Yes, You Can Get Paid to Be You. Here's How...
Yesterday morning, a surfer friend spontaneously invited me over for a smoothie (or batido, as they say in Spanish).
My fresh fruit delivery hadn’t arrived yet, so I took it as a sign from the universe.
While we were sipping our dragon fruit concoctions, she started asking questions about making money remotely.
She grew up upper-middle class, got a solid education (she’s a trained ER nurse), and had recently quit her job to travel full time. She’s got savings, but now wants to figure out how to earn on the road.
So we did my favorite thing: we brainstormed.
Here’s what we were working with:
– She’s a trained emergency room nurse
– Loves to surf and travel
– Wants location freedom
– Is into weightlifting, strength training, and healthy eating
And here are some potential offerings I brainstormed for her:
✨ Virtual consultations for digital nomads and surf tourists — especially those traveling in developing countries and dealing with a medical emergency related to water sports (or anything else sketchy you might pick up on the road).
She could assess their condition over video and tell them exactly what to do next: rest? painkillers? ER visit? gentle movement?
✨ On-the-ground support (when local) — If she’s in the same city, she could accompany them to the hospital or doctor. She speaks Spanish, so she can translate and advocate for them too. Solo travel can be scary when things go wrong—she’d be a knowledgeable, calm presence in the chaos.
✨ Rehab & recovery programs — Once they’re on the mend, she could design a personalized rehab or strength training plan to prevent flare-ups. If they need nutrition or supplement advice, she can guide that too.
All of this poured out in less than 10 minutes.
“You’re so smart,” she said.
Maybe! But really—what I love most is helping people realize the money-making potential they’re already sitting on. My superpower is spotting hidden gold in people’s skills and showing them what’s possible. Most of us are way closer to a viable income stream than we think—we just need someone to connect the dots.
I firmly believe anyone can make money online by combining their skills, lived experience, and a little bit of savviness. With a polished website or landing page, a clear offer, and some tenacity, you can support yourself while traveling and actually build a life you LOVE not just tolerate :)
Want me to help you brainstorm ways to make money remotely? Get in touch.
Aligning With Your Purpose
Yesterday I Gave Something Back to Berlin and it made me feel more aligned with my purpose.
Let me explain.
For the past year and a half, I have been taking free ukulele classes at Open Music School, an affiliate of the non-profit called Give Something Back to Berlin. OMS is essentially a free music school for Berliners of any demographic. They offer Ukulele, Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, and occasionally other workshops like DJing for beginners.
They encourage longstanding students to eventually become teachers which is how the gift keeps on giving. I don’t go to class religiously, but when I do I always enjoy myself.
A few weeks ago I reached out to the director and told him I wanted to give something back to the organization but didn’t have any noteworthy music skills. I proposed a Website Workshop.
He said there were a lot of community members who were musicians or artists who would be interested. And so we set a date.
Yesterday was the workshop.
I arrived a bit early so I could set up the projector and compose myself before having to facilitate. Luckily I did because I did run into a few snags. And then showtime began. I’m not sure if it was advertised as a FLINTA workshop but that’s what it became. Which made the environment more cozy and inviting. At least I hope it was for the attendees.
It was so inspiring to be surrounded by a room full of creative women including journalists, photographers, and even a documentary filmmaker. And it filled my heart to know that I was helping them to share their gifts with the world.
Sometimes being a web designer doesn’t feel as cool as being a filmmaker exploring the traditions of ancient cultures around the world or a journalist covering the Ukraine war on the ground in an armored vehicle, but last night was a reminder that no matter what your job title is, you have the power to make an impact.
Lately, I’ve felt very aligned with my purpose, to not only help creatives and conscious business owners share their gifts and talents with the world but to inspire others to live a life on THEIR terms, as far away from the matrix as possible. Who would have thought that web design and facilitating workshops would be the conduit for fulfilling my purpose? I will no longer resist it and instead choose to embrace the momentum and see where it takes me. My heart is open.
What are your natural talents or gifts? Do you consider them part of your purpose? Why or why not?
Is Selling Digital Products Worth It? I'm About to Find Out..
I’ve recently been deep diving into the world of digital products. The course I’m taking said that everyone is an expert in something and that your target audience is whoever you were 6-24 months ago. With the help of AI, you can now create low-content digital products that help someone overcome a roadblock. Selling stuff always felt scammy to me which is why I gravitated towards content marketing because you’re sharing content and Google is doing the aggregating on your behalf. But I actually love when I’m targeted on Insta for a product or course that can improve my life - so why should I be shy about sharing my knowledge?
I’m also from the content marketing camp whose motto used to be “If you build it (and give it away for free for a few years), they will come”. I’ve been telling clients this for years and though I still stand behind the fact that if you keep showing up consistently and share valuable content on your favorite social platform or on your blog you will build a following but it’s 1. not easy to commit to a content calendar and 2. it is not quick. It can take years to build a faithful following and that’s if you’re consistent.
So now I’m looking for ways to build digital products, sell them for a low price point, and then upsell to a higher priced item (like one on one coaching for example) if the customer finds the info helpful.
But oh how I was struggling to come up with a product to create. The course said I should also pick a topic that is very interesting to me and that I have a lot to say about. I wanted to somehow tie it to Squarespace or content marketing so I could upsell these services but if I’m being honest - neither of these things exactly light me up.
So that’s when I thought about what I was dealing with 6-24 months ago.
And that’s when I remembered how hard it was for me to sleep and all the steps I took to get a good night’s rest. I wouldn’t say I’m cured because, well, insomnia isn’t linear but I feel confident that if I ever had another bout I’d be able to nip it in the bud immediately because now I have a toolkit that addresses the biological factors and the psychological.
So my first digital product is going o be either an e-book or a mini course that delivers 8 solutions to conquer your sleeplessness.
I’m still not sure how to upsell this but maybe it’s not necessary. I’m just happy to share the knowledge I have.
Why not give the e-book away for free?
Because unless you already have credibility in a space or credentials people likely won’t value your knowledge. To put it bluntly - in the church of capitalism, people value things that they spend money on.
You can still use an ebook as a way to grow your newsletter list and I might end up doing that as well, but first I will try charging a reasonable amount like $7, and then go from there.
Stay tuned for more updates on my venture into selling digital products.
If you’re interested in creating and selling digital products for your business get in touch, I’d love to share what I’ve learned so far.
Here's Why I Don't Offer Customizations
A long time website client recently had a request, she’s been slowly revamping her 7.0 site (instead of making the big switch to 7.1) and she wanted to create tables to showcase her offerings. She saw it on another site and liked the way it broke up the information.
I had hesitations and even drafted up a version in Squarespace that didn’t include a table which she promptly rejected. She had her heart set on a table and I wanted her to be happy so I obliged. I began the process of problem-solving, a process I usually enjoy because normally I land on a solution. But for the life of me, I could not find one this time around. Which drove me mad.
