How 3 Pennies Changed My Life

This is a declaration of a strong change of direction.

As those of you who have actually followed this blog previously have undoubtedly noticed, I haven't posted in a very long time despite my best efforts to stick to posting. I'm not going to bore you with excuses because I have more important information to share with you right now.

Before I tell you about my new focus let me try to explain where it came from. Two out of my last three attempts at freelance artwork have failed miserably. By failed I mean I put hard work into designs for clients that ultimately rejected the work I was doing/had done and decided to go to other artists to fulfill their needs without notifying me of their change of heart or compensating me for the work I had done. I have no ill feelings towards them or their decisions what-so-ever but the circumstances left me in a very deep rut of self reflection. So here are the decisions I've made as a result of my failed freelance artwork.

1. I do not have the patience to teach a client sound marketing strategy.
2. I refuse to treat logo design as anything less than a strategic marketing symbol and I refuse to compromise on my pillars of logo design.
3. I will not work with any clients in the future that seem even remotely unsure of what they want.
4. I will only work with one client per project. Meaning I will not try to simultaneously please two clients that have different visions of what they want with the same design.
5. I will not work for free. My design services come with a $100 non-refundable up front fee regardless of any circumstances. This fee or a portion of it may be deducted from the total cost of the sale if negotiated, but will not be refunded in the event of a dissatisfied client or a client choosing to go with someone else's services. Any serious client will see this as more than reasonable  .
6. Until further notice, I will ONLY work with clients by a referral basis and after extensive review.

In short, I really don't plan on doing much freelance work in the future. If future attempts go more smoothly I may change this stance, but for now I really don't have the time to be working on building other people's wealth for a modest one time fee.

Such strong words from such a modest, weak minded, push over right? But wait, there's more! So far I have explained my new disposition towards freelance work, but I haven't even gotten to the good stuff yet. I've been spending a lot of time thinking about how I am going to turn my life around. Obviously I can't be a delivery driver forever and I certainly don't want to be working my way up the ladder of pizza company enslavement. I now know that I don't really want to be doing "for hire" work either. Not only would my income be strictly tied to a 'dollars for labor' trade but it would be a never ending battle with wishy-washy clients. I'm not the only one in my inner circle in this position, either. There are others who can't sustain themselves doing what they are doing but they aren't sure how they are going to change for the better. I also have deadlines to make decisions fast approaching. I have to decide if and where I am going to move in a very short time and the consequences of the move are very far reaching no matter what I decide.

The other day I logged into my blogger just to post the images of the last logo I had finished and I was looking through my statistics to lament how I hadn't gotten any real views since I stopped posting. While looking through my stats I found something that completely changed my outlook. This blog has made me money! 3 pennies to be exact. Such a small and seemingly insignificant amount, but you have to realize, that's 3 pennies more than I have earned from my last two clients and I didn't even have to do anything. Its a very modest beginning but it means more to me than you can understand. This means I have something I can do right now from anywhere in the world and be actively building my own future. Its something that won't diminish if I move and doesn't hinge on variables that will be changing in the very near future.

So here is the current plan:
1. I'm going to revamp the nature of this blog since freelance work is at least temporarily being phased out of the picture.
2. I'm going to re-commit to posting (not exactly daily posting) with a new focus on creating material that's less about me and more about bringing value to other people's lives.
3. I'm going to be alpha testing a whole lot of different strategies and ideas while the variables in my near future sort themselves out.

And now you know...

Perpetual List 6/30/12

Old List

For Darlene

• Research
• Amy Porterfield
• Lejure
• Social Marketing Tribe
• Word Press
• Facebook Apps
• Talk Fusion
• Stack of business Cards
• 16x16 web icon

New Client

• Send new schedule for this week
• meet and discuss project
• test out new client assessment form
• test out first draft project assessment form
• Begin logo sketches
• talk about logo sketches
• refine sketches

Jacci

• Tweak B&W design
• Submit color variations for approval 
• Get approval on a color design
• Deliverables
• send .ai to Jacci's hired FB team
• 16X16 web icon

