Archive for Resources
9 Questions to Ask Your Potential Web Designer
Posted by: | CommentsFinding a great website designer is like finding a great home builder. Don't be afraid to ask around, interview a few and never make excuses for shoddy work or unreliable service.
My rule of thumb that I share with clients is to interview three designers who meet the following critieria (this can be local or someone you found online):
- you like their own website
- you like their portfolio
- their own website has the “marketing elements” in place that you want in your own website (demonstrating they understanding the marketing application of design - ezine, shopping cart links, updated blog, social networking links, etc… )
- and finally, they seem to be organized (they respond to your inquiry in a timely manner, there are no errors on their website such as broken links, typos, etc…)
- Can you build a wordpress site with integrated blog? (What you need if you want to make your own changes to your site.)
- Or would you do a regular site with an integrated wordpress blog? (You must have a blog and it is best built on wordpress or typepad.
- How much time do they need to get the project done? When is their next opening?
- What happens if you don’t meet that deadline?
- What’s your system for keeping me abreast of your project progress?
- What’s your philosophy on design revisions?
- Do you have client testimonials and references I can contact?
- Price review and does the price include…
- uploading all of your copy and images into the design
- uploading your newsletter HTML code for your email newsletter sign up box
- uploading the design to your hosting account (your hosting account MUST be in YOUR NAME)
- integrating all of your social networking links
- setting up your blog within the site
9. How much for a business card design to match my website?
Above all, you want to trust your instincts. Do they sound a little crazy, overwhelmed, too busy, and temperamental? Do they overpower you with THIER ideas for your website? Do they seem to have drama in their life? (This means drama in your project FOR SURE.) And these are signs someone is not going to be reliable long-term. Or are they steady, focused, in integrity and open to executing your ideas. Trust yout gut.
Of course it's always best to go to your designers knowing what you want (I give my clients a design brief that instructs their design team exactly what goes where, colors, look and feel and more. There's no guesswork.) After all, it's not you design team's job to figure out your business brand, message and how it should be expressed. Otherwise you end up taking months and months to do your website.
Not only will these questions help ensure you choose the right person, someone you can build a good business relationship with, but it will help you sound like you know what you're talking about.
To your success,
Karin
Like this quick tip? Then don't miss my weekly marketing material insights and resources for wellness pros here: http://mmmaven.com/newsletter
Ready to get going in your practice? Check out my Fast Start to Clients Program here: http://wellpronet.org/faststartguide It's not to late to join us!
Get Going Tip: DIY Website Design Options
Posted by: | CommentsSometimes, when you're just starting out, spending a few thousand on a website isn't in the budget.
Or if you're not sure about your message but you just want to get started, a DIY (do-it-yourself) option is perfect for the first few years of your practice.
Here are my top DIY website design services for getting your website up FAST and on a anyone-can–do-budget.
Here's how they work:
1) You pick a template
2) Customize the template with your copy, pictures, header, etc…
3) Publish it to the world wide web.
And get back to the business of growing your practice instead of fussing with web design.
Here are a few DIY resources to get going FAST:
1) Wordpress. com
(If you want a step-by-step course on setting up a wordpress blog and site check out my husband's e-course here: http://www.drewrozell.com/wordpress-in-one-hour/)
2) Yola.com
3) Citymax.com
If you're a physician, a DIY option is out of the question if you have busy practice. I suggest you 1) hire a marketing assistant who's only job is to execute your marketing plans, including project managing your website development or 2) outsource your website design to an all-in-one company who specializes in great looking and effective sites that have marketing elements included such as http://physiciandesigns.com or http://clicktoclient.com to get started.
Here's to getting out there and sharing what you know,
Karin
Like this quick tip? Then don't miss my weekly marketing material insights and resources for wellness pros here: http://mmmaven.com/newsletter
Ready to get going in your practice? Check out my Fast Start to Clients Program here: http://wellpronet.org/faststartguide It starts this week!
Marketing Material Tip: 5 minute online presence upgrade
Posted by: | CommentsHere's a quick way to make your blog posts and blog comments more professional, more authentic and give your online presence a human touch.
Add a Gravatar.
"Your Gravatar is an image (usually your professional head shot) that follows you from site to site appearing beside your name when you do things like comment or post on a blog. Avatars help identify your posts on blogs and web forums."
Many do-it-yourself websites (like leading blog software) already have a plugin for your Gravatar that you can activate with a click of a button.
If that makes no sense to you, don't worry, just go to Gravatar.com and sign up for a free account. Just be sure the email you use to sign up matches your website.
If you are a service professional, please don't use an image of you and your cat (unless you're an animal communicator) or some other silly photo. Part of attracting a steady flow of great opportunities is the willingess to be seen in the world as a professional. And a professional looking head shot makes a difference.
Go to Gravatar.com. It only takes about 5 minutes to set up. 
Don't be surprised when your friends and colleagues say "How did you do that!?" You'll look like an online savvy pro!
To your success,
Karin
Like what you read? Then sign up for my free email tips on upgrading your professional presentation for wellness pros. http://mmmaven.com/newsletter
Want to learn how to do things RIGHT in your wellness marketing and save yourself time, money and tons of frustration? Consider my Fast Start Guide to Clients Program begining Jan 27th and learn how to jumpstart your success FAST: http://wellpronet.org/faststartguide
Wellness Pro Holiday Marketing Tip: Send a Special Offer NOW
Posted by: | CommentsOne of the things I love for my new clients to do while I'm working on revamping their marketing materials, is to encourage them to send out a special offer to their email or snail-mail mailing list.
Nine out of ten times, this brings in a quick boost of revenue and starts to "teach" their list of current and past clients that new ideas are coming soon, and get them familiar to "program style" offerings.
My newest client, a therapist from Canada, had never sent a mailing to her client list (online or offline) nor had she offered a program or a package of sessions. Everyone paid for each session as they went along. Which is not what I recommend for a variety of reasons.
So we quickly put together a warm, friendly holiday letter in the spirit of "I'm thinking of you this holiday season and if you're like most of my clients, you might be going through X,Y, Z… and I have an idea that may be able to help." The "idea" is a package of sessions with a special pricing if they signed up and paid in full by Dec 31st.
So far four people have said YES and she's grossed a nice little profit when her practice normally goes quiet in December. (Dec 19, 2010 update: She filled all 10 slots and more are coming in with requests for January!)
What she's also learned is that there are people who want to work with her, yet who didn't know that they could work with her on topic specific issues (such as what comes up during the holidays) and who wouldn't have been helped otherwise. Some of them probably thought once they were "done" with their prior work, that was it. However, the greater truth is that a good 5% to 20% of your clients WANT more support.
That's the brilliance of good marketing. It's a win for everyone.
The client is served in an even better way.
The practitioner is supported and paid well for making a difference. Thus making it easier for them to continue making a difference.
And the world is a better place because of it.
So consider this: There is something going on right now in your current (and past clients'!) lives that you could solve RIGHT NOW. Be there for them and send an invitation in the form of a special program, teleclass series, etc…
If you need help with this, try My Meaningful Holiday Marketing Kit here: http://www.mmmaven.com/holiday/
It's full of easy ways to connect with your tribe and it includes a free BONUS copy of my client's letter (the same one I write about in this blog post) for you to use as a jumpstart.
To your success,
Karin
Like what you read? Then sign up for my weekly marketing material tips for holistic health and wellness pros here: http://www.mmmaven.com/newsletter/
Ready to master the business side of wellness and get your message out there more effectively? Join the Wellness Professional Network: http://WellProNet.org