My philosophy with website building has always been “less is more”. Too many sites, especially those built DIY style, tend to be bloated, showcasing too much of the unnecessary stuff and making the actual important stuff hard to reach. Stop playing hard to get, will ya?
Anyways. I fought with it for a while and was <this close> to writing the client and telling her I give up when I had an idea, I would purchase a table-making widget, especially for Squarespace but wouldn’t you know, that turned out to be a big DISASTER. And then I had another plan, I would try outsourcing my work to one of those handy freelancer sites.
As a freelancer, I am not a big fan of these sites, you can read more about that here, but I had never tried them as a contractor. I signed up on Freelancer.com and placed the details of my project there. Within a few minutes, I was getting bombarded with offers ranging from 35 euros to 285 euros. I was also getting harassed in my messages by VERY eager people who wanted to work on the project. I quickly blocked them.
The varying offers had a lot to do with the country of origin and ultimately I decided on a woman living in India who had decent reviews and made a mutually beneficial offer. I accepted. Overall the experience was pleasant, she definitely delivered and even helped me tweak certain things with the code after the project was closed.
But…
Ultimately I decided to steer the client away from the customization altogether. Here’s why:
1/ Upon further inspection, the code was going to be cumbersome for the client to manage on her own. Every time she would need to edit the text or tweak the fonts/colors she would need to hire me. Or if I wasn’t sure, we’d have to ask the developer. This would quickly turn costly, something I am thoroughly against.
2/ When you install code or mess with the CSS on Squarespace you run the risk of distortion or misalignments on varying devices. Which is exactly what happened. When I viewed the tables on mobile, the text ran completely off the table. Not cool.
3/ Squarespace offers a lot in terms of design and functionality. You are literally paying an annual fee to use their professionally crafted designs and customer support, might as well get your money’s worth! It’s like people who stay at 5-star hotels and then spend the whole day and night out and about sightseeing. I’m the person who’d rather chill and enjoy the pool and amenities instead and catch a museum on the way to the airport.
My 2 cents: The whole thing was a good reminder of why I don’t typically offer customizations to clients and instead advise them to stick with the robust offerings of the Squarespace platform. And I advise you to do the same, especially if you are a conscious business owner who is just getting their website up and running.
Wanting to Give Your Site a Revamp? Get in Touch.
You Can Have It All, Just Not At The Same Time
In my most recent virtual therapy session, I found myself explaining to my therapist that I wanted to be able to travel freely and also be grounded somewhere. From what it sounded it like, it seemed like she was trying to persuade me otherwise. I think she thinks that my wanderlust is me running away from something she has yet to discover. That’s when I told her matter of factly, “You know, I believe I can have it all.” She didn’t say much more. Our session was nearly done and I don’t think either of us wanted to open up a new can of worms.
A few days later though, I was listening to a cheesily titled self-help book about manifestation on my free library app called “Calling in the One”, when the narrator said these words, “You can have it all, just not at the same time.” I immediately rewound it so that I could jot it down in the notes section of my phone along with all the other million-dollar ideas and quality insights that pop into my mind never to be read again. Except the universe wasn’t ready for me to forget this phrase so hastily.
A few days more passed and I found myself in Loulé, Portugal (where I still am) volunteering at an animal rescue center called Animal Rescue Algarve. Before bed last night I was chatting with my roommate, a 41-year-old Belgian woman who had been volunteering at the organization for a few months already, about traveling and living the life of a wanderer. That’s when she began opening up to me about the inner torment she was feeling about having to return to Belgium in a few months. “The thought of sitting at a desk working a 9 to 5 sounds dreadful,” she moaned. “When I’m home,” she continued, “my need for community is fulfilled, but when I’m traveling, my need for adventure and freedom is fulfilled.” I thought I could sense a twinge of sadness or confusion lingering beneath her words, but that’s when she perked up and said, “I’ve come to realize that I can have it all, just not at the same time.”
A big grin appeared on my face. Though I hadn’t felt an instant connection to her, I suddenly felt like I’d found a kindred spirit. In fact, one of the reasons I chose to come on this adventure was so that I could meet people who shared my mercurial nature, whimsical spirit, and undying wanderlust. My therapist and most of my friends in Berlin (and worldwide) loved to travel but they either had kids, plants, partners, steady jobs, property, (or all of the above) to look after and couldn’t just freely roam around the planet whenever they wanted to as I could. And so I felt like I hadn’t found anyone who could truly relate to this deep desire of mine to be everything, everywhere, all at once. Until now. Here I was in sunny Portugal sharing a trailer with someone who was as thinly tethered to the place she called home as I was, and who was also practicing arranging her life in a way that would satisfy her conflicting needs for stability and for wanderlust.
For the first time in a long time, I am no longer partnered. Though I haven’t quite figured out how to set up my life, I feel that I am getting closer to figuring it out. I’ve pretty much accepted that it won’t be a conventional setup - and that’s ok because I can (and I will) have it all… a dog (or two) nuzzled up next to me, sun on my face, friends who have become family surrounding me, a partner with a kindred wanderlust spirit by my side, the ability to drop everything and volunteer around the world for causes that ignite my soul or visit family in familiar, far off lands just so I can laugh with them under the same roof, and maybe even a cute kid bouncing around on my lap… I just might not be able to have it all at the same time.
Oh, life - how beautiful and strange you truly are.
Can you relate to the phrase, “you can have it all just not at the same time’? If so, I’d love to hear about it :) I am always keen on connecting with other free spirits.
My Cousin Recently Asked Me How to Get Started Freelancing, Here Was My Response
My cousin recently messaged me asking for help with her Upwork profile. She wanted to give freelancing a shot after working in customer service and the food industry for 10+ years.
I have spoken before about how much I dislike these Freelancer sites because I find them exploitative. In my experience, the best way to get started as a freelancer is by tapping into your local community. Below, I go into depth about the actions I would take if I wanted to get started as a freelancer (and was my actual response to her as well.) Hope it helps!
Tbh, I don’t recommend Upwork or any of those freelance sites. The reason is that you’ll be competing with people who have been on the site for ages and have tons of reviews, etc., or people who live in India and can afford to charge nothing.
I think it’s better to start with your inner network first.
First, though you’ll have to establish a product or service
I recommend reading 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris and 100 Side Hustles. Between the two you should be able to come up with an offering. If you’re still unsure, ask your loved ones what they think you’re good at.
Once you have an offering, you’ll need an online portfolio, this will depend on your offering. Could be as simple as an Instagram or website or Facebook page. You’ll need to put a few case studies on there which means you’ll need to work for free or cheap in the beginning. For example, if your offering is designing meal plans for busy moms, you’ll need to offer your services to 3 or so moms for free or very cheap, in exchange for feedback and reviews.
Reviews are VERY important!! Best is to register as a business on Google Business. And then you can send the Google link to your clients and ask for a review.
