One problem with such a list is that it's a rare client who knows the difference between proofing and editing, particularly when the correct description is usually rewriting.
Shh! I kinda wanna hear me talking right now!
Glory ,'The Killer In Me'
Buffista Business Talk: I wanted simple, I wanted in-and-out, I wanted easy money.
A virtual watercooler where Buffistas in business can talk, share, exchange, bemoan, exult and assorted other power verbs associated with all areas of running/starting up a business. For existing or potential Buffista business owners of all types. Spamming is NOT ON. A list of our Buffista owned businesses is on our links page.
Ginger - Jun 04, 2011 9:57:09 am PDT #50 of 1416
"It didn't taste good. It tasted soooo horrible. It tasted like....a vodka martini." - Matilda
Strix - Jun 04, 2011 10:05:18 am PDT #51 of 1416
A dress should be tight enough to show you're a woman but loose enough to flee from zombies. — Ginger
Ok, that makes total sense, and yep, I've been Reading Books on Business. Clearly, I need to edit: clarify and explain. KISS, right?
All right, that is the task for tomorrow.
Thanks, all!
beekaytee - Jun 04, 2011 10:08:37 am PDT #52 of 1416
Compassionately intolerant
Reading Books on Business
Oh lord. Save me from the adjacent websites!
It's like a frickin' disease! I can't seem to just know that I know what I need to know and not every theory is going to fit me.
For me, it's 2 parts fear and 3 parts procrastination, over 1 part curiosity.
Erk.
Strix - Jun 04, 2011 10:20:09 am PDT #53 of 1416
A dress should be tight enough to show you're a woman but loose enough to flee from zombies. — Ginger
Oh my god, I am obsessed, bonny. It's like a sickness; my first instinct when I don't know something is to research the hell out of it.
I think I have 25 books checked out on Wordpress, business taxes, marketing, freelancing...it's crazy.
I've skimmed several, tossed a couple, and am working my way slowly through a few.
And of course, the internet. I've finally come to the point where I'm not READING everything, and I'm starting drafting stuff.
amych - Jun 04, 2011 10:25:45 am PDT #54 of 1416
Now let us crush something soft and watch it fountain blood. That is a girlish thing to want to do, yes?
Erin, insent
Ginger - Jun 04, 2011 10:38:05 am PDT #55 of 1416
"It didn't taste good. It tasted soooo horrible. It tasted like....a vodka martini." - Matilda
Yeah, the process of reading everything in order to have the perfect website can take four or five years.
Strix - Jun 05, 2011 6:16:05 am PDT #56 of 1416
A dress should be tight enough to show you're a woman but loose enough to flee from zombies. — Ginger
Hey, guys. A couple of questions...
Ok, I re-worked the services and rates section. Take a gander, if you would, and let me know if what I have now id better, too much, just right. [link]
(Note: website is still in beta; if you have any feedback about other parts of the website, I welcome them, too.)
Is it still too complicated? I tried to make it simple, information and friendly.
Question the 2nd -- How do people deal with payment issues? My Paypal account is through my personal email and goes into our general checking account; do I need to set up a merchant account, with a button and everything, or do I just give out PayPal info to clients when we have a contract? I think I need to start a separate business account, and sync that account to my wordslinger email addy.
Also, I know some people don't use PayPal. I don't want to get into the complicated world of credit cards, and I certainly don't want to be dealing with e-transfers; I don't want to give my account number out.
I'm thinking PayPal, check or money order. And I am going to require 1/2 of the payment down before I start a project.
Does this jibe with standard practices? Advice, warnings, good ideas?
Thanks!
Ginger - Jun 05, 2011 6:22:44 am PDT #57 of 1416
"It didn't taste good. It tasted soooo horrible. It tasted like....a vodka martini." - Matilda
I'm mainly paid in checks, and I have a business account with my dba name. (That reminds me. I need to change banks for that account, because it used to be free and now there's a $10 monthly fee.)
Half up front and half on completion is pretty standard, although a lot of people take a third down, a third at some stated midpoint and a third at the end for bigger projects.
Strix - Jun 05, 2011 6:26:18 am PDT #58 of 1416
A dress should be tight enough to show you're a woman but loose enough to flee from zombies. — Ginger
And I can be flexible with that, since I am (thanks to y'all) keeping things vague enough.
I gotta call our bank tomorrow and see what kind of deals they offer. I should get a debit card to use for business-related expenses, too, for easier tracking.
Ginger, have you ever had problems with checks? One of the things I'm worried about is invoicing -- I've got a system set up (although I'm open to suggestions) but mainly I'm worried about non-payment and having to chase people down to get them to pony up.
Does this happen a lot?
Ginger - Jun 05, 2011 6:32:25 am PDT #59 of 1416
"It didn't taste good. It tasted soooo horrible. It tasted like....a vodka martini." - Matilda
I haven't had it too often. I think it depends entirely on the client and scope. The start-up/new businesses have been the iffiest, although it did take forever to get the last payment from one client who entirely changed what he wanted over and over.