TimeLine

Timeline. That’s what I used to use to keep myself organized, back in the day…

But today Facebook gave a new meaning to the word timeline. Timeline refers to the new format facebook has migrated it’s personal and business fanpage design. Like it or not, if you have a facebook page you will have the new timeline format to play with. Although the buzz about timeline has been around for months, by the end this month of March, it will be on every facebook page.

At first I wasn’t happy with the change as it created a lot of glitches for business page design. No longer can businesses “fangate” and no longer can designers take on the roll of linking and having fun with subscriber and non-fan page design, (yet). Old pages can still be accessed and viewed by those that are fans, but it limited the way businessescan market themselves. New rules state that businesses cannot use text that “sells” or text that is“call to action”. This rule alone, in my opinion makes it very tricky for smaller businesses to excel.

My new motto is let the images do the talking. (didn’t images always do that?)An oxymoron at best! Check out this very short video for the basic new rules of Timeline.

Writing a Kick Ass Proposal in Six Steps

Many freelancers must submit proposals to clients to volley for the job. Here’s 6 tips for writing a Kick ass proposal and win the job.

First, always take note about what the client needs. You must show the client you can solve their puzzle and make the job count! Understand their design needs and customize your proposal to prove you are the best person to do the job.

Second, allow the potential client to evaluate your work via web links to past clients or to your portfolio. Target the past works that show you understand where the potential client wants to go.

Third, create your marketing pitch by providing background information about you and your business. Ie. http://www.themerrybird.com , you may have a short bio on your web page or direct the prospective client to a place where then can read about you – http://www.facebook.com/TheMerryBird.Designs

Fourth, quote a fair price or a competitive one. Observe what other designers are charging: Hourly or Fixed? Base your fee on your experience. You may feel like Picasso but look like a recent college grad or you may be a seasoned professional exploring new venues for freelance work.

Fifth, respond to those potential clients in a timely manner. You could lose the deal if you don’t take note of the email/correspondence that potential client sent last week! Check your communication venues regularly. Answer, wait and FOLLOW UP!

Sixth, customize your proposal to each client. By doing so, it will show that you are committed to focusing on the prospective job. You will get noticed!

Ok, you just Kicked Ass at writing a proposal! Good luck!- Kristine Sheehan

A "Glowing" Freelance Prediction for 2012

There is a lot of commotion going on out there about small business and which way
2012 will turn them. Many small business owners are securing the hatches by creating long term business plans and short term plans enabling them to be ready for any immediate changes.(that is, if you are dealing with venture capitalism)

On an even smaller scale, business success can vary with the economy of tomorrow. As long as owners are creative, savvy and willing to help others- where there is a will, there is a way.

Sited from Carol Tice's Top Ten Small Business Predictions for 2012
( http://www.entrepreneur.com/blog/222419 ) this prediction has special meaning for me as a freelancer.

"Services head offshore. Service-sector businesses will be in demand overseas, Elance forecasts. This year, U.S.-based contractors exported their services to more than 140 countries through Elance's freelance portal."

Ideally I'd like to keep the work here in USA but the struggle is harder than ever and services have to reach far and wide to keep moving. Now a new prediction comes to mind: Freelancers must "Glow" in light of the economic situation and prove themselves even more. Maybe that's not a prediction but a fact of freelance business in any economic reality.

Kristine Sheehan
www.TheMErryBird.com Designs

"Spiel" it Out to Make a Book Sale!

Authors were born to write not sell. I can relate, I'm a designer that was born to design. But if we want recognition, profit or fame we have to SELL our product or service. But how? You need a spiel.

A spiel is that catchy business tactic that your target market depends on to find you . For any author that is self publishing you know that Readers WILL buy books. All that the consuming reader needs is the place to find the topic they seek.

No matter if the subject is "in"style or not, know the genre of your book and have it placed in the correct category. That will ensure it to be placed where the reader can easily find the topic they seek on a store shelf or online search. (Don't forget to add the all important online search tags!)

