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The Big New Idea: introducing my live-blog of setting up a new project

Okay, friends. Here’s the thing (to coin a phrase): I’m working on something. Something BIG. Something new. Something that’s going to make my business better, but more importantly, it’s going to make YOUR business better.

Sounds good, right?

Good, I’m glad you’re on board!

So, to add some extra goodness to the whole thing, I thought I’d “live-blog” my progress with some behind-the-scenes looks at my thought process as I set something up.

The idea is cribbed from Paul Jarvis and Jason Zook over at Invisible Office Hours, who have been live-podcasting their latest project together. I’ve loved hearing them talk about their processes, and it’s totally worth a listen, especially if you have a penchant for software/service development (which, so it transpires, I do).

Anyway, back to this Big New Idea.

This project is so big that it’s kind of like setting up a new business from scratch. Oh yeah, I wasn’t messing around when I said it was BIG! But because it will involve setting up a website, creating packages and all that jazz, I thought it would be pretty helpful to read about. And hopefully interesting too.

It’s also a great way to keep myself accountable. Not that I particularly struggle with that, but having my thoughts written down has never really steered me wrong before.

So, I know what you’re thinking. What the blooming heck is this project?!

I’m not going to tell you just yet. That will come, but I’ve got some important conversations to have with people I want to get on board, and I don’t want to give the game away too much until I’ve spoken to them.

What I will give you is an insight into where I am right now, and what’s on my next steps list. This is a real-life snapshot of the project as it stands right now, and these things are not too far off the to-do list for any new endeavour.

What I already have:

A name (to be revealed in due course)
An idea of how I’ll describe the business (essentially, an elevator pitch)
Ideas for packages (or products): I know what I’m going to be offering my clients/customers
My target audience: not hugely different from my current audience (hi, there!), but subtly different, and with different specific needs
A pretty good idea that this will work: not to blow my own trumpet, but I already know that there’s a gap in the market for this business project, because my existing clients are asking about it

My next steps:

Plan the packages: what the customer will get, how much they’ll cost, how long each thing will take (so that I can price effectively). This won’t be hard-and-fast forever, but it’s what I hope to aim for. I’ll also plan introductory rates to help me launch the packages.
Define the help I need. This isn’t a one-woman show. I’m going to need help. After I started looking for an assistant in January, I got some good contacts, but I need to define for myself what I need in the people I work with. It’ll be my Mary Poppins wishlist that I can then use to compare to the people I talk to about joining the project.
Have conversations with people about the project. This is mostly about finding people to work within the business, but I might also have conversations with people who can support the development of the business (i.e. promote it or become customers).
Buy the domain. I already have the name of the business, so this is a no-brainer. I’m not ready to start setting up the website yet, but I can at least grab the domain name. I might think about who I host with, as this will link later to whether I set up business email addresses etc. (This is a slightly more complicated question for me as I already have my thejennyhyde.com email address.) I’ll share my hosting decision once I’ve decided!

So, I’ll be back soon with an update! I’d love to hear from you if you have thoughts or questions about this Big New Idea, and if you’re planning to follow along. Post in the comments or get in touch.

Oh, and if you’re wondering about your own business development and getting my thoughts on online selling, my Inspired Action course starts in a little over a week, and is jam-packed with lots of inspiration and ways you can take action to improve your business.

Until soon

Here's the thing: for when you're in the middle of transition

Hi friends.

I keep thinking about blogging and feeling so out of it, so consumed with moving house and organising a retreat and, well, LIFE, that I feel like I don’t have anything wise, or funny, or interesting to share.

This has happened before – the busy-ness that gets in the way of writing – and it doesn’t feel good to me. I love writing and blogging and sharing!

So this morning, I thought I’d sit down to write, and write what I need to hear. Let’s see what happens, shall we?

Right now, there are cardboard boxes taking up the bedroom. There are boxes of goodies for the retreat all over the living room. There are notebooks everywhere. There are Important Documents on the table, next to the socks I haven’t put on yet and the birthday cards I need to write. There are lists and lists and lists.

Right now, my cash flow is tight. I’m balancing retreat outgoings and moving costs and deposits and the hope and expectation of income from my flat. It will be fine, but it doesn’t always feel fine.

Right now, I have to remember that it’s temporary, that we will move and it will be done. I won’t be in this transitional space, liminal and chaotic, forever.

I have so many dreams and plans for my business this year. I have so much hope for creating some really cool, useful, new stuff. I really want to get on with it! But I simply can’t right now. There’s plenty to be doing over the coming weeks. Later in the year, I’ll be moved and able to jump in with both feet (rather than a fingertip).

I wonder whether you can relate to that feeling of a forced pause? Like my clients who’ve had babies and had to accept that they can’t do all the things they were planning to do. Sometimes it’s as long as a year or more, and sometimes it’s a couple of months, but occasionally we have to allow our businesses to tick over (rather than expand and grow) in order to get on with life stuff.

This is what I need to hear: you’re in the middle of this process. So you have to keep going with as much grace, rest, joy, trust as possible. You don’t have to sparkle every day. You just have to keep going, keep prioritising, and keep thinking about the end goal.

You’ll be so grateful when you get there.

On a weird week

I can’t help thinking that this week has been kind of weird.

Here are some themes I’ve heard from clients and experienced myself:

Sales are sloooowww. Half term. Post-Valentine’s Day.
Mother’s Day is really soon, but no-one’s buying yet. (Not wishing to stereotype by gender, but men don’t tend to be as well-prepared for gifting occasions, and they may not yet have realised it’s two weeks on Sunday.)
Half term. Kids are home, colleagues are away, people are stressed.
Colds and flu are RIFE. Rife, I tell you! Snots, coughs, tiredness. Get some vitamin D in you.
Post-January cash flow is challenging. And you’re not just behind on your plans for 2016. Everyone thinks it’s just January, but the reality is February can be pretty tricky too, what with tax returns and such like.

If you’re experiencing any of these things, or similar, know that you’re not alone. And make note of them, for next month and next year, so you remember what this time of year feels like.

I’ve said, “Keep the faith” more than once this week.

For me, it’s been a weird week of trying to keep out of the grips of a cold, and trying to keep up with a broad range of projects. Right now, I feel kind of depleted. Which is usually the time that my fear can get really loud. I’m reminding myself that the fear can be there, but it doesn’t get to drive the car. (See also: Elizabeth Gilbert.)

How are you doing this week? What do you do on weird weeks to keep yourself focused and positive?

So, I know what you’re thinking. What the blooming heck is this project?!

Notes of Encouragement