreadsheets and profit margins are important, but so is rest, boundaries and creativity. I am a firm-believer in holistic approaches.
To look at something as a whole, not just the sum of its parts, allows one to make meaningful strides towards any goal.
When we approach our business in this way, we allow the excess to fall away and give ourselves room to grow the things that align with our values. To do this, you have to see the big picture. For example, as a new mom, I had a major shift in priorities, but also in time. I no longer had a full 8 hour day to do my work. And more importantly, I didn’t want to spend 8 hours at my desk. I wanted to squeeze my baby’s cheeks and catch up on much needed sleep. I needed to look at what my priorities were at that time to begin to make changes that related to my business. I also needed to pay my bills, so spending ALL of my time with my baby wasn’t an option either.
I started by looking at what I love to do in my business, what items brought in the most money, and how much time I realistically could spend working in a given week. Using that formula, I was able to delegate some tasks and shift some things around so that my business fit into my life (not the other way around!).
Each item affects another. Our lives are an ecosystem, and a business is one part of that. A holistic business understands this fundamental shift and utilizes a new mindset to cultivate growth, but also joy! It takes intentionality and the understanding that behind every business is the human running it.
How to Promote Your Business
Getting your business out there online can really help you gain new customers and clients. While there are multiple methods for developing your online presence, in this blog post we will be covering your social media.
Getting your business out there online can really help you gain new customers and clients. While there are multiple methods for developing your online presence, in this blog post we will be covering your social media.
Social media is a great way to connect with your ideal audience and meet potential new customers. Along with extending your reach, social media can allow you to connect and convert (easily!) as well.
Finding the right platform
Part of your online success with social media is discovering the right platform for your business and content. Take time to think about your ideal client. Consider which platform they spend most of their time scrolling and posting. This is where you want to be posting your content for them to see!
If you have an incredible social media account with great eye-catching content and photography, you are going to gain followers from all over. This helps build a business with a professional reputation. As a best practice, you can pre-schedule your posting content 2 weeks ahead (at least) to help you stay on top of consistency in your social media posts.
What to post
While half of the battle is discovering which platform is best, the other is determining what content to share on social media. You want to provide value to your audience through tips, best practices, information about your services/products and more.
A good place to start is to describe what pain points your business or products can address for your ideal client. This will give them a clear picture that you are the right choice for their needs!
Give your social media strategy some time and be attentive to your customers - they can help you figure out what content to share and what types of posts they like the most. Keep an eye on your analytics for that. Make note to evaluate what is working well and what needs to be addressed with your content periodically to keep up with what works best for you and your social media!
Social media doesn’t have to be a complicated process, but it can certainly help you gain new business along the way.
Need help with your online presence? Let’s start with your website! Discover more about our services here.
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How to set effective boundaries in your business
Everyone’s creative process looks different, but a lot have the same initial phases. Here are a few thoughts on how to streamline yours.
Determine what your needs are first. You may know exactly what it is that you need more of (or less of) within your business. But sometimes there are clues that you may not have the full picture and some needs might get overlooked. There are a few ways to suss out needs you may not be giving your full attention to. Check in with your body. Do you feel flushed, tense, exhausted, sleepy? Now write these feelings down and see what it is your body might be asking for.
Another key tool is your anger. What really gets your goat? When you find yourself getting really annoyed or mad (at a client, a situation, or partner), this is a good indication that you had a need that wasn’t being met. This is a surefire place that is asking for a boundary to be put up to prevent feeling angry again.
Create rules around your needs. If one of your needs is having time for a long morning routine that eats into typical office hours, create a rule around that need. This might look like setting your working hours from 10:00am-6:00pm. Don’t check email or even come near your to-do list until that time. Stick to these rules and create a practice around them. Eventually, they will become patterns that feel second nature and you’ll find yourself wondering why you ever worried about starting your work day so “late”.
Communicate them confidently. When you are sure of yourself, your clients will naturally accept your rules and choices. I learned (and am still learning) this one through parenting a toddler. If I set the limit with ease and confidence, my two year old is way less likely to throw a tantrum. But the other key to this formula is to accept that they may not like your limits, and that’s okay. Your client is allowed to feel miffed that you didn’t respond to their email right away. My toddler is allowed to be mad that his TV show has a time limit. That’s okay. Feel free to feel your feelings, bud. But dems the breaks.
