I’m sat here once again reviewing my plans for 2013. I won’t say resolutions, because in my view they’re meaningless without clear goals and a way to get there.
2012 has gone so fast. I’ve had successes, disappointments and not forgetting some hair tearing and teeth gnashing times too. Let’s be honest, most of the teeth gnashing has been in Google’s direction!
Not particularly the major algo updates like Panda and Penguin. Google and the other search engines will continue to adapt and change and they’re a fact of being online. But Google Local…
What a mess.
I did seriously consider if I wanted to continue down this route. But, the problem isn’t particularly untangling knots and tracking down issues. Although, life would be much easier if Google just sorted themselves out and put out a product that works.
The problem was me and my pricing structure. When I started and throughout 2012 I took a deposit and payment on completion. That’s fine when everything works how it should. I knew in most cases there’d be around a 6-8 weeks turn around before invoicing.
The last part of this year, even getting a PIN has been challenging. I’ve lost count of the number of re-requests for postal verification. This, alongside bugs, glitches and general teeth gnashing, is dragging my payment time back to 4-6 months in some cases and it’s just not sustainable.
So, 2013 will see a change in my pricing structure and payment options. All Google Places work will require payment for all initial work in advance. Current clients won’t be affected.
I also took a serious look at my personalised web reports I send free of charge. These do take a couple of hours to produce and obviously, there is no guarantee of converting to a client. When I actually looked at numbers, well they are not worth my time that I could be spending on other things that are productive. (I can hear several people telling me, “I told you so!” Yes, I was wrong, it doesn’t happen often lol)
I did discover that I love the brainstorming and coaching side of my business far more than I expected to. That is an area I want to expand through 2013.
So right now, I’m surrounded by slips of paper as I belatedly plot out what I am doing when. Blogging will continue, emails will be more regular and I have several training modules nearly ready to go.
I’m really looking forward to working with business owners who are willing to do something their competitors don’t – from local to blogging, to email, to social to Kindle publishing and online courses. I get such a buzz and I’m so inspired when you see the opportunity open to you and go for it. That feeling is worth far more than any pay cheque.
To everyone I’ve met – either for coffee or virtually by commenting, social platforms, email and Skype – THANKYOU for being such an inspiration in 2012. To my clients, past and present – THANKYOU, without you I couldn’t have made it this far 🙂
That doesn’t leave much else to say except, “Have a fabulous New Year!”. If I can help you in 2013, just get in touch
I’d love to hear your plans for 2013 too, simply drop a note in the comments 🙂
Where Did The Year Go?! by Jan Kearney
Well done Jan for realising that your time is so very valuable.
There does come a point when you need to stop giving away so much for free and start charging more for your knowledge, and I have just commented something similar over on Bonnie’s blog too – but it is difficult I know.
I am really excited for the New Year because I intent to value my knowledge more and to charge accordingly so we are on the same page there
Best of luck – look forward to continuing the journey alongside you
Sue
x
We’re on the same wavelength, Sue. It’s going to be a great year isn’t it! Wishing you every success in 2013 – I know you’ll get it too 🙂
Super Jan! I wish you much success in the New Year! I look forward to watching your business grow as I too am changing things up for 2013!
That sounds exciting Debra! I’m looking forward to seeing what you are up to in 2013 🙂 Have a great year!
You’re such a wonderfully bubbly personality. (Yea, I know I should shush because I don’t want to ruin your reputation by telling people you’re a softie!) 🙂
Seriously… I would love to see you do more in the way of Kindle publishing. Are you seriously thinking about going in this direction?
4-6 months invoicing and payments… NO way! That’s one thing I would change immediately. Especially if you do work for free up front. Payment up front for sure.
How about increasing your prices? Don’t forget that prices should increase steadily as you become more experienced in your work. People need to pay for the work you provide!
Besides, you’re worth it!
Haha! Shush, Bonnie – you’ll ruin my bad tempered bugger reputation! lol
I love Kindle, it just sits there and generates leads to a mailing list and it doesn’t require too much technical knowledge to get going either. Of course, you do need something to say or a story to tell! You’ll have no problem there! Right now I’m going through 2 for a local business looking at publishing in the next month or so and I also have my draft “How to Kindle” written – not sure if to put it out as a PDF or go the whole hog nattering away with video too.
Yes, there’s changes happening here – prices increasing, payment up front etc etc! And back to my internet marketing roots more too.