So as I say in the video — if you have not heard back from me or are waiting an unusual amount of time for something to get done… I’m a bit distracted by this little dude. But can you blame me?

Here’s the drill…

Originally I was offering this awesome sale (click here to check it out) and the deal was if you paid by Nov 30th you got the deal, but could schedule your project anytime within the following 6 months.  Since announcing the sale, I’ve been bombarded with inquires (thank you!!) and have almost filled up my calendar!

Since I put the time limit on scheduling the projects I can’t offer more spots then are available during that time frame… and now that # is down to…. wait for it… ONE!

SO — if you want to cash in on this deal, don’t hesitate! In order to guarantee you get in on this deal, you  must be the next to request a quote, accept a proposal, and pay for your discounted package before the end of November!

Now, I have a few folks in the “thinking about it” stage… and believe me, I think that is awesome and I would not want you to make a snap decision you (and I!) may regret… however since I operate on a first come, first serve basis if one of them decides to move forward or I get a great candidate to fill that last spot the sale will officially end early!

Are You Ready???

Awesome!! Simply go here to fill out the website request and send it over!! Or if you have more questions about this, please contact me here and I will give you all the details you want.

Remember there is only one spot left until prices go back up to the regular rates!
That spot will be given to the next person who receives and accepts a proposal and pays for the discounted package rate!

Never Again Rates

I am not telling you this as some cheeky marketing scheme, or to scare you into buying right now — but as of the new year (2011, to be precise) I will be raising my package rates. Not by a ton, mind you, but my hourly rate will be increasing to $55/hour and my packages will be increasing by about 10-15%. Current clients will still receive 2010′s rates for the first 3 quarters of 2011 as a part of my “grandfathered in” policy. So if you KNOW you want to work with me, and you KNOW you want your site up by the Spring, then now is the time to save yourself some $$$ and get on my calendar!

Hugs!!

~Victoria

***

Here’s the breakdown:

The “Get Your Feet Wet” Package: $500 $400
WordPress install, theme install, theme & plugin setup, general customization. The basics to get started blogging!

The Good ‘Ol Standard Blogsite Package: $1000 $800
WordPress install, theme install, theme & plugin setup, some helpful planning calls, a little extra customization, and some other extras!

The Rockstar Blogsite Package: $1500 $1200
All the stuff from the other packages plus a ton of hand-holding throughout the process, extra customization, and a lot of other extras!!

Want to find out what is included standard in these packages? Go here to see the breakdown…

Even if you’re not ready to start the project now, you can “get on the list” for a site — and maybe light a little fire under yourself in the meantime.

Now through November 30th, 2010 ALL WEB PACKAGES are 20% OFF!!

Here’s the deal – in order to qualify for this killer deal, you must submit a design request, accept the proposal and pay for the package BEFORE November 30th, 2010. All packages purchased with this sales can be “redeemed” (i.e. scheduled) within 6 months — so you have some time to get your “ducks in a row”. Openings for site design projects start November 1st, 2010 — and space is limited!!

So here’s the breakdown:

The “Get Your Feet Wet” Package: $500 $400
WordPress install, theme install, theme & plugin setup, general customization. The basics to get started blogging!

The Good ‘Ol Standard Blogsite Package: $1000 $800
WordPress install, theme install, theme & plugin setup, some helpful planning calls, a little extra customization, and some other extras!

The Rockstar Blogsite Package: $1500 $1200
All the stuff from the other packages plus a ton of hand-holding throughout the process, extra customization, and a lot of other extras!!

Want to find out what is included standard in these packages? Go here to see the breakdown…

What’s The Drill?

Since space is limited in my design schedule, projects are scheduled based on a first come, first serve basis AND project size. Smaller packages can tend to be completed sooner then the big daddy packages, since the time investment is smaller. In order to get in on this deal, you first have to send me a design request!

I’ll look at your design request and see 1) if I have the skills needed to do your project justice, 2) if I can meet your requested deadline without having a panic attack, and 3) if the project request fits in to the budget you need. If I can give all those a big ‘ol checkmark, then I will send you a proposal via Freshbooks.

Once you have reviewed the proposal (which will include available dates to schedule the project, if you are ready to start asap) and are ready to go, you simply click “accept” and I will send you the payment invoice and homework to get the project going!

*Please note payment must be made before November 30th 2010 to get the discount!! After November 30th, packages will go back to their normal rates.

Are You Ready???

Awesome!! Simply go here to fill out the website request and send it over!! Or if you have more questions about this, please contact me here and I will give you all the details you want.

Not Quite Ready Yet?

