a little resource link list

My internet is being all kinds of honkey tonk today.
I just tried to have a skype chat with my dad which went something like this:

Me: hey dad
Dad: hello love
Me: How are you?
Me: Dad? Dad, hello?
....
Dad: Oh yes... I'm here.
Me: So... anyway, we will be back in SA from the 20th of March. Then I think we are getting a lift up from Joburg to Maritzburg with Bloggs and Jess. I'm not sure if that is the Thursday or the Friday. No wait, the wedding is on the Friday. Ok, so then that must be the Thursday. Then we will be back on the Saturday or Sunday after the wedding - and we will probably either come stay with you and mom or be up with Warrs folks. I'm not sure where they will be - so will find out about that. But you must let me know where you will be around those dates. We would maybe need to borrow a car if that's ok - for that week. Or possibly we could go down to the South Coast - I'm not sure. And then on the Thursday, or the Friday - I will check with Warr -  we are heading down to the next wedding in Elaandslaagte which is on the 29th March. Hey that's your birthday!
Dad? Dad? ... Are you there dad?

.....

Dad: Oh there you are! Sorry. I lost you. Did you say you are coming back to South Africa?

*facepalm*

So I had a lovely cartoon planned for today - but because I CANNOT BE DEALING with having to upload a thousand pictures on this internet, I've decided to leave you with a lovely little link up with some useful resources for business/ blogging and the creative life. And SHAZAAAM - now you have a cartoon to look forward to tomorrow!



Elizabeth shares some of her favourite resources for wordpress.
15 marketing tips for your blog by Roxy
An awesome podcast on product pricing created by Fizzle.
Some general productivity tips from the Rock n Roll Bride Green Room.
I LOVE this "quickfire answers to questions asked by working creatives" - by Red Lemon
A post for boosting inspiration for blogging by ProBlogger
A few questions to ask yourself as you develop your blogger voice from Mrs D plus 3
Some thoughts on SEO myths from xomisse
Turn your passion into a business via female entrepreneur association
A beautiful post on finding your creativity pattern from Danielle la Porte
Tips for launching your creative business

Do you have any cool blogging/business/creative links that you'd like to share?
Leave a comment below or whack it up on the indieBerries Facebook Page and I'll post it in the coming weeks!

I also have some awesome new sponsors up on the blog this month - so go check them out yo!

PS. I went to my first Bikram yoga session in months this morning - 

it was all kinds of vomtastic.

Namaste.

x

indieBusiness: Instagram Luuuurve.

Everyone talks about branding. Your "online brand", your "personality", consistency etc etc etc. You have no doubt heard it all before. There are so many different social media platforms that I sometimes feel that it is actually quite difficult to maintain a consistent image throughout all platforms. Especially considering that each social media platform has a slightly different use/intention. And let's face it, social media has become a way of life and life isn't always packaged in exactly the right hue to match your logo.

For example - let's say your entire online branding is saturated with lashings of pinks and reds which you wish to carry through your entire "online kingdom". BUT, here comes the dilemma - you are sitting at your lunch table desperate to share today's nommings on instagram but you have not eaten strawberries, cherries, pomegranates or anything else in the reddish-pink spectrum. In fact, the super healthy EPIC GREEN spinach and kale salad you had does not fit into your branding colour-scheme whatsoever. Do you share the leafy greens which completely destroy your pink hues.. or do decide to rather not share your lunch but hopefully share some pinkish-red cherries that you will eat tomorrow? Today I just wanted to share my thoughts on this and a few of the instagram accounts that I follow - that I think are getting it SO RIGHT.



The first instagram account that I wanted to share with you comes from Laura Bezant, a jewellery designer based in London - Laura is a friend of mine and her instagram account is one of my favourites to browse through. Not only because she posts gorgeous diamonds and gems all the time (*ahem*) but because her branding is so consistent with her products that her instagram feed literally drips honey-bronzed-gold. And, if you click over to her bespoke pieces - you will see that her instagram aesthetic is almost identical to her incredible golden-typography. Side note: see also her pinterest account. This lady has it down.


