listen to my latest podcast episode:
Managing Your Web Design Business Finances with Rocky Lalvani EP 88
byShannon Mattern
WDA Live Strategy Call 12-12-2023


Summary + Transcript

Chat

00:01:35 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Welcome April!!!
00:01:38 Erica Nash: Hi April!
00:01:43 Angelica Hidalgo: Hey April!
00:01:44 Angela Winter: Welcome, April!
00:01:47 Janet Hoover: Welcome to the fam, April
00:01:52 Kim Stone: Welcome April
00:02:05 Trish Bovell: Welcome April!
00:02:13 Ruby Javaid: Welcome April!!
00:02:48 April Ray: Thanks everyone! My win is joining WDA. 😊
00:02:53 Glennette Goodbread: Reacted to “Thanks everyone! My …” with ❤️
00:02:54 Janet Hoover: Reacted to “Thanks everyone! My …” with 🙌
00:02:59 Ruby Javaid: Reacted to “Thanks everyone! My …” with ❤️
00:03:01 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Got my desk / area completely cleaned up and organized (it was a huge mess). Feels amazing.
00:03:14 Anika Loewen: Reacted to “Thanks everyone! My …” with 🙌
00:03:17 Glennette Goodbread: You said Jan 22, I was like wow a month off LOL
00:03:18 Anika Loewen: Reacted to “Got my desk / area c…” with ❤️
00:03:24 Janet Hoover: Reacted to “You said Jan 22, I w…” with 🤣
00:03:35 Janet Hoover: Reacted to “Got my desk / area c…” with 🙌
00:03:49 Angelica Hidalgo: Been working on the ecommerce website for a client, have never migrated from WooCommerce before but I figure it out and I’m so proud!
00:03:57 Ruby Javaid: Reacted to “Got my desk / area c…” with ❤️
00:03:59 Diana Richards: I met with a tax accountant who is going to help me with my business taxes — such as a relief!
00:04:00 Ruby Javaid: Reacted to “I met with a tax acc…” with ❤️
00:04:06 Angelica Hidalgo: Reacted to “I met with a tax acc…” with ❤️
00:04:07 Anika Loewen: Reacted to “Been working on the …” with 👏🏻
00:04:09 Angelica Hidalgo: Reacted to “Got my desk / area c…” with ❤️
00:04:11 Angelica Hidalgo: Reacted to “Thanks everyone! My …” with ❤️
00:04:14 Anika Loewen: Reacted to “I met with a tax acc…” with 👏🏻
00:04:18 Ruby Javaid: Reacted to “Been working on the …” with ❤️
00:04:51 Angela Winter: Reacted to “I met with a tax acc…” with ❤️
00:04:52 Angela Winter: Reacted to “Been working on the …” with ❤️
00:04:53 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Also tweaked some language on my own website… to frame it so that what I provide is a tool to help clients (not a magic bullet that does the work for them). 🙂 Huge improvement on messaging there.
00:05:00 Angelica Hidalgo: Reacted to “Also tweaked some la…” with ❤️
00:05:05 Angela Winter: Reacted to “Also tweaked some la…” with ❤️
00:05:23 Angelica Hidalgo: Ooh yes I redid my website too!! woo hoo!
00:05:28 Janet Hoover: Reacted to “Ooh yes I redid my w…” with 👏
00:05:30 Erica Nash: Reacted to “Thanks everyone! My …” with ❤️
00:05:34 Erica Nash: Reacted to “Got my desk / area c…” with ❤️
00:05:41 Lisa Doiron: I am still working through my project with my client whose daughter has gotten involved and become a thorn in my side, and I think I am winning her over! Her feedback has become way less snarky and she even agreed with me and complemented my choices a couple of times!
00:05:47 Erica Nash: Reacted to “Been working on the …” with ❤️
00:05:49 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Reacted to “Been working on the …” with 👏🏻
00:05:50 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Reacted to “Been working on the …” with ❤️
00:05:52 Janet Hoover: Reacted to “Been working on the …” with 👏🏻
00:05:56 Ruby Javaid: Reacted to “I am still working t…” with 👏🏻
00:06:01 Ruby Javaid: Reacted to “Ooh yes I redid my w…” with 👏🏻
00:06:02 Janet Hoover: Reacted to “I am still working t…” with 🙌
00:06:05 Ruby Javaid: Reacted to “Also tweaked some la…” with ❤️
00:06:09 Angela Winter: Booked 2 clients last week – thanks for your support in FB Erica!
00:06:12 Lisa Doiron: Reacted to “Also tweaked some la…” with ❤️
00:06:15 Ruby Javaid: Reacted to “Booked 2 clients las…” with ❤️
00:06:19 Lisa Doiron: Reacted to “Been working on the …” with ❤️
00:06:19 Anika Loewen: Reacted to “Ooh yes I redid my w…” with 👏🏻
00:06:21 Erica Nash: Reacted to “I met with a tax acc…” with ❤️
00:06:24 Angelica Hidalgo: Reacted to “Booked 2 clients las…” with ❤️
00:06:28 Erica Nash: Reacted to “Also tweaked some la…” with ❤️
00:06:28 Chantel Rudden: Sent a first draft of a website to a client and she loved it! And finished the layout of my homepage of my new website (when I relaunch in January)
00:06:30 Lisa Doiron: Reacted to “Ooh yes I redid my w…” with 👏🏻
00:06:37 Angela Winter: Reacted to “Sent a first draft o…” with 🎉
00:06:38 Anika Loewen: Reacted to “I am still working t…” with 👏🏻
00:06:39 Ruby Javaid: Reacted to “Sent a first draft o…” with 🎉
00:06:40 Erica Nash: Reacted to “Ooh yes I redid my w…” with 👏
00:06:43 Anika Loewen: Reacted to “Booked 2 clients las…” with ❤️
00:06:56 Anika Loewen: Reacted to “Sent a first draft o…” with 🎉
00:06:59 Erica Nash: Reacted to “I am still working t…” with 👏🏻
00:06:59 Janet Hoover: Reacted to “Sent a first draft o…” with 🎉
00:07:01 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Replying to “Also tweaked some la…”

