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In the vast online realm, your domain name serves as the cornerstone of your digital identity. As a seasoned web designer with almost three decades of experience, I understand the pivotal role a domain plays in establishing a successful online presence. Let's delve into the key factors and expert tips for choosing a domain name that not only reflects your brand but also propels your business forward. The .com Advantage: When it comes to domain extensions, the venerable .com reigns supreme. Google favors .com domains, making them a wise choice for enhanced visibility. For photographers, incorporating your city name along with ".com" can be a strategic move, boosting local searchability. Strategic Keyword Inclusion: Elevate your website's SEO game by incorporating relevant keywords in your domain. Think about terms potential clients might use to find your services. This not only makes your domain search-friendly but also aligns with industry best practices. Memorability and Typability: Keep your domain short, easy to type, and memorable. A concise and memorable web address enhances brand recall, making it easier for clients to find you amidst the digital noise. Research and Reservation: Conduct thorough research using tools like Google, Trademark Search, Keywords Everywhere, Podcast Search, and YouTube Search. Ensure your chosen name isn't associated with existing trademarks or businesses. Once confirmed, swiftly reserve your domain to prevent future complications. Flexibility and Brand Evolution: Understand that your domain is a flexible component of your brand. During the initial years, you have the freedom to tweak and refine it to align with evolving business strategies. This adaptability ensures your digital identity remains in sync with your brand's growth. Choosing the right domain name is a strategic decision that reverberates throughout your online journey. Whether you're a photographer or any business professional, these insights, garnered from years of tech expertise, provide a roadmap for a strong digital presence. Remember, your domain is not just an address; it's a vital part of your brand's narrative in the digital age. Feel free to reach out with any questions as you embark on this digital adventure.

Introduction to Escape the 9 to 5 Good morning! Today, I want to talk to you about work, the 9-5 grind, and how you can avoid it - escape the 9 to 5. It's important to find work that you love and that brings you a sense of purpose. In this blog, I will share some tips on how to identify your passion and purpose, be flexible with your schedule, and build a value-driven business. If you are looking for the full video transcript, click here. Now, let's get started! Click the video and listen to the She Designs, She Empowers Vlog or keep reading. Identifying Your Passion and Purpose Reflecting on what truly brings you joy and a sense of purpose is essential. It may take time to discover your true passion, but it's worth the effort. For me, it took 14 years of being an entrepreneur and trying different things to find my purpose. I realized that I was passionate about helping people, and that became my driving force. When opportunities came my way, like revising a friend's website, I saw it as a chance to combine my passion for helping others with my goal of avoiding the 9-5. It was a freelance project at first, but it developed into an opportunity for personal growth. I learned to prioritize my family while still pursuing my work goals. Be Flexible and Have a Purposeful Schedule To avoid the 9 to 5 and love your work, it's important to be flexible and create a purposeful schedule. Start your week by planning and blocking out dedicated work hours. Make a list of tasks that need to be accomplished, both for work and personal life. Prioritize your tasks and focus on the top three items that will make your week successful. Of course, unexpected events may disrupt your schedule, especially if you're a mom. But being flexible and open to change is key. Remember that there is a season and a time for everything. If something doesn't align with your current goals or values, it's okay to say no to projects or clients. By being intentional with your schedule and priorities, you can find greater satisfaction in your work. Building a Value-Driven Business A value-driven business aligns with your core beliefs and contributes positively to the lives of others. Identify the values that are important to you and incorporate them into your business. For example, if integrity, quality, and communication are your values, make sure they are reflected in your interactions with clients. Personally, I found that tithing and giving my business to God made a significant difference in my income and overall peace of mind. Your values may differ, but infusing them into your everyday processes or using them as checkpoints can guide your decision-making. Remember that your business should reflect your beliefs and positively impact those you work with. Conclusion Avoiding the 9 to 5 and loving your work is possible if you follow these tips. Identify your passion and purpose, be flexible with your schedule, and build a value-driven business. Remember that it's not an overnight process, but with time and effort, you can create a fulfilling career that aligns with your values and brings you joy. If you're looking for a community of like-minded women who are avoiding the 9 to 5 and loving their work, I invite you to join me at The WE/Me Community. Together, we can support and uplift each other on our journeys. Have a wonderful day! Video Transcript 00:00 [Music] 00:10 good morning happy Saturday it is a cold 00:14 Saturday morning here in Georgia I'm all 00:16 cozied up with some coffee and I wanted 00:17 to just jump on and chitchat about work 00:21 9to5 the grind how to avoid it how you 00:24 can avoid it and love the work that you 00:26 do I am going to just jump straight into 00:29 this topic with you and tell you how 00:32 important it is to identify your passion 00:35 and your purpose reflecting on what 00:37 truly brings you Joy and a sense of 00:40 purpose is truly important for me I was 00:43 able to find this over a period of time 00:46 it's not an overnight process but after 00:49 let's say 14 years of being an 00:52 entrepreneur and doing so many different 00:54 things including MLMs I I did that right 00:58 after my son was born and I just kind of 01:01 couldn't sit still I would do that in my 01:03 spare time but then I found it was just 01:05 kind of eating up not just my spare time 01:08 but it started eating up my family time 01:11 because I was so focused on building a 01:13 business out of it instead of just 01:16 focusing on my family which was the 01:17 whole point of the time that I was 01:19 spending at home at that point so after 01:21 my son started school and I had some 01:24 time freedom I was introduced with some 01:27 opportunities to do what I had done 01:30 prior to becoming a mother and that 01:32 included some web design which I said I 01:34 would not go back to but I really didn't 01:36 have any good reasons why I shouldn't go 01:38 back to that so I just started 01:40 reflecting on what was important why 01:44 should I or should I not accept those 01:47 opportunities and at that point my true 01:52 purpose was to avoid the 9 to5 but my 01:55 passion was helping people so when I had 01:57 a friend come and ask me to to revise 02:00 their website the one that I had built 02:02 for them years prior it was important 02:05 