This is a guest post by John Easton, a recovering corporate executive turned entrepreneur. Through his Charlotte website design company, John helps small business owners create video, web and multimedia tools that turn “browsers” into “buyers.” Follow John on Twitter at @jeaston1. If you would like to submit a guest post for my blog, please read the guidelines here.
Let’s face it — we don’t like working out. No matter what new fangled Wii Fit device or belly bustin’ technique hits the market, we still hate interrupting our daily work routine to break a sweat. But what if we could get paid to work out? Well, you can, and I’m going to show you how through a new concept I call “exer-preneurship.” It’s a new way of looking at exercise that keeps you fit and paid at the same time.
Yep, that’s me. Suited up, Blackberry in hand and ready to build my business and my body on my elliptical trainer. Let’s start with blogging. It’s one of my favorite exercise routines. That’s right, I blog while I exercise, and it’s one of the best things I do for my business. Continue Reading…
This is Part 5 in the “How to Turn Unused Space Into a Video Set” series, and am learning a lot as the dry wall goes up in the new Indie Business TV set. In this video, the contractor says we should be ready to paint and decorate in a few days! All it takes is a plan and a little bit of elbow grease to create a special space where you can share your products and ideas with the world.
(If you’re reading this via email or RSS and cannot see the video, click here.)
Here are just three of the reasons (and there are lots more!) why video is indispensable to your business today. Your “video set” doesn’t have to be fancy (as you can see), but without one, you are selling yourself and your customers short. Using video is an extremely important requirement for small business success today, and that is one reason why I am sharing you how we are doing this — step by step Continue Reading…
After our introductory video, I shared how we plan to control the light, a very important part of planning your set. I also told you about the exciting arrival of the dry wall that will cover our set. Today, I want you to see how the dry wall application is going. Since we are a DIY family, we hired a contractor to come over this morning to get us started. He stayed for a few hours and told my husband what to do and how to do it. After he left, my spousal until got down to business.
My son even got into the act, but that part of the video did not come out right. Once the dry wall is in place, he will spackle and paint it. Then we’ll be ready to decorate — my favorite part (even though I’m not much of a decorator.
I know were bringing this to you in pieces, but we’ll tie the whole thing together in a single blog post when we’re done. Or maybe it would make a good e-book too.
Question: Are you thinking about how to put your set together? I’m looking forward to seeing your little corner of the media world and all the great information you will share there!
Yesterday was another fun FaceBook Friday! If you missed the previous FaceBook Friday about ways to attract people to your Fan Page, you can read it here.) This week’s question was aimed at getting a sense of what small and independent business owners consider when decided whether or not to join a competitor’s FaceBook Page. Turns out, they think about a lot!
Below are a few of the many well articulated thoughts of the people who responded to the question. You can read all of the comments here. As always, IBN members are marked with the Indie leaf, and the links are to their Fan Pages, if I could find them! (If you’re here without a Fan Page link, it’s because I don’t think I’m a fan — you must let me know how to fan you in the comments!) Continue Reading…
In yesterday’s video post, I announced the exciting arrival of the dry wall. Today, I am happy to report that we found someone to help us place the dry wall. More about that later. For now, I want to share how we have decided to deal with the window on our set. As I mentioned in the first segment of the series, lighting is one of the most important aspects of set design. This video shows how important lighting really is.
(If you’re reading this via email or RSS and cannot see the video, click here.)
We’ll talk more about artificial lights like the ones we used in this video in a future segment. For now, our next step is to measure, cut and place the dry wall. After that, we’ll paint and add the window treatments. Then, we’ll be ready to design and put the set decor in place. Then, we’ll be done!
Question: Do you have a window to deal with on your set? If so, will you cover it completely or dress it up with shades, blinds and/or curtains, as we are doing, so you have more flexibility?
The dry wall is here! Earlier this week, I introduced my husband business partner’s and my new series to teach you how to turn unused space in your garage, basement or office into a video set. If you missed the introductory video, you can watch it here. This video is a short update on the arrival earlier today of the dry wall. I’ve never purchased dry wall before and I have no idea how to work with it. But Darryl and I are going to figure it out together and we’ll keep you posted on our progress.
Dry wall doesn’t look heavy, but it is! I’m excited that we were able to purchase all we’ll need for around $50. It cost under $20 to rent the moving truck, a big savings compared to the $59 the home improvement store would have charged for delivery. We may have to engage a contractor to cut the dry wall, but if we do, you can believe we’ll barter and negotiate for the best deal possible.
(Maybe we can trade a promotional video for the services!)
I’ll keep you posted.
Question: Have you found some space that you can turn into a set? Remember, you don’t need much. Even a small corner can get you started.