My Youtube Channel

• Create Google Account 
• Decide on Show Format(s)
• Pick Channel Name and Create it
• Acquire a cast and crew
• Begin Production

My Business

• Pick a Name
• Fill out Paper Work
• Get it published in the Paper
• Obtain generic contracts
• Blog disclosure
• project agreement (one per package or per project)
• Make a definitive list of packaging solutions for clients
•  Figure out pricing
•  Build an opt in form/members sign in aspect for my website
• Build some sort of calendar for my website for scheduling purposes.
•  Create a businessy planny thingy to send to a friend to show to a potential contact
• Travel to Lake Havasu on June 4th
•  Begin to implement strategies to make this blog actually make money and bring back re-peat viewers without HAVING to spam my FB and Twitter page
•  Create My own FB business page complete with apps/etc.

BBSV

•  Re-energize the group
• Model
• Rig
• Animate
• Texture
• Light
• Render
• Composite
• Upload – to where?

Me

• Ellens Dance Dare
• Hair Cut
• Exercise 
  

List Version 6/30/2012

 

For Darlene

• Research
• Amy Porterfield
• Lejure
• Social Marketing Tribe
• Word Press
• Facebook Apps
• 16x16 web icon
• reassess logo ... look at ways of making it shinier

New Client

• Obtain approval on logo design to move forward to digital phaze
• Research color possibilities discuss options thoroughly with client

Jacci

• Make logo "softer" ... and not suck
• Get approval on a color design
• Deliverables
• send .ai to Jacci's hired FB team
• 16X16 web icon

My Youtube Channel

• Create Google Account 
• Decide on Show Format(s)
• Pick Channel Name and Create it
• Acquire a cast and crew
• Begin Production

My Business

• Pick a Name
• Fill out Paper Work
• Get it published in the Paper
• Obtain generic contracts
• figure out exactly what I need to be included in contracts
• Blog disclosure
• project agreement (one per package or per project)
• Make a definitive list of packaging solutions for clients
•  Figure out pricing
•  Build an opt in form/members sign in aspect for my website
• Build some sort of calendar for my website for scheduling purposes.
•  Create a businessy planny thingy to send to a friend to show to a potential contact
•  Begin to implement strategies to make this blog actually make money and bring back re-peat viewers without HAVING to spam my FB and Twitter page
•  Create My own FB business page complete with apps/etc.

BBSV

•  Re-energize the group
• Model
• Rig
• Animate
• Texture
• Light
• Render
• Composite
• Upload – to where?

Me

• Ellens Dance Dare
• Exercise 

Perpetually Growing List of Things to Do Version 06/04/12

Last Week's list

For Darlene

• Research
• Amy Porterfield
• Lejure
• Social Marketing Tribe
• Word Press
• Facebook Apps
• Talk Fusion
• Stack of business Cards
• 16x16 web icon

New Client

• Send new schedule for this week
• meet and discuss project
• test out new client assessment form
• test out first draft project assessment form

Jacci

• receive feedback on B&W logo designs
• Discuss Color
• Get approval on a color design
• Deliverables
• send .ai to Jacci's hired FB team
• 16X16 web icon

My Youtube Channel

• Create Google Account 
• Decide on Show Format(s)
• Pick Channel Name and Create it
• Acquire a cast and crew
• Begin Production

My Business

• Pick a Name
• Fill out Paper Work
• Get it published in the Paper
• Obtain generic contracts
• Blog disclosure
• project agreement (one per package or per project)
• Make a definitive list of packaging solutions for clients
•  Figure out pricing
•  Build an opt in form/members sign in aspect for my website
• Build some sort of calendar for my website for scheduling purposes.
•  Create a businessy planny thingy to send to a friend to show to a potential contact
•  Schedule June 7th off from Dominos to go to Havasu for work. 
•  Find out how to make this blog actually make money and bring back re-peat viewers without HAVING to spam my FB and Twitter page
•  Create My own FB business page complete with apps/etc.

BBSV

•  Re-energize the group
• Model
• Rig
• Animate
• Texture
• Light
• Render
• Composite
• Upload – to where?