Did you know that "40% of a book sales spiel depends on the title and cover design" of your work. Of course! Readers judge a book by it's cover! The title tells a secret while the design gives the potential reader a visual of it. That's a good reason to know a photoshop professional to design a cover for your work.

The back cover blurb is also a big part of the sales spiel. Once the reader is attracted to the book they usually pick it up and read the blurb on the back. See? It all begins with a tasty appetizer of what the book tale is about, the reader wants to read more and buys the book! Or....

Online interactive samples are another terrific way to "spiel" it out. By releasing One or two chapters of your work for free, a potential customer can click and read while being hooked into making the final move, a sale.

Like I said, "Spiel it Out to Make a Book Sale!

Kristine Sheehan

www.TheMerryBird.com Designs

"We're Not Dog People" hits the Kindle Shelves

I love going to the beach or out to lunch break with a good read. And this summer I recommend bringing your Kindle to download the short story single "We're not dog people." by Jim Breslin.

It's a feisty story about a frustrated man and wife trying to survive the bills, work and a rich neighbors dog that won't shut up. Download the story and read on to see how Breslin moves the characters to invoke true feelings all people face at one time or another.

You can find this Kindle Single on Amazon (.99 cent) here:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=Jim+Breslin&rh=n%3A133140011%2Ck%3AJim+Breslin&ajr=0

Jump in a read on! You'll be glad you did.

Cover Art by TheMerryBird.com Designs

Authors: Email TheMerryBird@gmail.com for more info on Cover Design.

SmashWords- Words to Publish By

Vast internet searches show that there are many ways to publish, get published and be published. I found an interesting publishing concept during my flights around twitter country and Facebook land called Smashwords. It keeps popping up in posts from authors and writers everywhere (and for GOOD reason).

Self publishing is not NEW per say but I can surmise that what Smashwords offers is an excellent deal. Smashwords arrived on the publishing scene in 2008. It publishes e-books and distributes them on a multi-format platform. For one, authors have total control over the publishing, sampling, pricing and marketing of their works. And with Smashwords the work can be published to be read on any e-reading device. It is FREE to publish and distribute works through Smashwords. "Smashwords distributes books to most of the major retailers, including the Apple iBookstore, Barnes & Noble, Sony, Kobo and the Diesel eBook Store."

An even more impressive component to working with Smashwords is that

85% of net proceeds from book sales go directly to the publisher and author. Most authors know now that traditional publishing houses are shaking in their boots because the profit margin for works is greater with self publishing than with traditional routes. Traditional routes will only allow for 5-10% of the retail price to go to the author while the other 95% goes to retailers, printers, publishers and distributors.

The power of Social Media creates a nice setting for promoting self-published e-works but at the same time creates an undesirable place for Traditional Publisher sales. There are many challenges with this major over haul of the book publishing niche. For one a printed book is more expensive, shelf space is limited at the book shop and publishers have a difficult time predicting the demand for the work ( and how large a print run should be). Basically the life span of the book in a store depends on if it's a hit or not.

You know it's true that there is a lot of written crap out there being self -published but if an author has something worth reading, promoting and marketing, it will be the cream floating on top. And, Smashwords may just be the catalyst to get that book to float.

Kristine Sheehan

TheMerryBird.com Designs

A Clear Diagnosis for Book Cover Art

"Sean Waller, a childhood cancer survivor, has created a moving tale about persevering through unforeseen obstacles.

Sean was diagnosed at age 12 with rhabdomyosarcoma. Sick Boy is a fictionally autobiographical account of his year and a half journey from diagnosis through treatment and on to recovery."

TheMerryBird Designs is proud to have worked with Sean. His story is inspirational to those suffering from cancer, as well as family and friends who walked in prayer for his journey to recovery.

Thank you Sean Waller for choosing TheMerryBird Designs to create the ever so important Book Cover imagery that sets the stage for your story Sick Boy.

Readers: Details regarding where you can purchase Sick Boy will follow can be found here: http://www.sickboybook.com