Once you have a few case studies/online portfolio ad reviews, you can start marketing. I would start marketing to groups you already belong to. Like if you go to a particular yoga studio you can ask to leave some flyers there. You can also offer to co-host events to further establish your credibility.
There are other Bootstrappy ways you can promote your biz but TBH the things that work for me are
1. Google reviews, cannot stress this enough.
2. Website where I update at least twice a month with industry-related blog posts.
3. Light LinkedIn posting (1-2 times a week)
I’ve never had to spend money on advertising or promoting myself. People find me organically through Google searches and/or word of mouth. But that takes time to build…content marketing is not an instant gratification method haha there are other ways to grow faster though (ex. such as hosting community events, and having an ad budget)
The last thing I will say is to use ChatGPT to help you write content for your site or promo materials. No need to reinvent the wheel ❤️
Anything else you’d like to know about getting started freelancing and/or bootstrapping a business? Get in touch!
The Art of Work/Trade
I’m a big fan of work/trade. It makes me feel like I am sticking it to the man AND waving a middle finger at capitalism at the same time. I wish I could barter my necessities like rent and food, but unfortunately, I still have to charge folks in real dollar bills.
Alas, work-trade is DEFINITELY something I recommend, especially if you are a conscious business owner who is just starting out and needs to build a clientele/reputation. Not only will it allow you to get comfier with your offerings in a no-pressure setting but you can also use the work you produce as a case study or as a testimonial. Plus, in my experience, those who agree to do a work trade are usually MUCH easier (and more fun) to work with. Who knew that removing money from the equation made everyone feel like long-lost friends?
Here are some of the things I’ve work traded in my life:
A magical reiki-infused massage
6-week empowerment coaching
Festival pass
German language lessons
In addition, I will be soon submitting a proposal to a surf retreat. In exchange for helping them get a website up and running, I’ll hopefully be able to attend the retreat in Mexico. How gnarly is that, brah?
Sounds great, but how do you make work/trade work for everyone involved?
Well, the first step is to ASK for what you want. You never know until you ask. If you need help getting comfy with the art of asking, I highly recommend this book.
Yea but how do I “get paid”?
“If you ain’t makin’ dollars, you ain’t making sense.”
I handle the work trade clients the same way I handle my normie clients except instead of making dollars, I’m making sense. In other words, my work/trade is typically 1 to 1. For as many hours as it takes me to do x, y, or z, I expect an equivalent amount of time spent on me. So if I spend 90 minutes on website updates for a masseuse, I expect a 90-minute rub down. I also make sure to create a proposal and handle the job as professionally as I would if I were being paid in Benjies. The last piece of advice I would add is to make sure you document everything in emails, so details don’t suddenly get fuzzy and agreements get broken.
That’s it, there isn’t really anything else to it. God speed and happy trading!!
Have you ever work/traded? What was your experience like? How did it differ from a “real” gig?
How to Feel Richer Than Any of the Kardashians Combined
This week was a wild ride.
I found out an old coworker of mine passed away from cancer. He was a young father of two little girls and had been battling stage 4 cancer for a few years.
That a neighbor of ours had a stroke on the way to the supermarket.
That my aunt’s husband passed away from a heart attack. He started feeling symptoms at his son’s wedding but didn’t want to disturb the ceremony.
On a lighter note, I also found out that my younger sister, who is graduating from high school with honors soon, received a scholarship to attend my alma mater. I sent her some money with a note attached that read the following:
Congratulations on your BIG achievement. I am SO proud of you and can't wait to see what amazing things you do for the world!! If I could offer one piece of advice it would be this: TRAVEL as often as you can!! - see the world, taste different foods, immerse yourself in other cultures, attempt to talk to locals even when you don't speak the same language, and try to stay in one place for a while if you can (at least a few weeks) so you really feel what it's like to live there. If you follow this advice - your life will always be rich (even if you aren't haha). I love you so very much!!
While I stand behind my message, the truth is, I needed this reminder myself because sometimes I feel like I am behind financially to my childhood friends, many of whom own their own houses and have stable jobs with good pensions. Sometimes I feel like I’m not working hard enough - like I should be doing something more productive with my time than practicing ukulele or playing beach volleyball. Some of my friends are new moms and swear they are in love with their little humans. I believe them, but again, it makes me question my own life choices. Should I start a family and finally put down roots somewhere?
But then I hear devastating news like the first few points I listed in the beginning and I am reminded of the fragility of life. Life is too short to compare yourself to others. Or to try to live a life that makes others proud. Instead, we should all be living life to its fullest in every way possible, in whatever way works for us. For some, that means bringing new humans into the world or devoting your life to a project or passion. For others, like me, that means traveling the world and experiencing the beauty of the world firsthand.
And that’s exactly what I am doing.
Case in point - I am currently clacking away on my laptop in Crete. Every day that we’ve been here, my partner and I have either been working out together on the balcony that overlooks the sea, climbing steep mountains while the rocky earth crunches beneath our boots, eating locally grown vegetables doused in olive oil, or alternating between bathing in the salty sea and warm sun.
Now the time here hasn’t all been dolmades and yogurt. I am apparently allergic to olive trees which happen to be blooming right now - which causes my eyes to itch and nose to consistently feel like a loaded canon. Our Airbnb has had many water-related issues, no hot water sometimes, no water at all at other times, and today, well today, water was shooting out of the wall of the bathroom sink. And yesterday I ate chicken souvlaki that may or may not have been a leather handbag.
But as annoying as these things are at the moment, I wake up every day grateful for the life I’ve created and for the people I’ve helped in the process.
Though I may not be a homeowner or have an impressive retirement plan, I LOVE my life. And that’s what being a CBO is all about - not becoming the next influencer, selling millions of memberships to your coaching program, or getting on the bestseller list. It’s about living your life, your one precious life, to the fullest so that you can inspire others to do the same.
And that, my friend, is the secret to feeling richer than any of the Kardashians combined.
My Experience With 99 Designs Plus a Website Makeover
For a decade now, I have relied almost entirely on word of mouth or chance encounters for new website projects. I’ve never had to advertise or network and I’ve always held a healthy dose of skepticism over platforms like UpWork and Fiverr because of their over-saturation of users and their devaluing of talent. I never liked the idea of competing for projects. Something about it did and still does feel demeaning.
A few months ago, however, Squarespace sent me an email announcing that they would be partnering with 99designs. The partnership would grant certified Squarespace designers the ability to create a platform on the site immediately thus bringing them more clients and work. I decided to give it a shot, and I must say, at first I was overwhelmed by the influx of people contacting me. In fact, I had to turn off my availability because I was spending at least an hour every day following up about potential projects. Unfortunately, I must have been continuously outbid because 99 percent of the people I followed up with retracted their design proposal.
Just when I felt like 99designs was a big waste of time, one client accepted my offer. And I’m glad they did!