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Creating systems for your business while you take maternity leave
I had a baby back in August 2018.
During pregnancy, I realized that all the information about maternity leave dealt with people in corporate jobs – rarely people that work for themselves. I had to figure out everything myself (I did a LOT of deep googling). I wanted to help solopreneurs plan for maternity leave without the hassle, so created plans, worksheets, and posts to help teach others what I learned myself.
In a previous post, I talked about determining how long to take off for maternity leave and when to start your maternity leave. Pop back to that post here.
Now for the business side of things: setting up systems.
For this process I like to use three tools:
1- DELEGATING
2- DEFERRING
3- DELETING
Delegating is the first step.
For this, I used my virtual assistant to help take on tasks that were still essential to my business, but that I could not accomplish myself during this time. She responded to emails and directed potential and current clients where they need to go. You may find that you need to hire someone new, or it could be as simple as passing on your Instagram to guest takeovers. The key is delegating tasks that someone else CAN do for you while you’re out on your maternity leave.
The next step is deferring.
What should you put off until you decide to come back? These are things like new client projects, sales calls, launches, etc. -- things that all take a lot of effort and time. Let them wait until you come back fully before diving into these tasks.
The last step is deleting.
If you are not going to delegate or defer a task, then you likely just need to delete it. This can include saying no to atypical projects, deleting emails, or just letting go of your marketing plan for a few months. The question to ask yourself is, “What can I take off of my plate right now?”.
Now for the non-biz related issues:
Yes, you have a business to run while your on maternity leave, but you also have a new baby! And you need some extra care, too as you recover and adjust to your new normal. Here are some things you can set up before the baby comes:
Meal prep or request a food train from friends! You are going to be tired and extremely hungry during those first few months. At the end of a long day, it is so nice to be able to lean on someone else for dinner (or those meals you so studious froze weeks ago).
You also need to find a strong support system! Whether it be family, friends, doula, partner, etc. There is not a MORE important time for community than after the arrival of a baby.
Also, prepare for the potential onset of postpartum anxiety and depression. No one thinks it will happen, but it’s much harder to find the help you need when you’re in it. Find breastfeeding support as well. La Leche league is a good group to reach out to, and there are also some city-specific resources that may be worth looking into!
I suggest creating a list of names + numbers of support professionals you can quickly call if needed (ie: lactation consultant, post-partum doula, therapist, etc).
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Transitioning Back to Work After a Career Break
You’ve taken some time to focus on things over than your biz for a bit. You may have wrapped up a maternity leave (like me!) or had an extended vacation. While breaks can be a fantastic thing, the transition back to your desk chair can be a little difficult if you don’t prepare for that transition.
You’ve taken some time to focus on things other than your biz for a bit. You may have wrapped up a maternity leave (like me!) or had an extended vacation. While breaks can be a fantastic thing, the transition back to your desk chair can be a little difficult if you don’t prepare for that transition.
Here are some tips that I recommend for getting back into the office efficiently and limiting the stress of it all.
Ease back into things slowly
If you work from home or have the luxury of making your hours, try a few half days of work instead of the full 8-hour shift. Having this easing period can help with the shock of being back in it all.
If you don’t have the chance to set your hours, make sure that when you clock in, you clock out on time as well. No late nighters trying to play catch up. Take your time and get back into the swing of things.
You’ll probably feel a little out of sorts being back at work and that’s normal. It will be a change of pace compared to what you are coming from. It’s okay to feel this way. Just acknowledge that you may need a little more time in the mornings to get ready for the day or more time at the end of the day to unwind or squish those new baby cheeks. Figure out a flow that works best for you.
Prioritize your to-do’s
Please, please, please - prioritize your to-do’s when you are getting back to the grind. It’s so important during this time.
Create a list of the top three things to complete. Stick with those. Don’t get distracted by your inbox or take up time organizing your desktop files now. This is not the time to procrastinate. You’ve got a little bit of catching up to do or a kiddo to get home to. Stick to your plan and having a short list is way more manageable. Finish those three by lunch? Way to go. Try adding three more before the day is over. No need to overwork yourself, but try to use your time wisely. Time management is key.
Ask for help when you need it
I’m going to be real with you here. You are going to feel overwhelmed at least a few times before you get out of the clear. That’s okay. Ask for help! Processes may have changed, or clients have updated items while you were gone. Get up to date on the latest.
Another option for your workload is hiring a contractor or virtual assistant. You can assign items on your list and offload some things. I highly suggest this option if it is doable for you!
Whatever tip you use, just give yourself some grace. It will take some time for things to feel like they are back to “normal” or at least the new normal. And that’s totally Ok.
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Creating a consistent brand
You’ve invested all of this time creating the perfect brand identity through logos, submarks, color palettes, and more. It is time for you (or your branding client) to keep things consistent and cohesive long after those brand files are turned over.
Develop a brand style guide
One of the main components of creating and keeping a consistent brand is through a brand style guide. This guide will provide you with brand identity standards for everything - logo, colors, fonts, icons, and more. Develop a plan for what rules you will have for how to use your brand. From how colors could be combined to the fonts you will use on printed materials - you name it. Your guide will help your brand look and feel the same no matter where you have it displayed or featured.
Create your brand messaging
Anything word related to your business, such as your tagline, mission statement, your “why,” etc. needs to be refined and fine-tuned through brand messaging. Developing your brand message can really help with wording that email, writing your about page or ways you interact in a professional setting about your business. Having this “voice” developed will help you along the way.
Identify where you will “show up”
There are plenty of possibilities of places your brand could exist and show up. I recommend taking some time to consider precisely where you plan on being a presence. This can help you determine a plan of action for those spaces, but also create a sense of how far your brand reach can extend.
Areas to consider:
Digital: where will your brand show up online or on social media?
Print: will you have printed collateral of your brand such as business cards or direct mailers?
In-person: You may have a storefront or attend conferences representing your business. You may even yourself be your brand (your business = your personal brand).
How to carry out the consistent brand
While you may think you have the capability to do all of this yourself and do it well, it can be challenging to keep up with it all. Hiring a designer or a copywriter (or both) to help you with the elements of your brand identity can be a sure way to keep your brand consistency in check. Above all else, having those resources (the brand style guide and messaging standards) can help keep things the same. No matter what platform a potential client, customer, etc. interacts with your brand - it is all the same!
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It's Time to Make A "Don't List"
How much do you value your time? I would think a lot, but does your schedule reflect that? Are you wasting time on tasks and commitments that you dread?
How much do you value your time? Are you wasting time on tasks and commitments that you dread?
Most of us do, but it’s time for that trend to stop. We get bogged down by our to-do’s, but what if we flipped the script and instead of creating a to-do list, we created a “don’t list.” Think about it. How freeing would it be to take some of those i-just-hate-this-but-feel-i-have-to items off of your list? Think realistically about what matters in the scope of your life and your business.
If something is not a “HELL YES” it should be a complete no. Or at least a “no, thank you.”
No more second guessing this process. Go with your gut. You have those feelings for a reason; let’s time to listen to them.
Sketchy potential client call? Thank you, next.
The perfect design client + a nice payday? HELL YES
Taking a speaking gig 3 states away from your kiddos? Maybe not.
Being a guest on a podcast from your home office? HELL YES
You get the point. The more you say no to the not so great options coming your way, you leave room for a bigger yes that is bound to happen. Life is too short to do stuff that we don’t love. Plus, if you are an entrepreneur, you have worked too hard not to do the work you enjoy. You’ve hustled enough.
So let’s put this challenge into practice. Download your own Don’t List and write down ten things you are going to say no to or not waste your time with. Post this up next to your desk or in your closet. Remind yourself daily of the things you are going to say no to. Leave room for those hell yes’s. Get your downloadable HERE!
Setting Boundaries with Clients
Even if you love your clients, it's still super important to set up clear and simple client boundaries. This not only helps you, but is important for them as well. I promise it's helpful for everyone involved!
Even if you love your clients, it's still super important to set up clear and simple client boundaries. This not only helps you, but is important for them as well. For you, setting clear client boundaries will allow you to get your work done more efficiently, stick to a timeline, get paid what you're worth and help prevent burnout. For your clients, boundaries help them understand how the project will flow and what they can expect from you as well as what you expect from them. I promise it's helpful for everyone involved!
So here's a few tips and tricks to help you create your own client boundaries for your business:
During the initial client call
Setting boundaries with your clients is key to starting off on the right foot. No need to worry about seeming demanding during this part, but consider this as the perfect setup for a successful relationship. Get clear with your office hours, the best ways to reach you and the project timeline. If you are dealing with a client who enjoys sending a late night email message, let them know that there message will be read and responded to, not at midnight but during your office hours. this is also a good time to let them know what you need from them to get started with a project. If it helps, set due dates and timelines. Everyone works better when they have a set date to get shit done!
Within your welcome packet/proposal
All of those items you talked about in your call? Include them in writing in your welcome packet or proposal. Outline where project communication will take place - such as in Asana versus multiple email threads. Remind them that you don’t answer emails or texts on the weekend. Getting these items in writing and in their possession will help if you have to address later their breach of boundaries. Hopefully this won’t happen, but it is always helpful to have on hand.
Within your contract
First and foremost, have a contract!! It helps protect you AND your client. This is a great place to add those nitty gritty details like due dates and late fees. Be sure to address these items with your client directly as well. While everyone should read a contract carefully before signing it, it's no fun to have to refer back to the contract as the only point of reference that discusses the boundaries you've set.
In your email signature
If you do have office hours, outlining them in an email signature can be a consistent remind to a client of your availability. This doesn’t have to be in bold, red text, but you can keep it in your brand colors and in smaller text underneath your name.
During a client check-in
If these ideas don’t seem to stick with your client, you’ve got to stick up for yourself. Nicely, of course! Schedule a client check-in to provide updates on the project so they can feel informed and confident in your process. Once you are wrapping up, tell them about how they have started to breach your boundaries. Talk through with them how they have communicated with you has taken over your tasks and maybe even kept things behind schedule. A solution could be weekly updates on the process of the project or sharing your content schedule so they can keep tabs on your project status. Don’t be shy! This is for your sanity and theirs!
So now that you've got your clients squared away, it's time to control your inbox! Check out my Simple Tips for Managing Your Inbox.
How to Get Your Website Ready to Launch
You’ve done the hard work and prepared a website that you are ready to share with the world. But before you go live, you may want to check out of a few of these things first. Use this guide to get your website ready to launch!
You’ve done the hard work and prepared a website that you are ready to share with the world. But before you take your new, shiny website live, you should run through what I call a “launch list” first. Some of these items may be more necessary than others, but certainly all steps are recommended to to make sure your website is ready to launch!
✴ Step One - Finalize Your Site’s Design + Style
Make sure you have your site title and logo set. Your logo can replace your site title in your website design, but your site title will be important for places like search results.
You can use the Site Style panel underneath the Design menu to get your fonts, colors, headings, spacing, etc. consistent and in line with your business branding.
Another thing to consider is adding in a cookie banner for your visitors, if you think their privacy is valuable to them. It is better to be on the safe than sorry side with this one (especially if you have ANY web visitors in Europe), so I encourage you to add a cookie banner into your final design.
Lastly, upload a favicon to show up in browser tabs for your visitors. This fun little detail shouldn’t be skipped!
✴ Step Two - Wrap Up Your Pages
Set a homepage that represents your brand and style well. Make sure this landing page has all of the major information covered and highlighted for your website visitors. This will be your first impression, so make it a good one!
Double check that your navigation is ordered how you want it. Consider how the user will view the site and make items like your Shop or Services page easily accessible.
Review your content for typos and while you are at it, check for broken links.
Finalize your URL slugs for all of your pages. Have them reflect the content that is available on the page. For example, you don’t want your contact page to have an odd url like /sendmeanote. Google would rather see a URL slug like /contact. In short, keep things simple and straightforward.
For bonus points, a custom 404 page is always a good idea in case visitors end up in the wrong spot. Direct them back to the home page from there.
