Grow Your Web Biz

#25 The Must Have Essentials For A Client Winning Proposal

So the discovery call is complete and you have reeled in your client right? Wrong! The proposal is your last chance to persuade and wow the client and convert them into your next client. In today’s episode of the podcast, I will be talking through each stage and what you need to include to make a client converting, winning proposal.

Key takeaways

There are two main hurdles in getting your dream client. The discovery call and the proposal.

The discovery call gives you the opportunity to ask the right questions and quote the potential client effectively.

The proposal is the chance to drive it home and set up the wow factor for your potential client.

A common mistake web designers make is sending an email with very little information. They forget that this is another opportunity to persuade the client to buy from you.

Another common mistake is to waste so much time on a proposal template when the price is actually way out of the potential client’s budget and is more than likely going to be an immediate no.

Having a refined system will not only save you time, but will show a professional and wow factor side to your proposal. You shouldn’t have to recreate a proposal everytime in its entirety.

A proposal template will allow you a quick turnaround as you will only have to change out the relevant information such as project details, price and next steps.

Start with an introduction, thank the client for having the call with you and let them know it was a great chance to get to know them.

Let them know that the proposal is valid for 30 days. This will prevent the client from coming back in a years time with the proposal when your prices have gone up!

Have an about you section, share your mission, experience and give personal insights. This will highlight to the customer why you are the best fit for them!

Project details should show that you have listened and understood their needs. What are the benefits of going with you? What are the negatives if they choose to not buy from you?

Website content and features need to be clear and explicit to ensure that the client knows exactly what to expect from your service throughout the project.

Testimonials are essential in putting the client into the shoes of a past client and highlight what they could gain from you!

Timescales and expectations should be clear so the client isn’t left with any questions or confusion.

Price page should include a total and a breakdown, and the reinforcement that this is an investment for their business!

Have a frequently asked questions section to make sure that they have all the information they need before making the decision to work with you!

Next steps ensure that the client is ready for their journey through the process with you!

The web designers tool kit, which is coming soon, will include a proposal template for you to get you started on making a mighty, winning proposal.

One thing to remember above all else

“Some of these points may be small, but when added together they form a might proposal that will almost certainly wow and convert your potential clients”

Highlights you simply cannot miss!

Our 90 Day Coaching Programme (0min15)

The importance of having a winning proposal (5min14)

Efficiency and effectiveness of a proposal template (6min38)

What should you include in your proposal? (7min03)

The Web Designers Tool Kit (14min15)

#24 Keeping Organised In Your Web Design Business

In this podcast, I will be talking about all things organisation! Organisation is key to any business of any size and I will be discussing strategies that I implement in my business to help things run as smoothly and efficiently as possible!

Key takeaways

Take a look at the Ben Bellamy 90 Day Coaching Programme for support and guidance in your web design business. Head to benbellamy.co.uk/coaching

Keeping organised can massively help to reduce your overwhelm, when you have so much to do it can be hard to know where to start.

The process for new clients includes:

Half an hour discovery call where we walk through checklist questions.

Using the information gathered from the questions we produce a quote on a proposal template.

Using quickbooks, we give the invoice for 50% deposit.

The contract is sent out using ‘Hello Sign’.

The process for existing clients includes:

Communication via email on any existing projects that need additional work.

Using ‘Help Scout’, the team and I can assign and collaborate on how the job is done.

Using ‘Asana’ the jobs are added to a project board and categorized in order of importance.

The work or project is added to Google Calendar and put into an available time slot.

Google calendar allows me and my team to know what we should be doing and when. You can physically see what your days/weeks/months look like.

Being organised in creating and refining templates is an important process to make things as simple as possible. With so many projects, it can be easy to lose track.

Web Designer Tool Kit is coming soon - watch this space! Head to benbellamy.co.uk/waitlist to sign up for early exclusives!

One thing to remember above all else

“Organisation is so important to be able to grow and scale your business to provide the best service that you can.”

Highlights you simply cannot miss!

Our 90 Day Coaching Programme (0min15)

Our process for new clients (5min54)

Our process for existing clients (9min20)

Using Google Calendar effectively (11min31)

Creating and refining templates to make life easier! (16min42)

Upcoming Web Designer Tool Kit (18min53)

#23 Taking Your Web Design Side Hustle Biz Full Time

In this podcast, I will be talking you through the truthful story of my transition from having a side hustle business to a full time business. I will also be discussing ways in which you can identify when you are ready to take your business full time, as well as ways in which you can make yourself ready to take the jump!

Key takeaways

I started my side hustle whilst working a full time job at a hotel. I was a member of management and transitioned myself into the marketing side of the business.

