What I’m working on

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Projects and services I am working on // erineflynn.com

I’ve had to re-plan my month a bit since things I had scheduled time for didn’t work out as planned, and then I was left with some gaps in my schedule. But I feel like I’m getting back on track, at least somewhat!

I just launched my consultation packages (that page needs some graphics or something on it–boring). I get emails all the time with people wanting to pick my brain, so now we can chat for an hour and I’ll send you all sorts of resources and action steps to take to jazz up your website or help you with your business. If you’d like to pick my brain for a few months, there’s that option too!

I’m also working on a NEW group program/course for web designers to help them get their design business started off on the right foot!. I’m still nailing down the details, but check it out here! I’m really excited about it!

Development has been my main project lately, so I need to tweak my design/development offerings to reflect that, but I’m looking to partner with some designers on the regular so if you think we’d be a good fit, drop me a line!

I started reading Gary Vaynerchuk’s Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook, but to be honest, I’m finding it pretty boring so far. Sorry, Gary. I did dig Laura Husson’s free Twitter training. Maybe my attention span is just too short for books lately.

I’ve got some plans in the works with a few designers and some different projects, which I’m having fun with. More on that once things are finalized!

There’s gonna be a new logo around here! I’ve hired Lindsay Goldner to give my logo a makeover (since I’ve now merged my sites I need something that better reflects my new business style). I hate doing my own branding–I’m just too close to the whole thing–so figured it was best to hire out and save myself the headache. Excited to see what she comes up with, I’m sure it’ll be awesome (no pressure, Lindsay)!

Blogging regularly has fallen a bit by the wayside, so I’m drafting up a bunch of post ideas to get back into the swing of things.

Aaaand I’m taking some more advanced development courses so I can kick even more ass in my business and finally beat the shit out of PHP without breaking a sweat.

What are you up to?

Check this out!

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Make the logo bigger!

Remember when I used to do fun links every week? No? Well I did. Anyhow, they’re back! Here are fun links from all over the internet!

If you like Bob’s Burgers, you need to follow this Tina Twitter account!

I’ve been digging Laura Husson’s Fame in 140 free video series!

I recently “met” Kim Lawler and love her work!

How about a better way to get new clients?

I really wanna go to Medano Creek!

I’m also very seriously trying to get to Create Code Connect–anyone else going?

Now get the heck off your computer and go enjoy the weekend!

B-School Update

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B-School 2014 - Dropping out and moving on // erineflynn.com

Hey guys! Because I’ve been blogging about my progress through B-School I thought I owed it to you to let you know that I dropped out because it wasn’t a good fit for me. I had a really long blog post written about my why I made my decision, but apparently it violates the B-School terms. All I can tell you is that my own personal experience in B-School was not good at all. I personally felt stressed, stifled, and disappointed. I personally didn’t see any results (granted, I only completed 3 weeks). I think that’s about all I can say!

Hercules sums up how I felt pretty well:

As much as it kills me to not be honest with you guys (you know that’s what I base my business on!) please respect that I am unable to answer questions relating to my decision to drop out as it involves other people and I must respect their privacy. The long and short of it is that B-School and I were not a good match.

In other news, I’ve signed up for some fun web development courses to give my business a boost, and will continue to make some changes around here as I refocus my business!

Income Report – March

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Income Report - March 2014 // erineflynn.com

March 2014 income and expenses // erineflynn.com

March Income Report

  • Design Work: $280.00
  • Maintenance Work: $2,398.00
  • Affiliate and Advertising Sales: $0.00
  • E-course Sales: $159.50

Total: $2,837.50 (before expenses)

What these things mean

Design Work: Anything that involves me designing something. A website, header, graphics of any kind, etc.

Maintenance work: Hosting, coding, plugin installations, etc. I lumped these all together because I often do coding/website tweaks as part of clients’ monthly maintenance packages. I will possibly break this down further in the future to distinguish between new coding projects and actual maintenance work, but for 2013 they’re all lumped together in my accounting software.

Affiliate & Advertising Sales: Affiliate programs I’m a part of (Studio Press, BlueHost, etc.), Google Adsense, and ads I sell on this blog. I only count this as income AFTER it is deposited in my bank account. I don’t do a ton of affiliate marketing or ads, so sometimes my earnings sit in the program for months before I ever get them. Any earnings listed here are likely an accumulation of several months’ earnings finally being deposited in my bank account.

E-Course sales: Sales of my e-course, of course. Most customers have purchased at a discount. I receive payment approximately two months after the sales occur. For example, in February I received payment for my December course sales.

March Expense Report

  • Advertising: $0.00
  • Domains/Hosting: $47.96
  • Licenses: $619.41
  • Paypal Fees: $45.81
  • Training: $24.00
  • Office expense: $0.00
  • Contractors and freelancers: $138.75
  • Meals and entertainment: $4.25

Total: $880.18

What these things mean

Advertising: Any ads I purchase, to promote my business, blog, and/or specific products or services.

Domains/Hosting: Any new domains, hosting plans, or renewals. I typically pay for an entire year, not month-to-month, so some months this may be non-existent and others it may be crazy.

Licenses: Plugins, fonts, software, or any other type of licenses for my business or a client websites.

Paypal fees: This one is pretty obvious, don’t you think?

Training: Courses or books to improve my mad skillz and my business.

Office expense: Anything I need for my office; furniture, paper, etc.

Contractors and freelancers: Anyone I hire to do something for me, or finder’s fees for client referrals.

Meals and entertainment: Meetings with clients or to network.

March 2014 total profit: $1,957.31 (before taxes)

 Notes: I’m waiting on some checks from clients that are late. I think I’m missing a total of $1,200 from this report, but I guess that’ll just show up next month.

I’m disappointed in the sales of my e-course–I had designed it specifically for B-Schoolers and no one is buying it. Not sure if I was just way off-base with what I thought they needed, or if people just want free.

I just pulled some of my offerings from my website and am re-working things, so I’m expecting quite a lull in projects for April (which will be reflected in the May report), and then it’ll be up in the air as to whether my new offerings do well or not since I’m shifting my audience!

April 2014 Goals

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April 2014 Goals // erineflynn.com

March was a CRAZY-busy month for me. Between B-School and clients I just felt like I could never catch my breath! Fortunately, I didn’t have too many goals–unfortunately, I didn’t get any reading done!

  • Start B-School – Started! I’ve been blogging my progress!
  • Read Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy Social World – Nope. Been too busy with B-School and clients!
  • Have a fun 28th birthday – Yes. Well, my actual birthday was a crappy day, but I had a great weekend in Boulder before my birthday in celebration, and another great weekend after my birthday, so close enough!

April Goals

  • Finish B-School – at least mostly on-schedule so I can make some changes to my business!
  • Re-work my business – more passive income and clients I enjoy working with!
  • Add cardio to my workouts – gotta be able to hike up mountains this summer!

What are your goals for April?