Busy…busy

Posted by Saden on Mar 26, 2013 in Blogging | 0 comments

It has been too long!!! Almost two weeks…and I did not give up blogging for LENT.  I have been extremely busy working on several projects for some GREAT clients.  I truly have been blessed.  Today, I went to my favorite watering hole to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee…we had some power issues at work today.  I just told my staff to work from home…of course , my administrative assistant looked at me…and my reply was tell me how the food is at our neighborhood donut shop.

I had a chance to reflect on the past couple of weeks.  I was able to launch a couple of web sites and am in contract negotiations with a couple others. Life is good. I need to make a few investments in some office equipment…and upgrade a couple of software programs. I visited a couple of my area technology stores.  The service was typical…”hello sir”, from the young guy at the register.  I am searching and searching…no one to help me. I leave and am greeted with “did you find everything that you was looking for?”.  I smile and state “yes!!!” , as I walk to my car…surely he could tell that was not the truth.  Companies are making money and not hiring …it just makes me very upset.  Off my soap box…lol.

Did I mention that I have a couple of great projects in the work?  I will need to update my site in the next couple of days to reflect my work in February and March.  I have a few to upload to the site…my base is really growing. I build a site for a client in the South, North, Midwest…and I am working on a potential client on the west coast.  Feeling really blessed.

Onward and Upward,

Posted by Saden on Mar 16, 2013 in Blogging | 0 comments

What a long week.  I have been working on a couple of projects, schedule to launch really soon.  I received a couple of contracts.  I will be busy next week. I offer training sessions for my new clients about the basis of wordpress and content management system.  I have reached out to a couple of my new clients, trying to set up a few training session within the next couple of weeks. I have submitted a few proposals and look forward to signing up a few new clients. And on…and on, yes this is a typical week for me.  However, an interesting thing occur this week,[yes this is not unusual also]…I got really frustrated by “an social media expert”.

I have been looking to join forces or hire a social media expert.  I needed someone to assist my new clients with setting up facebook fan page and uploading relevant apps, linkedin account, twitter account, instantgram and so on…I really wanted someone, who owned a social media firm.  I spoke to someone a couple weeks ago.  We chatted on skype.  She has an unique business model.  I offer to forward her some new business in exchange for a few months of free service to the client.  I am not getting anything out of this arrangement.  I am building her client based.  She was fine with the offer, but need to speak to her business partner. We was suppose to skype a few days later.  I was stood up.  I have called and email her.  No answer…REALLY!!!  She has un-friend me on twitter.  Okay, so I am suppose to refer clients to you…RIGHT!!!  You could have just made a counter offer…it would not have offended me.  I am not going to make any money…the contract is between you and my new client.

My second experience with an expert social media was last week. I reached out on linkedin.  I connected with a social media expert. I explained what I wanted…someone, who could pair with my company.  I wanted someone, who could explain the advantages of social media to my new clients. I wanted someone, who could create a social media presences for my clients.  In exchange, I would strongly encourage my client to work with her and me on an ongoing basis.  We was suppose to discuss her needs and my wishes on Wednesday.  She advised me that she was in a meeting and it was going longer than expected.  I understand as I have many long winded clients and some say that I am long winded…LOL.  She advised that she would call me on Tuesday…no call was received. I called her on Wednesday and left a message.  No calls back in the last several days….so I am suppose to recommend you to my clients…REALLY!!!

If anyone knows a good social media expert, then please have them contact me…

Adobe Business Catalyst

Posted by Saden on Mar 8, 2013 in Blogging, Lifestyle | 0 comments

Early this week one of my neighbors asked me about Adobe Business Catalyst [ABC]. I explained to him that ABC is a service as a software.  As most of you know, I am a wordpress [WP] addict.  I create custom design WP web site.  I am working on several WP plugins.  I have reviewed ABC and feel like for my business model WP is the better option.  I will present the evidence and let you make the decision.

Hosting

WP is a very flexible product.  It can be hosted by wampserver [your desktop] or web hosting companies, such as Godaddy, Bluehost and Gatorhost.  Most of the top hosting companies will support WP.  WP sites can be move from hosting companies to hosting companies within minutes and for minimal cost. ABC comes with a hosting plan and is included in the monthly cost. ABC sites can not be moved.

Open Source

WP is an open source.  WP is supported by thousands of programmer, who create new themes and plugins daily. Open source does not mean free.  WP has a lot of free themes and plugins, but it also have many premium [paid] themes and plugins. ABC is not an open source and it does not subscribe to the open source model.