I had a realisation that I wanted to be creative in what I was doing with work, so I started a graphic design business and as I got the taste for it, I wanted more!

I reduced my hours and went part time to help out with the side hustle.

I had no regular clients, I was incorrectly pricing and had no social media presence.

Took out a loan and quit my job and the panic started to set in!

The importance of financial stability when starting to go full time with you business.

Sales funnelling, enquiries and networking and how it can help grow your business.

Surround yourself with a positive support system of friends and family.

Refine your brand and services, this will inevitably change over time but get it to where you want it to be in that moment.

How the pandemic affected business owners having to jump into taking their business full time.

Don’t panic when going full-time; make lists, prioritise and get yourself out there.

Get quick wins under your belt and get this thing going!

What can you do to get yourself ready?

Show up on social media. Every single day. Maximise your opportunities.

Have a website with cleat goods and services.

Be prepared to put in the hours. Hard work is undeniable and nobody will put a full time business in your lap.

Networking is key. Recommendations are the most powerful ways of getting clients. People trust in who you know and the good work they have done for you.

One thing to remember above all else

“Typically, at the start of running your own business, we feel so overwhelmed- and that is so normal! There will also be a feeling of being overwhelmed at all stages of your business!”

Highlights you simply cannot miss!

The truthful story of where I started (1min30)

How I went from a side hustle to full time with my business (4min13)

How do you know when you are personally ready? (6min45)

Getting forced into making the jump. (13min53)

What can you do to make yourself ready? (15min08)

#22 Manifesting Clients, Money And More In Your Web Biz

What if I told you it is entirely possible to manifest anything you want in your web design business?In today’s episode of the podcast, I will share how manifestation has influenced my business growth and give you suggestions as to how you can implement manifestation into your day-to-day routine to help build your business.

Key takeaways

Manifestation is the act of visualising the things that you want to achieve, you are willing it into reality and asking the universe for it to come true.

I love to journal, I have individual journals and notebooks for lots of different things in my business. For example, my Full Focus Planner for goals and tasks.

I have a specific journal for manifesting and I don’t allow anybody else to look at this. As well as manifesting, I might write down struggles, anxieties or things that make me nervous within my business.

There is no right or wrong way to write down your manifestations, just putting it on paper makes it become more of a real thing. It isn’t just a passing thought, but a physical goal.

Vision boarding is another method of manifestation. Having writing, imagery, thoughts or ideas on one board.

Again, the act of getting the ideas from your brain onto something in front of you.

Visual manifestation and meditating - the brain can’t tell the difference between a memory or something that happens over time. Using mental imagery can help make it happen.

Visualisation and meditation can be a great tool for building confidence, especially when it comes to earning money and signing clients.

You can’t just manifest, you have to take action and put the work in.

Ambitions and goals can influence everyday life in your business. Whether it be turning up for social media more regularly, feeling more positive or gaining the confidence to reach out to potential clients.

Goal setting for the year, quarter, month, week, and day can help make your larger goals more achievable by breaking down into smaller goals.

I have manifestations from two and a half years ago which are only just becoming a reality, so you have to put the work in to get there.

Where can you begin?

Buy a journal!

Step up and start a vision board!

Take 10 minutes out of your day to meditate.

One thing to remember above all else

“Manifesting is great, but you have to take action too! Let your way of manifesting flow into your daily actions and, in turn, this will only bring positivity into your business!”

Highlights you simply cannot miss!

What is manifestation? (1min38)

How do we manifest? (2min49)

Partnering action with your method of manifesting (7min53)

My experiences of manifesting in my business (12min15)

Where do I begin? Actions to take-away (14min04)

#21 How To Build Your Dream Business

In today’s episode of the podcast, I will be reflecting on my experience building my dream business. I will be discussing some of the lessons I have learnt along the way to help you on your journey in building your own dream business.

Key takeaways

Always have an idea of what your dream business looks like.

I started off having a business of three separate services: graphic designer, illustrator and web designer.

I never set out to be a web designer and here I am running an agency working with clients internationally.

We experience a growth phase and go through changes.

Focus on finding the right clients - trust your gut, if it doesn’t feel like the right fit, the chances are it isn’t!

Once you find your first dream client, one will become two, two will become four and the snowball will start to grow!

There will come a time where you are more comfortable in saying no to the wrong client, and letting go of current clients who aren’t the best fit anymore.

The right client will help you in propelling your business forward.

Try to establish a money mindset - know your worth!

Build an abundance mindset - there billions of people in the world, there are enough clients for your business!

Happiness is the most important thing, your dream business should fit around you and your lifestyle.

Don’t be afraid to make changes to not only build your dream business, but to ensure you are happy doing the job that you love.