Aside from the $250 fee 99designs took for client acquisition and platform fees, I would probably use 99designs again - but only if I found myself in a client drought. To be honest, I’d rather spend my time building quality relationships with clients and having conversations with real people than lowballing myself for projects that don’t feel good. Luckily my first and only 99designs experience so far turned out to be a pretty good one, thanks to an easy-going client and a project with meaning. Check it out below:
The client- CureFirst.org, a nonprofit research organization that aims to deliver better cancer treatment.
What they said they wanted - someone to transfer their old website to a new template
What they actually wanted - someone who could make their site make sense so that they would look legit thus attracting the attention (and donations) of important stakeholders.
Oh, How I Love Editing!
Personally, I love editing whether it’s website design, an essay, or a friend’s text response to her sassy co-worker. I love reading what someone wrote or observing what someone designed, and then spending some time talking to them about what they don’t like about it. Once I have the gist of their vision, and I understand why their current design is falling flat, I am able to work my magic. Editing is SO much more fun than just creating from scratch because I already have a visual representation of what the client was going for and I can deliver a result they couldn’t. It’s just so…satisfying!!!
So - for this project, the client wanted a major website makeover and I delivered.
Here’s what I did:
I took a lot of the text from the busy home page and moved it to a separate About page.
I swapped out the boring clinical image on the home page for a literal “hero image” and revamped their tagline.
Instead of keeping the individual pages for each project (which cluttered the dropdown menu on the main navigation), I added each project as a blog post. This allows for greater flexibility in displaying the summary block. I was able to display a summary block of the projects on the home page as well as on the project page. This decision also allows their webmaster greater ease every time they want to add new projects. When the user clicks on the project page they are still able to click on each individual project, thus leading them to a page with more information.
I reorganized their team pages.
I added hyperlinks to other pages on the footer to encourage users to linger on the site.
BEFORE
AFTER
Overall, I am happy with the reboot as was the client! If your website is in need of a makeover, don’t delay! A poorly designed site that lacks functionality and aesthetics can cause a potential customer to seek services elsewhere. Book a free consultation today or consider purchasing a website audit service to get started.
The Magic of Sedona, A New Client, and Animal Totems Galore
For the past few weeks, I have been spending time in Sedona, Arizona.
I was supposed to be transitioning to a more transient lifestyle with my German partner but the travel ban prevented him from joining me from the beginning. And so I ventured into the red rocks solo.
To say this place is magical would be doing it a disservice. It’s more than that.
At a recent goddess, ecstatic dance night that ended with half the female-oriented participants strutting around the room topless, one of the women said she liked to refer to Sedona as SedoMa because of the nurturing embrace this city possesses. Known for its energetic healing vortexes, endless hiking trails and UFO sitings and I can see why - this place is very much out of this world and also a nice bubble to reground myself after a tumultuous last couple of years.
I have no doubt that my nearly daily hikes, random animal sitings, and kismetic encounters have contributed to the healing process and have helped me rise above the collective pandemic related grief, the loss of my vivacious grandma Shirley, the dissolution of a toxic business partnership, the cutting ties with a dear friend due to growing in different directions, the abrupt ending to a lucrative client relationship, and the never-ending grieving of past iterations of self. It’s been a hell of a few years!
One day in particular, however, will likely stand out in my memory for years to come, for I felt the magic of Mama Sedona first hand.
“It never ceases to amaze me how music can instantly transform me from being just another human in an aging meat suit to an ethereal goddess embodying joy and hope.”
On my drive to a trailhead of an unfamiliar trail, an incredible song came on my Spotify weekly list. It never ceases to amaze me how music can instantly transform me from being just another human in an aging meat suit to an ethereal goddess embodying joy and hope. “I think I’d like some more website clients,” I said out loud. I turned the music up louder and louder and cracked my windows down a bit. I know from previous experience that getting lost in music is both my superpower but also my kryptonite - especially when behind the wheel. But today felt different. I felt protected and inspired. Today was for me and so I let myself linger in the joy a little longer (not an easy task for a nervous Gemini sun and moon who is prone to pointing out dangers and acting accordingly).
I reached the trailhead and managed to park on the side of the busy street, unaware that this particular hike lacked a proper parking lot.
The hike started out seemingly innocent. I slowly made my way up the mountain, stopping to take some selfies with the changing leaves and to pop a squat in the bushes. I encountered a few people coming down but was for the most part on my own. Once I reached the first apex of the afternoon, I stopped for lunch and dangled my legs off a peak. I felt alive in a way that only comes whilst eating an almond butter and jelly sandwich while dangling off a cliff.
I didn’t rest too long though, knowing that I still had to make my descent the other side of the mountain in order to reach the grand finale, the Vultee Arch, a natural bridge between two rocks carved by SedoMa herself. On my way to the arch, I spotted a tarantula crawling diagonally along the trail. I whipped out my phone and caught the hairy creature in action. I’m a big animal lover, even the creepy crawlies, and full-heartedly believe that they are often acting as messengers from the spirit world. I didn’t think much of this encounter but filed it away in my memory bank for later. I couldn’t wait to get home and google “tarantula animal totems”, but first, I had to keep keeping on.
After another 45 minutes or so, I finally reached the base of the arch. At this point, I was unsure if I wanted to expend my precious energy on climbing yet another apex when I had so far to go back to the car so I asked a woman who suddenly appeared before me, “is it worth it?” Without hesitation, she muttered “absolutely.” And so I scattered my way to the top.
And let me tell you, once I did reach this apex, I felt an excitement course through my veins. I lifted my arms over my head and waved down to the older couple sitting at the base of the mountain. They waved back. I was grinning from ear to ear. So THIS is what it feels like to be alive.
Thinking I had had my fill of excitement and magic for the day I made my way down the arch, and back up the mountain.
Before I tell you what came next, I must preface that I am a desert rat. I love the desert through and through, and need to return a few times a year to soak up her sun and breathe in her creosote soaked musk. But that being said, I am also deeply aware of her fierceness, the deadly critters that lurk in her shadows, the potency of her heat, the brutality of her spiky flora. As much love as I feel towards her, I also feel a deep respect often disguised as intimidation. Hiking alone in the desert is a beautiful, transformational experience, but it can also be damn scary at times. Which is why I do it - to push my growth edges and diminish the illusion of fear.
Sedona is classified as a semi-desert though - so for some reason, I haven’t felt this same trepidation. She has just enough trees and cool enough temperatures to make me feel safe. And so I must say my guard was unusually down on this magical day.
And just as I made my final descent, along came a rattler. Yep, a rattlesnake.
To see a rattlesnake in Sedona is extremely rare due to the cooler temperatures. In fact, just a few days prior I had been reading a book about hiking in Sedona and there was a brief section about snakes. The author wrote that his editor didn’t even want him to include a snake section in the book because he didn’t want the information to scare anyone because to see a rattlesnake was SO rare. He said in all the years he’d lived there, he’d never seen one. Not one.
