Showing posts with label Free Resources. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Free Resources. Show all posts

Business Questions via Snapchat

Have you joined Snapchat or are you wondering what it's all about or if it's even relevant to you? It's most certainly different to other social media in various ways. First off your posts or snaps don't stick around for longer than 24 hours. This might seem wasteful or silly, but it does in fact remove the pressure of having to create absolutely perfect content, especially when it comes to videos and editing.

I have started a series via Snapchat where you can send me your business question and I will answer it for you. This week I kicked off with 'how to set boundaries within your creative business'. This is something that many creatives struggle with. They battle to lay down the law with clients and it often means that they are taken advantage of or work for free. It's human nature to challenge and push boundaries and therefore it's important to communicate where they begin and end. This doesn't mean you have to be pushy, but it does mean you can manage expectations and in the end not feel as if you are being pushed way beyond your comfort zone. It's particularly relevant in terms of what you can offer in relation to what you charge for that product or service.

I would love to hear and answer your question, so join me on Snapchat, send it to me and then watch my video answer. Chat soon.

If you would like me to do a detailed post on using Snapchat and a few lovely people to follow then just leave a comment / or tweet me (@nadiavdmescht).

Does that sound too scary or do you want guided one on one help? No problem...
Here are a few more facts regarding my one on one consulting sessions:
My one on one consulting sessions are my most popular service and I personally really enjoy them. It's a dedicated time for business owners to share their thoughts, ask questions and receive my professional input on different areas of their business. It's also ideal for creatives who are still working on deciding what business to begin or how to take it to the next level. They run for between an hour to two hours and usually work either via Q&A or brainstorming, but can also take the form of a lesson if need be. These sessions are R400 each for up to two hours. I also offer them via Skype / FaceTime too for those not based in Durban. As an added extra I  set an accountability check-in via email to ensure you get the most out of your session. To book just email me (click here).

Ideas Magazine - February 2015

If you've paged through the latest Ideas Magazine, I'm sure you'll agree it's a beautiful and inspired issue. It makes me so proud to have my opinion mentioned as one of the experts they consulted for their Entrepreneurs article on marketing (page 64). It goes without saying that the Ideas team offer something quite unique through all they do. I loved contributing a few of my key thoughts. 

It's a great starting point for all creatives who want to be inspired and to also learn a few valuable business lessons. Several awesome Durban locals were featured, including Max from Savior Brand Co and the What's Cutting team, who gave me a special shout-out (thanks guys). Another thank you goes to the editor Terena for a mention in the Editor's Letter too.

Besides useful advice there are several amazing DIY's which I can't wait to try my hand at. I wonder if Daniel will appreciate all the Valentine's goodies? Probably not, but I will love making them. Lastly, have you checked out their monthly Printable Paper Parcels? So pretty!
Be sure to snap up a copy of the colourful and creative February Ideas mag. 

Basic Creative Business Success Tips

What I've Learnt...

It's easy to get despondent when seeing the success of others as it often highlights our own shortcomings. However, when we use it to our advantage it often leads to personal success. There are few simple lessons that have stuck with me throughout my journey...

Fuel: Envy or jealously are such wasted emotions. It also leaves a nasty feeling in your heart (life is way too short for that nonsense). My personal experience has led me to rather use my emotions as fuel. Instead of comparing I suggest exploring why others are successful and use it as fuel to lead you to new heights in your own career. Admiration leads to inspiration! Jealously shuts your heart and mind down and nothing useful ever comes from that.

Hard Work: Boring old hard work - can we ever escape it? Nope! Don't let it be the enemy - when you invest time in what is important to you the benefits will far outweigh the sacrifice. Trust me!


Smart Thinking: What is working and what isn't? Do away with things that aren't bringing your business success or enriching your life. Certain things make us feel a certain way - if an emotion isn't welcome then go to the route of the cause. Often there are small things we are able to do to ensure we don't feel unhappy, disorganised, overly stressed and so on. It might take time, but evolution is part patience, part mindset.

Go for It: That's right... go on, get out there. Success is for the taking, but we often need to leave our comfort zone to take hold of it. Embrace new things and don't be afraid to ask for what you want.

