Category Archives: Resources
Question Time: How do you keep track of your clients
Good Morning,
After a conversation with a colleague, it was quite interesting to hear the different approaches to managing or keeping track of clients from person to person. I would put everything down in a note book or display folder for each of my clients so all of their file was together, but carrying 4 files with me when I’d do heavy consultation day, meant I needed a truck get from A to B and so forth.
There are an ample amount of digital software out there that can be used, for example keeping a (Microsoft) Word document for each client, an Excel spreadsheet or Access database, in the past I’ve liked OneNote for it’s flexibility and digital factoring when it comes to creating notebooks and what not… however I found it tedious having to take notes on paper then transfer them back into the OneNote program after a consultation. So the quest continued….
That was up until I came across EVERNOTE..
DIY Product Photography at Home
Take a professional product photo from home using your phone!
As someone who completely values the work and efforts and talent a professional photographer has in order to create the masterpieces that they produce, it’s also beneficial to try and keep costings down when you’re just starting out in business. Professional product photography can often be expensive and is something we often don’t have the needed budget to have every product we create professional photographed.
Although we don’t have tangible products so-to-speak, we do have ample clients who do, and who struggle with getting crisp professional images without the need to book in a photographer each time they release a new product. It’s not practical. Being able to take professional looking photos of your products at home would not only be a great skill to have but it will improve the enticement levels of clients to want to purchase your product – simply on how it looks!
This is where, the wonderful “youtube”, can play a major part in the learning process. By simply going to youtube and typing in what you want to know you will literally find hundreds of video tutorials, keying in “DIY product photography” or “Product Photography Tutorials” will bring up ample videos to get started.
Below you’ll find one of the many I’ve watched that seemed to have the most relevant information and for businesses with small scale products this would be fantastic! All of those soaps and candles, jewellery and more.
IPhone Product Photography Tutorial At Home:
Check out the video; it uses:
â–ºa white box,
â–º3 desk lamps,
â–ºan iPhone
â–ºand a piece paper.
How easy is this!!
Webinar: Sell More Online with Great Product
Photography (eBay and Etsy)
10 Product Photography Tips
This video contains more complex tips… for those who have camera with fancy features
Visit our facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/nataliecrowedesigns
Tony Robbins Rapid Planning Method
I found this great video on Rapid Planning Method (RPM)
Webinar Tax Basics for Small Business
One of our wonderful facebook fans (TONI) has just brought this to our attention. For those who may be interested. The link below is a webinar looking at the fundamental principles of income tax deductions that apply to all businesses and the tax treatment of different deductions, including depreciation of assets.
https://www.ato.gov.au/Business/Bus/TB2-Tax-basics-for-small-business—income-tax-deductions/
How can I promote my business on a limited budget?
1. Start off simple.
Utilise the FREE tools available
List your business on free listing sites, – (From memory) yellow pages has a free listing option, truelocal has a free listing option.
2. Start a Facebook page – If you’re not sure how. Seek someone who can.
3. Get yourself a Business Card.
Most business use Vistaprint as a foundation – they have starter cards for as little as $30 for 250 cards delivered (may change since time of post) using one of their designs populated with your details – (Although, if you’re an established business – I’d recommend steering away from Vistaprint designs and creating your own identity – having a card designed , as there are thousands of businesses using the same designs. This is ideal as a starting point.
If you’re crafty enough, you could also make your cards. You can create business cards in some of the Microsoft Office Programs and make some yourself. Print them, decorate, if you can get hold of a laminator this may be another option. They are not as professional – but an option.
4.Hand out business cards when meeting people.One for them and one for them to pass on.
5.Leave cards at local establishments – Business Enterprise Centres, Preschool,Sports groups, Pin them on the notice board at the shopping centre.
6.Make a brochure – Make a list of what you offer, if you can help it put photographs or samples of your work and leave tear off strips for people to take, leaving these on notice boards in the local community.
7.Pass your brochure around often!
8.Sponsor your local school.
Donate your services or products, or ask what’s involved to get in their newsletter
9.Do a mailbox drop
I found a DL sie (1/3 A4 Page) brochure or even 1/2 A4 page works well.
For a little ink, time on the computer, and a bit of persperation to walk the neighbourhood you could find your next big client.
10.Setup a website – as a web business we know that having a website is important, there are freebie sites you can setup, To read about the Benefits of having your own website and Free or Cost effective places to get one
11.Start a blog. – A blog is an abbreviation for “Web Log” – Almost like an online Journal for your business – Although you don’t have to keep it so personal that you’re telling everyone what you’re having to eat for breakfast every morning ( may be appropriate if you’re a personal trainer or health guru – but otherwise)
12.Volunteer your time/skills services in exchange for Testimonial/Reviews or Service
13.Talk about your business, your passion and your interests.