When I was screen snapping these instagram accounts, I saved them all onto my desktop without naming them at all. Knowing that without doubt, I would be able to very easily match up the photos to the instagram account and the next two accounts I want to introduce you to are perfect examples of exactly that. Above: Jared Botha - mainly black and white, city, raw. You get a real sense that every single one of his shots are completely thoughtfully composed, balanced and executed with a sharp clarity.


 Oh So Pretty Blog is another instagram account that has it down. Completely filled with white, whimsical snaps of daily life. Victoria works hard to create an aesthetic that is consistent which compliments her clean and minimal blog style. She even makes eggs look amazing.

Sometimes though, you can create an instagram account that is consistent based on the content of your shots rather than the aesthetic of the pictures. Take for example, Om_yogi who posts daily pictures of her yoga practise. Whilst the "look and feel" of her photographs are not necessarily always visually consistent - the content she posts is and is what is used to create her online image - which is strong. You know exactly what you'll get when you open up her instagram feed.

So here's the dilemma -The way I see it - there are two ways to look at "creating yourself" online. The first, your brand/blog/website/words as an ONLINE BRAND. The other is as an ONLINE PERSONALITY. And it is your choice to choose which social media platforms you wish you create yourself as an "online brand" and which of those you wish to use to create your "online personality" - and of course there will be a large part of overlap within these two streams. For example, in my own instagram account, I often post photos of Warren and I, cups of tea or random breakfasts - which doesn't really have anything to do with "indieBerries the stationery and design brand". It does however, have everything to do with "indieBerries the person". In my opinion, the things I choose to share on these different platforms completely determine whether I am building up an "online brand" or an "online personality". I agree that for a large part, these things will definitely overlap - but say for example I wished to build my instagram account purely for "indieBerries the brand" - I would (tearfully) refrain from posting pictures of my lunch, my husband, my seventh cup of coffee. I would become more conscious of the content I was posting - ie: more random doodles, more product shots, more card ideas, more cartoons etc. I would also pay more attention to the lighting and style of each of these pictures. For me though, I have chosen to use my instagram feed to build myself as a personality rather than a brand - it's my life, the random happenings, the behind the scenes of the actual 'brand-work' and the funny lols - but over this coming year, I would like to bring the two closer together.

What can I do to create a more consistent Instagram account?

1. Become more conscious of the things you are choosing to post. I am guilty of this in the exponential. But let's be honest, any picture looks way better with an instagram filter. And sometimes that snapshot (the one not fit for internet consumption) that you wish to send to your friend needs a filter. If you wish to instagram something but don't want to post it on your instagram feed - Go to settings > airplane mode. Instagram your photo (and make sure your settings are set to save to your camera roll). Once you have instagrammed your pic, turn airplane mode back on and delete it from your instagram feed. A copy will be saved in your camera roll, but it will not be published.
2. Build yourself an "aesthetic". Both Laura Bezant and Oh So Pretty Blog - do this very effectively on instagram. Pay attention to lighting, use filters that are similar. Compose your pictures with the entire set in mind. (Will this picture fit in with all the other pictures I have posted?)
3. Create hashtags for yourself. And check in often. I have only recently started doing this with #indieberries. Since I use instagram in a more "personal" capacity it is useful to create hashtags such as this one - for me to be able to build the "brand" side of this platform without losing the "indieBerries-the-person" side of things.
4. Use other photo-editing programs to build a consistent feel. Your photos for example could all feature a "polaroid" type feel or hipstamatic light leaks - play around with different looks and feels and find one that you like and is easy for you to use and then build up your profile around it. Some of my favourite editing apps: hipstamatic, picture show, studio design, vsco, square ready. I haven't had a chance to download the beautiful mess app - but I imagine it would be a goodie!
5. Do it your own way! As many tips/rules/advice I could give you, I think the main thing is for you to ENJOY the social media platform you are using. If you are having fun then your followers will feel it! If you REALLY feel like posting a picture of your peanut butter sandwich - even although it doesn't really have much to do with anything - go for it! At the end of the day - it is your account and you should post the things that make YOU happy!

