Social Media – the new way to do business

If facebook were a country, it would be the forth largest in the world. 1/3 of Amazon’s sales are for the Kindle. If a customer has a bad experience they can instantly tweet it to hundreds or thousands of followers – now that sounds like a powerful medium.

My boss is a big proponent for the power of social media and other applications for the Web. She sent me this moving video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQjYhv8

It’s amazing. With only 18% of TV commercials resulting in positive ROI I’m shocked companies continue spending millions on such an inferior media.

24 out of 25 major newspapers are seeing a major decline in readership. Here’s a thought for you – publish your paper to the Kindle!!!

Only a small handful of companies are even tracking what’s being said about their company on social media, much less using it to their advantage. Something needs to be done here. Use this recession to your advantage and step into the 21st century.

Finally, a conference I can afford.

A few weeks ago I finally found a conference I want to go to that I can afford. It’s called The Book Academy, a conference for writers & readers, here at UVU, and it only cost me $40! Plus it pays for breakfast & lunch! So many times I hear of a great conference that I would absolutely love to go to, but it costs upwards of $200 and more! I can’t believe what these people are charging. Are their costs really that high?

Anyway, this sounds like it will be a really great conference. Of course I wanted to go to about 3/4 of the available workshops, but obviously that’s not going to work. Luckily my boss is going to come too so we’re splitting up the list of workshops we want to go to and then exchanging notes afterwards. That way I can get the information from more workshops than I might otherwise. (I wish they’d sell or give the transcripts and presentations from all the workshops after the conference.)

Either way, this ought to be a great conference. I’m so glad I could go. I sure wish more conferences were affordable (okay, so the term affordable is subjective, but it takes much less to save up $40 compared to $200).

Changing Blog Name

Goodness. It’s been forever since I added anything here. I’ve been continueing to work on businesses, which are all just ideas right now.

I was in a class recently that suggested I start a blog talking about my business(es). I’ve been thinking about possible businesses I could start/work on, and I’ve concluded that the best ones I could do right now are 1. my comics (including VacancyComics.com and Fruit Salad Agency) and 2. Web Development freelance. Both of these I was thinking of putting under a larger company I’d call Sindy Web Studios that would include Web Development, artwork, and other artistic works.

In order to do anything with the Web Development freelance I would need to catch up on some latest technology, methods, designs, programming languages, etc. With that said, I will finish up the project I’m currently working on (which will take a while) and then take a break while I study.

In the meantime I’ll be working on VacancyComics.com. I’ll continue to develop Fruit Salad Agency, but most of my efforts should be on VacancyComics.com. I’ll be working on making it easy enough to keep up with it. That was one of the major reasons why I left it before is because it took so much time to create a new comic each week. Therefore, I’ll be working on making it easier to create. I’ll also be working on redoing the Web Site which will include a lot of research to make it the best I can. I’m hoping to make it good enough to include it in a Web Development portfolio to one day show potential clients.

Anyway, so I’ve changed the blog name in order to bring it closer to my actual business(es). Sadly, I cannot change the URL (one day I will), but at least the name itself has changed to Sindy Web Studios.

Thanks to all who have kept up with my little blog and been so patient with me.

Five Year Plan – Year 1 Breakdown

Let’s start breaking down the years:

Year 1: Planning & Learning – Decide what I’m going to do and how I’m going to do it.

There are a ton and a half of things to do this first year. And since this year has already begun I better get my hide going!

I haven’t planned everything I’m going to do this year (mostly because as I move one and learn then this list will constantly grow and change). But here are some of the things on my list so far:

• Business Planning & Research
  • Decide on which business
  • Conduct market research
  • Develop a business plan
  • Research costs
  • Research SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
  • Research shopping carts and merchant accounts
• Things to learn in general
  • Take classes at local community college (part-time only) – I’m currently taking Principle of Marketing, and later I plan to take Drawing I (whether it applies to the business or not), and Business Law
  • Learn about taxes
  • Learn more about business practices and setting up a business
  • Learn bookkeeping (and find a good software application – does anyone know a good one?)
• Additional actions
  • Invest at least a little money (this will require more research)
  • Initiate networking
  • Find a good accountant, attorney, etc. (anyone know some good ones?)
  • Save money for copyrighting (if necessary), and other initial business costs

As I said, this list is far from complete. I will need to get it into a more finalized condition. Plus I will need to break it down even more into what I need to do/learn for each item, and then into specific checklists and smaller, bite-sized, goals. And then it might be a good idea to set up an overall completion chart to chart my progress and perhaps even give myself a reward system, but then again I might be giving myself too much to do that has little to do with getting this year’s goal(s) done. (i.e. don’t give yourself too much to do or it won’t get done.)

