Blog | Gold Design & Comms

15th April 201915th April 2019

The big four Oh: 40 to 40!

First up, this isn’t my original idea. I totally copied my lovely friend Carrie who did the exact thing: 40 to 40. I did ask if she’d mind and she said she’d be honoured 🙂 So thanks Carrie!

The idea is to do 40 things before I turn 40 in November 2020, 20 months from now. The list isn’t complete yet, so I’d happily welcome contributions. Nothing ridiculous though, I’m not shaving my head for example (hair is my one thing! ) :).

I’m also not going to beat myself up for not doing them all. This isn’t a competition, just a few (well a lot) of things I want to do for myself and others before I turn 40. Some of these are actually already being planned while some may be a little far fetched. Some are really little lifestyle changes and some are quite vain but some are hopefully a little more altruistic or family focused.

Start a happiness jar (again copied from Carrie)
Speak more openly about mental health, starting with number three –>
Stop my anti-anxiety and anti-depressants gradually
A week with no coffee
A week with no chocolate
A week with no gluten
A week with no TV
Go to Paris
Go to New York
Go to South America
Go visit my niece and nephew in Israel
Get a (very small) tattoo
Get something pierced
Sky-Dive
Read 10 books
Watch less TV (one night a week without!)
Run 5K
Raise money for 2 charities
Learn a new skill for my business (see here)
Organise a (or two or three) 40th bday celebration
Go to bed before 11pm on week nights (at least 4 times a week)
Go to the gym more (aim for 3 days a week)
Spend more time with people that raise me up instead of people that put me down!
Go to Belgium more to see my Oma <3
Cut my hair shoulder length
A week without social media (contribution from my sister)
…

So the list definitely isn’t complete yet and things may change but as above, feel free to contribute ideas or even do a few with me if you want. I’ll keep sharing this post every time I update it.

Wish me luck,
Bx

6th March 20196th March 2019

Studying

When I finished my graphic design course, I promised myself that I would always continue studying. While I don’t want to sit any more exams in my life, I do love learning new things. And to be honest, we live in such a fast paced world – especially when it comes to tech and the world of marketing – I have to at the very least, keep up to date.

Over the last year or so I received a few regular requests that I had to turn down because I don’t have the confidence, skills or time to do. One of my ‘2019 business objectives’ this year however, is to learn at least one of those new skills so I can keep offering my clients a variety of services. (BTW I’ve got a couple more business objectives, which I’ll cover in a future blog).

The first skill is Advanced Photoshop. Adobe Photoshop was a big part of my course and I know my way around it. I can’t however do very advanced photoshop projects. Someone recently asked me for example to create an image by changing an existing picture and adding and manipulating elements i.e. from a gun to a hosepipe (!). I hate turning down work at the best of time but when it is because I’m ‘not good enough’ I feel challenged and therefor want to start studying again.

The next skill I’m looking into is GIFs or animations. I get asked a lot about animated logos or online banners. Again, Adobe Animate was part of my course and while I passed the exam, I really didn’t enjoy it and never really practiced it. The phrase ‘jack of all trade…’ crossed my mind and decided to focus on the other design aspects like Illustrator and InDesign. However, there’s a way to create gifs without Animate now and therefore something I may consider studying.

Lastly (well not really lastly, but there’s only so much studying I can do) is Shopify. As you may know, I currently only develop websites in WordPress. However there are some e-commerce businesses who swear by Shopify. While WooCommerce is a fantastic plug-in to turn your WordPress website into a business, it’s not very user friendly in my opinion.

So, I’d love to know what you think? First of all – are you learning a new skill this year? Is ‘up-skilling’ part of your business plan at all? And secondly, which skill do you think I should focus on this year? Photoshop, Gifs or Shopify?

Let me know,
Bx

7th December 201822nd February 2019

Thick skin…

Last week a client was unhappy with something I delivered and in turn, he delivered his disappointment to me in a rather unpleasant way.

It was the first time someone shouted and sweared at me since the launch of Gold Design & Comms. It was definitely wrong and unprofessional on his part but I know it’s not the last time something like this will happen.

In light of this, I thought I’d share something a bit different this week: a really interesting article about how to grow thick skin: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/articles/200409/the-thick-skinned

While this article isn’t particularly aimed at a working situation – it is useful advice in life and applies to freelancers, business owners or just any working environment.

I realise – now that I have been working for myself and by myself for a year – that there’s nowhere to hide. Unlike when you work in team for example and the blame is often shared – you are held accountable for everything you do.

How do you deal with confrontation? How do you deal with criticism? Get in touch, I’d love to hear your experiences and how you dealt/plan on dealing with it.

1st October 20181st October 2018

Who runs the world?