Speaking of which... I am currently participating in the 100 happy days challenge on instagram - come join in!

You can follow me on instagram here.

Which are your favourite instagram accounts? Share Share!

  

Creative Business: Learn More.

For the last two months or so - every Tuesday on indieBerries, I have started posting a new blog series for the indieBusiness. You know... business and blogging tips and advice for anyone in a creative/indie business. This Tuesday, I wanted to share something slightly more "off-centre" from an actual specific creative-business topic - but something that is perhaps the reason I came to start this blog series in the first place.

I have always LOVED school. Give me a pen, a piece of paper and something to write down and I will be in my element. Granted - it could just be the pen and paper that gives me that feeling - but I have always loved learning. I completed my PGCE in a year, whilst working a full time job in Korea, just because "I felt like studying". I did an online Harvard course on Teaching for Understanding because it just seemed like a good idea. I have done a spinning instructors course and two emergency first response courses not because I necessarily think I'm going to be the next Jane Fonda or subway-emergency-lockdown hero. (oh please don't ever let me get trapped in a subway-emergency-lockdown) I've done these things because I LOVE LEARNING.

DANG guys. I have even been to a balloon-animal-making workshop. And that is NOT a lie. I can balloon-animal-the-shizz-out-of-you - (I will be honest though, my speciality is the snake).

Anywhoo, what I have come to know, is that blogging, social media networking and especially creative business owning requires a LOT of learning. And here is the thing: you will NEVER know enough and you can ALWAYS know more.

On Saturday I attended the most awesome bloggers workshop hosted by Nuffnang UK. There were four bloggers there to share their insights, knowledge and blogging experiences:

Rosalilium || Tigerlilly Quinn || Red Ted Art || Love Chic Living

What I loved about this workshop was I felt it was a really authentic and genuine knowledge sharing afternoon. In fact, even some of the speakers were asking questions to the other speakers - which to me, was completely awesome - because even as "the speakers" or the ones "in the authority" they have positioned themselves as still wanting, able and needing to learn more from the experiences, successes and stories of their peers and others. I believe that from anyone who is to be successful in a small creative business, there should always be a strong desire to DO MORE, LEARN MORE, KNOW MORE, GROW MORE.

So anyway, that's a long winded way of saying - That is why I started this blog series: to share my experiences along the journey of my own creative business start up in the hopes that it will inspire or encourage you to learn more. There is still so much to learn and still so much more knowledge that we can use to help us in our creative businesses and blogging. Here is a little list of potentially useful links from other bloggers/websites around the web - delve in!

A LIST OF LEARNING-USEFUL LINKS FOR THE CREATIVE BUSINESS OWNER/BLOGGER:

• If you are starting an Etsy store check out their blog, and participate in their community forums.
• Lynda is an amazing website that you can literally learn just about anything from!
• Pugly Pixel has an awesome selection of CSS and HTML tutorials as well as a cool photoshop e-course
• For more "inspired-type" things check out The Creative Boom - also really handy tips!
• Nicole's classes offer a bunch of free tutorials that are photoshop, light room and illustrator based.
• Nadia van der Mescht runs creative business workshops in South Africa.
• Fanchimp is a cool blog aimed at Etsy Sellers.
• Elizabeth is launching the Big Blogging Bootcamp early next year.
• There was a recent collaboration with a bunch of South African bloggers - you can see the series wrap up on CityGirl searching.
• Red Lemon Club is awesome for creative entrepreneurs. Really.
• Kat's Green room shares great blogging tips
• The blog shop offers photoshop classes.
• Pikaland has a stock of really useful posts from creative business owners and illustrators
• I also post useful articles and blogposts to my Creative Business Pinterest Board.

Ok, I think that's enough information for now - to blow your brains out! Check back next Tuesday for some more business-creative links and things! Happy Learning y'all!