14.Send out a mailing list
15.Attend a market and talk to prospective customers
16.Go to events where similar businesses are or prospective customers are likely to be and interact with them, see how things run, get a feel for what it’s like.
17Ask some in your industry for advice, support or mentorship
18.Sponsor events that your target market are likely to be at – Enquire how much it would cost to be a sponsor and what’s involved. If it’s not do-able right now put it in the – possibilities in the future box.
19.Create signs and place them locally. – Trip to hardware store for Corflute Boards, Poster paint – Permanent Markets and some patience to write a quick message.
20.Add your business contact details to your email footer.
Have An Existing VistaPrint website?
After being approached by several clients in the last few weeks we’ve been researching the best way to solve the following situation:
“Hi Nat, I have an existing website that I setup with vistaprint. I’ve got and email address using the website address (domain) in addition having the website address on all of my business cards and advertising material, so I really don’t want to lose the website address, but I am not happy with my website. What other options do I have? is it easier just to start a new website? Thanks Mel ”
There are a few options:
Starting from Scratch.
You can get a brand new 5 page information website for $600 including:
– Purchase and Setup of a new website address (Domain),
– Website Hosting & Editing Software for 12 months (Online Storage for files related to your website and an interface to edit your website)
– Custom designed layout to suit your business (overall appearance of your website)
– 5 webpages e.g Homepage, About Us, [Custom page 1], [Custom page 2], Contact Us
– basic contact form (your prospective customers can fill in online for that send enquiries directly to your designated email address)
– basic search engine optimisation (help your business get found on the search engines)
– and the ability to edit your site yourself
– and a how to Tutorial on using the system
We also offer email hosting for $60 a year ($5 a month)
you’ll get a
webmail access and ability to set your email on your phone, or computer
via most common email programs.
Requesting VISTA PRINT release your domain name (website address).
We recently contact vista print with the following email:
” How would I go about transferring my domain to another service provider? I have branded my business including my cards with the domain registered with Vista Print but would like to use my domain with an alternative service Kind Regards Nat ”
Vista Print Reply today:
We have received your request
to transfer your domain name you have registered with Vistaprint to another
registrar. Vistaprint can release the domain to you, but you must transfer the
domain to a new registrar. The transfer deadline is the anniversary date of when
you signed up for it on.
Please read the information below. If you would like to release the domain to
you, please send a confirmation email and we will add your Domain Transfer
Package to your Shopping Cart. Releasing the domain will not cancel your current
website or business email address. To cancel go to My Services, then Account
Information and follow the self-cancellation path.
The domain registry requires that your domain name has been registered for at
least 60 days before you can transfer it to another registrar. This is industry
protocol, not a Vistaprint requirement.
The general process is as follows:
- Release Payment: Pay an administrative fee to release the domain name from
Vistaprint. The cost is $29.99. You are purchasing the right to the name, not
the registration. - Email Instructions: Once we process your payment for the release, you will
receive an email with a user name and password for OpenSRS and transfer
instructions. The following are the two main steps to transfer the domain. - Opensrs:
- Contact Information: Go to https://manage.opensrs.net and update your
contact records using the user name and password in the email you received from
Vistaprint. Make sure to update all contact types (Administrative, Technical,
and Billing). Vistaprint will remain the Organization Contact until the domain
is completely transferred. All email communication from Opensrs will be sent to
the person listed as the Administrative Contact. - Unlock Domain: Go to Domain Locking and make sure domain locking is
disabled. - Authorization Code / EPP code: For com, .net, .org, .info, and .us domain
names, you will need a code for the new registrar. It can be found under Domain
Extras.
Additional Instructions: Follow any other instructions sent to you
by email from OpenSRS.
- Contact Information: Go to https://manage.opensrs.net and update your
- Transfer to New Registrar:
- Contact Information: If you haven’t done so already, sign up for a new
registrar and domain transfer at the registrar’s website. - Nameserver Information: Get the nameserver information for the new registrar
and go back to OpenSRS and enter it under Manage Name Servers. - Additional Instructions: Follow any additional instructions they send by
email.
- Contact Information: If you haven’t done so already, sign up for a new
Transfer the domain to your new registrar as soon as possible. If you don’t
transfer before the domain expires on the anniversary date when you signed up
for it on , your domain will become inactive and you’ll have 30 days after the
expiration to complete the transfer process before your domain name goes back
into the pool where another person can take it.
We hope you find this information helpful. Please feel free to contact us if
you have any further questions.
