HowsYourBlog

Twitter Link Roundup 3/08/2010

David Y — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:16:49 +0000

It has been awhile since I’ve shared links that have been inspirational, motivational and resourceful to me during the week. Honestly it’s hard to just pick a few links as it seems each and every day tons of new resources are being made available to us all. However in the honor of keeping things simple here are a few. Enjoy.

How to Be More Likeable - http://www.careerealism.com/likeable-10-today/

How to Tell When It’s Time to Take A Break - http://bit.ly/cloTJZ

What Happens to Your Website When You Die? – http://menwithpens.ca/what-happens-to-your-website-if-you-die

Create A Floating Navigation Using HTML, CSS and jQuery – http://tinyurl.com/yed8ox7

38 Cool MooTools Plugins Developers Should Know – http://tinyurl.com/yax6qae

Why Designers Shouldn’t Settle – http://ow.ly/1pX6wT

A Look Into Color Theory – http://bit.ly/9Hac46

10 Purchases To Save You Time - http://bit.ly/a00tvm

Set and Accomplish Your Goals – http://bit.ly/d92e9Q

Jump-Start Your Freelance Career - http://tinyurl.com/ydwjot7

The One Essential Tool You Need to Brand, Market and Manage Twitter – http://bit.ly/aQ6ME0

10 sql tips to speed up your database – http://bit.ly/9ojBWg

Unique Handwritten Free Fonts For Your Next Designs – http://bit.ly/cXBzg2

How to best leverage your articles for SEO – http://bit.ly/aLOW3I

Heads Up

David Y — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 02:32:46 +0000

Just before I pull the site apart and do intense tweaking I wanted to announce that fact. If you happen to visit the site over the next couple days and see strange things about the domain being available ignore it. I’m testing and tweaking behind the scenes in preparation for bigger things down the road for HowsYourBlog.

Things I”ll be working on will be a central location for resources, freebies and more.

Milestones and Good Times

21 Fresh Inspiring Typography Designs

Angel Y. — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:19:04 +0000

Hello readers! My name is Angel Y. and I’m a guest blogger for How’s Your Blog. You can visit my design inspiration blog, Static-Romance. Typography is everywhere. As a freelance designer and blogger, my greatest inspirations have come from outstanding typography designs. I have compiled a showcase of twenty-one inspiring, new typography designs for you to enjoy.

11 Ways To Improve Customer Service As A Freelancer

David Y — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:49:51 +0000

Imagine for a moment buying a product that everyone says is the biggest greatest thing ever made and after extensive research you buy it. On the way home you can’t stop staring at it on the seat beside you while doing the best you can to avoid an accident. Finally in the safety of your home you savagely open the product packaging and much to your horror there just so happens to be no instructions on how to get it working.. so you run to your computer and search for help just to end up with the same result.

Customer service to some seems to be one annoying sub par job and yet to others it’s the most important factor to their business. As freelancers it’s one of the ingredients that can make the cake taste good or cause it to be thrown out. Often times it seems as if the concept is more complex that it really should be, or if your like me your constantly searching out better ways to serve your clients. Here are a few ways in which you can improve the customer service wing of your freelance career.

Know and understand your product

Your approached by a salesperson one fine day who has no clue about the features of his product or why he’s even there except to make money, you feel as if he’s wasting your time and so do your clients. No one likes someone who doesn’t understand what is in their portfolio no matter how nice it may be and no one likes to have their time wasted.

If a client says “Is this something you can do?” then be ready to say yes and explain exactly how your going to get them to their destination.

Now that same client asks you if you can help them and you happen to answer ” I think so, or I’m not sure” then your opportunity is ruined. Be confident in your abilities, understand what it is you do, how you do what you do as well as the results of what it is you do.

Understanding your product extends far beyond the initial landing of the client and getting paid, it also continues deep into working on the project as well as closing the project. Each step of the way requires dedication and your full attention.

Know your competitions product, being prepared by thinking ahead and knowing the scoop on your competitors is also a great way of improving your customer service. By understanding and knowing what it is others in your field offer you can create a better plan to give your clients the best possible experience.

Never bad-mouth competition

The competition is out there, it’s everywhere but at the same time in one way or another the competition is also different. Trash talking a competitor to a client shows them that your not fully confident in your abilities and also gives them the feeling that they might become fodder for your trash talking cannon to someone else.

Going down this road not only damages your reputation with that client which may also lead to you losing them altogether but what if your client has great influence and talks about what you did.. how do you think that helps you out in the end? Not very well I’d guess.