Girls

Those who follow me on Facebook may know that I try and celebrate amazing women who have set-up their own businesses. When I started Gold Design & Comms, I realised how many people are self employed and what an entrepreneurial generation we are.

For that reason I set-up #FabulousFriday. A way to regularly (at least I try to make it regular) promote someone I admire. People who are driven, independent and determined.

Women

It’s not just my clients I’m talking about but friends and family too. Women from all walks of life, different ages and different industries who have not only started on their own, but really flourished and built – in a relatively short space of time – a really successful business.

Some of these women and/or their ventures include: Jo from @HomeAssistant, Daniella from SilverPhysio, Sarah from Gifts by Sarah, Tash form Fingers & Toes by Tasha and Steph from Tzefira.

Mums

Some people have always wanted to work for themselves, some – like me – have taken the step after redundancy and others after having children.

I don’t want to make this blog about finding the balance between careers and motherhood etc. What I want to highlight however, is the abundance of support available to us. There’s a real community out their, specifically for mums.

A few amazing women have dedicated their business and time to help mums. Some are actual recruitment agencies helping women find part time or flexible work (note there’s a difference between the two). And then there are these amazing online support groups for women trying to find their mojo back after maternity leave, or a place where people can ask questions about childcare vouchers, tax or maternity leave rights.

Not all these groups are for mums only but many just happen to be (because you know… girls!) Here’s a list of Facebook groups I urge you to check out:

I truly believe some of these groups and women I admire have helped me take the plunge and then along the way of my new career.

So… who runs the world?!

20th September 201824th September 2018

Networking: Online, offline and everything in between.

Networking is my thing…

While speaking to a friend recently about my new(-ish) business, she asked me a question that I get a lot: How do you get your clients? It still comes as a surprise to a lot of people when I say social networks, mainly Facebook. I might have said this before but I think about 70-80% of my business so far has come through Facebook. About 10% through Linked In and the rest mainly through word of mouth (friends and family etc). Basically most of my work comes through (online) recommendations and referrals.

Millennial networking?

My father in law, who’s been running a successful accountancy business for many years, got most of his work through networking too. He refers to it as “old fashioned networking” however, rather than “next generation” networking. For years, he attended his local BNI group and generated a significant amount of revenue through it. BNI and other referral marketing groups are all over the country and extremely popular. I believe them to be a very useful business tool especially for small businesses, sole traders and start-ups.

At the moment I don’t feel the need to join such a group yet, but if business would slow down (*frantically touching wood*) it’s definitely something I’d consider. I don’t think it’s old fashioned at all actually, it’s just that currently for me Facebook or online networking is my saviour. I’ve joined many industry appropriate groups like Freelance Heroes and Creative Networking but also parenting groups or more recruitment focused groups like Doing It For The Kids and Flexible Working For Mums Like Me.

I guess the only downside with groups like BNI (that’s my personal opinion of course) is when the lines between on- and offline get a little blurry. While I’m all for recommendations (as I’ve been banging on about, thats how I get most of my business), I find it unnecessary for members of such groups to recommend professionals from any industry – from plumbers and make-up artist to personal trainers and accountants – at any opportunity without actually having used them personally. Admittedly, a lot of people have recommended me without having used me. I’m a graphic designer however, so have a portfolio to showcase so people can make their own informed decision eventually (hopefully).

Do what it takes.

Having said all of the above, it all boils down to networking, whether it’s on- or offline: Meeting new people, forming relationships, helping each other out etc. I’ve recently started working from a business club (you may have seen my Facebook post about it) and it’s definitely given me a lot of opportunities to network from too.

But funnily enough, my latest client who I’m currently designing a website for, was gained by a ‘direct sale’. Not sure what the exact term is, but I was out shopping with a friend and started chatting to the manager of the store. The next day, the store owner called for a meeting and now they are one of my biggest clients to date. I felt so proud of this face-to-face interaction. I basically sold my services, with no recommendations and truly believe this is one of my biggest achievement so far.

To make your business successful you have to do what works for you. Do what it takes, but within reason of course – there’s values and principles even the biggest companies adhere by. But if I can give you one piece of advice (without sounding patronising), networking is key.

“To build a long-term, successful enterprise, when you don’t close a sale, open a relationship.”
Patricia Fripp

3rd July 20183rd July 2018

Guest Blog: The rise of the Virtual Assistant

A virtual reality – the rise of the virtual assistant

By Jo Davison, MD of @HomeAssistant

Hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA) can be a simple solution for your business, so why are so many organisations still hesitant? Perhaps they don’t fully understand the value a VA can add to a business. I’d like to highlight just how worthwhile outsourcing tasks to a VA can be!

Put simply, a VA is an online employee, who can be of great value to any business if used in the right way. A VA will work tirelessly and methodically, to ensure clients reach their goals! Your success is our success, and we want to support you in achieving that success.

