How to Be Successful Online
As a result of my recent site redesign, I’ve found myself in quite the contemplative mood of late - perhaps it’s also a result of the cooler weather that we’ve experience here in Chicago the past few days. I always seem to enter a mode of “thinking and writing” this time of year, so I figure it would be a great time to write more on my site.
There seems to be a redundancy in the questions that I am asked on a daily basis by people, so I’ve decided to start writing posts about the things I’m asked most often.
So here goes…
I want to design WordPress themes, how can I become known?
Instead of boring you with the details of my web existence (although remind me to tell you the story of how I bartered a guy in Washington state to get my domain name), I’ll list 5 things that were essential for me to establish myself and which led me to where I’m at now. (wherever that may be…)
1) Establish a game plan
This means setting up goals - tangible ones, and even general ideas and concepts of things you’d like to do. In a roundabout way, back in January of 2007, I admitted that working for myself and designing blogs was a dream of mine. Little did I know a year later, I would be taking the greatest leap of faith I have ever taken. Part of this step is identifying not only what your good at, but also what you enjoy doing. A lot of us are good at our jobs, but if enjoyment isn’t there, life can really be a drag.
An example of a tangible goal would have been my hope to one day reach the Technorati Top 100 blog list - something that felt ominous back when I was ranked number 8 million something. A year and a half later, I find myself ranked #6 - this in fact isn’t anything to be super proud of, just a fun thing that releasing themes has managed to get me. In all seriousness, it’s essential to map out the direction you want to head. You might stray from time to time, and that’s ok, but keeping your eyes on the prize can really take you there.
2) Get yourself on the map
When I first started to design WordPress themes, I knew that I really needed to find a way to stand out from those who were also doing it. A year and a half later, the competition for theme design is even tougher, so you need to get on this one. Take a chance, and email the owner of a site, and ask them if they need a redesign, or if you can offer your services at a discounted rate.
As I look back, there were two sites that I designed which, in my opinion, really helped me and my business take off. Mark Saunders, CEO of Splashpress Media, took a chance on me when he asked me to redesign the Blog Herald - that was my first “real big” site that I had done, and was truthfully scared that I’d be responsible for creating a theme for such a high profile site. Another site that I did early on was for my friend Daniel over at Daily Blog Tips, which in fact, turned out to be two consecutive site redesigns for him. Not to mention I made a really good friend as well!
3) Do favors for people
When you’re starting out an online business, it sounds counter-intuitive to do favors for people - whether it be to offer assistance at no charge, or simply do work for people at a discounted rate. Ask any aspiring actor or actress in Hollywood if they’d be willing to do a commercial or small role for free - they will say yes in a heartbeat, because when you’re starting out, any exposure is good exposure. I won’t go into the details, but what I can say is that I can recount at least two things I’ve done in the last year for people that have come back tenfold.
——————————
* Because #’s 4 and 5 will be longer, more detailed answers, I’ll save them for the next post. Stay tuned, as I’ll write that post very soon…
Great post! I can’t wait to read part two…
Matt, thanks - should be a few days before I get to it. Check back early next week.
Hey Brian! I love your new site. I’m probably about to purchase a few of your great themes. Looks like we have a lot in common, namely Jesus, web stuff and being follically challenged. Thanks for all you do… you are a real blessing. So, have you ever used head lube products… pretty cool stuff.
David, thanks, and glad to know there are Christians out there that do web stuff too! As for head lube products, nope - sure haven’t.
Cool! Sorry, that should have been head blade. Oops. I just googled the other and realized the mistake.
I thought that’s were you were going - I just do the straight razor and Gillette thing!
Hi Brian
Great post. Your journey has some similarities to mine.
Best Regards
Greg Tingle
Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
Greg, thanks so much - glad to know we’ve had similar paths.
Thanks for all the great themes. I am always looking for the great looking themes for my sites and as far as Wordpress goes I believe yours are the best. BTW I am a fellow Chicagoland native, out near Joliet keep up the great work and I am looking forward to seeing more.
Mike, a lot of appreciate for what you wrote - especially with so many quality themes out there. I try my best, and hope that my work appeals to people!
Hey Brian,
It’s been a while since my last visit, but I still enjoy reading your articles via RSS. This is some change on the design front. Quite refreshing, and certainly different from the vast majority.
I recently made a slight change to my own design, and even though the structure has been kept intact, it’s amazing what a small colour change can do.
Here’s hoping all’s well with you, and that you’re enjoying the weekend.
