Hello everyone

[megfenn]

Hi all, just thought I'd drop in. Haven't been here for months! For several reasons really, at first very very busy, then was sick as a dog with early pregnancy - yes expecting my 3rd in March 09 (very exciting) and now really busy again! Although not as busy as I was this time last year. Any other designers the same? Could it be the credit crunch? I dropped my yell.com advert but I never really had much business from that anyways. Hope everyone is well and look forward to chatting again.

[Arianna]

Hi all, just thought I'd drop in. Haven't been here for months! For several reasons really, at first very very busy, then was sick as a dog with early pregnancy - yes expecting my 3rd in March 09 (very exciting) and now really busy again! Although not as busy as I was this time last year. Any other designers the same? Could it be the credit crunch? I dropped my yell.com advert but I never really had much business from that anyways. Hope everyone is well and look forward to chatting again.

Oooh who is that strange woman? :hysterica Hello Meghan!!

We're getting quite busy again - has totally thrown me as I wasn't prepared for it. Apparently those who are losing their jobs with big companies are starting up on their own and that so there may be an influx of small businesses happening atm. :D

HOpe you're doing alright hun!

*HUGS*
Arianna

[obscure]

Hey Meg!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Seems to be quite a few ppl pregnant at the moment! Something in the air lol!

I'm about the same as this time last year - but DH is now fully onboard so we're starting some proper marketing campaigns (hes in charge of all that!), and we just joined the FSB etc so we're in full expansion mode :)

I've rejigged my website to target 2 very specific keysearch terms in Google and rocketed 20 pages with one of them (to page 2 just under actinic infact lol) and to page 1 from page 7 with the other one. I've already had one local enquiry as a result of this so we believe it was the right thing to do at the moment :)

I never had a yell.com advert as having looked at the viewing rates for categories etc we decided it was way too much money for what they were offering - Google Adwords for the same budget would give a better net result of enquiries!

I hope you have a happy healthy pregnancy :) Sorry I waffled on lol
Sadie

[Chell]

Welcome back, hope your sickness has eased now. I know how you feel as I was really sick through all of my pregnancies.

[brooklyn]

Welcome back and congratulations on the lovely news! :clapping:

[megfenn]

Thanks Everyone!

Wow Sadie, it must be great working with your DH. I never see mine during the week as he is a manager at Brighton College and leaves really early and is back late - lots of late nights and drinks out with other managers etc.

The only promo I'm doing now is The Best Of.co.uk for my area and although i have a nice write up and a few good reccys on there, I haven't had a single enquiry from it at all. Plus, it's only local and I tend to get clients from all over. Over the past year, I did a lot of networking events, which were fun and good experience, but I haven't really had much work from them. I know those kinds of things are slow-burners though. And when it rains, it tends to pour!

[obscure]

I know what you mean about mostly being clients from all over - however we've rejigged the website to target the local area more (without excluding our current client base), and like i said - within 2 days of going up the rankings we had 1 enquiry, and I had another one yesterday afternoon!

I did have something on thebestof but like you not sure I've ever seen any hits through to the website from that.

I've certainly heard that local networking events are more to get your business into someones mind when they are next thinking of using a service like yours, or talking to someone who is themselves looking - and hopefully tehy think of you :D I've not done any myself but DH now is. I am not a morning person so the breakfast clubs were never something I'd do (nor could I with DH at work and me needing to get kids to school).

Its lovely working with DH.... most days..... however it does mean that somedays I feel I need my space and flip out lol! He doesnt like those days :D Having worked from home for 6 years on my own (or with kids underfoot) I have had quite a big amount of changes to cope with, but likewise for DH going from office environment to homebased lol!

Are you on the business link listing for your local area? We're just getting listed on that - something I have meant to do for years lol! Well worth looking into, I'll pass on details once we're on it if you like :)
Sadie

[Millymoosmum]

CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancy - I had a wee one is March 08, I can completely sympathise with the sickness....I was very sick to begin with.....it eased around 16 weeks though!

Things have been slower for me these past few months but it's starting to pick up again now - heres hoping it continues!! I hope that your business picks up too hun!

[megfenn]

I know what you mean about mostly being clients from all over - however we've rejigged the website to target the local area more (without excluding our current client base), and like i said - within 2 days of going up the rankings we had 1 enquiry, and I had another one yesterday afternoon!

I did have something on thebestof but like you not sure I've ever seen any hits through to the website from that.

I've certainly heard that local networking events are more to get your business into someones mind when they are next thinking of using a service like yours, or talking to someone who is themselves looking - and hopefully tehy think of you :D I've not done any myself but DH now is. I am not a morning person so the breakfast clubs were never something I'd do (nor could I with DH at work and me needing to get kids to school).

Its lovely working with DH.... most days..... however it does mean that somedays I feel I need my space and flip out lol! He doesnt like those days :D Having worked from home for 6 years on my own (or with kids underfoot) I have had quite a big amount of changes to cope with, but likewise for DH going from office environment to homebased lol!

Are you on the business link listing for your local area? We're just getting listed on that - something I have meant to do for years lol! Well worth looking into, I'll pass on details once we're on it if you like :)
Sadie

Hi Sadie, yes I'm on the Business link and the Sussex Business Enterprise. I just took on a job from them actually. The client asked to see their supplier list for web designers, so that's really good and it's totally free to get on their suppliers list.

Yeah, I'm sure it's a big change for you! It's just as well that I don't work with DH as I'd probably yell at him all the time LOL. I'm so used to having both kids in school during the day, it'll be a bit of an adjustment again working with babe in arms. Luckily most of my clients prefer coming to see me or just communicate over phone and email. I do go to London and Brighton occassionally but at least I can plan it around my own schedule.

It's really nice working for local clients isn't it (as well as for others). It's nice to feel part of the community on your doorstep and it's also good for word of mouth reccs. I have alot of local competition here - there are 3 huge web companies who do most of the larger businesses. I mostly target small businesses, individuals and start-ups. And I can't really compete with Brighton based companies as there are so sooooo many of them. I did think of trying to expand, but realised I was still a bit too small for that. And now, it'll be a couple of years till I consider expansion again LOL.