We pulled up to the hotel in downtown Miami after dark.
The hotel was recommended by the standup paddle race we were attending the next day.
The sign was spray painted on the side of the painted concrete wall. Spray. Painted. There’s a first time for everything, I guess. Perhaps it was good that the sign was spray painted because I didn’t expect much when we went inside.
And, I can’t say my expectations weren’t met, because they sure were! (I always say, though, if everything goes right there’s no story. But that’s a story for another day.)
****
The Waterway Lodge in Wrightsville Beach just got a new sign. It’s a doors-open-to-the-outside small condo/studio motel just before the drawbridge. I never thought much about it other than, “Hm. Must be a low cost option in WB. Hope they have pest control.”
Snotty? Maybe, but that was my impression from the sign. One of those outdoor changeable letter boards that was yellowing from age with the only two notes: Vacancy! (Or No Vacancy!) and Pet Friendly! Old graphics, old paint job. Not old kitschy cool Just old.
Then we drove by a couple of nights ago and—BAM! New sign!
“Huh,” I thought. “Maybe they’ve remodeled.”
****
Like it or not, a first impression matters, and like it or not, for freelancers or the self-employed that first impression often happens on the internet. Or, if you meet at a conference, the second impression (maybe the one that makes people dig deeper) happens on the internet.
If you have a website, that’s where they’re gonna go.
When they get there, what will they see?
- Will they see your face, so they remember meeting you?
- Will your website be easy to navigate so they can find what they need?
- Will they be able to look through current examples of your work?
- Will they be able to contact you?
A website doesn’t have to be fancy, but it has to be functional.
Like it or not, it will give an impression about the type of work you do and the type of service you offer. It’s basically your sign. The shingle you hang out for the world to see. Do you look like you have your act together? Do you look like you understand the current market?
A lot of people on my list are in the garden world and summer conferences and trade shows are coming up. Does your website need a facelift so it works for you when the conference is over?
We’re reaching the end of time to think about that.
Need help? Hit reply and I’ll see how I can help. (It might be doing an evaluation and giving you some tips, it might be referring you to someone else, but there’s still a LITTLE bit of time to get things done.)
Last Chance to Sign Up: Email Marketing Webinar
I’m teaching a webinar about email marketing TOMORROW. Yesterday I recorded a bunch of Mail Chimp getting started videos, as a bonus, so you get the webinar, and then you get a bunch of bonuses.
If you’ve wanted to start building your email program for yourself and your clients this is the one to attend. (Hint: if you don’t have an email list you are leaving money on the table. I’ll explain why during the webinar.) There will be some follow up materials and, if you can’t make the live webinar, sign up, and you can listen to the replay.
Learn more and register here >
Bookmarks of the Week
Mind Your Business Podcast
James Wedmore is my mentor’s mentor and he talks about the most massive thing that holds pretty much all of us back: our mindset.
Know, Like, Trust
This is an article I wrote for the APLD journal, The Designer. It is an interview with landscape designer Tina Krug, and talks about how she’s used Instagram to grow her business with some good tips and resources.
National Hurricane Center
It is officially hurricane season, and if you’re traveling anywhere in the Eastern part of the US, you might find this handy.
Free Stock Photos
I’m sure you all know about Pixabay, but if you don’t, they have some great free stock photo options.
Have a great week! Holler if I can help you!