If you look up the word assistant, amongst its various meanings are terms such as ‘collaborator’, ‘supporter’ and ‘second in command’. I’d like to think that is how many clients have or do view me. The role of a VA is to add value to a business in a cost-effective and efficient way, helping to provide focus, clarity, and growth to the business they support. The delegation of mundane and time-consuming tasks will allow you to focus on growing your business, making you more productive, which in turn means your business will flourish.

I believe that the outsourcing of tasks or projects, be it as a one-off or ongoing process, should be a part of any business strategy.

So, here’s a short list of reasons why hiring a VA is a great idea!

Office space – a VA has their own office space complete with equipment.
No fixed hours – your VA can work flexible hours not necessarily full time, and across different time zones.
Budget – a Virtual Assistant is less expensive than a full-time employee as you only pay for the hours they work.
Business growth – by delegating the tasks that bog you down, you are free to focus on building your business.
Time-management – let a VA free up your time. They can often complete tasks much quicker than you can, and with great efficiency leaving you with more hours in the day.
Get organised – a VA can help bring organisation & structure into your day/week be it through diary management, filing or just helping you see the wood for the trees.

Like in any other aspect of life, the right VA for one business might not be the right VA for another. We are not a ‘one type fits all’ employee. Take the time to find out what strengths and skills your VA has to offer, and ensure that they match the gap in the workforce that you’re seeking to fill.

In 2018, businesses are increasingly moving away from office hubs and are employing remote workers. Reducing overheads whilst simultaneously recruiting people who are hard-working, self-motivated, and able to manage their time effectively, ‘virtual’ companies are on the rise, and the hiring of a VA is just part of this new wave of recruitment.

Jo Davison is the Founder and Managing Director of @HomeAssistant. Set up in 2012, @HomeAssistant offers bespoke, flexible and remote PA/admin services to individuals and businesses.
Connect with her on Linkedin or Facebook to find out more about Jo or the services she offers.

28th June 201828th June 2018

Mesmerise

WebDesign

I’ve mentioned before on my Facebook page that I never realised how many websites I would design in my new career. I always thought it would be a great additional service I could offer but I’ve just completed my 7th website (including my own) since graduating and have another two lined up in the next few months.

As you may know, I design all my websites on WordPress. First of all the software is Open Source, which means anyone can create an account and design a website for free (*not including buying the domain name and hosting). I also find it so user friendly (even as a beginner) and it’s easy to explain and train clients for a smooth transition.

Moreover, WordPress is flexible and the possibilities are endless. There are literally thousands of themes and plug-ins (some free, some paid for) to ensure you design a truly bespoke and unique website every time.

Themes

This leads very nicely to the actual topic of my blog. Themes… There’s soooo many of them and when you start out with a blank canvas, you often don’t know where to start. It can be quite daunting actually especially as a theme dictates the look and feel of your entire website.

I often start by doing some simple Google research i.e. top 10 themes for a hotel website etc. It’s a great way to narrow down your options.

WordPress has a variety of free themes available and you can also find some great paid for ones. It’s often relatively cheap, between £30-£100 – just double check the cost is a one-off and not a yearly subscription. Theme Forest is a very popular website to find WordPress themes.

You can also start with a free theme and then upgrade to the Pro version for more options. I often do this actually and I’ll explain why in a bit.

mesmerise

One-pagers or scrolling websites are very ‘in’ lately. They are a great solution for people or businesses who want small yet sleek looking websites. They particularly work well for static (i.e. none e-commerce) websites and for those who don’t necessarily have that much content to share.

I’ve now finished my third one-page website and I’ve used the same theme every time. It’s called Mesmerise and it truly lives up to its name. It has a build-in drag & drop feature (no need for Elementor for example) which basically allows you to build the entire website on the front end. There are loads of gorgeous layout options available, including in the header (or hero as they call it).

I’m not going to explain too many more details as this might get a little too ‘technical’ or boring for some but do check out my portfolio to see all my websites or the ones built using Mesmerise: Silver Executive & EQT Ventures’ CEO summit.

For Silver Executive I used the free version. It’s absolutely enough to built a modern and professional looking website. The only downside to the free version is the fact that you can’t change font type and size and more importantly colours. If your client/company has strict brand guidelines, this isn’t ideal.

For EQT Ventures I used the paid for version for this exact reason. It gives you even more layout and design options but more importantly, it allows you to change colours, fonts and more.

Basically, it’s mesmerising 😉

I hope this helps anyone starting out with WordPress a little bit. Feel free to comment or ask any questions below. Or do share if you think this may benefit anyone else!

Thanks,
Babs

16th May 2018

Optimise, Optimise, Optimise

Let’s talk optimisation

Last week’s blog post discussed the importance of website responsiveness. This week, I wanted to talk about something equally important: website optimisation.

