Thinking Out Loud

So while I haven’t had a brainstorming session with Nicki yet (it’s on my to-do list — the phone can be a scary device when there are three small children running around 😉 ), I did find some good information in terms of creating a posting schedule. Most of the material I’ve found has a pro-scheduling bias, but I did find one article that was against scheduling. I like to hear both sides of the argument before I make my decisions. I also found a site that has a layout that has a similar idea to what I’d like to do. See this? That header? How about the adorable Hungry Girl avatar? That is on par with what I’m trying to create — great minds, and all that silliness. I’ve been planning to hire one of my friends to digitally draw something like that for me for quite some time now, but I’ve been stuck on exactly what I’d like. I need a good, solid vision before I can make that next step.

I have to admit I’ve also been inspired by Gwen Bell to become a consultant. I couldn’t figure out what I could do, though — I think of consultants as people who discuss things like business, technology, marketing, and things of that nature. What could I do? What am I good at? What is my expertise? Well, I have a Bachelors degree in English. I have a relatively good command of the English language. I edit newsletters and publications for a living (when I’m not playing secretary, that is). Today, it became obvious to me while talking with a new co-worker that I should consider a career in English consulting. So, I have a business plan to write and some serious brainstorming to do.

As for marketing, I recently came across a flier on campus advertising a personal website. Why hadn’t I thought of that?! It was so obvious. It’s a college town, and there are plenty of people riding the buses. I’m sure enough people would at least see the fliers, let alone come to visit. Of course, before I ramp up my marketing, I need to redesign and reassess. I’ve gotten the “go forth and comment” part down already — and boy oh boy, did that ever prove fruitful in both getting traffic and finding some great people to read. (It’s gotten to the point where I’ve come around to the Google Reader because it’s one website, one place, and a simple click if I’d like to go comment. I’m just hoping the RSS feeds count for “hits” for my favorite bloggers.) Anyway, I think I’m progressing along and almost ready to get back on track with my writing. Maybe I’ll turn this into a lucrative career yet!