And here was one just a few feet in front of me. A long, slithering serpent attempting, like me, to get home before dark. My heart stopped. Not only was he slithering towards the trail, the exact way I needed to go to get to my car, but I was still a good 45 minutes away from my car and there was no human being in sight. Turning back wasn’t an option as there was only one way up and one way down. And so I took out my phone and I documented the sliterhing serpent in front of me.
The snake wasn’t alarmed, in fact I don’t even think they knew I was there. The rattle never rattled and it never appeared startled in any way.
Eventually, the snake disappeared into the brush and was no longer visible. To make sure it wasn’t waiting to attack, I threw a rock in the opposite direction. If I could hear the snake startle, I would wait even longer. Fortunately, I didn’t hear anything. And so I booked it. I never flew down a mountain so fast. Nor did I ever want to be back in civilization, free from creepy crawlies, so bad. About halfway down, however, I see an older man slowly making his way down as well. Being the introvert that I am, normally I would say something polite to the stranger and keep moving forward. Today was not a normal day. “Oh my god, I have never been so happy to see another human being.” He looked confused. I explained the story to him and he assured me there weren’t any rattlesnakes around here. “I walk this trail all the time,” he said. After showing him my video, however, he backtracked. “Well, that’s a rattle snake!” “I KNOW!” I said.
I asked him if it was ok if I walked with him the rest of the way, “my heart just can’t take any more surprises”, I told him. He led and set the pace like wolves in a wolf pack do. We got to chatting and he mentioned that his wife was half German. And about ten minutes later, we met up with her and added yet another wolf to our wolf pack.
Her name? Wolfee.
Turns out Wolfee is an animal communicator who worked at the University of Arizona (my alma mater) and also as a wolf dog trainer before having a near-death experience. Since then, she’s been painting her experience and enjoying being in nature with her husband. Oh, and she needs a website for her art.
SedoMa is magic, I tell ya.
For anyone who is wondering:
Tarantula animal totem- the understanding of perfect timing, knowing that you have done the work and now you have to be patient to wait for the outcome, and using your sensitivity and intuitions to get where you want to go
Rattlesnake animal totem- transforming, symbolic dying and rebirthing, shedding old aspects of self or life situation and exchanging it for something more valuable
How Much Should I Charge for My Services?
How much should I charge for my services?
This is a question I get a lot when working with clients, especially if they are just starting out.
Unfortunately, there is no magical one size fits all formula to follow. All I can say is this….do your research.
If you have checked out my Youtube Channel or taken one of my website workshops, you know that I am a big proponent of stalking your competitors (or if you are anti-capitalist… your collaborators) in order to find out how THEY are doing things. Specifically, you can also find out exactly how much they are charging for similar services, products, or packages. If their prices aren’t listed on their website (ideal scenario) you can also reach out and pretend to be an interested customer (more skeezy scenario). Or you can just be radically transparent and tell them what you are up to. You can also reach out to virtual communities and ask people what they charge. Keep in mind though, that your rate depends on a LOT of factors such as market value (how much is your product or service worth in your specific region), how much time it actually takes you to create the product or service, how much time it takes you to do the administrative stuff associated with running your business, how much it costs to employ someone to help, etc.
While there is not a magic formula, the following tips can help you figure out best practices.
First, realize that EVERYONE has the ability to define and nurture their desired niche market and make them fall in love with you. If people fall in love with your brand (YOU) and your values, they will be willing to pay MORE than the market value (within reason). My values happen to be that I want to make website building accessible to ALL people not just those with deep pockets. That means my products and services are going to be LESS than the market value. But that' doesn’t mean I am undervaluing myself. This brings me to point #2….
If you are giving away your services for a very low amount and are left feeling depleted, deflated. agitated, or burnt-out - you are not doing anyone any favors. Don’t beat yourself up about it, but definitely don’t do it again. Instead, do this…
Work backward when determining what to charge initially. First, determine your desired hourly wage (don’t forget to factor in the extra costs that freelancers or self-employed people have to face such as health insurance, monthly bills, and expendable income), Then, determine how long it takes you to do your thing. If you are a massage therapist, it’s going to be pretty obvious, but if you are designing websites, it might be a bit more difficult. Make sure to include the time you will spend writing emails, and having meetings- this all counts as work!! So, let’s say my desired hourly wage is 50 euros an hour. And it takes me about 6 hours to build a nice website for a client plus another 2 hours for meetings and follow-ups— I would quote them at 400 euros. I might also add a few hundred dollars for any unexpected occurrences that come up. It’s up to you if you want to break it down for your client. Some folks want to be super transparent.
Now - if you are just starting out, it’s normal to be confused about pricing. There will be a period of time where you will just be experimenting to figure out how much you need to support the lifestyle you desire. Just make sure to log your hours so that next time you know whether you should raise or decrease your prices (although I wouldn’t recommend decreasing your prices if you are having no problems getting customers to pay you for your services.
I hope that helps!
I’d love to hear what services you are thinking about providing to your clients and how much you are going to charge. Feel free to send me an email here.
How to Find Clients
Whether you are trying to start a side hustle, you’re opening your own small business, or you are freelancing full-time, finding reliable clients that respect you (aka pay you on time) can sometimes be so elusive. I’m willing to bet that not knowing where to find clients probably prevents a lot of people from taking the plunge and becoming their own boss.
That’s why I felt compelled to share my tips on how to find clients. When I first started freelancing I made a lot of mistakes in this regard so hopefully, this blog post can save you some time so you can start making 👏 that 👏 money👏. But first…I want to tell you where not to find clients.
Where NOT to Find Clients
Whatever you do, please refrain from making a profile on one of those freelancer stockyard sites (Freelancer.com, Upwork.com, Content.de, etc.) Why? Because you aren’t going to like the results you desire. Not only will you spend valuable time trying to build a reputation and credibility on the site, instead of in real life, but you’ll be competing against site veterans and people who have a lower cost of living (like folks living in India).
Because you’ll be competing with people who have been on the site for YEARS and already have a ton of ratings, it’s likely you’ll have to undervalue yourself from the beginning just to get any worthy attention. Also, the kind of clients you are going to attract by undervaluing yourself won’t likely be the kind of clients you want to work with long-term. Business owners typically use these sites when they are in a pinch (either under a time crunch or have budget constraints) - and need a cheap + fast solution. They likely aren’t going to choose someone (like you) with no credibility on the site. It’s not likely that client will be reoccurring income either. And if they do, do you really want a third party managing your invoicing/taking fees?
A lot of freelancers think Freelance-sites are where they should spend their time and effort when they first start out - but it’s a big-time waster and will likely just leave you frustrated and burned out. You have been warned!