According to research, we’re a very impatient generation and if a website doesn’t load fast enough, we basically leave. And when I say fast, I mean fast: apparently, any longer than a three second wait and we go somewhere else!

Basically if you want to retain as much traffic (and ultimately business) on your website as possible, ensure it’s optimised. And that counts for every page on your website.

So what can you do to make your website faster?

Optimise your pictures: Before you upload any images, ensure they are as small as possible while still being of good quality. If you’re not a graphic designer and don’t know how to do this prior to uploading them, download a WordPress plug-in. There’s many available but I recommend (and use) Smush and Image Optimiser.
Avoid embedding large video files: These are heavy and will massively impact your website’s loading time. I recommend uploading these onto a streaming website like Youtube. I’m currently working on a website which has a video background on the homepage. It’s such a large file that I couldn’t even upload it even if I wanted too. So instead, I uploaded it onto Youtube and it works beautifully.
Clean up: Keep the back-end of your website tidy. If you don’t use any images anymore, delete them. Any de-activated plug-ins? Delete them. Any un-used themes? You got it, delete!

As some of you may know, I only design WordPress websites, but I’m sure many of these rule apply to other platforms as well.

Enjoy,
Babs

13th May 201813th May 2018

Responsive

Is your website responsive yet?

I may have talked about this before but this is so important I will talk about it again (and again). ‘It’ being your website’s responsiveness.

Responsive web design means that your website will adapt to the user’s environment and load seamlessly on any device, operating system (iOS or android for example) and even web browser (i.e. Safari, Chrome etc). Whether you’re on a laptop, tablet or smartphone, you should see websites load quickly and proportionally (or appropriately) for the device.

It’s no secret that the majority of website traffic nowadays is from mobile devices. In fact, according to my website‘s Google analytics, on average 90% of visitors come from a mobile device.

This means that if my website wasn’t mobile friendly, I’d lose out on so much potential lucrative traffic!

So basically, ensure your website is responsive as there’s no point even having one if you can’t view it on the vast array of mobile devices out there.

A great little discovery I made recently is Am I Responsive? You enter your own website’s URL (i.e. address like www.golddesignandcomms.com) and it will show you how it renders on different devices like a desktop, laptop, smartphone and tablet.

Feel free to get in touch if you want to discuss your web design needs.

Next blog post we’ll cover some other important website attributes like loading time.

Cheers,
Bx

"responsive website"

31st March 20183rd April 2018

Freelance Life

So far, I’m loving the freelance life.

I love how I can literally pick and choose when and where I work. I love the flexibility it offers around childcare. And I love that I don’t have to sit in endless meetings. I’m sure I don’t have to remind anyone of the luxuries freelancers enjoy.

Whatever you like to call it – owning your own business, being your own boss, doing it alone, managing your own agency – ultimately, you’re all. by. yourself. And while having no-one to report into has many advantages, it comes with its downsides too.

First of all there’s the loneliness. Don’t get me wrong, I often relish the times I’m alone at home, in complete quiet or sometimes with my own ‘grown-up’ tunes (i.e. no disney nor Little Mix), allowing me to concentrate and just get on with my work. But do I miss the office atmosphere? Hell yes! I miss the clichés: water cooler gossip, birthday cakes, office banter, team lunches etc.

What I miss the most however, is talking to my peers and being able to ask for help.

Help, I need somebody!

Some freelancers work from offices where they contract and some business owners have a team. But as I work from home and for myself, my business conversations are with my clients. Asking for help isn’t really appropriate.

This week, for the first time since I became a freelancer, I experienced a real feeling of loneliness.

While I’m a graphic and web designer, I’m not super technical. I design websites only on WordPress as my coding skills are quite basic. So while I was building a website for a new client, I ran into technical difficulties and got completely stuck. I couldn’t see how I would finish this project and felt stressed. And I haven’t felt stressed since I left my job nearly a year ago.

So I decided to think about any other time I got stuck when I started navigating my new career. There have been phone calls with fellow designers, e-mails to old colleagues, online research and most of all social media. There’re groups on Facebook and online forums who have truly helped me out (even saved my a*rse) multiple times.

Just ask

So, I did exactly that. Rather than go to freelance or even dedicated WordPress communities, I joined the ones for a specific theme (or even plug-in if you are familiar with those) and they were great! There were so many dedicated forums, groups, help & FAQ pages.

I didn’t just get all the answers to my questions and thus managed to finish the website, but I realised that I wasn’t alone. Say what you want about social media and this digital world our generation is obsessed with, this new world we live in is amazing. You realise you aren’t alone and you realise there’s always people to talk and ask questions to.

My advice this Pesach and Easter is to never be afraid to ask for help.

Love,
Bx