Me

• Ellens Dance Dare
• Hair Cut
• Exercise 

List Version  06/04/14

 
For Darlene

• Research
• Amy Porterfield
• Lejure
• Social Marketing Tribe
• Word Press
• Facebook Apps
• Talk Fusion
• Stack of business Cards
• 16x16 web icon

New Client

• Send new schedule for this week
• meet and discuss project
• test out new client assessment form
• test out first draft project assessment form

Jacci

• Tweak B&W design
• Submit color variations for approval 
• Get approval on a color design
• Deliverables
• send .ai to Jacci's hired FB team
• 16X16 web icon

My Youtube Channel

• Create Google Account 
• Decide on Show Format(s)
• Pick Channel Name and Create it
• Acquire a cast and crew
• Begin Production

My Business

• Pick a Name
• Fill out Paper Work
• Get it published in the Paper
• Obtain generic contracts
• Blog disclosure
• project agreement (one per package or per project)
• Make a definitive list of packaging solutions for clients
•  Figure out pricing
•  Build an opt in form/members sign in aspect for my website
• Build some sort of calendar for my website for scheduling purposes.
•  Create a businessy planny thingy to send to a friend to show to a potential contact
• Travel to Lake Havasu on June 4th
•  Begin to implement strategies to make this blog actually make money and bring back re-peat viewers without HAVING to spam my FB and Twitter page
•  Create My own FB business page complete with apps/etc.

BBSV

•  Re-energize the group
• Model
• Rig
• Animate
• Texture
• Light
• Render
• Composite
• Upload – to where?

Me

• Ellens Dance Dare
• Hair Cut
• Exercise 
  
  

Perpetually Growing List version 05/27/12

Yes it has already been a week since my first list was posted. So here goes nothing.

Last weeks Published list   (complete items with strikethrough)

Get the pilot show from BBSV finished, online, perpetuating

                Re-energize the group

                Model

                Rig

                Animate

                Texture

                Light

                Render

                Composite

                Upload – to where?

Get my own YouTube channel online and perpetuating

                Create a new Google account

                Pick a channel name

                Commit to a single subject matter/show idea

                Acquire dedicated cast/crew

                Produce pilot/ first season

Finish Jacci’s logo

                Get approval for B&W design

                Discuss color, get approval for color design

                Deliverables: send .ai to Jacci’s FB team

Get in touch with new client and complete project

                Schedule first meeting

Get Darlene a stack of business cards

Get business underway

            Pick a business name

Get a Mobile version of my website

Build a client assessment form

Find some personality tests to work into building client personality profile

Build a project assessment form (send copies to Darlene)

Obtain blank generic contracts: Blog disclosure, Project agreement form (one per package),

Make a definitive list of packaging solutions for clients

Figure out pricing

Build an opt in form/members sign in aspect for my website

Build some sort of calendar for my website for scheduling purposes.

Look into lejure

Make a 16x16 px web icon for Darlene

Get a haircut

Do an Ellen’s dance dare for the fun of it

Things I did this week that weren't on the list but are related:

 Create a Google Adsense account. (see the ads on this page? I figured I might as well try to get some money out of it if I am going to be posting something every day)

wrote a HUGE list of name ideas for my business ... only a couple I kinda like

 Discovered a connection I always had with a potential future business asset

began recruiting help for this endeavor

Finally added a relevant wall photo to my FB page

Additions to the List

Research for Darlene

1. Amy Porterfield 
2. Lejure (already on list but being re-located)
3. Social Marketing Tribe
4. Word Press
5. Facebook Apps
6. Talk Fusion

Send new client a new schedule for the coming week.
Create a businessy planny thingy to send to a friend to show to a potential contact
Schedule June 7th off from Dominos to go to Havasu for work.
Find out how to make this blog actually make money and bring back re-peat viewers without HAVING to spam my FB and Twitter page
Create My own FB business page complete with apps/etc.
Test new client assessment form
Test new project assessment form (rough Draft)