Here’s Where To Find Clients
Before you attempt to find clients you’ll first need to make sure you have a beautiful online portfolio/ website. The reason is simple - you’ll need it to "prove” your abilities to your potential clients. Without it, you're essentially asking them to take a big gamble on you. And unless you have an award-winning sales pitch, this approach will likely leave you empty-handed (and empty-pocketed.) If you already have an online portfolio (with at least one project example), however, you may proceed.
The first ( and best) way to find a client is……drumroll, please…. through direct referrals. Ok maybe this wasn’t the climax you were hoping for but it’s absolutely the BEST way for you to grow your business. But how do you get direct referrals when you don’t have any clients to begin with? Easy. You either offer your services or products to your ideal customers for free or for a reduced rate or you do a skill swap with an ideal customer, and then….YOU ASK! Eventually, you won’t have to ask for referrals, they will just roll in, but in the beginning, you might have to send out some personal emails to those you have either already done business with or those you want to do business with in the future and you say something like, “Hey, I just launched my new online portfolio and am currently opening my books to some new clients. If you know anyone who needs this XYZ service, please think of me!”
Through immediate contacts - this includes friends, family, co-workers, friends of friends. Follow the same protocol as in the first example. Send your immediate contacts a personal email (DO NOT SEND A MASS EMAIL AND BCC EVERYONE) - letting them know that you have this new website and want to start offering your skills to the world. You can even include a family/friend discount offer in the initial outreach.
Through a mentor (or someone in the industry who has more experience). This option is a little tricky if you don’t already have a mentor because I wouldn’t advise you to waste precious time looking for a mentor (this kind of relationship can take years to build) BUT on the off chance that you already have one, this can be a great place for you to find potential clients. You can open the request by 1. serving them up a compliment and 2. asking them to provide feedback on your new portfolio site (see how important having a website is in this process - it’s the best ice breaker!!) Once you have established a relationship with them you can tell them to keep you in mind if they ever need someone to help lighten their workload. Say that you are eager to learn the ins and outs of the business and admire the way they do things.
Last but not least, head to your local community. First try hitting up physical (or virtual) brick-and-mortar stores that you already love and support (ex. if you are a graphic designer, you could call up the pizza joint you order from every week and ask them if they want you to redesign their menu for them). Some other things that have worked for me are mingling on Facebook groups in my city or joining virtual meetups/workshops where your ideal clients frequent.
There, that’s it! Let me know if you have had any successes with these tips (or you have any other tips about where to find clients.) Best of luck!
A Little Play Goes A Long Way
On the 2019 vision collage I made a few weeks ago, I cut out a picture of two kids swinging, their heads flung back, laughter escaping their tiny lungs. This picture was not only supposed to be a reminder for me to hop on a swing whenever possible (am I the only one who thinks there is something so delightful yet also slightly terrifying about letting your body fly through the air) but the image was also supposed to serve as a reminder for me to PLAY as much as possible this year.
As children, we instinctively know when to play, when to let our imagination flow, and when to draw outside the lines. We naturally follow our curiosities. We can do this because we have complete and total trust that all of our needs will be fulfilled (by our parents). Somewhere along the way, however, we lose this ability to trust our curiosities. Perhaps we get introduced to trauma, a lover disappoints us, or someone we hold in high esteem diminishes our worth. Little by little our trust is chipped away and we build up a large fortress of protection goes up in its place. Until of course, we have kids of our own…
It’s my belief that one of the reasons people have kids (and keep adding more to the family) is because kids encourage them to play, which makes them feel A L I V E. They are suddenly immersed into a land of make-believe, building a fort out of blankets or pretending the living room floor is lava.
But I’m here to tell you…you don’t have to have kids to give yourself permission to be a big, silly goofball. You can absolutely start today.
The past week and the last few days, I’ve been feeling the urge to play, laugh, and just be silly. But….life always seems to get in the way. Disappointed that I had to attend a Skype meeting with a client instead of meet with friends for a workout in the park, I texted them in the group chat, “I wish I could meet you guys tonight, but I’ve got a meeting. I’m trying to be grateful and positive about this opportunity but I am having a hard time. I’m really feeling like I need to have fun today.”
The reason I was having a hard time is because I felt that work was interfering with my playtime. Frustration and disappointment were the feelings that followed and no tools in my toolbox seemed to be helping.
I tried listing off things I was grateful for.
I tried venting about it with friends.
I even went for a run hoping it shake off this icky feeling I had.
That’s when I came across a swing set on my way home. It’s not the first time I’ve swung by myself, though I’m fully aware of how “odd” it may appear to others. To my surprise, no one looked twice. Either their eyes were focused on the screen in front of them or they were lost in their own thoughts. Suddenly a mom and her toddler walked by. The toddler immediately turned her head and smiled at me. In just a few seconds, she had convinced her mom to put her on the swing next to me.
And there we swung. Side by side. The cool air on our skin. The sinking of our bellies. Our hands gripping the metal.
It doesn’t surprise me that the toddler felt a calling to jump on that swing. She followed her curiosity. Would an adult have done the same? Likely not. They probably would have rationalized that they are too old for such behavior, that they would possibly hurt themselves, or that they should probably just get to wherever they are going.
I’m not saying the next few minutes of swinging completely snapped me out of the funk I was in, but it certainly helped me sneak away from my own pity party, just long enough that I could fill my lungs with the joy of life instead.
No matter how much self-work you do, there will be days you just can’t seem to get yourself out of a funk. You may be irritable, frustrated, emotional or feisty. No amount of positive affirmations, essential oils, or Oprah podcasts will seem to help. Though I can’t speak for all of you, I can certainly speak for myself — on days like these, a little play goes a long way.
Talkin' Bout a Revolution (and 2 Exciting New Projects)
Hope you all had a lovely Christmas holiday (if that’s your cup of tea) and a festive new year spent with family and friends.
I know that 2016 was disappointing for a lot of you (David Bowie leaves the earth and Donald Trump inherits it, what in the actual hell is going on, Universe?) but after attending the Women’s March in Berlin last Saturday, it’s pretty clear that a LOT of people aren’t willing to take that disappointment lying down. Me, included.
I have pledged to take action and fight back in every way possible. Before I get too far off on a tangent, however, I want to update you on a few exciting projects that I am so very proud to be a part of (it's relevant to the revolution, I promise.)
MusicTo
This year, a friend and colleague of mine asked me to help build his music label startup, MusicTo. The project would be centered on the utility of music. Each playlist would provide a sonic solution for a problem that we all struggle with (such as grieving, cleaning the house, writing an essay, crafting.)
We are still in build mode, but a few of the playlists are currently available for streaming on Spotify. Take a peek around, have a listen, and then let me know if you have an idea for a playlist (something like "Music to Start a Revolution to?" or what about "Music to Smash the Patriarchy to?") or if you have an idea for a track that would fit on one of the existing playlists, please get in touch right away!
