My ‘why’ for launching a DYO web design workshop
The ‘9-to-5’ equivalent of your personal website is letting someone else control how and when your site can be updated, and what the financial exchange will be.
When this dawned on me, it struck me how out of sync this was for me, and my freelancing peers.
We’d all chosen this lifestyle specifically for the freedom, the independence, and the financial control.
So why would our personal website’s be any different?
As a freelance digital designer with over a decade of experience, I’ve been lucky to build up a trusty network over the years, and try to collaborate with talented folk I already know as often as possible.
But increasingly often, whether directly through other freelancers, or through family and friends, I’ve been getting requests through for website design from budget-savvy entrepreneurs.
And I totally don’t blame them! Good design shouldn’t be a luxury.
Even though investing in your personal website is one of the #1 things you can do to boost your professional reputation, I can really understand why freelancers are reluctant to spend the cash.
After all, most of us work in this world already: why would we pay someone else to do something for us that we could likely do ourselves, if we really put our minds to it.
But this is the key point: these entrepreneurs aren’t often able to create it themselves without the guidance of someone who’s done it countless times before.
Not because they don’t have the ability (- my network is brimming with talent!), but because they are putting their time towards either getting paid, or enjoying their hard-earned freedom.
(Like I said, these folks are smart).
So I’ve decided to launch a monthly challenge teaching freelance content creators (hello writers, brand strategists, and social media specialists!) how to design their own Squarespace site.
With just one hour of lessons per day (outside of typical ‘work’ hours) for six days (- five days straight, with launch the following Monday), I’ll guide freelancers through an accelerated framework to get. it. DONE.
There’ll be a VIP option to have 1-on-1 coaching, with the six hours either being all in one day, or taught once a week, as a two hour session, for three weeks.
And what it means for me?
I’m hoping it’ll help both my own business, and those who prioritise their freedom (and their wallets).
In my own business, I usually work on retainers for big brands, so I’m looking forward to diversifying and give my business an extra ‘table leg’!
I really believe that the best opportunities are the ones that just present themselves, rather than you seeking them out.
Since becoming a parent last year, I’ve also been conscious of creating as much flexibility within my own business as possible. Before my son was born, I was working 5-6 days per week, and now protect my 4 day work week like my life depends on it! My husband is the full time caregiver, so I’m able to be laser focused on my business.
And I’m beyond excited to start facilitating the same level of freedom for my fellow freelancers!
Want to know when the next Six Hour Squarespace Site challenge will be? Sign up for my newsletter to be the first to know when it launches!