Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Resources for Starting a Blog or Creative Business


Friends! I've got some exciting news to share with you today. I am so very honored to be included among so many talented, creative business women in Pursuit's newest bundle of helpful e-books. Truly humbled to be in this company! If you haven't heard of Pursuit, it is their mission to "encourage, equip and empower creative entrepreneurial women to walk in the fullness of calling. Through their online member safe haven, monthly gatherings, and national conferences, they have created places for you to link arms with like hearted women who will champion you into your best, and ensure that you are never again, alone in your journey". Isn't that wonderful? That is so my heart!


There are 5 new books with advice and information from over 50 influential women in business (look at the list above to see who else is included!) They are The Nitty Gritty, A Brand To Remember, Advice From The Trenches, All About Blogging, and Show Me The Money. But TODAY is launch day, so the gals at Pursuit have bundled the 5 books into one for a special deal for 96 hours! This bundle also includes Pursuit Video Pass with over 25 hours of classes from our previous conferences. + 3 other helpful e-books. Now that is awesome :) Guess what's even better?  If you use the code "michaelanoelle" at checkout, you'll receive $10 off your bundle. You can purchase it here.

You can also download this FREE E-Book which answers the ever-important question of what you wish you knew BEFORE you started your creative business! (I wish I would have had this resource before I launch Michaela Noelle Designs, so if you're starting your own business soon or already have, be sure to jump on this!)

I thought I'd share some of the questions that creative business owners, including myself, are answering in the e-books, so you can see just how valuable this information might be to you! My commentary is in bold, just for fun.

BOOK 1: THE NITTY GRITTY

What should I include in my contract & proposal?

Do you use an accountant or bookkeeper? (I learned so much in reading other ladies' advice, that I even went out and got myself a CPA!)

How much should I save for taxes? (Hands down the biggest thing I learned in my first year of business! Spoiler Alert: I set aside 30% for taxes.)

Is your business covered by insurance? Why/Why not?

Do you have a business plan? What does it include?

What is the best method you have found to manage your bookings and your time?

How do you ensure that you get paid?

At what point do you feel it is time to hire extra help?

What type of business setup are you? Sole Prop? LLC? S Corp?



BOOK 2: SHOW ME THE MONEY

How do you manage finances when seasons are often inconsistent?

What is the best way you have found to manage getting paid on time?

How do you handle billing?

Do you have sales goals? Client goals? Number of event goals? Or just go with whatever comes? (Goals are SO important and this section of the book motivated me!)

How do you manage price quotes?

What are 3 great sales tactics you have used to gain new clients?

What are the absolute best ways you have found to market and advertise?

How do you get new customers?



BOOK 3: A BRAND TO REMEMBER

How Important is branding? (If you're just starting out, this is the section you'll want to hone in on because having a clear and consistent brand is KEY!)

How do you brand your business?

Who did you use to design your branding?

How do you use social media to promote your business? (This is a huge one for me!! Instagram all the way.)

What website company do you use?

What social media scheduling tools do you use? (Lots of practical advice here)

What are some successful ways you’ve found to grow your newsletter list?



BOOK 4: ADVICE FROM THE TRENCHES

What are your core values?

How do you handle copycats? (So much girl power in this section. Loved it!)

What are some of the most important things you’ve learned as you started your business?

What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made? (The honesty here is so refreshing)

How do you compete with hobbyists who give things away that your business charges for?

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

What are 3 things you wish someone had told you before you started your business?

As creatives, we love SO many things. How do you choose what to focus on, and what to say no to?

How did your business start?

Have you ever had to fire a customer?

What are some of the most important things to ask a client from the start? (REALLY solid practical things to ask clients. Loved hearing from all sorts of creative business owners! I even got some new ideas to ask new clients.)

What advice do you have for working a destination wedding?



BOOK 5: ALL ABOUT BLOGGING

What are the most important skills a blogger should be working on developing? (Want to start a blog?! THIS IS A GOLD MINE)

What are the top 3 ways you make money from your blog?

How do you get paid to endorse products or services?

How do you decide what to post each week?

If someone is looking to take their blog to the next level, what top 3 things should they focus on changing or implementing?

How do you separate yourself from other bloggers out there?

Advice for those wanting to start a blog

What is your blogging schedule like?

Do you sell products through your blog? If yes, what & how?

Do you use any scheduling software? If so, what?

***

Like I said, I so wish something like this existed before I started my business. My answers and advice are included in the book, but that doesn't mean I have it all figured out. I am so thankful for the advice of others in the E-Books because I gained a ton of knowledge from others who have gone before me. To the founder of Pursuit, Karen Stott, thank you so much for including me in this book!

So watcha waiting for?! Go get yourself a digital copy of all these incredible resources HERE. You'll thank me later :) Don't forget if you use the code "michaelanoelle" at checkout, you'll receive $10 off your bundle.

Happy Day!
xoxo


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1 comment

  1. Love this! Seems like a great program. Wish this was around back when I started blogging and running a side business! Congrats on participating, M!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by! If you have a specific question, please email me at hello@michaelanoelledesigns.com. I always reply to emails! Have a blessed day! xoxo

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