PS. These pictures in this post, have really nothing to do with anything - but I took them when I was still living in South Korea - they have been hanging out on my computer and I liked them so thought I would whack them up!

Above: This is probably something wildly inappropriate.... whatevs.

________________________________________________

PPS - We are starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel with regards to the new indieBerries.com site build! eeek! In the mean time, I have slowly started re-stocking my Etsy Store - go check it out! :)

indieBusiness: the "AWESOMENESS" of working from home.

About a month or two ago, I started a new little blog series around the small/indie Business. As I start shaping my own creative business - I thought it would be handy for me to share with you any tips, thoughts, advice and random musings that I come across in my quest to take over the world with pretty things.

So far in this series (which is posted every Tuesday) I have covered

• What makes a good blog?
• Talking about money -with a very basic income/expenditure spreadsheet download.
• Tips and useful advice for your first craft market (including set up and things to remember)
• Things to learn from your first craft market (and what to take away from it, if it doesn't go as you had hoped).

Today's post - is a more light hearted look at the life of a freelancer who works from home - Enjoy!

Working from home is great, in fact it's pretty fabulous because more often than not - it means you are your own boss. But, there is also another sharp edge to that shiny sword...

ie:

This is true.

In fact - way more often than I'd like to admit.

You justify this with the "well - nobody is going to see me and I shan't waste my fancy clothes. Besides, i like to be COMFY when I get mah shizz done."

Sometimes, your humble yoga pant will be in the washing basket.

This is fateful.

You may end up in your PAJAMA PANT.

Which is a whole new level of "freelancer-no-no"

But don't worry, you will find a way to justify it.

(just last weekend in fact, I attempted applying eye-shadow to my face with my thumb.
This is partly due to our overnight bag (CONTAINING ALL MY LOVELY MAC MAKE UP BRUSHES) being kidnapped by a train when we weren't looking - but that's a whole different story. Either way - I looked positively raccoon-ish.)

Freelance boys, you may start to "dabble" in "other" things too.

Don't be afraid - it's natural.

The English Language will begin to evade you - 

as I have just noticed from that incoherent cartoon-sentence above.

You will be GENUINELY surprised that the fridge has not managed to miraculously change contents in the last 3 minutes you have checked it. You will actually be SO surprised that you will have to go back and check it. Again.

Any excursion to leave the house is like a GIANT ADVENTURE. When your husband calls to say "shall I bring something for dinner for us on the way home?", your immediate response is,

"NOOOOO!!! LET ME DOOOO IT. LET ME BRAVE THE SHOPPING AISLES!! OH SWEET GLORIOUS ADVENTURE!!"

Your husband, will generally not argue with crazy lady.

These debates may last hours.

Just think about that for a second.

You guys, I am two conversations away from naming our couch.

You will drink WAY more coffee than is humanly necessary.

You will eat more than you need to.

Laundry and other household chores will become very important and immediately compelling. (Actually - I'm quite good at ignoring those).

You will find it very difficult to "switch off" from work at the end of the day. End of the day? What end? End of what? It's the end? When is the end? It is day? Work day? Home? Home work, day? I'm so confused. Your "work life" and your "home life" begin to get all mashed up like a giant pile of mash.

It becomes EXTREMELY confusing when your work life is your home life is your work life is your home life - 

AND!

If you don't believe me -

just ask my couch.

___________ {the end} ________

Follow along for more Creative Business tips, advice and musings here:

twitter | facebook | instagram | bloglovin

indieBusiness: Let's talk MONEY.

Welcome to the second edition of indieBusiness Bites. 

Today - 

 

If ever there was a topic I am completely useless at - this is it.

Oh don't get me wrong - I am very EXCELLENT at spending it - but launching into a foundling creative career - I am not very good at checking whether or not I am actually "making" it. For those of you who have been reading indieBerries for a little while will know that I am attending my very first market at the end of November - woot! (I am both excited and petrified - thanks for asking). Going into my first market with books, cards, print outs, postcards etc - obviously requires a fair bit of capital to start off. Capital being money - which I don't have.
To overcome this problem - I have taken out a small loan: from my father.