Being professional about the situation gives you the upper hand, it shows that you care about people enough to respect them and that the experience the client will have with you will be a good one, a simple process that saves you both time and keeps your credibility at the top of the charts.

Instead of trash talking, simply compare your features to theirs, if you happen to lack in one area show how you make up for that in another but never stoop to the low-level of trash talk because you never know if later down the road you may have to work with that person or if they would recommend you to someone.

Deliver on time and as promised

FedEx and Ups both deliver, mostly on time and as promised and so should you. Everyone loves when things are on time and consistent, the more you deliver as promised the more your clients will trust you. Sure unexpected events happen but they don’t always have to cause a negative effect. Incorporate the possibility of the unexpected into your project timelines.

Oftentimes the best feeling is receiving that order you were told would take 4 to 5 weeks for delivery arrives a full week ahead of time but it’s a terrible feeling to know something said it would take 2 weeks and ends up being delivered in 4. We all gain faith slowly but are quick to lose it.. same goes for your client.

If your track record shows you’re a person of your word then the occasional missed deadline will be overlooked however if it shows your constantly missing deadlines then maybe you should find another job or quickly begin to work on delivering on time and as promised

Entertain your clients

We all think entertainment is awesome and if you don’t.. seriously get yourself checked out, being entertained is the essence of life however entertaining your clients doesn’t have to be an expensive dinner at your cost it could be something simple.

A few simple ways that won’t break the bank when entertaining your client are:

Client meetings are your local coffee shop. Having the occasional meeting outside the office allows you to bond with your client in a way you normally wouldn’t. The added benefit of this is being able to gain a reputation of being a people person.
Take them out for a drink. Show your client that you aren’t all about work and you know how to play and in the rare chance that they don’t drink well smoothie bars work just as well, especially if your client is avid on being healthy.
Find out what they like to do by doing this it shows you care and that they can trust you.

Often it comes down to keeping things simple. Don’t go overboard but keep it fun. I’m positive you will thank yourself for this later.

Communicate

Imagine a world where we know what the next person is thinking in relation to what we’re working on. Now open your eyes. Surprised? I sure hope not because that world doesn’t exist and most likely won’t. Without it the world would be chaos…well in a more chaotic state than it already is. Communication is crucial to every relationship. Communication is needed to be successful.

While in sales I learned quickly that to be the best at what I was doing I had to become a chameleon, meaning I had to adapt the way i communicated to customers on a whim. Being able to relate to the audience your in front of will do wonders for you both now and in the future.

Communication boils down to a few simple steps of:

Being consistent. No one likes to hear one thing this moment and something else the next, by being consistent you can prove to your client that you know exactly what it is you’re doing, by being consistent you can show confidence.
Think it through. Think back to the first time you showed up somewhere unprepared. Now think on how you felt, let’s take that experience and apply it to now, by thinking things through you not only can you deliver to your clients better but also you will be delivering to yourself better. Less is the chance for mistakes to happen because you thought ahead.
Be ye thorough. Have a backup plan for your backup plan because you never know what may go wrong. Explain each point in detail, by allowing yourself to be detailed in your approach you are enabling yourself to be easier for clients to approach as well as while working with them you are able to show to them that you do in fact know what you’re doing.

Communicate your progress on the project, describe how it helps them both now and how it will help them later down the road. With this tool in your pocket you will be successful.

Be Honest

Up next is the obvious..honesty, something so simple yet so hard for many people to do. The equation boils down to this clients want to trust you so don’t give them a reason not to.

Growing up we always hear from our parents the importance of telling the truth, most of us would try to get away with a white lie but in the end we’d always get caught..same rule applies to the relationship you have with your client. Telling a lie to look good never works out neither in the short run or long run aspects of it all.

Imagine buying a product that tells you it can make the most amazing meals in 10 minutes and all you need to do is add water, salt and your favorite veggies and it will do the rest, so happily you shell out far more than usual based on the product description, then you head home follow the simple directions and 11 minutes later you dig in only to be disappointed by half-cooked food and the little cooker laughing at you. Think for a minute how you feel about that particular product, you feel angry and it all goes downhill from there. Same thing goes for your business when honesty isn’t a top priority.

As for laughing kitchen appliances… they don’t exist but imagine if they did..

Make their lives easier

This is where having good people skills comes into play. Everyone loves having things easier in life so what makes that any different for your client. Pick something close to your field of work that would make that project situation easier on your client and carry it out, you don’t have to do it all the time just once every so often. To your client it shows that you are interested in their business and that you have what it takes, it shows initiative and easily makes you stand out from your competitors.