Yes – the desk cleanup and the website messaging
00:07:05 Erica Nash: Reacted to “Booked 2 clients las…” with ❤️
00:07:10 Angelica Hidalgo: Reacted to “I am still working t…” with 👏🏻
00:07:12 Kate Newnham | UpDesignsLA.com: Reacted to “I am still working t…” with 🙌
00:07:13 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Reacted to “Ooh yes I redid my w…” with ❤️
00:07:20 Erica Nash: Replying to “Booked 2 clients las…”

You’re so welcome, that’s SO great to hear!!!!
00:07:23 Kate Newnham | UpDesignsLA.com: Replying to “I am still working t…”

LOVE THIS! Way to turn it around.
00:07:28 Angela Winter: Reacted to “You’re so welcome, t…” with ❤️
00:07:32 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Reacted to “I am still working t…” with ❤️
00:07:35 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Reacted to “Booked 2 clients las…” with ❤️
00:07:38 Kate Newnham | UpDesignsLA.com: Reacted to “Booked 2 clients las…” with ❤️
00:07:49 Kate Newnham | UpDesignsLA.com: Reacted to “Sent a first draft o…” with 🎉
00:07:50 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Reacted to “Booked 2 clients las…” with 👏🏻
00:07:53 Lisa Doiron: Oh and booked a new client on a small project also.
00:07:54 Michelle Self: Working on 2 proposals!
00:07:58 Erica Nash: Reacted to “Sent a first draft o…” with 🎉
00:07:59 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Reacted to “Sent a first draft o…” with 🎉
00:08:00 Angela Winter: Reacted to “Oh and booked a new …” with 🎉
00:08:01 Lisa Doiron: Reacted to “Booked 2 clients las…” with ❤️
00:08:05 Janet Hoover: Reacted to “Working on 2 proposa…” with ❤️
00:08:07 Angela Winter: Reacted to “Working on 2 proposa…” with ❤️
00:08:07 Michelle Self: Reacted to “Oh and booked a new …” with 🎉
00:08:10 Ruby Javaid: Reacted to “Oh and booked a new …” with 🎉
00:08:10 Lisa Doiron: Reacted to “Working on 2 proposa…” with ❤️
00:08:11 Erica Nash: Reacted to “Oh and booked a new …” with 🎉
00:08:11 Ruby Javaid: Reacted to “Working on 2 proposa…” with ❤️
00:08:12 Erica Nash: Reacted to “Working on 2 proposa…” with ❤️
00:08:15 Kate Newnham | UpDesignsLA.com: Win: In the middle of my 5-day website (1st time ever) and I’m loving it! I may make this my main offering in 2024
00:08:18 Anchen: Nothing business related but survived the move to New Zealand😆
00:08:24 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: You guys are all so inspiring.
00:08:25 Janet Hoover: Reacted to “Win: In the middle o…” with 🙌
00:08:26 Michelle Self: Reacted to “Nothing business rel…” with ❤️
00:08:27 Ruby Javaid: Reacted to “Win: In the middle o…” with 🙌
00:08:28 Michelle Self: Reacted to “Win: In the middle o…” with 🙌
00:08:28 Angela Winter: Reacted to “Win: In the middle o…” with 🙌
00:08:29 Lisa Doiron: Reacted to “Win: In the middle o…” with 🙌
00:08:31 Erica Nash: Reacted to “Win: In the middle o…” with 🙌
00:08:34 Erica Nash: Reacted to “Nothing business rel…” with ❤️