One thing to remember above all else

“The idea of your business will change over the course of time. You grow, you evolve and you change.”

Highlights you simply cannot miss!

What does a dream business look like to you? (1:04)

My experience of building my dream business (1:37)

Reflections: What would I change looking back? (4:05)

Finding the right clients (4:44)

Having the right mindset (10:50)

The importance of being happy (14:14)

Actions to take away (18:55)

In today’s episode of the podcast, I will be talking about the real life struggles of working from home. I will be looking at strategies to overcome these struggles and maintain your levels of productivity and creativity throughout your working day.

Key takeaways

Working from home for over four years, there have been some challenges. However, as an agency we all work from home and are a virtual business.

There are so many temptations, distractions and lovely things which make it not as easy as working in an office environment.

If you have responsibilities such as childcare, this may be even more difficult, but these strategies should be able to help you in some way.

Things I have learnt from working from home:

Have a dedicated work space where we know, when we are there we are ready to work.

Dress like you mean to show up, as if you are ready to go to work.

Move about and shift things around where possible. Sometimes, a change of scenery can enhance productivity and creativity.

Take breaks! Sometimes, as business owners we become workaholics, especially when we love what we do and it doesn’t feel like work.

Give yourself a reason to leave the house, go for a walk or go and get some lunch or a coffee. This will give you the break you need to go again when you return.

Dedicated working hours are really important, not everyone can stick to a 9-5 working day so you can fit it to suit you. However, when your dedicated hours finish, close your laptop and shut off for the day.

Noise cancelling headphones are a game changer! The whole world around you is switched off and you can fully focus on your work.

One thing to remember above all else

“As creative people, web designers, you can’t be creative sitting within four walls all of the time, you have to get out!”

Highlights you simply cannot miss!

Personal experiences working from home (1min10)

Different circumstances for different business owners (2min04)

Strategies to help working from home (4m37)

Actions to work on (20min18)

#19: Growing Your Web Design Business

In today’s episode of the podcast, we will be reflecting on where we started, how we got here and where we are going! We will be looking into how you go from being a one man band, and being able to identify when the time is right to expand your business and get that extra help to make your business a success!

Key takeaways

Within business, as you grow, you'll always find you'll reach new heights and milestones and each time it's new and scary.

It is so easy to focus on the wrong things; the big office, the enormous social media following and the large team.

The fundamental thing is - we just need clients!

We spend so often not knowing where to focus our time or energy, when we should just be focused on doing our best to attract clients.

Perception plays a really big part in running our business, we care too much what people think. For example, we feel that the biggest metric of success is how many Facebook followers we have. When actually, it’s how many clients who pay for your services.

When starting a business, it is so easy to say yes to everything which leads us to be too in demand. It is then more common to feel entirely overwhelmed.

The difficulty is knowing when to make the decision to hire more help, to take the weight off your shoulders.

When is the right time to hire more help?

If you are feeling overwhelmed, maybe you have the fear of opening your inbox?

Is there an increased demand for your services?

Do you want a better work/life balance and need to acquire some more time back for yourself?

What kind of help can you get?

Virtual Assistants

Web Designing or Web Building partners

Partner up with other businesses/services you could offer (EG. Copywriting)

Use Upwork to hire more help

Find out where you spend most of your time when it comes to business related tasks. This can help you to determine where you need that added support!

One thing to remember above all else

“Stop focusing on all the random, different things that relate to your business and just focus on pushing one amazing service that draws in potential clients!”

Highlights you simply cannot miss!

Where I started with my business! (1m55)

The struggles of running your own business single handedly (5m01)

When do we make the decision to expand our business workforce? (8m08)

What kind of help should I be seeking and what help could I actually get for my business? (11m25)

Where do I find the additional help? (17m05)

#18: How To Attract Your Dream Clients

Today’s episode of the podcast is delving deeper into the idea of the “dream client”. We will be taking the idea of where to find dream clients and discussing the best strategies to get these dream clients on board with your business.

Key takeaways

So often we worry about where to find our dream client and not how to attract them.

ICA (Ideal Client Avatar) Exercises - who is your dream client?

Factors to consider: location; age; goals and struggles.

We underestimate the importance of our own website, is it good enough to attract our dream client?

Is your website set up ready to attract?

Language within the copy (wording, tone and how you address clients)

Imagery (brand photography v stock pictures; aesthetics are a key investment).

Testimonials, case studies and portfolios (use dream clients who have been through the process and keep them at the forefront)

Aesthetics of your website - does the look and feel match your dream client?

Social media is a really important tool, are you using the same platforms as your dream client?

We don’t have to be on all platforms all of the time, make sure you enjoy the platforms that you are using.