Using the tools mentioned before such as communication, entertaining your client and getting to know them will work wonders for you both in the short-term as well as long-term.

Melt the ice man

The office prude, the Grinch, the ice queen or oh look it’s that guy, no matter where you go someone will give you the cold shoulder but don’t take it personal..perhaps that person just hasn’t had a good experience with others. Every problem has a solution.. let’s take a look at a few:

Meet with the person. A simple meeting whether in the office or in a relaxed venue may work wonders, find out what makes them tick, find out just what brings the soft nice person buried inside of them to the surface.
Listen. Listen. Listen. The solution to most problems we face is simply to listen before jumping to a conclusion.
Gain their trust. Somewhere along the line something happened to that person to cause them to dislike your kind strongly.. find out what it is and build up a trusting relationship. You may not win them over overnight but in due time you’ll bring them over to your side.

Ask for help

This might be the biggest obstacle many of us face, I know personally for me it is but honestly it’s not so bad. Asking for help doesn’t make you look weak in fact if anything it makes you look human.

Think for a moment, you’ve landed the big fish you’ve dreamed of for as far back as you can remember but then a few days into the project you soon realize that your in over your head no need to panic, simply ask for help. Collaborating with someone else in your field not only opens doors for you down the road but also helps you to keep up your reputation of being able to deliver and on time.

Doctors consult with one another so why can’t you?

Recommend something

Your clients are humans too. Know of a good event they might like? Tell them about it. Know of a way to save them money? Share it with them, later down the road that is more money in your pocket and a more solid relationship with your client.

Sharing knowledge makes you a go to person for things and you can only imagine what happens when they begin to speak about how helpful you’ve been to them, yup thats right..more business for you. Win Win solution for both you and your client.

When making recommendations to your client be sure you have a in-depth understanding of their business or of them, you certainly don’t want to end up in the place where you suggest something and it does more harm than good but at the same time don’t be shy either.

Show It Off

Your taking a look at your portfolio and it brings a smile to your face, warmth to your heart and a tear to your eye..why not share this feeling with the world. Showcasing your success and skills isn’t bragging. It’s showing prospective and current clients what you’ve done and just how capable of handling things you happen to be.

Showcasing your work shows confidence and highlights your skills. It backs up you’re talking game, it seals the deal. While showing others your highlight reel be careful to not come off as a jerk. Keep things modest and you will be rewarded.

What are some ways in which you have improved your freelance customer service department? I’d love to hear your thoughts below.

18 Creative and Inspirational Advertisement Designs

David Y — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 14:32:10 +0000

I love all things creative, whether it’s a umbrella shaped like a samuri sword or a wallpaper that can capture my attention for a few minutes. Lately I’ve been browsing through different places where everyone feels the need to drop off there posters or flyers and quite frankly they all look the same, which got me thinking maybe all we need is a little inspiration to make things interesting again. So here we have a collection of posters and flyers that are both inspirational and creative.

Which of these piece’s did you enjoy the most? Also If you know of a piece that should be featured feel free to let me know.

Hey You..Come Here

David Y — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:44:56 +0000

Now that your here please grab your favorite drink, put up your feet and relax…I have wonderful news to share. HowsYourBlog is closing in on it’s first year anniversary. The site has gone through many changes, tons of new features have been added in both behind the scenes as well as in the front row for all to see, however to me it just wasn’t enough.

Over the past few months I’ve done quite the bit of observing to see what you my dear readers are the most interested in. Lists style posts are great but the ooo awe factor soon wears off.

I’ve always been told it’s the little things that make the most difference so besides the over redesign featuring awesome post it note comment images, the twitter update so everyone can stalk follow me in real time, there is one nifty new feature that I’m truly proud of and that is I like this post.

Right under the title and date if you like the post but happen to be in a rush or even not in the mood to leave a comment you can still interact and leave input.

As mentioned before the one year anniversary of HowsYourBlog is coming up and with that said I’ll be working on a few other features to make commenting and interacting a whole lot more fun and easier. In the very near future I do have some goodies lined up.

I really do appreciate my readers for the comments, emails, retweets and sharing of the articles on the site. However late it may be Happy New Year to all and the best of luck and prosperity in 2010.

Happy Holiday’s

David Y — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 21:12:48 +0000

Have a safe and fun filled holiday season.

From HowsYourBlog.

Happy 4th of July

Changes.

