Deciding to set up your own business can often be a lonely path, at least until you find some others heading in the same direction. This article which was recently brought to my attention by my friend Ruth Keel is a great comforter as it allows you to see that you are not at all alone.
Written by by Jeremy Sherman, Ph.D. check it out and let both myself and Jeremy know what you think - http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/ambigamy/201101/not-alone-how-go-out-limb
Monday, November 28, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
This is how one person saw it....
There are some things in life that work better with some planning and preparation and starting a blog is one of those things. Too often I've seen clients getting carried away with the idea and what results doesn't do them any favours. They set one up, they post, they tell everyone and then, having raised expectations, they fail to post again.
When a few months later the initial post is still all that can be seen, the response to their inactivity is usually that they didn't have the time or they didn't know what to write about. Both reasonable comments but I beg you, think about those things before you start, as posting like this is far worse than never posting at all and can damage your reputation.
It's because of the above that I run Blogging workshops to help with the planning so that this experience doesn't happen to you.
One of the recent attendees on one such workshop on November 3rd was Lisa Symonds from http://www.abbeyantiques.net/ and this is what she had to say -
"I have known Heather Waring for over 5 years and can fully recommend her services and attention to detail/customer service.
Following my attendance at Heather Waring’s ‘Blogging Workshop’ in November I left so excited.......about writing, about my imagination, about life. Deep and sincere thanks for reinforcing my heart's desire about marketing, writing, blogging.
I thoroughly enjoyed the interaction within the group and sharing ideas (good or bad!), the easy and relaxed approach and thrashing out ideas.
Blogging isn’t easy is it? You work all day (and sometimes into the night) with the day job and then somehow you’re expected to find the time to blog. And for goodness sake, does it even work? Is it even worth it? You hear horror stories of people putting in dozens of hours a week with nothing to show for it and it becomes scary but following Heather’s workshop and the tips and advice received has given me the ideas to get started and changed my views.
It helps to develop relationships with my current and prospective clients, showcase our work and gain recommendations. And on top of that, gain a good chunk of enquiries and clients through the blog. It will certainly become a core part of my marketing mix and something I’d be loathe to do without.
That said, it takes time (that I don’t have) and energy and determination. There are times when I just don’t think I’ll be able to find the time to blog, and times when I’m so busy that I just need to let it go for a week or two. But from the workshop we have understood that it does not have to be a full A4 essay, it can be as simple as an image or a client’s testimonial but planning and preparation are the main tips which I take from Heathers advice.
After the workshop, I now have a healthy attitude to my blog and social media. I know that I’ll get out what I put in. And I love to put in a lot, but not at the expense of my wellbeing. And I think it’s that attitude that really makes a difference, so put in a realistic timeframe where I can be consistent in my fortnightly blogging and not commit to weekly/daily blogs.
Preparation and Consistency are the key elements that I take from the workshop. A great blog with a strong and loyal readership is my focused. To be clear about what I write about, what my focus is and how that feeds through to my business. The frequency of posts, the tone of voice and I believe it’s about being authentic.
Passion is contagious. It keeps people coming back for more, it enthuses them to tell their friends and it helps them engage with you. Passion is one of the key words people use to describe me when I talk about my business and I plan to portray this into my blog.
So from just a morning session on Heather’s blogging workshop I have gained all the above and much much more – don’t hesitate, book yourself on her next workshop if you are looking to start up a blog or to expand your marketing/business – its exceptional value for money and the return on your business will be the end results from the amount of blogging you but only if you get it right!
Heather has been professional and courteous at all times and I have no hesitation in recommending Waring Well but should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me."
Lisa Symons – Director, Abbey Antiques & Furnishings Ltd. 01708 741135 / 07956 480 361
www.abbeyantiques.net
I'm absolutely blown away by this and thanks to Lisa for her kind words but also her wonderful summary and for sharing points which will help others.
If any of you are interested dear readers then let me know. My next course is already full but I will be running others in early 2012 and also looking to deliver this as a webinar or teleclass so if I can help you , just tell me. Please leave your comments below.
When a few months later the initial post is still all that can be seen, the response to their inactivity is usually that they didn't have the time or they didn't know what to write about. Both reasonable comments but I beg you, think about those things before you start, as posting like this is far worse than never posting at all and can damage your reputation.
It's because of the above that I run Blogging workshops to help with the planning so that this experience doesn't happen to you.
One of the recent attendees on one such workshop on November 3rd was Lisa Symonds from http://www.abbeyantiques.net/ and this is what she had to say -
"I have known Heather Waring for over 5 years and can fully recommend her services and attention to detail/customer service.
Following my attendance at Heather Waring’s ‘Blogging Workshop’ in November I left so excited.......about writing, about my imagination, about life. Deep and sincere thanks for reinforcing my heart's desire about marketing, writing, blogging.
I thoroughly enjoyed the interaction within the group and sharing ideas (good or bad!), the easy and relaxed approach and thrashing out ideas.