Ciao for now.
David, long time no talk! Hope things are continuing to be successful on your end as well. Yes, I really wanted to step outside my comfort zone with this change, and wanted something different, and that stood apart from the general “Revolution” style look.
Hi Brian:
Wonderful post so far - looking forward to the rest of it. Maybe I’m jumping the gun here, but looking at your success from the outside in, it seems to me that you understand how to focus on your niche and stay true to your purpose. I’m always bouncing from one thing to the next, and as a result, my efforts are always too watered down to make much of a splash!
Brian…whether or not you believe it but your “story” is truly an inspiration!! I look forward to reading the rest….its proof that if you are willing to work hard and give it 110%, it can happen!!!
great read, cant wait for the rest of it.
Thanks Brian, some great advise, and yes you are right in what you say, often times when starting out, one should not always think about the bottom line. So give and one will receive. Well done on your successes and I am sure more will follow. “your product will only survive in a crowded marketplace if you stop advertising and start innovating”. Seth Godin. Your blog themes are defiantly innovative.
Thanks for the great tips — I’m looking forward to seeing 4 and 5. (Thanks also for creating Blue Zinfandel — it’s a beautiful theme).
And, it’s always great to see people from the Chicago area doing great things online. I’m just across the state line in NW Indiana.
Thanks for this great article.
I think one of your main ingredients for success has been that you’re simply a nice guy. They can and do finish first. Your generosity and good attitude should be taken seriously by anyone who wants to follow your path.
XX
PS: The new layout is stunning, of course. But you know that.
You know Brian there is a lot to be said in this world about being a stand up guy, and you are, and that is one of many reasons why you’re simply the best WP theme designer in the business today. I’d highly recommend adding “hire a good SEO” to your top 10. You’re doing it right wherever the numbers fall. Cheers !!
Thanks to all who left comments over the weekend - they were very much appreciated, and I should hopefully have the next post coming out in a day or two.
Before I say anything about your advice, some thanks are in order - I use Blue Zinfandel for my blog and absolutely love it. I think it is an amazingly clean, simple look and perfect for the content I write.
Now I don’t design, but I’m looking at your advice from a “what can I do to make sure I’m known” general perspective. The thing I love best about your answer in point #1 is when you say:
“In a roundabout way, back in January of 2007, I admitted that working for myself and designing blogs was a dream of mine. Little did I know a year later, I would be taking the greatest leap of faith I have ever taken. Part of this step is identifying not only what your good at, but also what you enjoy doing. A lot of us are good at our jobs, but if enjoyment isn’t there, life can really be a drag.”
I can safely say that getting an audience of any sort has been tougher than writing original, thoughtful scholarship. You’re really spending a lot of time hoping others will pick up on the good that you do, as you make most clear in point 3 but also in point 2, and that they’ll show gratefulness. Given that many of are in relationships where lovers don’t show gratefulness, this is a huge leap of faith.
What I’d like to see you expand on when you talk about this further are the times we are forced to go it alone and all seems pretty bleak. I can’t tell you how frustrated I am about stuff even now and just hearing that maybe it’ll turn out well could be a help.
Thanks so much for all you do!
Hi Brian
Your site is reaching far and wide. I won’t go into how I ended up at briangardner.com today, but you and I will both have been there..
Great looking site. I took a leap of faith 6 months ago - i’ve been pursuing a business that I feel I haven’t put much thought into and it’s not where my heart is. I’m too creative at heart to do anything other than web design, so I think that where I’m going to have to go. But i’ll have to find a part time job in the meantime. I’ve had one commissioned site so far… I’ve got so much more to say but really should put it in email. Thanks for the inspiration…
Brian, After a few days of not checking your site, I returned to find you’ve moved the furniture around again. I have to say it is the best design for your site I’ve seen.
Ed, thanks so much - considering you’ve been around for some time, you’ve probably seen all of the designs I’ve had. Probably too many in the amount of time my site has been around, but we all know how much I like to redesign it.
Thank you so much for the free Vertigo theme. This is what I’ve done with it, an informational site for a rare disease, entirely voluntary, non profit, and ad free.
http://www.barttersite.org
I keep getting compliments in our support group because of it. And in the process of customizing, I learned a lot too. Great theme!
Great article Brian, a lot of insight and thought has gone into this.
Now to read part 2.
PS. The new site design is very clean, just like your CSS.
As a life and business coach I really enjoyed your How To Be Successful Online and found your advice/experience to be very applicable to my clients.