Daniel's Biz Talk posts

What Would You Like to Know?

Hi everyone, I'm in the beginning stages of planning a DIY Web Design class here on Vashon. It's shaping up to either be two sessions at about three hours each, or one long Saturday.

What I'm looking for right now is what would potential attendees like to see covered. What would you like to know most?

Potential topics include basic HTML skills, basic CSS skills (Cascading Style Sheets), basics on web hosting, options for starting a self-hosted blog, and other best practices.

I can see two different audiences for this series of classes: (1) Folks who already have a website, but want to take more control and sharpen their web skills or (2) Folks who would like to build a website but don't have the budget to hire a designer.

If I get more interest from group 1, I'm thinking the class will be more modular, covering skills in a variety of web design areas. If I get more interest from group 2, I'm thinking the class will be more sequential, moving rapidly from PLANNING to IMPLEMENTATION right there in the classroom, resulting in a basic website by the time the class is over.

The class will be limited to 6 or 7 people maximum, will be held on a Saturday(s) and will be held in the living room at the DIG store.

Please let me know if you are interested and which topics most you're interested in.

Thanks!

Topic Ideas for Next Vashon Event?

Whew, what a great turnout for our Biznik event at Silverwood Gallery! Post your ideas for topics for the next event in the comments. Also, if anyone has a venue to volunteer, please let us know. Maybe we'll aim for another event in the next month or two.

Indie Business Climate on Vashon

What are your views on the business climate on Vashon Island, especially for indie businesses?

At varying times, I've been a bit discouraged by some of the 'establishment' business institutions on the Island (the newspaper, the chamber of commerce, the farmers market). I feel like there's been a lot of negativity towards any sort of healthy competition on the Island, yet we often hear in the newspaper stories of how times are so tough for business.

Anybody else see a disconnect there? Perhaps I'm venting a bit, but I'm willing to bet that others have seen this attitude at work themselves.

Bizniks Needed For Usability Testing - Fri. July 25 2-4pm

We're looking for 3-5 folks from Biznik to help as subjects for a round of usability testing on an exciting new product. We're meeting at the Wedgewood Top Pot Doughnuts (Click for map) this Friday, July 25 from 2-4pm.

We are a web design company that is starting a venture that is targeting small business owners who are in need of a website fast and cheap but don't want to compromise on quality.

Our proposition is this: For $695, you will get a year of hosting with a reputable webhost (Bluehost), a domain name and a website with a content management system that we will show you how to edit on your own. We will take your order and launch your website within four working days. Sound interesting?

If you're interested in helping us with usability testing for 15-30 minutes we'll buy you coffee and a donut and give you an invitation to sign up as a beta customer.

Interested? Please give me a call at 206-569-5458 or send me a Biznik email.

Thanks!

BIG Announcement Coming Next Week

My partner and I are putting the finishing touches on a new endeavor that will put the power of a well-designed website within reach of virtually every Biznik.

Most custom website design projects cost at least $3,000 all the way up to $10,000+ depending on the complexity of the website.

On the other hand most 'template' sites just sell you a bundle of files that the average solopreneur or small business owner has no time, interest or inclination to learn to know what do with.

What if you could get a beautiful new website with your content, reliable hosting, a domain name, a content management system and a website design pro to do all the heavy lifting for you for less than $1,000? Would you be interested?

And what if we could guarantee the website to be launched within four days of the initial order? Still interested?

And what if you as a Biznik received 10% off your order? Yup, you're still interested, right?

Message me and I'll be sure to send you the details when we launch next week.

Best wishes!

Office Nomads Mentioned In International Herald Tribune Article About CoWorking

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/21/business/cowork.php

Howdy, I'm Daniel Genser of Zigflitz llc

I've been a member here for a good while now, but I've just recently really committed to being active in the Biznik community.

I am one-half of the graphic and web design company, Zigflitz llc. I live and work with my lovely wife, Devon, in a little house on Maury Island (a tiny island connected by an isthmus to Vashon Island).

We specialize in designing and building beautiful, useful and affordable websites and identity packages for small to medium-sized businesses.

I particularly enjoy working with clients who have never had a website before or had a bad experience with a previous designer. It's enjoyable demonstrating that professionalism and creativity are not mutually exclusive.

I'm looking forward to meeting you, whether virtually or in person at an event. If you're on Vashon Island, I'm actually hosting my first event on February 8 at Cafe Luna. The details are here - see you there!