ReproJustice
Perhaps the most exciting project I am currently working on is ReproJustice. This project is most definitely in the primitive stages of development, but I am literally bursting at the seams with anticipation. Basically, it will be a site where women can share their personal stories, frustrations, elations, with the world. No topic will be too taboo (because fuck taboos, right?) and contributors will be diverse in ethnicity, economic background, culture, and age (even my 13 year old sister is going to share her thoughts y’all, isn’t that amazing?).
I personally know a lot of ladies who have a lot of things they need to get off their chests (#FreeTheNipple, am I right?) and this will be the perfect platform for them to do so. Eventually the site will function as a news site (updating the public on women related news) and also a place to showcase organizations that are either helping to further empower women or that are run by kickass ladies. If you (or someone you know) would like to contribute, I most certainly want to hear about it. Please get in touch ASAP! We don’t have any time to waste :)
Ok, I’ll leave it at that for now. Hope you are all as motivated as I am to go out and kick some serious butt. The world needs your strength!
I don't belong anywhere. I belong everywhere.
I have recently come to terms with the fact that for the rest of my life I will always be missing out on something.
- When I am dancing the night away with friends, I miss having dinner with my family in Atlanta.
- When I head to the US for a month to welcome my niece to the world, I am missing sitting in my favorite park in Berlin.
- When I am catching up with friends from high school, I am missing snuggling my puppy in Tucson.
FOMO: Fear Of Missing Out
Sure, I suffer from FOMO when trying to decide what to do in an evening:“Which event should I attend tonight?”
These kinds of decisions aren’t as hard to make because usually the answer can be determined by asking this simple question: “How much does it cost?”
This decision is not so easy, however, when trying to answer heavier questions such as: “Do I want to watch my niece grow up first hand or through a shoddy Skype connection?”
Luckily, I have been battling FOMO for quite some time and have since learned how to calm this nagging beast.
We live in exciting times. Being everywhere at once is somewhat possible with the magic of technology, however, this option doesn’t come without sacrifices. There is a possibility that you will spread yourself too thin, which may result in living a shallow, lonely life. YIKES!
Rest assured, I have finally figured out how to stay settled internally while living many lives at once. No matter where I am jaunting off to next, I make sure to always incorporate the following so that I never stray too far from myself or my values; exercise, music, and communication.
- Exercise helps me to stay connected to my physical self.
- Music helps me to balance my emotions and center my thoughts.
- Communication helps me to feel connected to loved ones, not matter where I am. I never feel too far from my friends or family if I have the option to send them a simple “what’s up” text.
In addition, if I want to keep being the happiest Nicole possible, I must continue to pay tribute to all the parts that make me whole. This means, that I will probably always be bouncing between the cities of Tucson, Atlanta, and Berlin.
- I have desert bones — I feel most calm when the Saguaro sun wraps her rays around me, strengthening the core of the woman I have worked so hard to be.
- I have Southern roots — I feel most nostalgic when the heavy Georgian air fills my lungs, grounding me back down to Earth.
- I have German blood — I feel most like myself when the plane touches down in Berlin, reminding me that moving here was the best decision of my life.
Sure, I will always be saying goodbye, but it also means I will always be saying hello. In fact, I’m not really “missing out” at all— I always have a loved one to catch up with, a nostalgic food to eat, or a new story to tell.
I don’t belong to anyone. I belong to everyone.
I don’t belong anywhere. I belong everywhere.
I Heart Storytelling
They say that whatever you do whilst procrastinating is the very thing you should be doing for a living. Well considering I am a (self-proclaimed) professional social media manager, I'm not doing too badly. Beyond crafting witty posts using 140 characters or less, my natural talents also include storytelling. I love sharing my experiences with others, especially if those stories are dripping with humor, self-deprecation, and sarcasm.
My native Spanish speaking friend recently brought it to my attention just how much I enjoy the art of storytelling. I was describing what the weather back home was like and asked her if she knew what the word humid meant. Before she could respond, I went off on a mild tangent, “it’s like getting out of a steamy shower and the mirrors are fogged and your skin is dewey,” I say. After I finished my description she tells me, “I know what humid is, we have the same word in Spanish.” Mildly embarrassed I asked her, “then, why didn’t you stop me?” “Because I know you love explaining things,” she said.
It’s true! I do love explaining things. And I love taking big ideas and dicing them up into fun, easily-digestible quips. I love connecting dots, summarizing complicated chains of events, and tying up loose ends. If a friend starts a story and gets interrupted somewhere along the way I can feel the weight of the finale just hanging in the air, “what were you saying? I feel like you never finished your story.”
Moving full force ahead, I recently found a platform for me to share my stories with the world, a blog called iheartberlin. When I sit down to write a post for them, hours seem to fly by. I’m not scrolling on Facebook, refreshing my Instagram feed, or playing with Snapchat filters, I’m telling a story, my story. Now if I could just figure out a way to turn these blog contributions into a major book deal or Hollywood movie, then I'd really be living the dream. You can read my iheartberlin article here.
I feel so fortunate to be doing what I am most passionate about for a living, storytelling. I encourage you all to:
- spend some time honing your passion, and
- figure out a way to earn a living while sharing your passion with the rest of us
So, You Think You Can Freelance?
Recently I had a friend ask me advice about starting her own freelance language translation business. After a sweet brainstorm brunch at a dreamy cafe in Neukölln (you know the kind of place with mismatched vintage tables and chairs and dripping candles instead of lamps), we got down to business.
My friend, originally from Barcelona, speaks impeccable English (not to mention Catalan and Spanish) and is also learning German at a much faster pace than I. Ich lerne Deutsch aber ist sehr schlect. Es tut mir leid.
Here are a few reasons she wanted to start her own freelance gig (do any of these reasons sound familiar?)
She wants financial independence (#beyourownboss)
She wants to be able to work wherever she likes (like adorable cafes with medieval lighting) and travel whenever she wants -- I just got back from Barcelona :)!
She wants to be able set her own hours (today I started working at 2p and will likely stop around 6p…jealous much?)
Though all the above reasons were enough to motivate her to schedule a brainstorm brunch, she had no idea how to get started. Considering I have been freelancing for over four years (in freelance years that’s more like 100), I had quite a lot of advice to give her.
Because I was lucky enough to meet a mentor early on (Andrew McCluskey of Simply Friday and music2work2), I felt excited to pay it forward. Andrew was someone who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. He was my silent partner who answered questions about bookkeeping, hourly rates, pesky clients, and technical HTML issues. He also happens to be someone I continue to work with on projects today.
Here is the advice I gave her:
Get yourself a website. if you can’t afford to have someone create one for you (like me, cough, cough), consider Wix or Weebly. Both are free, and are fairly simple to use. The drag and drop templates make it easy for someone to build a site in just a few hours. Keep the site simple and only list relevant experience (no one needs to know that you worked as the Chucky Cheese mascot in high school...unless of course your service is performing at children’s birthday parties.)