for me to consider them because I was 02:08 just passionate about helping people and 02:10 then I connected the dots I was now able 02:12 to connect those dots and not just help 02:15 him but also avoid the 9to5 so when I 02:18 first jumped into that project it was 02:20 more freelance style like I had done 02:23 before and then it just kind of 02:25 developed into an opportunity to develop 02:28 myself and my mind because initially I 02:30 was like oh I'm on this timeline I 02:32 promised to have this project done in x 02:34 amount of time and I just wanted to sit 02:36 down and Hammer out the project whether 02:38 it meant doing it morning noon and night 02:40 or whatever even though I said listen my 02:43 family comes first and I'm only going to 02:45 do this while my kiddo is at school so 02:49 through that project and probably the 02:50 next few projects I finally learned to 02:53 relax and truly put my priorities in 02:56 order so if you want to avoid the 9 02:58 to5 and love your work I really 03:01 encourage you to number one identify 03:03 your passions and your purpose Proverbs 03:06 1:63 will help you with that commit your 03:09 work to the Lord and your plans will be 03:11 established just sit on that and think 03:14 about it for a few minutes and know that 03:16 it's not an overnight process it's 03:19 something that you really have to work 03:21 at on a daily basis you have to reframe 03:24 your mindset to put yourself in a 03:27 position to accept the changes that come 03:30 with the before and the after when 03:33 you're doing this the second thing is to 03:35 be flexible and have a purposeful 03:37 schedule for me the things that work the 03:39 best is to start my week planning and 03:42 have kind of times blocked out I don't 03:46 do time blocking necessarily but I'm 03:48 definitely a list maker and a list 03:51 checker right I check my list on a 03:53 regular basis and I go back to it so 03:57 every week I plan out my week I time 03:59 block I say say okay this is already on 04:01 the schedule it's nailed down I can't 04:03 move that these are the times and the 04:06 hours that I really have to sit down and 04:08 get my work accomplished but then I make 04:10 my list of things that have to be 04:12 accomplished I separate them between 04:14 work and personal and know that during 04:17 those different time blocks like for 04:19 work when I'm blocking off for work I 04:20 know okay this is where I have to get 04:23 the checklist done that's work rated and 04:25 I always have a top three so on that 04:27 checklist of tasks that Happ to be 04:30 accomplished I have a top three if I can 04:32 accomplish those on day one Mondays are 04:34 hard but if I can accomplish the top 04:36 three on Monday I'm basically done with 04:39 my work for the week because those top 04:41 three items are the things that I have 04:43 to accomplish for that week to be 04:45 successful in my own mind so are things 04:48 going to pop up during my week that are 04:50 going to flip-flop things around and are 04:52 they going to be surprises in my week 04:55 absolutely listen as a mom when your kid 04:58 gets sick does it throw your schedule 04:59 off it throws your schedule off 05:01 especially if you're a stay-at-home mom 05:03 or if you work from home and your kid 05:05 has to stay home let's be honest that 05:08 will throw off everything but you have 05:11 to be flexible again I encourage you not 05:13 to expect these mindsets to happen 05:15 overnight but to just relax into them 05:20 accept those changes as they come be 05:23 flexible but start your week off being 05:25 purposeful Ecclesiastes 31 says for 05:28 everything there is a season and a time 05:30 for every matter under Heaven friends I 05:33 can talk to you about Seasons all day 05:35 long there are so many seasons and you 05:38 are not alone if you feel like you're in 05:40 a season where you just cannot get your 05:43 mindset where it needs to be to 05:45 accomplish a big goal but just relax go 05:48 back to God's word and seek him first he 05:52 is going to help redirect your path he's 05:54 going to give you the peace and the 05:56 assurance that you need to finish 05:58 accomplishing ing that goal or to reset 06:01 the timeline for that goal maybe you 06:03 just need to recognize that this is not 06:05 the right time for a particular goal the 06:08 third thing that I think is important 06:11 for us when we are trying to avoid the 9 06:14 to-5 and we want to love our work at the 06:16 same time is to build a value driven 06:19 business so what are your values what is 06:22 important for you to incorporate into 06:25 your business that connects you to it 06:28 long term okay this isn't something that 06:31 I set up right away but I did connect to 06:34 some values that I was able to recognize 06:37 later that carried me through until I 06:39 truly created the values for my business 06:43 and some of those that I can tell you I 06:45 connected to right away really went back 06:47 to step one that I referenced which is 06:51 to be intentional about your purpose and 06:54 your passions so I did know I was 06:57 passionate about helping other people I 06:58 wanted to help save my friends some 07:00 money I mean they were being quoted you 07:02 know at the time what I thought was 07:03 outrageous rates I knew that I could do 07:06 it for them and save them some money so 07:09 that was important to me and also they 07:10 trusted me and they wanted to work with 07:12 me again and that was encouraging for me 07:15 but also I wanted to help them out I 07:17 wanted to give them the option to work 07:19 with somebody that they knew and trusted 07:21 so those are some of the values that I 07:23 think just kind of followed and carried 07:25 me through the early days of doing 07:27 business but some of the values that I 07:30 have in business now include Integrity 07:33 quality communication right high level 07:36 communication also working with 07:39 like-minded women is something that's 07:41 really important to me and of course we 07:44 work with people outside of our target 07:46 audience but just making sure that the 07:49 foundational beliefs and core system 07:52 works for both parties the way you 07:54 interact with clients is important 07:56 business practices are important but 07:59 again again I think the values there are 08:02 to make sure that for me tithing for my 08:06 company doing that with my business has 08:08 made such a major difference in my 08:10 income giving my business to God rather 08:13 than depending on myself has just made 08:16 the greatest difference the piece that I 08:20 have about finances is so drastically 08:24 different than before my business was 08:26 God- centered so stop and take some time 08:29 to really think about what kind of 08:31 values do you have in life should they 08:34 roll over into your business and how can 08:37 you identify what those are and how that 08:39 they would affect your business just 08:41 Infuse them into the everyday processes 08:45 or at least use them as checkpoints 08:47 because let's be honest we're all given 08:49 these different checks in our heart and 08:51 our mind and when something pops up like 08:54 I'm not real sure this is a project I 08:56 want to take on for XYZ reasons let's 08:59 let's go back to the core values and see 09:01 if the project lines up and if it 09:03 doesn't just know this is when it is 09:06 time to say no to a project or a 09:08 potential client you'll definitely find 09:10 greater satisfaction in your work when 09:13 it reflects your beliefs and you know 09:16 contributes positively to the lives of 09:18 those that you're working with for this 09:20 point I want to bring up Colossians 09:23 3:23-24 whatever you do work 09:26 hardly as for the Lord and not for men 09:29 knowing that from the Lord you will 09:32 receive the inheritance as your reward 09:34 you are serving the lord Christ so 09:37 remember in your journey that it's very 09:40 possible to avoid the 9o5 and when I say 09:43 that I am kind of referring to like a 09:45 corporate job if you're a career Pro and 09:47 you're here listening to me today 09:48 avoiding the 9o5 could just mean the 09:51 typical schedule and you're capable of 09:54 doing that by just go to your boss and 09:56 talk about you know what's not working 09:58 for for you and how you could make some 10:01 shifts I was speaking with a good friend 10:03 yesterday and she was informing me that 10:07 she's part-time now but she was like 10:09 actually you know I'm truly not 10:11 part-time when I informed leadership of 10:15 the changes that I needed for my work to 10:18 align with my values and my goals and 10:21 also allow me to have the balance that 10:24 she needed in life that she was going to 10:25 either have to quit her job or she was 10:27 going to have to go part-time and she 10:29 was able to actually work with 10:31 leadership and time block her her 10:34 schedule so that she's able to 10:37 accomplish all the hours and all the 10:40 classes and teach everything she needs 10:42 to so she can then use her afternoons 10:45 while she's in town while her kids are 10:47 in school to accomplish the things that 10:49 moms need to accomplish like going to 10:51 the doctor or getting groceries done 10:54 before she has a car full of kids in tow 10:57 anyway it was just a beautiful thing for 11:00 her to share with me how she 11:03 accomplished this but yet it was a 11:05 win-win solution for her and for the 11:07 school so again if you're in a 11:09 professional career don't think that 11:12 these tips won't help you as well so 11:15 friends thank you for tuning in today 11:17 I'm Tiffanie Teel and I'm just here to 11:20 share my journey and help you on your 11:23 journey and just create a community 11:26 where we know that we're not alone and 11:28 we can totally build each other up 11:30 remind each other that guess what you 11:32 probably haven't gone through this for 11:34 the first time someone else has probably 11:36 gone through this struggle before let's 11:38 identify what that struggle is but let's 11:40 also share how we were able to overcome 11:42 it so that we can help push each other 11:44 through those moments quicker than we 11:47 might have to if we were alone so I hope 11:49 you have a wonderful day if you're 11:51 looking for a community of like-minded 11:53 women who are avoiding the 9 to-5 and 11:56 loving their work I invite you to join 11:58 me over at the we over me community.com 12:02 where we are building a new group of 12:05 women and online community space as well 12:08 as a local space and opportunity to 12:11 connect and support each other on a 12:12 regular basis friends have a great day 12:15 and thank you for joining 12:27 me 12:29 [Music] 12:35 [Music]

Are you a woman entrepreneur searching for a supportive and empowering community to accompany you on your business journey? Look no further than The WE/Me Community—a space where women come together to learn, grow, and thrive collectively. I am thrilled to announce the launch of this vibrant community, designed exclusively for women entrepreneurs seeking a safe space for collaboration, devoid of competition, where the values of faith, love, service, and encouragement are fostered. In a world where entrepreneurship can often feel isolating, The WE/Me Community stands as a beacon of support and empowerment, tailored specifically for women. We understand the unique challenges faced by women in business and believe wholeheartedly in the transformative power of community. The Power of Collective Growth At The WE/Me Community, we believe that when women entrepreneurs join forces with a shared commitment to growth, remarkable transformations can occur. Through engaging discussions, collaborative projects, and supportive interactions, our community members inspire and uplift one another, unlocking their full potential. We firmly believe that collective growth is not only essential for individual success but also a catalyst for positive change in the broader society. Celebrating Individuality While we emphasize collective growth, we also recognize and celebrate the unique qualities, experiences, and perspectives of each woman entrepreneur within our community. The WE/Me Community provides a platform that encourages self-reflection, self-expression, and personal development. By nurturing and embracing our individuality, we can contribute authentically to the collective, leaving a lasting impact on both our businesses and the community as a whole. Meaningful Connections Meaningful connections lie at the heart of The WE/Me Community. We endeavor to create an environment where women entrepreneurs can forge valuable relationships, connect with like-minded individuals, and establish supportive networks. By building these connections, we cultivate a sense of belonging, draw inspiration from one another, and foster a community grounded in trust, empathy, and collaboration. Promoting Empowerment Empowerment is the cornerstone of The WE/Me Community. We firmly believe that empowered women entrepreneurs possess the ability to effect change, create meaningful impact, and inspire others. To support our members on their entrepreneurial journeys, we offer a range of resources, including workshops, socials, small groups, and events. Our community provides tools and support to empower women entrepreneurs in their personal and collective pursuits. By fostering a culture of empowerment, we strive to create a ripple effect of positive change that extends far beyond our community's boundaries. The launch of The WE/Me Community marks an exciting chapter in our collective journey towards personal growth, meaningful connections, and collective empowerment. We extend an invitation to all women entrepreneurs to join us in this inspiring endeavor. Together, we will explore the balance between the individual and the collective, unlock our potential, and contribute to a better world. Welcome to The WE/Me Community—an empowering space where women entrepreneurs learn, grow, and thrive together. Join us in this safe and supportive environment, where collaboration triumphs over competition, and faith, love, service, and encouragement are the pillars of our community. THANK YOUS This launch wouldn't have happened without the collaborative partnerships I, myself, have formed. My heartfelt and huge thank yous go out to each of the ladies who have partnered with me to deliver this community to you. Sarah Steele Roar and Maddie Langer of Steele-Roar, and Malia Williams of Goodbloom have all been God-sends for this project! I am blessed and couldn't have done it without their serving hearts and efforts. Love your life! Tiffanie Teel is a brand and website designer turned coach for creative women entrepreneurs. Tiffanie works closely with clients on their brand strategy and target audience before diving into the design of their brand assets. Find out more about how you can hire Tiffanie as your Clarity Coach or Brand and Custom Web Designer. Get monthly Tech + Creative Support or Book a FREE Discovery Call at a time that works for you.

Do you love Pinterest like me? As a designer, browsing Pinterest is one of the perks but it's easy to waste hours on the platform. Regardless of whether you’re a DIY-er or planning to work with a professional branding expert to create your new brand or rebrand, I want to share best practices for using Pinterest to build a brand board that will form the foundation of your branding. As a requirement, each of my branding clients create a Pinterest board which they send me with their other branding homework. This provides me with a clear visual of their style. If a Pinterest board and other homework are not reflective of each other, this must be discussed before the brand design can move forward. While I give a description of what a client should pin on this Pinterest board, I think it can be confusing for a client to know exactly what to pin, therefore, I have example boards to share. Example Pinterest Board – Natural Branding Example Pinterest Board – Feminine Branding Choosing What To Pin on Your Pinterest Board Keywords Pinterest is a search engine like Google. Use keywords or phrases in order to bring up pictures that represent what you want to visually communicate. This is where your brand keywords come in. In my branding survey, I ask clients to list up to five brand power words. For example, words that you may use to describe your brand are encouraging, helpful, relevant, simple, or confident. Graphic Elements Look for images with graphic elements that you like. This could be flowers, leaves, or furniture, but I always say ... if you love it enough to decorate your office, add it to the board. Patterns / Textures Patterns and textures are an important part of branding and have multiple purposes. These can be used on the website and in the design of other business assets such as business cards or notecards. Heck, use these in your physical office decor to create a space that speaks your brand. Again when looking for textures, think back to your brand power words used. Natural/neutral brands might go for soft, neutral colors and nature patterns such as wood or leaves; however, girly, feminine brands might prefer floral patterns. Logos I always recommend to my clients that they pin 3-5 logos that they love. As a designer, I will not copy logos that you pin but will be inspired by them. Whether the layout or the fonts are used for inspiration, it's a great way to visually communicate what you envision for your own logo. There’s no point in wasting time creating logos with serif fonts when you would prefer a sans-serif font or script font with a feminine feel. Colors While you may not yet know specific color codes you want to use in your brand (this is where I come in), you know what colors you're attracted to and might have a sample color palette to share. If not, think about colors and color palettes that portray the look you are going for. Think back to your brand power words. When I think of feminine I may think of pink. When thinking of timeless, I may think of black and white. Search for colors you are drawn to when diving into the world of Pinterest. Fonts / Typography Pin fonts and typography styles that you love. This is so important as a font can make or break a design. Serif fonts tend to be more connected to timeless, classic brands whereas calligraphic and hand drawn fonts are better suited to brands looking to attract a female audience. Sans serif fonts are better suited to brands looking for a more modern look. A combination of these fonts will speak to a broader audience. Web Designs Pin 3-5 websites you love. Again, as a designer, I will not copy the web designs that you have pinned but might take elements from them. Regardless, it will help determine the design features that you love and will appreciate in your own design. Personal Style / Target Audience If your brand is going to reflect your personal style and tastes then look for interior images or decor based images. Other ideas include what you might wear to a client meeting or how you might decorate your dream office. While the images should have some connection, don't worry too much about whether or not the images are completely cohesive. This is where your designer comes in. They will see the connections and use this along with your branding homework to build your brand identity. HOW MANY PINS? I recommend my clients pin around 50. Any less than this would not paint a picture of what you are looking for. Try not to exceed 75 pins. Any more than 75 makes it confusing and overwhelming. REVIEW YOUR BOARD Once you have pulled together images for your branding Pinterest board, step away revisit it later to ensure that you still love all of the images you have pinned. If not, remove the ones you don’t like and add more. Don’t expect to complete your Pinterest board in one sitting. Do it over a few days. Most designers will give you a period of time to complete your homework so just be cognizant of your project timeline. COMMENT ON YOUR PINS A picture doesn't tell the whole story. It’s important for your designer to know what you specifically like about the image you pinned. Do this as you go or as a last step. Use the description field to make comments on the colors, textures, fonts, or anything that draws you to the image. HERE’S HOW I'll USE THE BOARD Once I receive the Pinterest board from my clients and we have had our project kick-off meeting, I will go through the board and look for elements that connect me to their brand. I may add additional images of my own. Once I am happy the board is complete, I will use these images to create a brand inspiration board of about 8-10 images which will guide the design throughout the project and also the color palette. I hope you will use this information to prepare for your branding session with me or another designer. If you're a DIY-er here to learn, please comment below and let me know what you discovered today that has been most helpful in your do-it-yourself journey. Love your life! Tiffanie Teel is a brand and website designer for creative women entrepreneurs and small businesses. I work closely with clients on their brand strategy and target audience before diving into the design of their brand assets. For this reason, I only take on a limited number of clients per month. Find out more about how you can work with me via my Brand and Custom Web Design and Tech + Creative Support pages and then shoot me a message via my contact form.

I first heard Heidi Dawson on an episode of Badass is the New Black with Krissy Chin. I fell in love with her southern accent. I became a quick listener and fan of Heidi's podcast, Wildy Successful Lifestyle. So, when she called requesting an interview, I was thrilled. You know, sometimes you just feel a kindred spirit in someone right away, and I have to admit that I immediately felt that with Heidi. In this episode of Heidi's Wildly Successful Lifestyle, we talk about making the jump between a corporate 9-5 and entrepreneurial journey, as well as rocking your online presence. Today, I'll share a few clips that I think will connect you to my story and inspire action in you. Heidi: Can you give our listeners a quick rundown of who you are and why you’re so awesome? In my response, I share with the listeners why I think Heidi and I have a similar background. We got sidetracked in conversation, and I didn't really talk about what it is that I do until later in the episode. If I had the chance to summarize "who I am and why I am so awesome", I would start with something commonly expected, like... I am married, a mom to one wild and crazy 6-year-old-boy, and I, sort of, live on a farm. But I would definitely step it up by letting the listeners know... The most important truth about me is that I’m a child of God! I have to admit that I heard Heidi's episode about playing small, and just like Marianne Williamson says, “I’m a child of God so my playing small doesn’t serve the world.” Later in the episode, you will hear my similar introduction to what I do... So, while my business is WEB DESIGN, and I’m the creator of WIX TUTORIALS and courses, my heart is in the business of encouraging women entrepreneurs, INSPIRING ACTION, growth, success, and the opportunity to live your best life every single day. Heidi: How much of your jump do you think was having the mindset that you can actually do it? Tiffanie: Oh, 100% of it. One thing about me is I’m not afraid to try; not a lot scares me... Tune in now and scroll to minute 10:05 to hear the rest of my discussion with Heidi on mindset. Heidi: Let’s talk about your online business. Your website is beautiful, usually, pop-ups annoy me but yours are subtle and that tells me they are well designed. How did website development become your thing and how are you helping others realize their dreams through it? Tiffanie: Being a full-time mom provided plenty of time to watch others design their ideal life and think about how to do the same. I only had two requirements: work comes second to momming, and I can’t be tied to a location. So, when a past client called requesting a website redesign, I took the opportunity to get back to work as a freelance web designer. ​ Heidi, a strong online presence allows you to build a brand and gain the credibility needed to attract more customers. But what I do is more than creating pretty websites… I want others to create a life they L O V E ! So, I’m locking arms with go-getters who are taking steps toward that life. Getting a business or brand online with the right copy and design that helps solve a problem will convert clients. And when you have a website that does the heavy lifting for you, you’re time is freed up to be spent elsewhere. A lot of us in different phases of life are looking for external things to make us happy when the key is to be happy and then... do that thing. Find happiness where you are and the doors open as they should at that point, rather than jumping from job to job searching for happiness. Have you found that to be true? I totally agree that a career is not going to determine your happiness. No doubt about it. So, in the past when I found myself in a job or role that didn’t add joy, I’d go through a little evaluation process and ask myself a few questions: What about this is not fulfilling? What would make this more fulfilling (or add joy)? What can I do to change my circumstances or role, in order to get more fulfillment (or joy)? a. Do I have more to offer? b. If I’m working for someone else, does my boss know that I have more to offer? c. How can I present myself as more valuable by doing the things that would bring me more fulfillment and… d. How does that benefit the company? It’s up to us to create the life we want. If we leave it up to someone who doesn’t know what life we want (which is typically anyone else), we’ll never live that life. Heidi: Tell us about your course and also how to follow you and maybe work with you! Tiffanie: Okay, so I am very excited to share this with you and your listeners because this is my passion project. As you know, I work with women entrepreneurs, and a lot of them are inspired mom bosses who are just getting started. Imagine yourself in that position. You’ve just spent 2-15 years raising kids, but it's finally do follow your dreams and passion. You’re using social media to tell everyone which means spending all your extra time, including wee hours in the morning hustling your DMs to book the next client or get that next sale. You know you need a website to manage all that hustle for you and free up your time, but… If you spend the money with a professional designer, you’re taking away from your family which is exactly why you started this gig in the first place. Can you feel the dilemma? And with those feelings comes stress. I’ve been there. Not with designing a website because I can obviously do that for myself, but there are so many other areas of doing business that has caused me to feel the exact same way. So, a few years ago when online courses became super popular, I made the decision that one day, I would create a course that would be affordable and help mom bosses, small business owners, and entrepreneurs get online and make money. I am thrilled to tell you guys that my course is here!!! Design Like a Wix Expert is a: 6-Week Course. With weekly in-depth LIVE training. Weekly Q+A sessions. Video and tutorial recordings. Downloadable PDFs. Tools + templates. Weekly assignments. Hot Seats. Website audits + feedback. An online, supportive community. And best yet, the chance to launch your website in 30 Days. In this course, you will: Uncover the mastered mindset of a designer. Master your Wix account. Design like an expert. Get familiar with the design tools within the Wix Editor. Optimize your visibility online. So, if you’re out there listening and you’ve felt any of these things or just want to learn a new skill, please join me. Wouldn’t it be awesome to stop hustling all over social media and rock your online presence on your own terms? Having a clear concept is the key to standing out online! Registration is open until Friday night at midnight, February 12, and class starts on Monday, February 15th. If you’re like, “Tiffanie, NO! I do not want to design my own website, but I want you on my team to improve my online presence”, let’s talk. Book a free consultation by clicking here. I have made connecting with me real simple. I put together a landing page of resources, just for you, Heidi’s listeners. It has links to everything we’ve talked about today, including my social media, and all you need to do is jot down this URL… Listen on Apple Podcasts I've said it before. Gaining social exposure is not only good for business but it is my way into the lives of those dreaming about how to create their ideal life. By sharing the skills God gave me, my exposure, audience - whatever you want to call it - grows. And that my friend is how you impact more lives than you imagined you could ever reach. Go give my episode (#106) a listen and, if you're so inclined, hit share. Because today, this is just a small example of how dreams can come true.* Listen on iHeart Radio You can find the Wildy Successful Lifestyle host, Heidi Dawson at www. wildlysuccessfullifestyle.com and connect with her on Instagram here, @theheididawson. If you're a woman entrepreneur looking to connect with a community who inspires growth and supports you in your faith, click here to join WE Over Me for Women Entrepreneurs on Facebook or Wix. We'd love to have you join this brand new and already growing community. Listen on Spotify Love your life! P.S. Grab your FREE copy of my eBook, so you don't design a website that sucks. Click here for a link. P.S.S. Dreams would never be possible without a killer support system. A huge thank you goes out to Krissy Chin for inspiring me to stay focused and hustle hard for the life I want. Click here to listen to my episode on Badass is the New Black.

If you’re a longtime reader you know I work with women entrepreneurs—many coming to me are inspired mom bosses just getting started on their entrepreneurial journey. And many find themselves unsure about making the investment it takes to get themselves online. Imagine… You’ve just spent 2-15 years raising kids, but it’s finally time to chase those dreams. You’re using social media to get the word out, but that means you’re spending ALL your extra time hustling DMs to book the next client or land the next sale. Hustling your DMs to book the next client or get that next sale. Having a website to call home and manage all that hustle for you (freeing up precious time). But you’ve got yourself a dilemma… Do you dig deep into your family's financials and hire a professional web designer? Or go at it alone? And with this uncertainty comes stress. Oh, have I ever been there. Thinking about being in that position has my body tensing. Of course, my issue isn’t about designing a website. Obviously, I can do that for myself! But there are other areas of business that cause me to feel stressed, overwhelmed, and like an imposter. A few years ago, I set my sights on creating an online web design course. It had to be affordable and help mom bosses, small business owners, and entrepreneurs get online and make them money without breaking the bank to do it. I’m thrilled to tell you that my course is here!!! Design Like a Wix Expert (DLWE) is a 6-week online course that includes: Weekly in-depth LIVE training. Weekly Q+A sessions. Video and tutorial recordings. Downloadable PDFs. Tools + templates. Weekly assignments. Hot Seats. Website audits + feedback. An online, supportive community. Bonus material from professionals across various industries. Launching a website in 30 Days. Wouldn’t it be awesome to rock your online presence on your terms?! Having everything in one place will boost your visibility and give you the upper hand when it comes to online searches. Don’t delete those social media accounts—use them as smart marketing tools that link back to your website. Enrolling in DLWE you will: Unleash your designer mindset. Get familiar with design tools. Master your Wix account. Create your website like an expert. Optimize your visibility online. So, if you want to design your website and learn a new skill, click here to learn more about this online course. Registration is open until midnight Friday, February 12. Class starts Monday, February 15. If you’re like, “Tiffanie, heck no! I don’t want to design my own website. I need someone like you on my team.” Let’s talk. Click here to get on my calendar before I’m booked solid.

Want killer organizational hacks and professional sales page design tips? Keep reading. For someone who dreams about helping other mamas create the life they want, avoid the 9-5, and stay home to be the primary influencer in their kids' lives... today is a milestone for me! What do you mean, you ask? So, it's not for popularity or fame, but to make an impact, and to affect people's lives. To do this you must be able to reach "the people". Gaining social exposure is not only good for business but it is my way into the lives of those dreaming about how to create their ideal life. By sharing the skills God gave me, my exposure, audience - whatever you want to call it - grows. Share this episode to support this woman entrepreneur. Public speaking feels like a pipedream, most days, but TODAY is proof that it just takes one step at a time to reach your goals and live your dream. Go give my episode (#2) a listen and, if you're so inclined, hit share. Because today, this is just a small example of how dreams can come true.* Listen on Apple Podcasts You can find the Badass is the New Black Podcast host, Krissy Chin at www. thekrissychin.com and find her blog post about this episode here. *Dreams would never be possible without a killer support system. A huge thank you goes out to my backbone, Matthew Teel of Environmental Landscape Management, and a few other badass peeps who keep motivating me on the regular include Emily Ingold, Kala Arrington, Kayla Duffey of Kayla Duffey Photography, Sydney Summers Helms of The Sydney Brand, and, of course, our Badass is the New Black podcast host, Krissy Chin. Thank you for believing in me. Listen on Spotify Love your life! P.S. Grab your FREE copy of my eBook, so you don't design a website that sucks. Click here for a link.

If you’re thinking about designing your own website, you’ve Googled and found a lot of new terms that you’re not familiar with, such as usability, accessibility, conversion, favicon, and cookies. And no, these aren’t the type of cookies we love to eat. I won’t define the web design industry jargon for you today, but I do want to provide some tips that will help the DIY Web Designer with do-it-yourself website design. (Click here for an old reliable source for Web Design and Development Terms and Definitions.) Snap up my free guide to help you design a website for high traffic! So what does it mean to design for the user? In short, provide the information needed for a user without any knowledge of your product or service. No more and no fluff, and no less. But how and what does that mean from a do-it-yourself web design standpoint? Reference these tips as you design your website to check usability for each page of your web design. 1. Leverage Visual Hierarchy Leverage Visual Hierarchy to guide the user’s attention to more important elements first. Visual hierarchy in web design refers to the arrangement, size, color, and contrast of visual elements. It implies importance and influences the order in which the human eye perceives what it sees. 2. Simple Website Design KISS your design. Keep it simple, sweetie. In other words, create a simple website design. Follow a simple page design to engage users and keep them on your page longer. Here’s a sample design flow from top to bottom: a. Provide a Contact Link or Phone Number in the top right corner. b. The top of your page should have a clear, simple description of services above the fold. c. Next, provide clear answers to the top questions your ideal clients ask. d. Provide evidence, examples, data, and social proof next. e. Video is a great way to humanize your brand story and connect. If you have videos, make them visually appealing, keep them under 60 seconds, and take a bold approach placing them high on the page, rather than burying them beneath the fold. f. Last comes the CTA (call to action) which should follow these other important sections. 3. CTA Buttons CTAs (call-to-actions) are used to direct visitors to your sales page or to buy now. While it’s smart to use a CTA at the top of the page under your main headline, it’s also important to spread out the use of CTAs as a lot of persuasions happen further down the page after key information has been consumed. Note, using CTAs the right way will convert your ideal clients into lifelong fans who purchase tickets to anything you offer. 4. Website Headlines Use descriptive, key-phrase-focused headlines written for each page. 5. Professional Website Photography Use personal photos of people, not stock photos of people. People gaze at faces more than anything else from the time they are born. Faces draw attention and can be used to direct attention, as well. Use this example with the baby. Photos can give directional cues to guide the visitor’s attention. 6. Directional Cues Arrows also work quite well when used as directional cues. 7. White Space in Design Use white space to your advantage. Plenty of white space in your design translates into a non-cluttered or low visual complexity design. 8. Descriptive Website Navigation Be descriptive with your navigation and site structure. This is an opportunity to guide your visitors through a journey beyond your home landing page. I could continue on but in honor of keeping it simple, let’s stop here for now. If this type of content is helpful, click here to learn more about website design for beginners. Design Like a Wix Expert, my custom Wix tutorial re-launches in January with limited seats. Design Like a Wix Expert is a website design course for beginners. It was strategically designed by me, a Wix Expert, for the beginner designer, DIY-er who loves shortcuts, and the mom looking to grow her skillset to freelance services and stay home with her kids. I want you to make a splash in 2021, and jump into one of the top Wix courses for 2021. Designing your own website will be simple with my course, and it will save you time, which is money. So come co-create your website with me to build a Wix website in 4-6 weeks. I use and recommend Wix as my preferred platform because of the fun and flexibility the Wix Editor offers for beginners and expert designers alike. This post contains affiliate links which means I’ll earn a small commission if you choose to purchase. For more information, check out my disclaimer.