A key thought: if your dream client is sat scrolling, are they going to stop for you?

Good social media coverage requires research into your dream client’s social media habits. Be prepared to put some time into this.

Core content such as blogs, YouTube videos and podcasts are useful tools to give your clients a glimpse into your expertise.

Recommendations and word of mouth are vital in finding your dream clients.

Strategies to put in place:

Check your website set up.

Are you spending enough time on social media platforms?

Do you need to start using core content for more exposure?

Carry out an ICA exercise to find your dream client.

One thing to remember above all else

“It’s not about us, it’s about what the dream client wants and we have to put ourselves in their shoes!”

Highlights you simply cannot miss!

Who is the dream client? (2:20)

Is your website ready for your dream client? (3:45)

The importance of social media in attracting your dream client (11:52)

How core content can make you more visible to your dream clients (15:35)

Strategies and tips to use in your business (17:42)

#17: How Working On A Money Mindset Transformed My Business

Today’s episode of the podcast is discussing the use of money mindset in developing your business. We will be looking at what makes a strong money mindset and the common mistakes business owners make especially when starting a business. We will also be discussing strategies you can put in place to build a strong money mindset and transform your business.

Key takeaways

When I started my business, I didn’t do it to make money. I was in an incredibly toxic job and it was to either change jobs or start the business and give it a go.

I was happy to make enough money, or just anything to get by. At times, I did things for free or massively under charged! I didn’t know my own worth!

Money mindset isn’t taught in schools - the typical route is school, college and university to get a degree and get a job.

In the UK we have this “employment culture” and are rarely encouraged to start our own businesses and be successful in that way.

My money mindset when I launched my business was to do everything dirt cheap as I questioned clients affordability.

Sometimes, when we are in our own bubble, it is easy to forget that we are selling to other business owners and they are making their own money. Never presume that they can’t afford you. They will have money set aside for this service.

There will always be someone out there charging more than you and quite often, not offering as good a service.

Building a website is an investment, not a cost.

Remember that the service you provide is a tool to create more money for the client.

Strategies to help you develop your money mindset:

Look at your competitors: What prices are they charging? What services are they offering? Do your research!

When producing a quote, have the price written in front of you and remember that is your base price!

Don’t be afraid to do some educating with your client to help them understand the value of having a website and that it is an investment rather than a cost.

Do not let the little voice in your head stop you from setting the price that you deserve.

One thing to remember above all else

“Nobody gives you permission as a business owner to charge a higher price, you have to take that into your own hands.”

Highlights you simply cannot miss!

What is a “money mindset”? (2.00)

How I started my journey as a business owner with money mindset (4.23)

Questioning client affordability and justifying setting your price (7.00)

Strategies to improve your money mindset (10.12)

#16: Having A Value Ladder As A Web Designer

Today’s episode of the podcast is discussing the use of value ladders in business. Firstly, we will be talking about what a value ladder actually is and how you can implement it into your business. We will also be looking into the debate of the benefits of using a value ladder and the perceived pitfalls of this strategy.

Key takeaways

A value ladder isn’t always seen as the done thing to do, but it is a really valid option.

If you have raised the prices of your signature, high ticket offer, this may be the next step to diversify your business.

A value ladder is essentially having different services at increasing price points, meaning that a new customer could buy from you at the bottom of the ladder and eventually work themselves up to a higher ticket offer.

Example -

Lowest on the ladder - Consulting $200 p/h

Then, purchase a website template - $499

Then maybe you offer a template customisation for £2500

Custom websites $5000

Ensuring you keep your high ticket offer and custom package to a VIP service.

The client can go on a journey with you when working up the ladder.

Surely if you offer anything other than custom, high value ticket services everyone will just go for the lower ticket offer?

Differentiating through highlighting benefits and bonuses of higher ticket offers and signalling an entry level package.

Scaling your business through data driven decisions.

You will never know if you don’t take the risk, it is always worth experimenting.

The dangers of being overworked are real if you don’t consider having a higher ticket service.

Work out whether a value ladder is right for your business and what different points of the ladder you could implement.

Remember to consider your high ticket offer - are you charging enough and is the service a VIP experience?

One thing to remember above all else

“A value ladder could be the gateway in for somebody who just needs advice, or your help, but cannot afford the higher ticket offer”

Highlights you simply cannot miss!

Not every client is going to be able to afford your high ticket offer (3.22)

The debate on value ladders (5.53)

The importance of differentiation (6.35)

The added pressure of lower ticket services (7.40)

Do you want a $1 million business? How can we break it down? (9.38)

A 10k quote - never in my life did I think this could happen! (13.35)

Key actions for you to take for your business (16.25)