Do I Really Need a Website?

Websites seem so yesterday. "I can run my business from social media, they give me all the tools." Not so fast!

A website is the home and virtual business card for your business with the info your prospects are looking for.

Posts relevant to your business are pushed to social media from your website. Think product listing, company culture, news and events. Users are directed back to your website, validating your business to promote engagement. (Just like this post)!!

ORGANIC SEO. Web crawlers look for valuable content and video to index for search engines. Originating valuable content from your website promotes organic SEO to improve search engine rankings.

COSTS. Costs for a website are from DIY in the $250 range, to a custom website at $1,500-$10,000. Web and SM development can happen in stages to grow as business increases. 

Branded social media set-up costs are $150-$1000 for multiple outlets.

Site and SM management costs are $50-$150 per hour or may be charged by the post.

To control maintenance costs, check for training to self manage or train an assistant, even virtually.

FIRST STEP. Consult. Connect with at least 3 web developers. Learn what they offer, timeline, deliverables, costs, extra services like branding, SM marketing and training. Get a proposal and make a contract defining the project. Your web developer may continue to be in your business life, so make sure the relationship feels right.

NEXT STEP. You will need to be involved in your website creation and social media marketing management, so earmark the time and understand that you are moving your business to the next level.

Spending your time and money interconnecting your social media with your branded website provides you with a digital media marketing presence and messaging that grows your business through exposure and organic SEO.

Erika Burke is the Founder of Scribe415-A Digital Marketing Agency for business and real estate professionals who want to grow their business.

#scribe415 #branding #websitedesigner#content #socialmediamarketing #igotit#yougotit #2018marketinggoals#itseasierthanyouthink #imeasy

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Freelancers Etiquette for Clients and Freelancers

Make the freelancing process work for you and your freelancer so that everyone is on the same page.

1. BE CLEAR. Before reaching out know what you want to have done, make a realistic timeline, know your budget or range and the freelancers fees so that you are connecting with a freelancer in your price point.

2. STAY ON POINT. For your consult, keep grievances to a minimum. Focus on your company, product or service, challenges, budget, timeline, remaining details and next steps. This will help you know if you are a right match. Follow-up with a re-cap email.

3. NO GHOSTING. If you, as the client or the freelancer aren't feeling it, reveal it ASAP. Don't be afraid to say "No". Ghosting anyone is disrespectful and can affect your reputation. 

4. NEGOTIATE. Rates are negotiable. Projects can be scaled to meet a clients budget or grow as your budget grows, however don't try to reduce a fair price for your project at the onset.

Valuable Freelancer Freebies:
-Free consults. Unpaid time
-Overtime. You don't get charged for it
-Taxes. 30%-40% of their fee is going to pay taxes.
-Health insurance. They cover their own insurance and health expenses
-Time Off. No paid time off
-Expenses. Ubers, internet tools and apps, lunch meetings come out of pocket

For Freelancers:
-Rate Sheet. Provide your rates and general estimates before a consult to set expectations.
-FAQ. Provide the info the client needs: rates, clients you work with, payment, lead time, timeline, specialties.

Rates are determined by level of experience, expertise, efficiency and demand. They are business owners with families who support themselves. Their time is valuable including phone, email, estimates, proposals and contracts.

Response time is critical during all phases of your project. No ghosting allowed. A freelancer is deeply immersed in your business success and in delivering as promised, so treat them with the respect that they deserve for a rewarding and ongoing successful business relationship.

Erika Burke is the Founder of Scribe415 - A Creative Agency, and a freelancer.

#scribe415 #branding #websitedesigner #content #socialmediamarketing #igotit #yougotit #2018marketinggoals #itseasierthanyouthink #imeasy

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Marketing Tips - Truth #1

I'm an organic designer, learning everything about your business vision which tells me a story in colors, shapes, fonts, tag lines, strap lines, images and content. Translating it to a comprehensive marketing program comes naturally to me. New projects are exciting as the start of a collaboration to deliver beautifully designed branding, a customized website and social media that reflects who you are and what you want to accomplish. Connect to consult. Erika Burke @scribe415