Since I launched Lindsay Nicole Design Studio in May, I've been constantly brainstorming for new ideas on how to improve and expand the "shoppe". There are so many different ways to go and so many things I'd love to do all at once. Right now my work priority order seems to be custom design work first, school second, and business expansion/research third. I find myself wishing there were more hours in the day because the last item on the list always gets cut short. So on this labor day morning, I'm bumping priority #3 to the #1 spot and trying to organize/set some realistic goals for myself and my growing business. Here are some things I want to do before the 2010 year comes to close - or hopefully sooner :)
First and foremost, Busy Thoughts blog is going to be split into 2 separate blogs, a design blog and a personal blog, and my personal blog is going to go "private" - GASP! Not to worry, anyone and everyone is still invited to read my blog but you will have to email me for an invite or "follow" me to be able to view it. The reason for this switch is pretty simple. I originally made this blog to keep my family and friends updated and also to post pictures, honest thoughts, and little memoirs for myself to look back on. Ever since I have linked my business name to my personal blog I've felt the pressure "edit" or direct my blog posts to be something that I would want potential clients to see (instead of giving my weekly play-by-plays and life details like I used to). Another reason to go private with my personal life is that Jake will soon start going on deployments and TDYs with the Air Force and I would like to be able to talk about his being gone without worrying about who knows that I am home alone. With a private blog, I can more control who is reading my blog posts and as my business grows I don't have to worry as much about my privacy or safety.
So what will the new Busy Thoughts design blog be like?
Oh I am so excited to tell you about this! In addition to giving weekly updates about my studio and showcasing my new premade templates and custom work, I plan to write weekly "how-to" tutorials for blogger and photoshop! Not only will this drive some new traffic to my site but it will help all of you who want to make simple additions to your blog but need a little step-by-step help (such as adding a special font to your posts, or adding a special address bar icon). I also plan to start doing some template giveaways and offer some design freebies.
And the design blog will be a perfect place to showcase inspirational blogs I've found, write about controversial/interesting design topics, and maybe even do some "interviews" with other graphic designers and artists out there to highlight their talent and expertise. So many ideas... now I've just got to find some time to put this all into play!
The premade shoppe will also be getting a good and much needed update. I will be adding 8 new templates this fall and the prices will now range from $20 to $60 so there will be a template for every style and budget! Also "add-ons" will start being offered for the premades, so if you wanted to add (for example) a scrolling header or a specialty font to one of the templates you would just pay the add-on price. That gives you the ability to create a more "custom" blog but for the premade price :)
And I am so excited to say that soon I will start offering custom Wordpress designs!! Realistically I'm not sure this will happen until after the holidays but it WILL be happening :) Wordpress is a really great blogging platform, especially for business bloggers and photographers, and I'm so excited to be able to add this type of custom design to my services. Right now I am getting prepared by taking classes and training specifically to design Wordpress themes... I'll keep you posted when I'm done and ready to officially start!
Whew! I think that's about it for now but I'm ALWAYS looking for new ideas and ways to improve + expand so if you have any thoughts or advice please email me or leave a comment - I would LOVE to hear from you!
Hope everyone is enjoying a lazy Labor Day :)
Blog Timeline
Here's a little guide to how my life has evolved since this blog first started back in 2008. Looking back now, I've gone through some very distinct and significant chapters. The archives at the bottom follow along accordingly :)
December 2008-July 2010:
Graduating from college, experiencing life as newlyweds, moving to the far-away land of Mississippi, enduring the hectic lifestyle of Air Force pilot training, discovering my passion for web design, and transitioning into life as a real "grown-up".
August 2010- December 2010:
Moving back in with my parents in California while Jake was away at training in Oklahoma, living in a complete state of "limbo", growing my newly launched web design business, and loving life back on the best coast - oops! - I mean west coast ;)
January 2011- March 2012:
Discovering what it's like to have life-altering medical issues, struggling through tragic loss, physical pain, emotional pain, never-ending doctor's appointments and medical tests, all while trying to start our new life at Travis AFB... Learning to trust God even in the darkest times and constantly praying for healing.
April 2012- Present Day:
Experiencing healing from my physical pain, enjoying a career that I absolutely love, making the most wonderful friends here at Travis, and striving to live every single day to the FULLEST. God is so good! John 10:10 - Read it :)
December 2008-July 2010:
Graduating from college, experiencing life as newlyweds, moving to the far-away land of Mississippi, enduring the hectic lifestyle of Air Force pilot training, discovering my passion for web design, and transitioning into life as a real "grown-up".
August 2010- December 2010:
Moving back in with my parents in California while Jake was away at training in Oklahoma, living in a complete state of "limbo", growing my newly launched web design business, and loving life back on the best coast - oops! - I mean west coast ;)
January 2011- March 2012:
Discovering what it's like to have life-altering medical issues, struggling through tragic loss, physical pain, emotional pain, never-ending doctor's appointments and medical tests, all while trying to start our new life at Travis AFB... Learning to trust God even in the darkest times and constantly praying for healing.
April 2012- Present Day:
Experiencing healing from my physical pain, enjoying a career that I absolutely love, making the most wonderful friends here at Travis, and striving to live every single day to the FULLEST. God is so good! John 10:10 - Read it :)
0 comments:
Post a Comment