This post contains affiliate links which means I’ll earn a small commission if you choose to purchase. For more information, check out my disclaimer. Tired of hustling DMs to answer the same ole questions about your product or service? Has Facebook blocked or banned you from posting one too many times for a reason you don’t even understand? Do you feel stuck, like your message never reaches your ideal audience? It’s time to talk about resolving any frustrating issues in your business so you can reach your ideal client, instantly. Are you depending on social media to communicate with your ideal client? Do you hear crickets on at least half of your social media posts? Are you using Facebook Messenger more than email? Are you personally managing your DMs? If you said yes to at least 3 of those questions, it’s time for a change. I spend a lot of time in conversation with other entrepreneurs about what works in their business, and what doesn’t. Here are common business tools and business process examples that work across the board: Leverage Websites Over Social Media Launch a website written for your ideal client by designing it in a user-friendly platform, such as Wix, Squarespace, or Shopify (for e-commerce). Simple Website Design. Keep it simple. Answer the most asked questions about your product or service by building FAQs. Use CTAs (call-to-actions) to direct visitors to your sales page(s) and convert your ideal clients into lifelong fans who purchase tickets to anything you offer. A CTA Button can be effective for converting site visitors into cash-paying customers. Social Media for Marketing Strategy Use social media as a marketing tool instead of a website. Direct traffic from social media to your website (where you own your content and build loyal followers). Use autoresponders to set expectations and direct traffic to your FAQs, opt-in-forms, and sales pages. Email List Building Feel the love when you build an email list full of raving fans. Invest in Email Marketing by choosing a service provider or platform, such as Wix, Aweber, Active Campaign, or Convert Kit. Stop worrying about the visibility of your social posts, by placing every message directly in front of your audience by sending it directly to their inbox. Benefits of Automation Invest your time. Write down your business process and convert it into an automated workflow that manages your client experience for you. Invest in the right-for-your-business tool. By investing in CRM (Customer Relationship Manager) such as Dubsado, Active Campaign, or Go High Level, you can increase sales up to 29%, sales productivity by up to 34%, and sales forecast accuracy by up to 42%. Design Like a Wix Expert relaunches in January and will help you tackle the first step: your website. You can’t see me but know that I’m jumping for joy at the thought of sharing my web design skills in a group setting of highly ambitious entrepreneurs. So, if 1:1 service doesn’t fit your budget and you’re ready to check-off these changes in your business, get that finger ready to click HECK YES, SIGN ME UP! But wait. You can get details about Design Like a Wix Expert straight to your inbox over the next few weeks. If you’re an entrepreneur who’s used these steps to improve your business and increase sales, tell me what worked for you in the comments below.

This post contains affiliate links which means I’ll earn a small commission if you choose to purchase. For more information, check out my disclaimer. You've finally decided to build a website that now begins the battle between the monsters of hosting, Wix vs. WordPress. Should I use Wix or WordPress is the question you can't seem to answer. It's like choosing between Apple vs. Windows, but... There is no right or wrong. As a web designer, I have used both WordPress and Wix to build websites, including my own. When I started my own design, I researched and read many articles comparing the two and walked away feeling torn and confused about which platform was best. I expected judgment from other web designers and developers if I chose Wix over WordPress. The feeling that I could make the wrong choice paralyzed me, and I did not make an initial choice. Rather, I designed my website on Wix and hosted my blog on WordPress. So, let's talk about a few key differences between Wix and WordPress and why I have finally chosen Wix over WordPress. ✔️ USER FRIENDLY WordPress Unless you’re familiar with code or want to spend a lot of time (or money) learning your way around WordPress, this platform will put you on the struggle bus. I consider myself tech-savvy, but WordPress sucks the life out of me. The workaround – Outsource. Wix Created for the DIYer, Wix is simple and easy to use. While designing a unique, custom website may not be easy there are plenty of Premium Templates on the market and Wix offers free templates. Once your template is installed, it’s time to have some fun by customizing the design for your brand. The Wix Editor is a drag and drop interface that allows you to drag and drop features. Drop them where you want them or move them around until you find the perfect design. And believe me, making minor changes to a completed website is easy. The number one reason I became an Expert Wix Designer and choose this platform for my clients is due to the amount of fun and flexibility I have with the Wix Editor. Wouldn’t you too choose a job you love over a job that stresses you out? ✔️ FLEXIBLE VS SECURE WordPress is more flexible than secure. WordPress is open-source, so it’s super flexible. Ultimately with development, WordPress will host anything, and I mean anything you design. There are thousands of plugins available to create your perfect website, but many of those plugins are not secure and could do damage your site. WordPress sites are not self-secured but require total manual maintenance. Security plug-ins and regular updates are a must, and without them, your site is prone to hackers. Wix is more secure than flexible. Opposite of WordPress, Wix is a closed source platform which means the platform owners are the only ones who can add new features. It also means they are responsible for the security of your site and have an entire team to assure the security of your website. As a creative designer myself, I haven’t found myself limited from very many design functions or features, and if you’re not a professional designer, I’d be surprised for you to run into design limitations yourself. At the end of the day, you’re left on your own with WordPress, but Wix will give you almost everything you need including security for a professional website. ✔️ CUSTOMER SUPPORT Without giving as in-depth details about these next few areas for consideration, I want to note that WordPress doesn’t have a customer support line for you to call or live chat. As a Wix Partner, I have priority access to Customer Service and Premium Subscribers get 24/7 Customer Support included in their plan. ✔️ PRICING And pricing is straightforward with Wix. Plans start as low as $14/month (without applying a discount code), but with WordPress, you must find a hosting platform, such as Bluehost or GoDaddy, and create DNS records that connect your design to the hosting. Sounds a bit complicated, doesn’t it? If you’re scrolling for the breakdown of differences, scroll no more. Wix is better for you if… …you don’t have a lot of technical experience in designing websites and want a user-friendly platform with no coding required. Paid plans start at $14/month. WordPress is better for you if… …you’re a little more tech-savvy and even comfortable with code, and you want power and a lot of flexibility. Costs vary, but generally, you could be looking at about a $200 setup fee with ongoing monthly hosting fees following monthly. Ask yourself if saving time, launching quickly, and maintaining a website stress-free is important. If yes, join me on the Wix platform now. And there you have it, my review of Wix vs WordPress. But, hun, I’ve been designing for a long time, so I am fully aware there is a place for both of these platforms. So, if you’re on WordPress and happy, I’m not here to convince you to ditch and switch for Wix. But if you’re not happy with WordPress and are considering a change, I’m CHEERING and ready to help you check out Wix. What questions are you left with? I’m happy to help you make a final decision about which platform is best for you. Comment below.