Blogging isn’t easy is it? You work all day (and sometimes into the night) with the day job and then somehow you’re expected to find the time to blog. And for goodness sake, does it even work? Is it even worth it? You hear horror stories of people putting in dozens of hours a week with nothing to show for it and it becomes scary but following Heather’s workshop and the tips and advice received has given me the ideas to get started and changed my views.
It helps to develop relationships with my current and prospective clients, showcase our work and gain recommendations. And on top of that, gain a good chunk of enquiries and clients through the blog. It will certainly become a core part of my marketing mix and something I’d be loathe to do without.
That said, it takes time (that I don’t have) and energy and determination. There are times when I just don’t think I’ll be able to find the time to blog, and times when I’m so busy that I just need to let it go for a week or two. But from the workshop we have understood that it does not have to be a full A4 essay, it can be as simple as an image or a client’s testimonial but planning and preparation are the main tips which I take from Heathers advice.
After the workshop, I now have a healthy attitude to my blog and social media. I know that I’ll get out what I put in. And I love to put in a lot, but not at the expense of my wellbeing. And I think it’s that attitude that really makes a difference, so put in a realistic timeframe where I can be consistent in my fortnightly blogging and not commit to weekly/daily blogs.
Preparation and Consistency are the key elements that I take from the workshop. A great blog with a strong and loyal readership is my focused. To be clear about what I write about, what my focus is and how that feeds through to my business. The frequency of posts, the tone of voice and I believe it’s about being authentic.
Passion is contagious. It keeps people coming back for more, it enthuses them to tell their friends and it helps them engage with you. Passion is one of the key words people use to describe me when I talk about my business and I plan to portray this into my blog.
So from just a morning session on Heather’s blogging workshop I have gained all the above and much much more – don’t hesitate, book yourself on her next workshop if you are looking to start up a blog or to expand your marketing/business – its exceptional value for money and the return on your business will be the end results from the amount of blogging you but only if you get it right!
Heather has been professional and courteous at all times and I have no hesitation in recommending Waring Well but should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me."
Lisa Symons – Director, Abbey Antiques & Furnishings Ltd. 01708 741135 / 07956 480 361
www.abbeyantiques.net
I'm absolutely blown away by this and thanks to Lisa for her kind words but also her wonderful summary and for sharing points which will help others.
If any of you are interested dear readers then let me know. My next course is already full but I will be running others in early 2012 and also looking to deliver this as a webinar or teleclass so if I can help you , just tell me. Please leave your comments below.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
The Tax Man Cometh
If you only read one blog post, read this one as it's really important and taking action as a result of this will, I guarantee, leave you much less stressed. In fact it ticks so many boxes and as we approach the festive season, it's a real gift to you.
So with great thanks to Tammy Furey of http://www.fureycoaching.co.uk read on.....
'tis the season to be terrified, tra la la la la la la la la.
In the UK, as we rocket towards the end of the month, the self assessment tax return deadline looms like a spectre on the horizon. But its no big deal, right? You have what you owe the tax man nicely squirreled away in a separate account, right?
No? Seriously?
One of the major challenges of being a freelancer is money. There is no other way to put it. Our income comes in waves and quite often there is no way of knowing (despite the work being done) when the cheque will arrive. It is all too easy to (finally) have money in your bank account, and to blow it all out of utter relief that it is there.
The secret is this: the moment the money arrives in your bank account, you have to (for your stress levels and future financial sanity) transfer out the money for taxes, into a separate savings account. What you transfer will be a percentage of the money coming in (this depends on your country and system: in the UK its 25-33%). This system also applies to saving for your pension, holidays and a fund to see you through the dry spells, when work or cheques just are not appearing.
At the end of the day, the key to working for yourself is being your own boss. Your boss in the 9-5 world would pay your taxes. Be a good boss, get a system and let it be one more thing not to worry quite so much about.
My top tip is to get your hands on this book:
The money book for freelancers, part timers and the self employed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ignore this at your peril.....
So with great thanks to Tammy Furey of http://www.fureycoaching.co.uk read on.....
'tis the season to be terrified, tra la la la la la la la la.
In the UK, as we rocket towards the end of the month, the self assessment tax return deadline looms like a spectre on the horizon. But its no big deal, right? You have what you owe the tax man nicely squirreled away in a separate account, right?
No? Seriously?
The secret is this: the moment the money arrives in your bank account, you have to (for your stress levels and future financial sanity) transfer out the money for taxes, into a separate savings account. What you transfer will be a percentage of the money coming in (this depends on your country and system: in the UK its 25-33%). This system also applies to saving for your pension, holidays and a fund to see you through the dry spells, when work or cheques just are not appearing.
At the end of the day, the key to working for yourself is being your own boss. Your boss in the 9-5 world would pay your taxes. Be a good boss, get a system and let it be one more thing not to worry quite so much about.
My top tip is to get your hands on this book:
The money book for freelancers, part timers and the self employed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Money photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/communityfriend
Ignore this at your peril.....
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