✴ Step Three - Review Your Images
Check the quality of your images and make sure things are showing up clearly on your website. There is nothing worse than a pixelated image. Keep things crystal clear. Upload thumbnails to your pages and social sharing images that are branded and in line with the content you are sharing.
Make sure you also check images on your phone. Banner images get cropped into a square, so if you’re face is to the right side of your banner image, you may not even show up on mobile!
✴ Step Four - Check Domains and Integrations
If you happen to have more than one domain, make sure all URLs direct to the primary domain you want to use.
Have a friend double check newsletter sign-ups and form submissions to see that everything is running smoothly.
If you have other items integrated like social icon links or third-party codes, check that they direct visitors to the right pages and everything looks correct.
✴ Step Five - Get Your SEO in Check
This is an important one my friends. Do not, I repeat DO NOT, skip over this part. Learn more about SEO through one of my favorite blog posts to date.
✴ Step Six - Make Sure Your Online Shop is Ready for Shoppers
A few different steps for this one so I am going to break it down below. (Don’t have an online shop? Feel free to skip over this part!)
Add your payment processor so you can make that $$$.
Double check the tax rules that will need to be applied to your shop/products.
If you are offering physical products in your shop, you are going to need at least one shipping option available to your customers.
Try out a test order to see how the process looks for the user. From the check out page to email confirmation, see that everything is squared away.
Review your pricing again. Did you set everything at the right price point?
Turn off that test mode so you can start making some real sales!
Also consider a special promo or discount for when your site goes live to promote new shoppers!
✴ Step Seven - Hit Publish
Change your website visibility to LIVE and get ready to start sharing to the world!
Remove any page passwords if you have them, if you have a ‘website coming soon’ page take it down and if you need to invite or remove site contributors such as a copywriter or outsourced help, do so now.
Also do one last check on your mobile device since most visitors will be coming in through their phones or mobile devices!
✴ Step Eight - Celebrate!
Pop the confetti cannons, treat yourself to a happy hour, or leave the office early for the day. Find a way to celebrate and do it! You’ve earned it with all of the hard work you have put in. Congratulations!
BONUS!
To help keep up with everything listed above, I have designed a checklist for you! Print it out and keep it at your desk to make sure you have all of the boxes properly crossed off.
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How motherhood can make your business better
I had my business baby years before I had my sweet, little human baby. I loved my business and felt really proud to watch it grow and change over time. When I was planning to come back to work after having my son, I was worried that my business wouldn’t thrive like it had been before I became pregnant. What happened instead was something a little bit magical.
I was able to shift into a new set of hours and a workload that was less than I’d had in years. I felt like I was balancing less, but what I was adding to the scales was more important and worthwhile. In other words, my business after baby became more aligned with what I wanted all along.
So with that, here are some unexpected ways I’ve seen how motherhood can make your business better.
It helps you prioritize your time.
People talk about this one often. You have fewer hours in the day because some of those hours have to go to your kiddo. But if you still want to work as much as before, you’re forced to be efficient with your time. I can now crank out the bulk of what I need to get done in just 4 or 5 hours a day. I probably could have been doing that since the very beginning, but instead would get distracted by what I like to call “pretty procrastination” like Pinterest or perfecting a blog post cover. Now, I simply don’t have time. My kid will win the battle over Pinterest scrolling time any day.
It allows you to connect and “network” with other mamas.
This one is one of the best ways that motherhood has made my business better. I’m now in a few “business mama” groups and I love it! We can connect on marketing strategies and sleeping strategies in the same breath. And while I join for the community aspect, I tend to see referrals because these women come to trust me and my expertise. And I genuinely want to help their businesses succeed! It’s a win-win-win.
It puts everything into perspective.
Sort of obvious and totally cliche. (But here’s the deal with cliches - they exist because they’re true! If enough people say it, it becomes cliche. But they’re all saying it because it’s a common experience! So let’s embrace the cliches, #amiright??) Motherhood makes you realize that the thing that matters MOST is your kiddo. Everything else becomes supplementary to that. So when there is a website emergency that happens at bedtime… well it’s not really an emergency at all. At least not one that can’t wait until I’m done reading Goodnight Moon (for the 126,937th time).