Ecommerce / Online Store

WP does not come with an ecommerce or online store.  There are thousands of themes with ecommerce stores and a couple of hundred plugins.  Some of the plugins are free, but most are free.  ABC has a built in shop module.  It is a great system and is supported by many payment gateways.

Email Integration

WP does not come with an email integration system.  Mailchimp, one of the biggest and best email integration company, has a WP plugin.  ABC is equipped with an email integration system which build customer database and will email them. This is a great feature for ABC.

Social Network

WP does not come with a social network system.  Buddy Press is a  WP plugin.  Buddy Press is very similar to facebook.  ABC does not support social network theme or feature.

Cost / Expense

WP is not free.  Several non-techie will download a free theme, and several plugins.  There are several good ones, but most of the premium themes and plugins are the way to go.  Most WP designers, such as myself, will charge around $1,500.00.  You have a hosting charge of about $50 annually.  Most web sites are up for at least five years.  A client is looking at $1,750 investment. These figures are based on JDS WebDesign.

ABC usually come with design cost of around $200.  ABC also comes with monthly hosting cost.  ABC monthly cost range from $6 – $80.  The $60.00 plan appears to be in line with a premium WP functionality.  A client is looking at $3,800 investment for 5 years, $4500 for 6…and it keeps going up and up!

Content Management Training

WP is a simple and easy system to update.  It is very similar to sending out an email.  Most non-technical clients love working with WP.  ABC is more technical.  The process is a step or two higher.  ABC does not allow easy updating of skin or theme .

Others

WP represents 55% of all the Content Management System and 20% of web sites are WP related sites.  ABC site generally look very similar, probably because of the cost.  WP is a great blogging system.  It was build for blogging. ABC does not support blogging.

I am bias…so I am posting a ABC video for you to decide.

Best Slider…

Posted by Saden on Mar 3, 2013 in Blogging, Tutorials, WordPress Tutorials | 0 comments

according to slocum design

This is a great video…check it out and subscribe to Slocum Design

Got a new look…

Posted by Saden on Mar 3, 2013 in Blogging, Lifestyle | 0 comments

You are at the right location….I changed out my blog theme.  I had it for almost a year, which is a miracle for me.  I really like the new theme.  It is very flexible and as soon as I get some time, then I am going to “trick it out”!

Well let me bring everyone up to speed with how my work week has been…very busy. I have a great client in which we should be launching this week.  It is a faith base organization out of Louisiana. I can not wait to launch the site. I am really working hard on this one. I want it to be one of my best for 2013. The client is great. They are new to the Internet, so I am making sure the site is exactly like the want it to be…which is great for me.  It reminds me of my early years of web designing.  I am looking forward to talking to them on Monday…hopefully we can launch early next week.  It will have a sermon page, directory, chat live with the Pastor and my usually dynamic features.  I will be working on it tomorrow, and you know I do not work on Sunday for an average client.  BTW…I do not have average clients.

I am also happy to announce my Internet marketer client is launching next week. We have set up a facebook fan page. It is beyond sick…awesome!!!  I have created an incredible theme…it has a sliding full screen! CRAZY!!!  I am waiting for some content from the client, but it should not slow down the launch date.  It is going to have video, polls, pop up , mp3, social media slide box, topbar and many more ridiculous dynamic features.

I am also very excited about a call I got from an event planner in the Atlanta Area.  Sounds like a small business owner out here hustling. I love these type of clients…ones who are working hard for their money.  They always push me to make an great site.  I had an opportunity to speak briefly with her on Friday.  I am looking forward to chatting with her on Monday.  She had a site previously, but took it down. Per her words, it was not right.  She has check out several of my previously works…she knows that I am constantly pushing the envelop. Yep!!! Your #1 wordpress addict in full effect.

Lastly, I have to complete a re-design for a faith based organization out of Decatur, Georgia.  I have it about 80% done.  I need to knock this out by either Tuesday or Wednesday.  I have to make an membership plugin for domestic violence awarness group out of Kentucky.  It is due by mid week.  I have to check with my premium music client out of the mid west.  This project should have been done last month.  I am just waiting to see if the client has secured rights to play the music.  I can not wait to finish that site…it is about 40% at the present time.  I  also have to chat on Thursday with a travel agent. This might be another feather in my cap.  Pushing that weight and making it happen….keep putting in that work.

I am going to have to reach out an spend some more time on my twitter account this month…numbers are not where they need to be.  Finally, I need to look at other ways to generate business.  These job boards are really not the answer for me!!!  Well, I would say it is time for me a glass of single malt and maybe a stokie…but I do not do either during Lent.

Onward and Upward,