Karen's comments

Justin's idea is fabulous. And Broadtexter could work if it was permission-based. Some people love text messages, so it would be a great messaging tool to reach them. I hate text messages and only use them when I'm out of the country for very short messages, to avoid roaming charges. (Or maybe for Justin's service). So I wouldn't be one of those target audience members for text advertising ;-)

I would definitely be interested in the online event. And for those who haven't worked with Dan yet, he's an eldercare guru who has phenomenal resources to help you with aging parents or relatives.

Fabulous logo! And I think Bizbee is a great name.

I'll be there tomorrow night for the benefit!

My contract includes a 2% per month finance charge on any balances unpaid after 30 days. I got the wording from an editorial photography industry template, so I think that's somewhat standard for my industry.
There are also state laws governing the maximum but I don't recall what the maximum is in Washington state.
But most people I know, myself included, have had more problems with big accounting departments than with smaller companies that have more AP flexibility and fewer hoops ;-) Unfortunately, getting some clients to pay late fees can be more costly in terms of time expenditure than the fee.
But it never hurts to have legal standing.
I'll be curious to see if someone out there has found the solution to a) always getting clients to pay on time or b) always getting clients to pay late fees when they don't.

I think the meet-and-great was even better than a structured presentation, because I was able to mull around to chat with other creatives and find possible areas of collaboration. I was truly inspired by everyone I met last night and hope to meet/collaborate soon!

Hmmm. So would be event be consumer-focused or industry-professional-focused? I would be interested in either, but primarily the second area of focus.

Given that we're just heading into winter, you might also want to offer a program (maybe for would-be winter commuters) about getting through the season with a functional bike and a warm body!

Sterling-

Call or email me - I know some great "dog people" and other fabulous souls in Portland who might be able to ease your professional and personal transitions.

I am interested in chatting about currencies and other "alternative" investments. Can we have the event anyway, as a non-Biznik event?

I would love to collaborate with more Canadians - I already have several BC-based clients and typically spend a significant part of the summer shooting (and freeriding) in Whistler, Vancouver and the Island. And hope to shoot and ride more this winter throughout BC, including Apex, Fernie, Red Mountain, Whitewater ... and of course Whistler.

I would definitely be interested as I don't do close to enough core training for the sports that I do. But I would be way more interested in a session closer to Seattle rather than Everett, if that could work.

I can donate a business or individual portrait session - and I am happy to shoot in my Leschi-area space or a location of the client's choice on the Eastside or elsewhere.

Let me know what you need from me for the auction.

Thank you, Banu, for the idea!

Actually, Thanksgiving is this Thursday. I am actually booked every night next week (including Biznik events on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday) but maybe we could celebrate at the McLeod Residence on Thursday the 29th, at the Biznik happy hour that's already happening? Are you available, Rachel? Looks like Paul, Banu and I have already RSVPed for that event.

Hooray for Sags! My b-day is a week from Friday, on the 30th. Happy b-days, Paul and Rachel!

How early? I'll be at Meadows if it snows and Post Canyon if it doesn't - both about an hour from PDX - so I might be a little late arriving if the event happens at happy hour time.

How does one find (or start) a mastermind group? I would definitely be interested in Howard's topic "essentials of operating a small business" plus undoubtedly many others!

I would love to hear more about life in Costa Rica! I know several people who have returned there several times for holidays.

Welcome to Biznik!

I will! Let's go to East in the Pearl. I don't know when I'll get into town, probably not til late Wednesday (I'm coming from Seattle too), so I could only conceivably do Thursday (if they're open) or Friday. I'll check later tonight to find out if East (or other bars) are open on Thanksgiving.

I definitely want to contribute. Just contact me to let me know what type of work you want!

Volunteer Match (www.volunteermatch.com) is a great way to find all types of opportunities - you can search by interest or geographic area.

Plus I know of three great nonprofits that work with kids. Two - The Service Board and Burton Chill - teach at-risk kids to snowboard, plus The Service Board also adds community projects to the mix.

And Outdoors for All works with disabled kids and adults. Snow sports are their primary focus, but they have adaptive sports options year round.