Now assuming that there is a need for your service (and that you have a bit of experience) you’ll first want to start with your inner circle when looking for clients (make an announcement on Facebook, send out personal emails, and ask friends to help promote your services.) The biggest hurdle for any entrepreneur or freelancer is making the initial outreach. It can feel weird, tacky, or even icky to promote yourself. But hey, get over it! The faster you believe in yourself, the faster others will, unless of course your service is selling belly bands that will bring six pack abs overnight.
Implement the power of Craigslist. My first gig was a temporary copywriting gig I found whilst living in Los Angeles…on Craigslist. It just so happens that this client, a vintage furniture shop called Casa Victoria, is still one of my best clients today. And through them I was able to get referrals for other gigs. If Craigslist is not that big in your city, search other cities! I would steer clear of those Freelance sites, however. They are oversaturated and you’ll probably have to lower your rate to next to nothing. Ain’t nobody got time f’dat.
Say yes, figure it out later. If a potential client approaches you about doing something for them that is outside of your comfort zone, what do you do? Say yes anyways! I’m here to tell you that you are rarely prepared to handle anything in life. If you want to be a freelancer, you have to get used to flying by the seat of your pants. I frequently consult YouTube tutorials, forums, blogs, and this amazing thing called Google if I can’t figure something out.
To figure out how much to charge, you’re going to have to factor in a few things: your experience, the market rate for your service, and how much hourly you think you deserve (be careful on this one, yes you are worth a million in prizes, but stay humble.) In the beginning, you might have to ask a bit less than market value so that you can build a portfolio and make connections. Estimate how long it takes you to complete a task, multiply that by the hourly you want, and boom, that’s how much you should charge.
Don’t forget to write a proposal. Once the proposal is agreed upon, ask clients to pay half up front and half after the project is complete.
Figure out a way to get paid. Personally, I use PayPal for invoices and payment. Sure the fees are high, but it’s easy for my clients to pay me. It’s also great for bookkeeping when it comes time to do taxes.
Do what you are going to say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it. Whether you're making a phone call, sending an email, or delivering a task, be consistent. Kiss your freelance business goodbye before it even gets started if you aren’t reliable. Why do my clients (some of which I have never even met in person) trust me? Because I show up on time, every time (figuratively speaking of course.)
Find yourself a mentor (or shoot me an email and I will act as a stand-in mentor until you find one.) Everyone deserves to live the exact life they desire. I wouldn’t trade my globetrotting life for any desk job in the world.
That being said, anyone need any documents translated from Spanish to English or from English to Spanish? I know someone...
Having a "Good Enough" Website Isn't Good Enough
Recently I worked on a project that I am super proud of. A previous client of mine referred me to a wedding/special events DJ who goes by the name of Señor Amor. Señor was in need of a website revamp and sought out my services.
Whether you sell a product or service, your website is often the first (and only) impression a potential customer has of you. Unlike real life impressions, digital impressions are much more fleeting. If your site isn’t mobile friendly or if you don’t capture a customer’s attention right away, they will bounce on to the next Google search. Bye Felicia!
Here was what Señor's site looked like before:
Here is his site now:
I work with a variety of budgets, industries, and time constraints. If you (or someone you know) are in need of a website revamp, please get in touch. If you are unsure if you need a website revamp, enter your URL into this free widget created by Google. It will let you know if your site is mobile friendly or not.
Relaxation Guilt is a Real Thing
Any other entrepreneurs out there ever suffer from Relaxation Guilt? You know, the feeling you get when you try to relax but you just end up thinking about the thousand things you should be doing instead?
This Halloweekend I did absolutely nothing productive. I should feel refreshed and recharged but procrastination is not the way I handle stress, in fact it makes it worse. The best way for me to deal with a mile long to-do list is to start chipping away at it--and here I spent an entire weekend doing nothing but catching up with friends and wearing glitter, a lot of glitter.
Friday night I went out with friends as "it's my party and I'll cry of I want to." Saturday I caught up with an old friend during the day and went to a haunted house with another old friend at night. Sunday was carved out for my productive day but all I did was play bag toss, drink beer, and go see the new "Fury" movie--which by the way, wasn't that great (which made my guilt even heavier.)
Now don't get me wrong, I had a blast. Some might say this is the only thing that matters--but for me it's all about balance. I'd much rather get up a little early on the weekend, knock out a few tasks, and then be free to play the rest of the day. Juggling a 40 hr work week job and a handful of clients has taught me that I need to make every second count. I won't be able to relax until I do.
You aren't always going to get it right, but if you're smart you'll learn from these moments, and find a balance that allows you to have fun with friends and also kick ass with your clients. Follow me on these networks and share your tips and experiences.
Want To Be A Busy Bee? Use A Staffing Agency
Things are about to be crazy for the next few weeks (I apologize in advance for the intermittent blog posts.) Today I started a 4 week stint at PetSmart corporate writing copy for their proprietary brand packaging. The best part about this gig is that I get to bring my presh pup to work with me every day. How sweet is that?
For all you freelancers out there, I highly recommend that you do a little research and find a staffing agency that will score gigs for you like Staffing Strong, an agency that specializes in placing marketing professionals in temporary, part-time, and full-time positions (based on the demand and your preference.)
In all my three years of freelancing--I have never thought to seek out the help of a staffing agency. I was always able to secure clients through word of mouth or Craigslist. In this case, however, I didn't have to any reaching out because Staffing Strong found my LinkedIn profile. If you aren't so lucky, consider being proactive and pursuing a few different agencies. Oh, and never, ever, ever, pay for a staffing agency up front. That's a scam.
Why I Recommend Freelancers Use A Reputable Staffing Agency To Land Gigs
1. It's a confidence boost.
When a staffing agent reaches out to you with jobs, it makes you feel like you actually have your shit together. Psychologically speaking, seeking out jobs can be time consuming and feel degrading. Walking into an interview is a lot easier when you know your agent already believes you are a good fit for the job. Since staffing companies have a reputation to withhold, they aren't going to send their clients unqualified people.
2. It's like a dating service for your dream job.
Yesterday I met my staffing agent and I was a little surprised at the kinds of questions she was asking me. What was my dream job? What kind of things was I looking for in a company? Was I interested in relocating? What pay range would work for me? What industry did I want to work in? Was I interested in contracting, part-time or full-time opportunities? What was my astrological sign? Did I fall from heaven?
3. It allows you to get a feel for the company's culture before committing to a full time job.
It's like test driving a car before you commit to the big purchase. If you like the environment, you can network within the company and develop relationships with hiring managers. On the other hand, if you don't like the job, you can move on once the contract is over. That's a win-win in my book.
Though staffing agencies negotiate your salary on your behalf (and take a portion of your hourly) --this isn't necessarily a bad thing. If you tell your agent in advance your hourly range, they will only send you jobs that fit that criteria. They're in the business of making money too, remember!
Best of luck with the job search!
*Image by Riccardo Cuppini, Flickr
Follow me on the following networks: