Ah, the dreaded cold call. It is a tricky science, yes it is. However, it can be incredibly rewarding if you are willing to go outside your comfort zone. For some people, this can be WAY outside their comfort zone. Please keep in mind; it is helpful to have already had experience making calls to family and friends…
The DIY Guide to Branding Your Office: Part 3 (AFTER)
If you missed part one of the DIY office series, you can check out all the before photos, here. And part two of the series goes through the process of decking out the space, and the DIY walls, chalkboards and whiteboards that you can check out, here. Gotta love that modern, mid-century appeal. I wanted to build a shabby-chic…
The DIY Guide to Branding Your Office: Part 2 (IN PROGRESS)
If you missed part one of this series, you can check out all the before photos here. If you’re dreaming of that perfect office, there are loads of pros and cons for investing in a space. I covered them in part one of the DIY office series. We did some serious DIY hacks and we were awesomely creative…
The DIY Guide to Branding Your Office: Part 1 (BEFORE)
Okay so you want an office for yourself. You think the couch or the foot of your bed are not the most professional areas to work from. You like going to coffee shops, but you just long for that fun office to invite your meetings to and be creative in. Maybe you even feel like you’re more of a “real business…
How to have over 1000 leads before you even start your business
How to have over 1000 leads before you even start your business. Imagine this, you decide to start a business. You have a passion and know exactly how you want to serve the world. It doesn’t even have to be a big grandiose thing, maybe you just want to be a photographer. Now imagine before you even open the…
How to Focus Your Brain Like a Superhuman
You’ve heard it before I’m sure, “we only use 10% of our brains and our potential.” Now, I’m pretty sure this is a myth, because if you lost part of your brain to a stroke you’d have some serious issues. However, the premise clearly indicates a societal recognition that most people don’t maximize their potential. It also identifies a societal need…
How to Start an Online Business in 14 Steps
How to Start an Online Business in 14 Steps. Being that you’ve come across this article… I bet you’ve thought of starting an online business. You’ve heard all the buzz and you’ve decided that you want in. Mostly… because you’re interested in doing business in your sweatpants, or from a longboard. Like Austin has been doing on Snapchat recently. Either way, the logistics…
The Paradox of Snapchat: is it worth my time?
I have a huge confession to make. I have resisted getting on Snapchat for a looooooonnnnggg time. My resistance wasn’t because I was asking “is Snapchat worth my time.” (I know the ROI of social media.) The reason I resisted was sheer laziness. I didn’t really want to take the time to learn a new platform. I didn’t…
5 ways to get free advice for your business without being sleazy
In a recent article I talked about the 4 telltale signs you are about to do free work. In this article, I express my love/hate relationship with doing free work. But that being said, I am also a business owner and I know the value of getting solid free advice. Getting free consulting doesn’t have to be a…
10 Habits Creative Directors Have in Common
Most creatives jump into their industry with glowing eyes. They see themselves as art directors or creative directors and think it’s easy to get there. Besides the “big name” title there are some serious technical chops and incredible people skills that creative directors have in common. Working your way from a junior designer to creative director probably won’t happen…
Year of the Ghost! 6 Reasons You’ll Want to Be in Snapchat
Every year or so, a new social media takes precedent. Every year a social media shows significant potential for marketing and building your audience. I’ll be honest, I’m not the first in any platform. I usually let others do the work for me… I mean that I wait for the market to show a clear competitor, and then I’ll…
4 telltale signs you are about to do free work and how to avoid it
I have a love-hate relationship with giving away free consulting and free work. On one hand, doing free work can be a very smart chess move in business. You get to showcase your chops and “wow” a major influencer or business owner. It can potentially land you a much bigger opportunity that is paid work. On the other…
How to save 10 hours a week and cut out long meetings
Like most blogs and business, I spend a lot of time talking business with my partner throughout the day. A 15-minute chat here, an hour discussion, a 20-minute strategy foray. If you are a business, chances are you have a daily hour-long meeting… or more I realized recently, that all meetings can be reduced down into 15-minute strategy…
Stupidly Amazing Hacks, Tricks, and Tips to Stop Wasting Time
You are power walking down the street to your next appointment… and you see it. That guy with the clip board about to tell you about some cause. He asks “Hey do you have a minute for dying children…?” Great… now I either have to say no to dying children and feel guilty or stop and waste my…
5 Powerful Visualization Techniques That Will Help you Master Meditation
You say in your head “Ok time to meditate. Let’s sit down, close our eyes, and breath.” You think, “Ahh… this isn’t so bad. Wait, did I send that email? I should go make sure it sent. No wait…I am meditating, shut up, sit here and breath. Man that clock is loud, it is going to distract me. I…
14 Content Marketing Habits that Will Help You Get Ahead
Content Marketing Habits that Will Help You Get Ahead. Whether you’re a mom blogger or a marketer, you ARE a content marketer. Content marketing is the cornerstone of an online business—whether you’re selling beanie babies on a blog or high-end coaching. According to the leader in Content Marketing appropriately named Content Marketing Institute: “Content marketing’s purpose is…