All three need coaches plus other volunteers.

Get information about The Service Board at http://www.theserviceboard.org/get_involved.html or visit the Outdoors for All Web site at http://skiforall.org (they used to be Skiforall) for information about that program. I only have national-level contacts at Burton Chill, but they are advertising on VolunteerMatch for local needs.

If you want more information about any of the programs, contact me. I've worked with The Service Board and Outdoors for All and probably will work with Chill too this winter.

Justin, everyone was correct that using popular search terms is NOT a good way to build business to your site - unless they're relevant. I used to create copy/keyword packages for MSN Search advertisers, so I know. Users are actually turned off by that type of keywording.

BUT... Here is info about a great presentation on Thursday about another aspect of search engine optimization keywords that many advertisers don't consider. I am going and would be happy to carpool over with anyone who can meet me over here in Leschi. Contact me if you're interested.

Web content expert Gerry McGovern will discuss “Customer Carewords: Words That Make the Sale, Deliver the Service and Build the Brand,” at a special meeting of Puget Sound SIGCHI on Thursday, Nov. 1, in Bellevue.

No registration is required for this free meeting of UX professionals.

Abstract: You're familiar with search engine optimization and how the right search keywords help bring people to your website.

However, when people get to the website, a different set of words become important. These are "customer carewords." Choosing the right customer carewords will lead visitors through the site, and to the desired outcome.

Using Customer Carewords contribute to a website that is truly customer-centric; that speaks customer language, not organization language. Stripping away all the filler content from your website creates a clean, lean website that focuses on exactly what your customers care most about.

Bio: Gerry McGovern is widely regarded as the number one worldwide authority on managing web content as a business asset. He has spoken in 35 countries, written and consulted extensively on web content management issues since 1994. His client list includes the BBC, Tetra Pak, IKEA, Rolls-Royce, HP and Microsoft.

He was described by The Irish Times as one of five visionaries who had had a major impact on the development of the Web. In 2004, he was included in the 100 most influential figures in e-commerce in the UK and Ireland. In 2000, he received the Web Ireland Internet Industry Person of the Year award. He is a founding member of the Irish Internet Association and the Content Management Professionals Association.

Gerry has written four books. His latest, “Killer Web Content” was described by a Microsoft Content Publishing Excellence Manager as "essential reading."

For more about Gerry’s background see: http://www.gerrymcgovern.com/about_gerry.htm

WHEN: Thursday—Nov. 1st, 2007

6:00 pm networking and refreshments 7:00 pm Presentation Job announcements to follow the presentation.

WHERE: Bellevue Regional Library (King County Library System) 1111 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004.
For information or directions visit http://www.kcls.org/bellevue/

Puget Sound Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction (SIGCHI) is a non-profit, local SIG chapter of the Association of Computing Machinery serving the Puget Sound region's interface design, usability, and research communities.

http://www.pssigchi.org

The majority of my clientele comes from two industries - extreme sports firms and other creatives - but I will work with anyone who needs compelling imagery to promote their products or services.

Oftentimes I fly solo in terms of the actual shoot, but I definitely collaborate with designers and art directors and photo editors to understand and meet their visual needs. Sometimes I'll work with designers to execute their on-set creative direction.

Meet other creatives. For me, this means going to events sponsored by Ad Club, AIGA, etc. Plus Biznik is probably my best source of not only new prospects from an array of business types, but also great tips on managing an indie venture.

Great idea. I like the survey idea but would also welcome the idea of an in-person meeting to find accountability partner prospects. Especially if we might be able to use the cool nametags used at BizJam, that highlighted people with similar interests and talents!

Always. Verbal agreements too frequently result in one or both parties ending up unhappy because of misunderstandings.

I also have a clause in my estimate that says "Acceptance of estimate is agreement to terms and conditions whether or not estimate is signed." I got the idea from another photographer. It's one way to CYA when dealing with those who are lackadaisical about paperwork

Kelly's comment about getting deposits is worthwhile advice too. That is my usual policy unless it's a VERY small (in terms of dollars) project and/or I have a good history with that client.