00:08:35 Lisa Doiron: Reacted to “Nothing business rel…” with ❤️
00:08:35 Ruby Javaid: Reacted to “Nothing business rel…” with ❤️
00:08:35 Kate Newnham | UpDesignsLA.com: Reacted to “Nothing business rel…” with ❤️
00:08:36 Chantel Rudden: Reacted to “Win: In the middle o…” with 🙌
00:08:37 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Reacted to “Nothing business rel…” with ❤️
00:08:37 Angela Winter: Reacted to “Nothing business rel…” with ❤️
00:08:40 Janet Hoover: Reacted to “Nothing business rel…” with ❤️
00:08:42 Erica Nash: Reacted to “You guys are all so …” with ❤️
00:08:45 Kate Newnham | UpDesignsLA.com: Reacted to “You guys are all so …” with ❤️
00:08:47 Angela Winter: Reacted to “You guys are all so …” with ❤️
00:08:53 Anchen: 9am here
00:09:02 Anchen: Portugal
00:09:28 Anchen: And business continued
00:09:31 Lisa Doiron: Reacted to “You guys are all so …” with ❤️
00:09:34 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Reacted to “And business continu…” with ❤️
00:09:37 Janet Hoover: Replying to “Win: In the middle o…”

Kate is what with a template? Way to go!
00:10:14 Janet Hoover: Replying to “Win: In the middle o…”

*that (not what lol)
00:10:36 Erica Nash: Reacted to “And business continu…” with ❤️
00:10:43 Ruby Javaid: Reacted to “And business continu…” with ❤️
00:10:45 Anika Loewen: Ohhhh man, been there.
00:11:12 Amy K Ogden: Reacted to “Win: In the middle o…” with 👏
00:11:15 Erica Nash: If anyone wants to submit a question for today: https://airtable.com/appBKMODI6rJUNuPk/shrQMjgC7CiiWTBsh
00:13:41 Ruby Javaid: Replying to “Win: In the middle o…”

Ooh, this sounds great, Kate! Can I DM you about this? I'm also putting together some VIP Day or 2 day offers and kind of trying figure out how much time I'd need.
00:14:11 Kim Blake: Reacted to “Win: In the middle o…” with ❤️
00:14:24 Anika Loewen: I have added a line to my contract that any client-related delays of over 30 days require a $250 restart fee.
00:15:04 Kim Blake: Reacted to “I have added a line …” with 👍
00:15:31 Kim Blake: Reacted to “Oh and booked a new …” with 👏
00:15:34 Kim Blake: Reacted to “Working on 2 proposa…” with 👏
00:17:21 Robin Smith: I see I'm on here twice… Not sure how I did that, but having tech issues today with connection.
00:17:43 Erica Nash: Reacted to “I see I'm on here tw…” with 😆
00:17:45 Glennette Goodbread: I'd love to know what you don't like about it. I implemented a version of it that is basically a payment plan rather than getting a new website every X months. https://secure.premiumwebdesign.com/managed-website
00:17:47 Angelica Hidalgo: Reacted to “Win: In the middle o…” with ❤️
00:18:21 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Y. Out clauses are SO important (my sister is an attorney and made sure that’s included for all contracts).
00:18:39 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Replying to “Y. Out clauses are S…”