It reaffirms who you are.
The first year of motherhood is straight up crazy. Between the hormones, lack of sleep, new routines and suddenly having a new human around, it’s easy to lose yourself. I personally think that every new mama is effected by this differently. For some, not being able to get dressed up, put on makeup and feel fresh is super tough. For others, not having any autonomy or feeling overly depended upon is what shakes them up. For me, I lost myself in my business. I didn’t know who I was as both a designer and mama. A year in and I’ve settled back in even more firmly into who I am as a designer and business owner. I KNOW who I am, and it’s 98% of who I was before. But after becoming a mama, I’m unapologetically myself - in life and business.
SIMPLE TIPS FOR MANAGING YOUR INBOX
When I talk to other creative biz owners, the most common complaint they have at any given time is about their out-of-control inbox. "Who has the time?" they say, or "It's just too overwhelming." And inbox zero? "Impossible!" There are a few major problems with having an inbox that is overflowing...
When I talk to other creative biz owners, the most common complaint they have at any given time is about their out-of-control inbox. "Who has the time?" they say, or "It's just too overwhelming." And inbox zero? "Impossible!" There are a few major problems with having an inbox that is overflowing:
Things get lost. Then tasks get left behind and client projects get delayed.
Clients feel ignored. This is my #1 no-no as a biz owner!
You feel overwhelmed or drained! You don't have time to do what lights you up / what you love.
I promise that this does not have to be the case!
I have some simple tips for managing your inbox that will help you get back to doing what you love.
Touch it once. I admit that I have a hard time with this one, but it's really helpful. The idea is that you only "touch" an email one time, which means that if you read it, respond right away rather than clicking over to the next email or marking it "unread". This helps you respond to the email without letting it linger in your inbox. But what if the email takes a lot of thought or is a revision on a logo...
Add it to your to-do list. If the email is a client asking you for something that you know will take awhile, add it to your to-do list. Do not use your inbox as your to-do list!! Instead, write the client back to confirm you received their email, and let them know when they can expect your response/next round of deliverables.
Canned responses. You guys, canned responses save my sanity. Canned responses are email templates that you can use for different types of emails. I have a canned response for inquiries, client on-boarding, scheduling, confirming calls, and about 15 more. Heres a handy little guide that walks you through how to set them up on Gmail.
Boomerang for Gmail. Sometimes you may want a reminder to follow up with someone after a a few days or if they haven't responded to you (maybe because their inbox is crazy!). In Gmail, you can install Boomerang, which allows you to set follow up reminders on any given email. For example, maybe you sent out a proposal to your dream client and want to make sure to follow up if they haven't responded within a week. Boomerang can push that email back into your inbox after a week has gone by if your dream client hasn't responded! It also allows you to schedule your emails to send out at a later date.
Archive. If you're starting from a point where you have hundreds and hundreds of emails, just start by archiving them. Archived emails are still around (not deleted), and if you just do a simple search, you can easily find them without cluttering up your inbox.
Those are my top 5 tips for managing your inbox! Here's my inbox for proof that it can be done!
Did I leave any out that you've tried? Let me know and feel free to share your cleaned up inboxes with me!
ps- Gmail did not promote this post! This is just my genuine opinion and what works for me but if Gmail wants to throw some $$ my way, I wouldn't be mad at it. Heyyyyyyy Google.
5 Ways to Take Advantage of a Slow Summer
You've survived the busy season and the slow summer is starting. While rest is a huge component of this time, you can be proactive in preparing for a packed schedule starting in a few months. Here are 5 way to take advantage of a slow summer!
You've survived the busy season and Summer is finally here! But what often comes with Summer is that slow period in your biz. Even with less work on your plate, you can still be proactive in preparing for a packed schedule starting in a few months.
1. Creating content - Now is the time to get that content created and scheduled weeks in advance. You can brainstorm newsletter topics and start drafting content. Get a photoshoot on the calendar or pick up some props for a day of shooting photos in the office for your Instagram. No more stressing about getting that newsletter out on time, you can prepare ahead of time!
2. Networking - Meet up with that digital friend in person! Grab lunch or get "virtual coffee" with that connection you have been too busy to talk to. Another idea is to attend a creative conference. That's the perfect place to network with others.