David Y — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:36:59 +0000

As you may have noticed it has been nearly two weeks with no updates whatsoever. Recently and up to this point I’ve been going through a pretty extreme life change that has landed me in a pretty interesting position in life. Due to this change I’ve gone through quite the list of emotions… and from this I’ve decided to redo quite the list of things.

So stay tuned for a new site design, more freebies.. giveaways and anything else good I can direct your way.

Lastly I want to thank all my readers, without you this site would mean nothing.

No related posts.

Navigating Awkward Clients

David Y — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:45:55 +0000

(thumbnail from psd)

Recently at a “family” gathering over the holidays things quickly became awkward. The air became tense, eye contact was avoided and things turned south rather quickly to the point of avoiding each other all together.

So while sitting by myself analyzing the situation and watching a George Lopez show things became clear. Awkward situations are based on history but the resolution of an awkward client situation is based on more than just one factor.

Age difference – Often times things can become awkward based on age. Whether it be your younger than your client or the client is younger than you things can get off to a rocky start. The solution to this one is simple. Learn as much about your client as possible. Their likes and dislikes, there history and their goals. By doing this the age gap can be bridged.
Race – One barrier that shouldn’t be but sadly enough appears quite often, race. Black vs. white, Asian vs. Indian, whatever the situation may be such a barrier exists, it shouldn’t be ignored. The solution is knowledge. Educate yourself on your clients culture, avoid things that may be offensive and most importantly show the utmost respect and make your client feel comfortable. It pays off in the end.
Language – One of the trickiest things to deal with is a language barrier, English to Spanish, French to English, whatever the situation may be many solutions are available. Going back to educating yourself about your client goes a long way. Do they know much of your language? Do you know much of theirs? If the answer is yes then you’re in the best position possible. However if you answered no, then perhaps having a translator present will help or even collaborating with someone of that language on the project.
Expectations – More often than none we walk into various situations having a certain preconceived idea of how things should go and how they will turn out, even with this great mentality things will never go as planned and we should always be prepared for such a situation. When meeting with a client throw out all expectations, show up with a open mind and a backup plan for the most recurring “bad events” that do happen.

A simple well chosen and well timed joke can lighten the mood. Most importantly viewing the positive side of the situation will go a long way into making sure things go well, and last but not least be confident in your ability to help that client of yours achieve their goal.

What are some ways in which you’ve dealt with a awkward client moment.

From HowsYourBlog To You

David Y — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:08:04 +0000

photo by – xybermatthew

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, “thank you,” that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action. ~W.J. Cameron

From me to you. Happy Thanksgiving. I wish to you my readers the best this holiday season and safe traveling.

Optimizing To Win

David Y — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:57:17 +0000

Imagine for a moment a developer named Bob. Bob has just finished a huge web development project utilizing wordpress as the CMS. All the images have been carefully optimized, sprites have been implemented and unnecessary code has been removed, sitting back in his fancy office chair Bob smiles and pats himself on the back at a job well done.

Later down the road the client reappears stating there site is slow and a whole host of problems that could have been avoided if only Bob had given a little extra time to making sure the platform was optimized not just for present loads but to handle future load times as well.

From my personal experience that extra amount of time spent making sure everything is in tip top shape saves headaches later on down the road.

Some may not even know where to begin on the process of optimizing a site outside of image sizes, especially if the site is based on wordpress.

So to help those of us who sometimes forget this important step as well as help those who don’t know where to start, below is a list of articles that work wonders in getting things on track with ease.

Optimizing Wordpress for Best Performance
Optimize Wordpress for Professional Performance
Most Essential Tips for Improving Response Time of Your Wordpress Blog
Tips on Optimizing Performance for Self-Installed WordPress
Wordpress Performance: Why My Site Is So Much Faster Than Yours

We all love wordpress because of the flexibility and the ability to add in plugins that further enhance the user experience. With the ease of installation presented by plugins optimizing a site is easier than before. Here are a few plugins I tend to use both on my site as well as on client sites.

As you can see optimizing a wordpress site is easy so there should be no excuse why such a important step should be left out of the design/development process.

What are some ways in which you’ve optimized a wordpress site?

(picture credit)

Tidbits 11/18

David Y — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:06:39 +0000

About 3000 years ago, most Egyptians died by the time they were 25.

71% of office workers stopped on the street for a survey agreed to give up their computer passwords in exchange for a chocolate bar.

There wasn’t a single pony in the Pony Express, just horses.

They have square watermelons in Japan – they stack better

Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of their birthplace

(image from EverJean)