Ever lost a game? Maybe you didn’t score the grade you thought you deserved on that final last semester? Or was it simply the lack of attention your last social media post got that sent you tumbling down into the pits of despair? Hey! I’m Tiffanie. I feel your frustration. If you’ve been around for a hot minute, you’re familiar with my story about redesigning and launching my own website earlier this year. And I‘ve been honest about the challenges—all those hang-ups, including imposter syndrome, the need to achieve perfection, and the frustrations that come with how much time these projects take. The highs and lows got me wondering how those without design experience feel about designing a website themselves. Are you overwhelmed? Are you ignoring an unfinished site? Have you given up? These questions resurface over and over again. In fact, I keep thinking how much this course of mine is going to help you get moving with that website, and how much easier it would have been if I’d had someone guiding me—with full-on encouragement from start to finish. My brain is moving faster than I can keep up… So, I’m here to deliver. For you. Design Like a Wix Expert is here to help you design a fully functional website on the Wix platform and go live within 30 days. Inside the first release, everyone gets an experience that combines my professional experience and skills with your desire for results. Here’s where you’ll find EVERYTHING you need to know about this exclusive course. In a nutshell, this course is designed to give you: A winning perspective. Hands-on experience designing your own website. Expert guidance from start to finish. It’s designed to eliminate obstacles and excuses and provide you with the know-how to create a website you can be proud of. Design Like a Wix Expert is my first BETA course. It will be delivered LIVE on Facebook over 6 weeks and includes: 6 LIVE interactive video trainings (plus access to the recordings). 6 LIVE Q&A sessions where I’ll answer your burning questions. The option to launch your website in a quick 30 days. A private Facebook community with access to me 5 days/week. Homework (don’t worry, they’ll be fun and move the needle in your biz!) A personal review of your work. Weekly emails. But you’ve got to know… The doors will close on this first-time offer at 11:59 PM EST on November 9th. Future versions of this course will NOT include as much 1:1 access to me, your trusted Wix Expert. I’m keeping the numbers low, so don’t risk missing out. Act now to take advantage of those savings! Especially because I’m not sure if I’ll offer it at this price again. Ask yourself… “Is designing and launching a website important to me and my business?” “Am I done being stuck where I am?” Let me boost your confidence because, honey, you deserve a little relief. And this will get you launched by the end of this six-week course because… When you join by 11:59 PM EST on Friday, November 6th, you’ll get these bonuses: 1-hour of hands-on design service from me. That’s right 1-hour of 1:1 with me! Access to the final, polished version of the course once it’s launched + all of its evolutions for as long as it’s available. The doors are wide open, and I’m ready to welcome you, friend. Love your life! P.S. Here’s what Sydney had to say about her experience with my 1:1 service. “I had a specific vision in mind when it came to rebranding my salon companies. In my search, a close friend recommended Tiffanie. She was, indeed, the perfect person for the job. From the first time I spoke with her, she just got it. She understood that I wanted more than just a website, but that I wanted all of my projects to speak the same language to my customers. She built the site from scratch and fulfilled all of my must-haves – plus way more than I even knew I wanted. She is efficient which is very important to me and was a great communicator throughout the entire project. Very reliable and extremely talented in her field. She is now on staff, working with my team monthly to help with all my IT needs. Everyone needs a Tiffanie on their team!!!! Highly recommend her to any and everyone!” ~ Sydney Helms See you on the inside!

Our current reality includes everyone moving and scaling their business, online. Are you one of those people or is online marketing new to you? Or maybe you’ve been online, but you’re not sure how to position yourself to STAND OUT online, in order for your ideal audience to continue connecting with you even through the chaos and noise they are filtering through each day. Now, if you’re a Small Business Owner, in Network Marketing, Creating Online Courses or even a Coach, you need to LISTEN up. It’s easy to feel stuck when you aren’t converting your audience to sales. And I can guarantee the ones you’re watching ROCK their business have mastered one thing different than you. How to STAND OUT! I want to help you overcome the incredibly simple but really hard to accept things that will make the biggest impact on your growth. So, here are a few TIPS that made a massive impact on my results: Be true to yourself. Be authentic. If your audience knows you, they will also know if you’re speaking in your own voice, or if you’re duplicating the words and efforts of other marketers. Don’t fall for it because they won’t either. Get online. Not on social media. But on the web. Create a website that attracts your ideal clients and converts those visitors to sales. Show up. Show up for your audience. Whether your audience finds you at in person networking events, on your personal or business social media accounts, in private Facebook groups, on your blog or podcast. Show up – consistently. It’s easy to read this and say, “I can do that!” But when you sit down to implement, you get stuck, let your mindset shift to the negative, get distracted or revert back to old habits of thinking instead of doing. STOP! Don’t fall victim to the repetitive lack of action anymore! I’ve reserved a block of FREE tickets for an upcoming STAND OUT Virtual Summit that will show you EXACTLY how to implement these tips and many more that are working for 20+ 7-Figure Earners. Did you hear me? Free tickets. Currently, registration is still open and FREE, if you click here to access the event through me. When you click, add your info to my form and then you’ll receive an email from me with a link to grab your free ticket. After you register, I’ll even send you a FREE gift. Normally at conferences we’d get to meet, hang out, chat and even network. Since we can’t do that at a virtual summit, I wanted to create that space for everyone who grabs one of my free tickets. So be sure to comment below, or email me by clicking here, when you’ve completed registration, and I’ll get you added to this Facebook group. It’s gonna be impactful! Friends, I love you and want to grow with you. I hope you’ll join me for this next week!