Competition: Apparently competition is healthy... how many times have you heard that? The truth of the matter is that it can assist you to get moving, make changes and take a few risks. Don't let competition scare you into inactivity.

Move Forward: Sometimes things don't work out perfectly and that's okay. Take away the lesson learnt and move on to better / different things. No job, client or project are ever perfect and neither are you. Nonetheless everything holds a lesson - use it, but don't stay stuck... get moving.

Keep these in mind as you set your intention for 2015. Make it a brilliant year for business and personal growth!

Poster Fun with Recite This

On my recent Pinterest adventures I came across Recite This, a really fun site which allows you to create posters with quotes. I had a ball making a batch of my own and it was so easy! Here is some creative business food for thought. Visit the site to get making yourself!



Not so Meet Free Monday

Happy Monday! I hope you have a wonderful week. Today is not a MFM day for me as I am preparing for tomorrow's creative business workshop. I discovered this beautiful poster and thought it was just too lovely not to share. Download it here.

A Month for Celebrating

Hello August... it's time to celebrate! Not only is it my birthday next week, but also Women's Day and month. I have an inspired line-up of posts to help you find your inner sparkle, including contributions from fellow women in business. Other exciting features on the menu include giveaways, business tips and a DIY. I'm looking forward to sharing and celebrating with you!

Cookie Recipe & Label Printable Freebie

Claire - my darling and dear assistant gave me this beautiful jar as a gift. She has kindly, created the printable so you too can create a lovely gift or treat jar complete with recipe and all things nice! The instructions are super easy and amazingly delicious. The mix also freezes well - so you can save some cookie dough for another baking day. Here are all the details...

Claire used a large Consol jar and filled it with the following: (you can also use this order for your layering):
375g Flour
1 1/4 Teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
2 Small packets of caramel chips (choc chips can work too)
190g Sugar (Claire packaged the sugar in a small packet as you add it later in the recipe)

Claire very cleverly tied a cookie cutter and a small caramel essence bottle to the jar with twine. 

The super easy instructions (and other ingredients) are included in the printable and there are two pretty colours - pink (my fav) and turquoise teal version. I can't recommend this recipe enough - it's delicious, easy, quick and moreish (you know me and my sweet tooth)! It's a lovely DIY which is affordable and suitable for all skill levels.

To download the teal label and instruction printable - click here.
To download the pink label and instruction printable - click here.

Happy making and baking!



A Useful List

As much as I wanted to do a Meet Free Monday post this week I need to bow out. I had a few posts planned, but I've decided to move them to next week when I can give them (and you) my full attention. This week has taken an unexpected busy turn and I need to work on some urgent things - so I'll be back next week with a few lovely posts just for you. (With the exception of one workshop related post.)

In the meantime take a look at this awesome list via Ok Social Media. It covers a few key things for a blog to have - which are even more important when you use your blog for your business. Be sure to check out the site and read some of the other useful tips in the series. Have a awesome and productive week!

Freebie Friday June

June is almost over - eeeek! Luckily, there's still time for a Freebie Friday post and look at how pretty it is! This month's freebie is stock images for use on your blog or creative projects via Love from Ginger. Rachael the creative behind the blog has put together a library of lovely images that are free to use! The general theme is colourful and just plain delightful - to see more just click here. Happy Friday!

Freebie Friday - May

A Free E-Book via Emma Gwillim
Hooray for the May Freebie Friday resource! When it comes to creative business and community, sharing really is a wonderful way to communicate. This is why I had to to tell you about this wonderful free resource. Emma Gwillim runs her own creative business aimed at igniting the sparkle within others...
"I’m Emma Gwillim, the Clarity & Confidence Coach.  I empower ambitious mums who feel like they’ve lost their identity, their direction and their ‘me-time’ to get reacquainted with their inner sparkle so they can nurture their own dreams, as well as their family, and create an impact in their world."

Despite focusing on mothers, her guidance and site are, however great for any creative looking for inspiration as is her free e-book (which you can receive once you sign up for her newsletter). Happy reading and pass on the sharing love.

See last month's Freebie Friday post here.