*In all my contracts
00:19:16 Erica Nash: Replying to “Y. Out clauses are S…”

What an awesome sister!
00:19:29 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Replying to “Y. Out clauses are S…”

@Erica Nash Yep – she’s amazing.
00:24:39 Glennette Goodbread: Refer her to someone in WDA that works with Kajabi.
00:24:56 Janet Hoover: When that happens, reach back out – I be we have some Kajabi contacts you can give her
00:24:57 Anika Loewen: Reacted to “Refer her to someone…” with 😃
00:25:08 Anika Loewen: Reacted to “When that happens, r…” with 👏🏻
00:25:14 Glennette Goodbread: Reacted to “When that happens, r…” with ❤️
00:25:22 Janet Hoover: * I bet…
00:25:27 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Reacted to “When that happens, r…” with 👆🏻
00:25:55 Angelica Hidalgo: 😂😂😂 a million at least
00:26:05 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: AND set and stick to clear boundaries IF she decided to come back on your terms 😄
00:26:41 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Charge her $2k ($2.00 for tapping the hammer, $1,998 for knowing where to tap).
00:26:48 Erica Nash: Any time you’re having the urge to give in to demands you don’t want to, let us support you! You can post that in the Facebook group at any time.
00:26:50 Glennette Goodbread: She may only be a nightmare client because of the way the project was set up (unlimited maintenance). Otherwise, I wouldn't say to refer her to someone in WDA.
00:27:25 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: YOU can DO it, April !!!
00:28:48 Michelle Self: I struggle with this too!
00:29:05 Glennette Goodbread: Absolutely. Set a timer.
00:29:05 Angelica Hidalgo: yes omg it sucks you in
00:29:13 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Reacted to “Absolutely. Set a ti…” with ❤️
00:29:35 Glennette Goodbread: I also respond but schedule the email for later on so that they don't start expecting immediate responses.
00:29:44 Anika Loewen: I have a program on my Mac called MailButler. It allows me to “snooze” emails, so they disappear from my inbox so I can get to them later.
00:30:00 Angelica Hidalgo: Reacted to “I have a program on …” with 😮
00:30:07 Glennette Goodbread: Oh my gosh, snooze in gmail is amazing!
00:30:09 Angelica Hidalgo: Replying to “I have a program on …”
that’s so cool!!!
00:30:11 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Replying to “I have a program on …”

Gmail / google workspace email has this as well
00:30:25 Anika Loewen: Replying to “I have a program on …”

It also allows me to send emails later, so I can type them up at 2am and set it to send at 9:30 am
00:31:31 Glennette Goodbread: Ooooh you could put that in the autoresponder: I got your email … If you are a VIP …
00:31:46 Glennette Goodbread: I open gmail and immediately search that person's name so that I don't see it all.
00:31:57 April Ray: Boomerang! It allows you to pause your inbox and have it come in on a schedule.
00:32:06 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Replying to “Ooooh you could put …”

