Top Tips from BlogHer ’09: “Business of You” Part I

So, you’ve taken a break from the daily grind and said good-by to your 9-5 job. You’re ready to jump into the “business of you“. And if you’re like many of the attendees who participated in the BlogHer ’09 conference, you’re probably blogging about your new ventures or sharing the stories of “you” with the world.

The big question is how do you capitalize on the extraordinary things you are doing and what will you need to do differently to represent yourself as a consultant in the blogosphere?

In my personal quest for transformation, I attended the “Bloggers are Pioneers in a Post-Employee World” to find some answers.

As women, we’re often fearful to talk about our value or the money equated to the value of the good work we’re doing. Everyday extraordinary women and panelists: Maggie Fox, Melissa Lion, Karen Rani Bodkin, Paula Gregorowicz and Kaveri Subbarao shared their top key points to survive in the “business of you” in this digital era.

YOU are the Expert

1. How are you brilliant? What do you want your brand or legacy to be about?
2. Check out your life equity and what you bring to the business. Remember, no one does it like you do.
3. You need to take care of yourself and value yourself so others value you. Integrate your life rather than focusing on balance.

Communicating Your Best

1. How do you show up to meet other people?
2. Understand your value before you pitch to others.
3. How do you communicate your value?
4. Think of 5 pitches to communicate within your community.

Getting the Business

1. Focus on speaking engagements where people might be interested in your services. This enables you to build your profile and make you think about what you’re doing and the message you want to send. Look at potential clients. It’s business development. Be sure to find the right people in the room.
2. Start local and tap into local networks. This can launch your global outreach.
3. Writing is a small part of the work…getting freelance work is the 40 hr a week job.
4. Virtual assistants will help with pitches.
5. Protect your intellectual property.

Money Talk

1. Have your strategic plan in place. How much will you charge and who is your audience.
2. Look at what others are paying for sites like yours.
3. Never take the first number they give you.
4. Give a range in your proposal…”I can do this for that price and that for this price”.
5. Instead propose a package deal and add cushion. Focus on profit margin not hourly rate.
6. Ask them “what’s your budget? What are you thinking in price range”.
7. Ask the client what they value.

Elisa Parker is the co-founder and host of See Jane Do.