Creative Business Tips: Dealing with Competition


In every industry there is competition, but within creative business it feels so much more personal. When we're faced with business competition it can feel like an attack. To make matters even more complicated the competition can often come from people within our work, market or creative community. It's tough and can cause worry, stress, self-doubt, unhappiness and even rage (yip, creatives get angry too). In one way or another, most creative business owners have experienced some form of competition, the key is to hold your own and to strive to always be your personal best. No need to go on a war path armed with scissors, knitting needles or your glue gun... read this instead:

Take a step back & stay calm:
Often, our natural instinct is to lash out, or phone our best friend and rant when our work is threatened. When you see it just stay calm, breathe and take a step back. Competition is viewed as a negative thing in most cases and the cliche about it being healthy doesn't help either. By not letting it run away with you - you can take it in, access it and decide how to direct your energy (ranting helps, but action is probably more useful).

Evaluate & reflect:
Understand what your competition is offering and which products and services encroach on your territory. Once you have a better understanding of this you can evaluate how to either up your game or even the playing field. Don't let self-doubt take over though, our natural instinct is to think that the competition must be better than us, when in fact its just different. I suggest you make a list of your strengths and the unique elements that make your business awesome. Things like creativity, great packaging, friendly service, excellent admin skills are things / skills that the competition might not possess.We all have something great to offer.

Get inspired & charged up:
Competition is the perfect thing to remind you to keep working at building your business. Use the threat as fuel to power you forward. I know this works really well for me - often, when I feel threatened I will feel charged up to try harder or follow through on plans I have been procrastinating on.

Innovate:
Now is the time to add a unique edge to your work. Don't get so swept up that you completely change your business or signature service / product. Rather, make time for innovating, adding inspiration and planning new offerings for your business. We all have unique thoughts and there is only one of you - no one can take that powerful tool away from you.

Keep your eye on the prize:
As you have travelled along your creative path, so you have had a vision of what it is that you want to achieve. Don't lose sight of that vision. Chances are it will be different from your competition. Don't let your competitor lead you down a path that isn't suited to your business. I always suggest that you keep your goals updated so that you know what it is that you are striving for. Through innovation and hard work you will steer towards new things naturally. 

Don't indulge in negativity:
It's human nature to wallow in negativity. Don't stalk your competition day in and day out. Rather check in every now and again and spend your time constructively, by working on your own business and ideas. 

I hope that these simple thoughts will keep you looking ahead and working on building the best business you possibly can! Even super successful creative businesses face competition, but through clever thinking (and a hint of professional grace) they stay on top.

The beautiful image is by Emma Block. Her work is whimsical and lovely.

How to Style your Product Photos

I'm always on the lookout for handy and useful creative business ideas, concepts or tips to share with you. This post on styling product photos recently caught my eye and I thought it would be ideal to share as I know it can be a difficult task. The post is short and sweet with a few valuable pieces of info from Holly a successful photographer. 









Bookmark and be sure to keep it as a reference for future product snapping - it's sure to be of value.

Freebie Friday

Tips via Oh my Handmade Goodness
We all love great creative business tips, especially FREE ones that are compiled with care and a true understanding of the industry. In this month's Freebie Friday I wanted to share the Oh My Handmade Goodness site which is not only beautiful to look at, but brimming with useful tips to help us on our business journey. Click here and take a look at their wonderful variety of posts about marketing, social media, customer service... the list goes on. I hope you are inspired by this awesome free knowledge. I can't wait to dig in!


What a wonderful resource to add to your list. Click here to view last month's Freebie Friday resource.

Freebie Friday: Kindle Book

One of the most exciting things about owning a creative business in this day and age is the amount of free resources, guidance and knowledge that is freely available. The variety is so vast from templates through to printable downloads and it even extends to free Kindle downloads. I recently discovered this great book via Kindle on Amazon and it cost a wonderful $0.00! I thought it just too good not to share with you. The glossary of terms is written by Doug Richard, formerly of Dragons Den who is an exceptionally successful entrepreneur himself. If you have the Kindle app on your phone or tablet be sure to download this useful free resource. The glossary is an accompaniment to Doug's How to Start a Creative Business book ($13.99), but it's a useful textbook just to gain a bit of additional knowledge and understanding.
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