List Version 05/27/12

For Darlene

• Research
• Amy Porterfield
• Lejure
• Social Marketing Tribe
• Word Press
• Facebook Apps
• Talk Fusion
• Stack of business Cards
• 16x16 web icon

New Client

• Send new schedule for this week
• meet and discuss project
• test out new client assessment form
• test out first draft project assessment form

Jacci

• receive feedback on B&W logo designs
• Discuss Color
• Get approval on a color design
• Deliverables
• send .ai to Jacci's hired FB team
• 16X16 web icon

My Youtube Channel

• Create Google Account 
• Decide on Show Format(s)
• Pick Channel Name and Create it
• Acquire a cast and crew
• Begin Production

My Business

• Pick a Name
• Fill out Paper Work
• Get it published in the Paper
• Obtain generic contracts
• Blog disclosure
• project agreement (one per package or per project)
• Make a definitive list of packaging solutions for clients
•  Figure out pricing
•  Build an opt in form/members sign in aspect for my website
• Build some sort of calendar for my website for scheduling purposes.
•  Create a businessy planny thingy to send to a friend to show to a potential contact
•  Schedule June 7th off from Dominos to go to Havasu for work. 
•  Find out how to make this blog actually make money and bring back re-peat viewers without HAVING to spam my FB and Twitter page
•  Create My own FB business page complete with apps/etc.

BBSV

•  Re-energize the group
• Model
• Rig
• Animate
• Texture
• Light
• Render
• Composite
• Upload – to where?

Me

• Ellens Dance Dare
• Hair Cut
• Exercise 

My Perpetually Growing List of Things to Do (Version 5/21/12):

Why a list?

This is something I think I am going to do weekly. Perhaps every Monday or Sunday from now on. The idea is that I will post the list of everything I can think of today, and as the week progresses I will mark off whatever pitiful accomplishments I have made, add the new items that arise to this list (since for every accomplishment made, two new ones arise), and add the stuff that was already there that I just didn't think of when I wrote the first list. So this week I'm just posting the list as I can think of it. Next week I'll post a new list, the new list will carry what's left of this list and what's been added to this list. Underneath the new list will be the list of things I accomplished this week.

I am hoping the result of this will be:

• A: Motivation: If I see the list and my progress and non progress it will help encourage me to get more things done
• B: Reflection: having a list of things I've accomplished at the end of the week will make me feel good as long as the list is substantial
• C: Informative: I'm kind of hoping this will begin to sink into everyone's head just how busy I've actually been and how much more busy I am trying to become. Right now I feel as though very few of the people I'm close to have any idea just how big this bite is I've taken and just how hard it is to chew. I'm hoping the evolving list will make people a little more respectful of my time and effort. It's hard to juggle a job with a highly irregular schedule, a personal life (that will be the day right?), while simultaneously trying to build my own business for the very first time and not really having much of a clue what I am doing. 

So here goes nothing.

My Perpetually Growing List of Things to Do version 5/21/2012:

Get the pilot show from BBSV finished, online, perpetuating

                Re-energize the group

                Model

                Rig

                Animate

                Texture

                Light

                Render

                Composite

                Upload – to where?

Get my own YouTube channel online and perpetuating

                Create a new Google account

                Pick a channel name

                Commit to a single subject matter/show idea

                Acquire dedicated cast/crew

                Produce pilot/ first season

Finish Jacci’s logo

                Get approval for B&W design

                Discuss color, get approval for color design

                Deliverables: send .ai to Jacci’s FB team

Get in touch with new client and complete project

                Schedule first meeting

Get Darlene a stack of business cards

Get business underway

            Pick a business name

Get a Mobile version of my website

Build a client assessment form

Find some personality tests to work into building client personality profile

Build a project assessment form (send copies to Darlene)

Obtain blank generic contracts: Blog disclosure, Project agreement form (one per package),

Make a definitive list of packaging solutions for clients

Figure out pricing

Build an opt in form/members sign in aspect for my website

Build some sort of calendar for my website for scheduling purposes.

Look into lejure

Make a 16x16 px web icon for Darlene

Get a haircut

Do an Ellen’s dance dare for the fun of it