Photograph by Sante Forlano, Vogue 1958
This week I was sitting at Wheelhouse Coffee, drinking my afternoon double tall split shot nonfat cappuccino and looking out at the city, trying to imagine what it was going to be like to wake up every morning and decide how my day is going to look. It’s going to be so weird/awesome to delete my day job email account from my iPhone, and not be scrambling around each morning to attempt to make it in to the office.
In just two weeks I get to decide everything – what projects I’m going to take on, when I’m going to work on them, and, for the most part, what I’m going to do with them. I get to spend every single day immersed in fun, creative, pretty things, and I can do my work anywhere that I want. Note to sponsors/publishers: Someday I’d like to do it in a cool European city for at least one year. I have a cute kid who is very photogenic. :)
Every now and then the fear/doubt creeps back in, but for the most part I’ve just been excited and eager to get started since I made this choice. It’s almost time.
Updates
1. Started collecting email addresses for my mailing list
Have you guys signed up for my mailing list yet? You should! I joined MailChimp (one of our lovely sponsors at this year’s Alt Summit) and am collecting subscribers for upcoming newsletters. I’m not exactly sure when the first one will go out yet, but definitely by early-mid July. Sandra, shh! It’s coming!
My newsletter isn’t going to be rehashed content from this blog. I will include some of my favorite recent posts, but I want to provide newsletter subscribers with something more. I’m including exclusive, never before seen on the blog content, as well as discounts on some of the services I’ll be offering in my new consulting business.
2. Took a Social Media 201 class on the Alt Channel
On Wednesday evening I took an Alt Channel class taught by the engaging and funny Erin Hiemstra of Apartment 34. She packed a lot of information into an hour! I learned a couple of new tricks, but mostly I confirmed that I’m doing a lot of things right. That’s always nice to know. If you’re just starting out with social media/social media branding and aren’t really sure where to go with it, check out one of Erin’s classes on the Alt Channel. It will be the best $15 you ever spent.
3. Got a new headshot
Drew graciously agreed to take some photos of me to use for my upcoming website revision. I’ve changed the photo on my About Me page and started editing the rest of the photos to use on my landing/business page. Sneak preview: Shh…the photos are most likely going to be put together like a photobooth photostrip.
4. Began working with a new sponsor
Last week I was approached by a company that was interested in sponsoring some of my upcoming design posts. We negotiated our deal, and the first post ran yesterday! I’m really happy with the way it turned out and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.
5. Requested blurbs/testimonials
I contacted a few people I’ve worked with in some of the different service areas I’m going to be providing and requested blurbs/testimonials to include on my business page and in my marketing materials. That’s at least a step in working on my page!
6. Coffee with bloggers and walks with an event planner
When you’re working as a freelancer and doing most of your work from home, it’s vital that you get out into the world and socialize or co-work with other people like you. Last Saturday I had coffee and chatted with some of my favorite Seattle bloggers. I’ve set up a weekly walk around Green Lake with my super awesome new event planning pal Kelli. I’m going to plan some regular co-working and/or coffee dates with friends to make sure that I’m seeing and talking to people so I don’t go insane or drive my telecommuting husband crazy. Key takeaway: Mental health is important when you’re planning to start a business.
7. Submitted photos to Veer
I’m going to work on getting some of my photography accepted at stock photo agencies. My first choice is a long shot, but I’m starting with Veer.
#fail
I still have no business page and I’ve given little thought to the setup of the landing page.
And this is an example of why I had to resign from my day job before I taking on more clients. There’s just not enough time to do it all. Hurry hurry June 29th!
What’s Next?
SERIOUSLY. I need to revise this website as soon as possible.
I have to delete some stuff, condense some stuff, and write some new stuff. I need a new landing page and a business page, as Noonie would say, pronto.
Questions for You
Do you have a mailing list? How often do you email your subscribers? What kinds of things do you include in your newsletters? If you include links to products that you sell or discounts to services that you offer, how well do those work for you? Please let me know in the comments section!
One more thing. Since it’s Friday, I’m going to show you something hilarious that I got from my mom this week. She sent Drew a cookbook and Nathaniel some toys. Here’s what she tucked into the box for me.
$20 bucks and a super silly photograph of me in 4th or 5th grade. My mom is funny. I heart her.
I hope you guys have a great weekend! See you back here on Monday. xoxo