The Five Year Plan!

Okay, now that we’ve determined that we are going to do this, we are going to do this right! I’m starting by planning. Yes, that ever so popular word for those who are more organized than a filing cabinet. I’ve never been good at planning or organizing (just look at my bedroom), but if I’m going to do this right, then I’m going to have to do this right or not do it at all!

Let’s start with a five year plan. I’ve often heard it in my business classes, but never really thought about creating my own.

Most the time, when someone mentions a five year plan, they also include the idea of selling their business, as if that is part and parcel to the whole five year plan concept. But what if I don’t want to sell my business (at least not until I’m ready to do so – and not at a predetermined time)? Simple – 1) replace that notion with some other goal (like grossing 1 million), or 2) forget about some big something at the end of those five years. The point is get a five year plan, no matter what you put at the end of those five years (of course it works best if you do have a big goal, at least put some big reward like a cruise or something and what goal(s) you want to achieve during those years like keep the house clean).

So, what about my five year plan? My goal at the end of these five years is to build my Mom’s dream house. Why my Mother’s and not mine? Simple: 1) I love her (duh), and 2) she’s better at planning and building houses than I am and she wants to make this really cool envelope style house that will virtually eliminate utility bills and uncomfortable summers and winters (I’ll have to tell you more about it as things progress) that I might like to build for myself one day too.

Note: I keep saying five year plan, but it doesn’t have to be five years. That’s just a good number that most people use (plus it’s my favorite number). I’m just using it because my Mom will then be over 60 and she fears that if she doesn’t have her dream house by then, she never will.

Next step: break down the five years into steps towards your main goal. Since we need to raise a whole bunch of money in order to do this (to pay off their current mortgage and to pay for the new house – without taking out another loan) I’ve decided that perhaps the best way is to start a business (or work with what I have).

So here’s what I have so far:
Year 1: Planning & Learning – decide what I’m going to do and how I’m going to do it. Yes this will take a whole year simply because there are so many things I need to learn and decide.
Year 2: Implementation – start the business (or work with what I have). Of course this will include beginning to grow the business and save up money for the house.
Year 3: Grow – here I’ll be growing my business. This will help the revenue come in faster.
Year 4: Saving – I’m just going to be saving up my pennies here. There won’t be much growth in the business.
Year 5: Preparation – yes, another preparation year. This is for preparing for the house. Basically preparing the lot, finishing the building plans, getting permits, etc.
Finished: Building the House! – and my Mom will get her dream house.

Next time… Breaking down the years.

“My Wings are My Dreams & On Towards the Sky!”

I enjoy anime (but only the clean ones, no violence, nudity, etc.). Recently my friends introduced me to Kaleido Star. It’s about a young girl who fights anything and everything with such incredible vigor to fulfill her dream of becoming a star in a large production circus troupe (circus as in tight rope, trapeze, etc. not animals). This including terrible schedules and back breaking practice to do the impossible. She’s also rather a klutz, a loud mouth who always states her mind, and is always getting into trouble

Sometimes I feel like her. I’m the klutz who is always messing up. I’m the one with the big dreams trying to go after the impossible. Except there is one difference – I’m not brave at all. Sure, sometimes I’m a loud mouth too, but that’s only because I’m a shy mouse who won’t get it out unless I yell it out sometimes.

I’m always supposedly trying and then falling on my face, and then giving up. That’s why I’m writing this blog. I’m going to find my voice someday. I’m going to be brave too someday and keep getting back up. I’m going to fulfill my impossible dreams someday. That’s why I’m writing this blog. To share my journey, and one day it will be a complete story with a happy ending. I will become a successful entrepreneur.

Finding Time

Is it just my imagination, or are my last few posts a bit negative? And this one may be as well. I’m talking about time today, and the lack thereof.

Basically entrepreneurship takes a lot of time, especially if you keep your day job like everyone including myself suggests. Then there are those with households, those who are mothers, those going to school, and basically anyone who is wearing multiple hats. I’m still in shock over hearing about women who would be mothers (sometimes single mothers), working full-time, going to school full-time, plus they wanted to start their own businesses. If they can do it then I’m proud of them, but at the same time I could always watch their candles burn at both ends.

