The Builders

Introducing a new segment! The “Builders News Minute”. A minute I share what’s new since the last podcast.  But more importantly, we get into the business of testing in business. Where testing is applied and how it influences and touches almost everything. Testing is something to be embraced and understood. You usually have to start with an educated guess and ‘choices’, but over time you can measure results and data to guide you through improvements.

If you are starting an agency or are established, heads up!  This is a great episode. ESPECIALLY if you don't currently sell web design services but have clients asking.. "can you provide web design services or do you know WordPress?" Here's what's exciting...  You don't have to do it!  You don't have to be the expert.  Partner up with an agency, find expertise, provide your clients more value and create new opportunities!

I find the evolution of products and services fascinating.  In so many cases the ideas we start with evolve into something else or we focus in on something we couldn't predicted.  Even as an agency we are doing things today that we would never have thought of on our own 2 years ago. In this episode I explore this and use some examples where this has happened in the real world for both products and services.

Last summer I needed to pause the podcast to focus on the business.  This episode ushers in a new go at it.. I talk about what we've been up to, how the business is doing and the future of this podcast (new'ish format.. mostly related to length). Enjoy!

While a lot of people or gurus today preach charging high from day 1, that's not exactly the path I took.  While a lot of gurus or internet experts preach value pricing over hourly, I'm not a purest in that regard either. This is my story (putting it all out there!).. from a fledgling developer back in 2012 charging $15/hour to where I am today averaging over a $100 per hour... landing web development and design projects for $5000+.  I dig into the why I started super low (hint, experience, knowledge, relationships) to how that developed and I raised my value and pricing over time. I don't know if this is a blueprint for you to follow, but my hope is sharing my story helps someone uncertain about pricing have an ah-ha moment that improves their situation.

Building a business is tough.  There are a lot of moving parts.  But something that I have always gravitated to from day 1 is defining what my speciality will be.  A specialty in your chosen field, business or career allows you to build an identity and brand that is more valuable and makes your services easier to sell.  It helps you attract better projects, projects you are perfect for.. and allows you to ask for more money. It makes the job of marketing and selling your services or products easier.   In this episode I dive into the process in choosing a great specialization for yourself.  Then how to leverage that specialization in your marketing and to get more business.  And I define what role it plays; in that it shouldn't be looked at as something that limits what you can do.  It can open more doors and attract greater opportunity.  

Bootstrap has been a major part of my web development toolkit since 2014.  Back then I had created a custom WordPress theme framework with Bootstrap baked in; over the years I've continued to use it for Hexater themes, have refined how I use it and have it baked into a custom theme framework I use for clients (I specialize in building custom WordPress themes).   Beyond that I've built a LOT of landing pages, sales pages and funnels using it.  I get client work all the time where I find Bootstrap under the hood. So, bottom line, I have a lot of experience with it.   In this episode I dive into how I use it and create my own Bootstrap themes or templates that I can use for client work or future themes; over and over again.  Bootstrap isn't as sexy as let's say React or Angular.  But it's a huge part of my business and I love using it; as do my clients.  Why is that?  Listen and find out!

In this episode I touch on 3 things that form a great starting point for any business.  By doing these 3 simple things it can help you form an identity you can leverage in a number of ways.  We'll touch on the psychology behind it and how it can help you start building authority day 1.