Yep, you guys, I literally Dragons'-Denned them one night in the lounge while I was home.
You see, the thing is - I have a ton of "creative ideas" and "doodles ready for books/postcards/posters/printing/etc!" And I am all ready to get my pretty little things out there for the WORLD TO BUY! But it turns out - I have overlooked a few vital points.

Actual "Dragons' Den" Conversation that I sprung on my parents one night:

Self: Oh heeeeey, mom and dad!
Father: Hello.
Self: How would you like to make a solid investment?!
Father: What do you mean?
Self: I mean... inVESTment.
Father: Yessss.....
Self: inVESTMENT! Hey!! For the FUTURE generations of our kind! I need your money.
Father: Oh. I see.
Self: No! Don't get up yet! I haven't finished my pitch!
Father: Well could you "pitch" a little faster - there is a show coming on TV.
Self: Well, I need some money to start up my little indieBusiness! Printing an' all.
Father: Ok. What is my return?
Self: What?
Father: My Return? What is my Return investment?
Self: I'm sorry, what?
Father: My Return - what am I getting back from my investment?
Self: Um. Could you repeat the question?
Father: What money am I getting back from this endeavor?
Self: Sorry - I actually can't hear you - what did you say?
Mother: Could you just give her the money - the show is coming on.
Father: Ok, So let's say hypothetically we gave you this money...
Self: ..YES!!
Father: Hypothetically... if we gave you this money - and you had some cards printed... how much would each card cost you? Like a basic cost price per item?




Father: okaaay. Well, then what are you expecting to sell each card for?



Father: Well - how much do other cards sell for in the shops in London?




Father: Then how much are you hoping to make off each card?






Father: So if you're planning on selling online - what will the shipping cost you?

Actual conversation, it happened.

(but don't worry - I still Dragons-Denned the shit out of them)

ka-ching.

Introducing - The indieBerries' Spreadsheets for Creatives!

Basically: I have a few different streams (read: trickles) of income - some through custom design work such as posters, wedding stationery, cartoons and logo designs, some through the sponsorship on indieBerries (SPONSOR ME, I NEED TO PAY BACK MY FATHER), and hopefully some more through the markets (starting end Nov) and online store that I will be launching soon! Having different income sources (South African Bank Accounts || UK Bank Accounts || PayPal || Cash etc) It makes it quite difficult to actually monitor your net profit at the end of every month.

So I have created a VERY BASIC spreadsheet where you can just fill in your overall income/business-expenditure for each month. (Obviously you wouldn't take it to a market and itemise every single card you sell - but for the end of the day you can fill in what you've made and any costs that went into the market set up.)

At the end of the month - you will have a very basic "total Income" and "total Expenditure". If the total on the Expenditure Page is greater than the other -





And if it's greater on the "Money Coming In" versus "Money going out" page - then



It really is so basic that I am assuming that Grade 3 teachers will print it out to use to teach their students basic Economics. I even had some severe internal monologues about the whole thing - when I was deciding whether to put on

or not.

Internal Monologue:
I should probably not put "B*tches" that on there - what if school teachers want to use this to teach their kids basic accounting? Well, in that case - I should probably also remove the champagne bottle? Can't have underage drinking now can we? But champagne is celebratory. Yeah. You're right - Imma leave it on. Besides - any 8 year old who has made enough money to warrant a two page spreadsheet deserves ALL the champagne.


Anyway my husband (or actually any other normal person) would probably suggest making a way more detailed spreadsheet analysis and using a system (such as excel) which can actually calculate the end totals for you. For now - I prefer my simple way. Basic Money-In, Basic Money Out. With paper. And Pens. And a calculator. And nothing complicated, at all.

Just call me ol' fashioned.

This is what is working for me now.

Download it here if you'd like and let me know if it works for you!