That’s cool. But please let me know if you have questions that, if answered, may get you ready! I’m really excited since this is my first web design sale… and I’d love to get my calendar filled with eager biz folks like you who want to get moving on new sites for the new year!!

Remember — space is limited (I am only one little lady, after all) so get on the list as soon as possible if you want something done before the end of the year. I have room for only 5 1 new package before the end of 2010 before the sale closes … so don’t hesitate!

Ready now? Simply go here to fill out the website request and send it over!!

Want to find out what is included standard in these packages? Go here to see the breakdown…

While the new ruling [for the most part] affects bloggers who are reviewing or endorsing products, the FTC rules do not target them specifically, so it can be assumed that everyone using a blog, social networking, or a website in general for their business needs to be aware of the rules… even if you don’t plan on following them. Knowledge is power, ya know??

So the brief synopsis is that the FTC is demanding full disclosure. The folks at the FTC worry that with all the new media forms out there, consumers are generally confused by what they are reading online – and while consumers tend to assume (or at least, that’s what the FTC says) that a movie reviewer got to see the movie they are reviewing for free (so the consumer understands that the reviewer benefited in some way from the review and therefore may be biased) they don’t realize that a blogger may be getting some benefit out of reviewing or endorsing a product (and – therefore – be a bit biased too). I think the FTC is not giving enough credit to consumers…. but hey, that’s just me.

So now onto the rule — the FTC says anyone reviewing or endorsing a product online must fully disclose what benefit they are getting from publishing said review/endorsement. So, for example, if Jane Doe Mommy Blogger writes up a review on the latest type of Brand X diaper, she MUST publish the fact that Brand X sent her a months supply of free diapers to test. And by doing this, the reader takes into consideration that Jane Doe may be a bit biased because 1) Free diapers are awesome and 2) Jane Doe may be giving a good review so she can get more free stuff from Brand X or another company.

Now, the argument from bloggers is that 1) the FTC is making bloggers look unethical in their endorsements and they are offended and 2) the rule ONLY applies to stuff online and not other forms of media so it’s not fair. Everyone in entitled to their own opinion. My personal thought is that if you protest full disclosure then maybe maybe you have something to hide. Am I wrong?

Anyway — on to how this affects you.

Most of my clients are online entrepreneurs — not necessarily bloggers who review or endorse products for a living, but most everyone uses testimonials in their marketing. It’s a gray area in the FTC ruling [using client testimonials for your own marketing, that is], but my motto is ‘better safe then sorry’. The FTC is most likely not going to go after the blogger if they do not fully disclose benefits — however as consumers become more aware of these new rules, they will be looking for the full disclosure. And if they don’t see it, they may end up not trusting the review. There’s no way to tell… but again, better safe then sorry.

So my advice to anyone using testimonials in their marketing — Full Disclosure is the way to go.

I would guess that 99% of the testimonials you get from clients are honest to goodness testimonials. Even if you asked for them, you are probably not offering anything in return for said testimonial. But if you are… you should say so. New FTC rule or not.

Where ever you have posted testimonials from your clients, make sure everything on there is the full, honest truth, with any benefits the client received from providing the testimonial right there in black and white.  Honesty is the best policy (thanks, kindergarten, for providing me with that life lesson) and when reading a review, testimonial or endorsement knowing that the author benefited in some way from publishing that would not necessarily sway me either way — however what it will do is make me respect that business [where the product or service is from] more. And it’s more likely I will buy from someone I respect.

A good practice if you plan on soliciting testimonials from your clients (whether you are giving them something for the testimonial or not) is to ask permission from them to pass along contact info to people who want to follow up on that testimonial. When you post testimonials online, make a note that you can provide contact info — so even if “full disclosure” is not needed because nothing was received in exchange for that testimonial, your prospects can opt to verify or follow up on those testimonials… giving them peace of mind on spending $$ on your stuff and showing them that you are the real deal honest business person. It’s a win-win.

So what are your thoughts on the new FTC rule? Do you think it pertains to all online entrepreneurs? Do you disagree with full disclosure? Let me know your thoughts – either leave me a comment or shoot me an email.

Until next time!

~Victoria Potts Keale is a newbie blogger, website designer, entrepreneur extraordinaire, mom, wife, daughter, sister… well, you get the gist. She lives in her hometown of St. Louis, MO in an old haunted farmhouse with her 2 kids and drummer hubby. She has 15 tattoos and wants more. She loves 80’s music. She thinks writing bios in the 3rd person is wacky. You should email her and tell her what else to put in her bio – victoria@lynnraedesigns.com – but don’t spam her, cause she’ll get angry.

Please feel free to use this blog in whatever, but make sure you credit it back to the author (link it up here!!) and send us a note that you used it, cause we’ll give you some link-love right back.