In the latest new Superman movie (which I didn’t care for in case you are wondering) Lux Luther (or however you spell his name) basically said that land is a rare commodity since we can’t make more of it. I beg to differ. Just throw a bunch of rocks out into some body of water and before long you have your own island, and who wouldn’t want to own their own island?

Time on the other hand can’t be made. If you want more time you simply hire someone else who has more time. Basically you are buying their time.

So, how do crazy women who do everything under the sun do it? Good question. First of all I think it’s a lack of priorities and organization, but that’s an argument for another day. Beyond that I think it’s just plain determination. It’s determination to make it in this world. It’s determination to see their dreams a reality. It’s determination to not be swallowed up by everything. It’s determination to take care of their duties while taking care of everything else too.

And so I’ve begun to see the effects of determination work in my own life. I’m tired of failing. I’m tired of seeing unfinished projects and unfinished dreams. Slowly but surely this determination is finding root and growing within me, so watch out world cause here I come! (I just hope I can keep at least one end of my candle intact.)

Getting Tired

My Mom was telling about a book she had read about de-cluttering one’s house. It mentioned a concept called the boredom factor. That’s how quickly someone gets bored with something and then moves on to other things. Toddlers have very short boredom factors.

So, what does this have to do with business? Just about everything. I like crafts, and at any given time I have several projects going on at once. Why? Because I too have a short boredom factor. I get tired of working on one project, or I get an idea for a new one, then I just drop whatever I’m doing and go on to new things. In other words: previous projects don’t get done, I get tired and depressed quickly, and worst of all – I find it hard to concentrate on one business and the tasks associated with it. I’m still struggling with choosing one business and sticking with it. I can’t imagine myself doing one business for years to come, much less the rest of my life.

Now don’t start worrying quite yet. There are a couple of things I can, and am, doing. 1. I just need to find something that will keep me hoping from one project to another and keep my mind and hands busy doing new and fun things. 2. Learn how to focus my attentions. Learn that I can’t go on to another project until the previous one is done. And learn how to stick to it and have patience.

Of course I’ll be struggling with this my whole life, but I’m slowly getting there. If fact, any business worth it’s salt takes a lot of time, hard work, and perseverance. It’s very rare to be a smash hit right off the bat. So, I’m patiently waiting for the perfect business idea, for someone to buy my products, and even for learning all I need to know about starting and running a business.

New Contacts Make Me Dizzy

It’s amazing what kind of lessons can apply to business. For instance I got new contacts today for the very first time in my life! That all great, but I had no idea that they would make me dizzy. In fact, I hear tell that my eyeballs won’t be used to them for about three days! Yikes. If I had been a big business person with important meetings, events, and the such, being sea sick for three day would not have been the best idea.

So with that said here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Make sure you know what you’re getting into and all that it includes (at least as much as you can)
2. Think about how it may affect your business – even if it is a physical or personal thing it can have a large impact, but don’t put off doing something that needs done, just prepare for it so there’s minimal impact
3. Try to be prepared in case something sneaks up on you

I Lost a Client :<

Apparently it hurts when you loose a client. This one was one of my freelance clients (i.e. Web Design). I guess I don’t blame her. I was slacking off, but that makes it hurt even worse. Knowing that you could have done something about it. At least we are even on the payments. So this is what I learned from this experience:

1. If you say that you are going to do something – make it a priority and get it done ASAP (i.e. before you go do much of anything else).
2. Do the very best job that you can. The client is more important than yourself (but always remember that your family has the highest priority).
3. Make sure that you don’t have to depend on your clients for anything, especially paying your bills. This means KEEP YOUR DAY JOB.
4. Have a contract! Not just what the developer will deliver and when, but what the owner’s end of the deal is too including the payments. For web site work I strongly suggest doing a check point payment method. Make steps and goals for your site (for example: the site design, design implementation, shopping cart, etc.) and then pay the site developer after the step is done and approved.

That said, I’ve been guest lecturing in a friend’s class in which I talk about hiring a Web Developer. Here is the PowerPoint I’ve created for that lecture: Hiring a Web Developer (note: this PowerPoint is in constant flux, I will occasionally be re-uploading it, last upload on Nov. 13, 2007)