3. Planning a launch or new service - Whether it's a launch or revealing a new service, setting these things up can take a lot of time and organization. Your slow season is the perfect time to get this done.
4. Complete a course - That course you bought three months ago? You still haven't even touched it, have you? Start that baby up and complete it. Time to get your money's worth out of that investment.
5. Set new goals - Your busy season could have sparked some new goals or altered existing ones. Now that you have the time, make note of your goals and put them in a place that you will see them consistently, like your office. What can you cross off during the summer that can make these goals happen?
BONUS - Just enjoy the break! Work will always pick back up (even when you think it won't, promise!) so enjoy those naps while you can. Set up poolside and read that fiction novel that's been on your bedside table for months. Get together with friends for a beach weekend. Whatever refuels you, do it!
I QUIT INSTAGRAM & HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED TO MY BUSINESS
Instagram, and social media in general, are helpful tools for small business owners that can provide a free marketing opportunity. But what would happen if you STOPPED marketing your biz on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter?
That's the question I wondered when I decided to quit Instagram. And what I found out about my business was a total surprise.
Instagram, and social media in general, are helpful tools for small business owners. They can provide a free marketing opportunity that gets your services or products in front of an otherwise untapped audience.
But what would happen if you STOPPED marketing your biz on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter? That's the question I wondered when I decided to quit Instagram. And what I found out about my business was a total surprise (spoiler alert: it's all OK).
My decision to take a break from Instagram came after a few things all came to a head at once:
01. I had been working hard to create new + interesting content for Instagram specifically and was beginning to feel uninspired and burnt out.
02. I had been feeling (and still do) a little bored of all the posts I was seeing. And isn't part of the point of being on Instagram to get inspired? I felt like I had seen every post on:
Cute animals ✓
Styled desk shots ✓
Anything pink ✓
Pumpkin Spice everything ✓✓✓
03. Instagram decided to shadowban some of my posts, and more maddeningly, I had no idea why! I scoured the web to see what I had done "wrong" since I wasn't buying followers or posting robot comments. I'm still not 100% sure what happened (which should be reason #4!), but it may have something to do with using hashtags that had been banned. #tgif and #dogsofinstagram are now in the group of hashtags that have been exiled. How the heck would I know that!? There are probably others that seem normal that I may have been using without knowing they were banned.
So I decided that since no one was seeing my posts due to the shadowban anyway, I would just stop posting altogether. And not only that, but I DELETED the Instagram and Facebook apps from my devices.
So what happened during the 6 week hiatus?
Nothing.
Inquiries still came in. My business kept running. And the world kept turning.
But what's more, I actually gained followers. I gained followers at a slightly higher rate than I had been before I stopped posting. I also had more free time to write blog posts, build killer websites, and watch Modern Family.
What does that mean for you and your business?
Two things:
01. It's simply worth knowing that your biz will not suddenly explode if you stop posting to social media, especially with all the other important shit you actually have to do to run a business (hello expense reports...).
02. You can let the social media part slide a little and focus on other forms of content sharing like blogging. Your website is a tool no one can take from you, so take advantage!
Want to know more about my Instagram hiatus or simply want to chat about your experience with social media? Tell me below in the comments!
Defining Your Brand Values
Are you staying consistent in the message your brand delivers? One way to be sure is by defining your core brand values. Once you clearly define your core brand values, it will be much easier to stay consistent and to promote your brand across various channels.
Are you staying consistent in the message your brand delivers?
One way to be sure is by defining your core brand values. Once you clearly define your core brand values, it will be much easier to stay consistent and to promote your brand across various channels.
In fact, this is the first step in branding. Yes you want a beautiful logo that stands out, but that logo needs to be a reflection of your unique business. Your brand is more than just a logo.
DEFINE YOUR CORE VALUES & YOU CAN:
Clarify your purpose
Attract your dream customer
Define your brand voice
Stay consistent
Grow your audience
Seth Godin wisely sums it up when he says: “A brand’s value is merely the sum total of how much extra people will pay, or how often they choose the expectations, memories, stories and relationships of one brand over the alternatives.”