Ohh I love this!
00:32:07 Angelica Hidalgo: Reacted to “Boomerang! It allows…” with ❤️
00:32:10 Glennette Goodbread: Thank you Shannon!
00:32:15 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Reacted to “Boomerang! It allows…” with ❤️
00:32:32 Anika Loewen: Reacted to “Boomerang! It allows…” with ❤️
00:32:58 Kate Newnham | UpDesignsLA.com: Kaila has a great auto responder!
00:33:15 Anika Loewen: *heads over to her email settings to put this auto email in place*
00:33:57 Glennette Goodbread: You can search gmail by their name without going to the inbox. Create a shortcut to https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#search/glennette. Open browser and go to that shortcut then just change the name.
00:34:06 Anchen: In Macmail you set also set “check for new messages” to every hour”
00:35:04 April Ray: I do have an “out” clause in my contract with her. I just need to give her a 30 day notice.
00:35:17 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Reacted to “I do have an “out” c…” with ❤️
00:35:24 Erica Nash: Reacted to “I do have an “out” c…” with 🥳
00:36:19 Ruby Javaid: Reacted to “I do have an “out” c…” with 🥳
00:36:57 Janet Hoover: Reacted to “I do have an “out” c…” with 👍
00:38:20 Angela Winter: Reacted to “I do have an “out” c…” with 🥳
00:38:21 April Ray: I worry about the bad review thing.
00:38:28 Anika Loewen: Replying to “Kaila has a great au…”

I wan’t to see this amazing-ness!
00:39:26 Glennette Goodbread: If you give her the option to not pay, I doubt she'll care about the 30 day notice.
00:40:25 Robin Smith: I love what you said about, “Giving them choices makes them feel empowered.” I had never thought of it that way. Love it!
00:40:40 Glennette Goodbread: Reacted to “I love what you said…” with ❤️
00:41:23 Jessica Aiese-Davoli: hi! so sorry—internet is not cooperating today, but I know you were answering my question (thank you). I’ll listen to the replay 🙂
00:41:37 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Findlaw is horrible.
00:41:48 Kate Newnham | UpDesignsLA.com: Congrats on getting that biz @Angela Winter !
00:41:55 Angela Winter: Reacted to “Congrats on getting …” with 🎉
00:46:16 Kate Newnham | UpDesignsLA.com: Replying to “Congrats on getting …”

I didn’t give them options and gave a flat rate (so that clearly was too much LOL)
00:50:36 Glennette Goodbread: I just had an idea about Patricks. Think “who what when where why and how” when thinking about what's different in the options. Who is doing it (done with you, for you, by you) What are they doing When / how fast are they doing it Where are they doing it (website, google doc …) Why you need it (perfect for statements) How it's going to be delivered (boundaries)
00:51:06 Anika Loewen: Reacted to “I just had an idea a…” with 👏🏻
00:51:08 Kim Stone: Must manage expectations.
00:51:08 Erica Nash: Replying to “I just had an idea a…”

I like this!
00:51:10 Michelle Self: Reacted to “I just had an idea a…” with 👏🏻
00:54:19 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: $5,000 = $2 for tapping the hammer + $4,998 for knowing where to tap
00:55:02 Glennette Goodbread: Reacted to “$5,000 = $2 for tapp…” with 👏
00:55:42 Michelle Self: Reacted to “$5,000 = $2 for tapp…” with 👏
00:58:39 Chantel Rudden: Reacted to “$5,000 = $2 for tapp…” with ❤️
00:58:49 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: When I get in the space that Angelica was in (and it happens) I tell myself that thing I typed (tapping the hammer thing)
00:58:54 Chantel Rudden: Replying to “$5,000 = $2 for tapp…”

Love this!
00:58:59 Angelica Hidalgo: Reacted to “$5,000 = $2 for tapp…” with ❤️
00:59:10 Angelica Hidalgo: Reacted to “When I get in the sp…” with ❤️
00:59:19 Angelica Hidalgo: Replying to “When I get in the sp…”
I love this! Thank you
00:59:25 Tracy Trathen • e design studio, LLC: Reacted to “I love this! Thank y…” with ❤️
01:03:21 Trish Bovell: ‘Rules of engagement “
01:04:30 Kate Newnham | UpDesignsLA.com: Reacted to “I just had an idea a…” with 👏🏻
01:04:38 Glennette Goodbread: Have to run. See y'all next time!
01:04:43 Angelica Hidalgo: Reacted to “Have to run. See y'a…” with ❤️
01:05:19 Angelica Hidalgo: Say that you’ll only speak to one person and everything else will be ignored
01:05:24 Angelica Hidalgo: but in a nice way hahahaha
01:06:34 Angela Winter: Have a great week everyone! Gotta run…
01:12:02 Chantel Rudden: Gotta go! <3
01:14:19 Angelica Hidalgo: Thanks so much!