Shredding Status: Pending.
Yes, my friends, I managed to avoid it yesterday, as well.
I have an excuse. I’m working on my new blog/website that will be devoted to helping you with your blogs. I’ve spoken about this before in this post. I’ve helped several fellow bloggers in the past, including my pal Brenda. And she’s the one who has urged me to hang out my shingle and offer my help to anyone who needs help with Blogger or WordPress. Brenda also has a new blog where she will talk about blogging, with interviews, conversation and helpful information. We talk about blogging all the time and we think our sites can work together to help all of you.
I consider myself a Blog Tweaker. Maybe a Blog Whisperer. This is how I explained it in the earlier post:
You see, I’ve learned a lot along the way during my 4½ years of blogging. I’m not afraid to play with html coding, I’m learning a lot about CSS coding, I’ve designed my own banners, I’ve tweaked my sidebar, added graphics, and many other things. I changed my Blogger blog many, many times. I figured out how to build on and tweak the design elements of my WordPress Blog. I helped Brenda do the same thing with her blog. I held her hand as she followed Sharon’s instructions on How to Move from Blogger to WordPress (in my sidebar.) I’ve helped many fellow bloggers in tweaking the elements and design of their blogs.
I am going to work on the details this coming week, but I plan to offer my services as mentor and coach for my fellow bloggers who use either format: Blogger or WordPress. I will make sure my prices are reasonable and affordable for most anyone.
But let me state clearly, I’m not a blog designer or a graphic designer. I’m not going to move your blog for you. Sharon, whose book is on my sidebar, has written clear-as-a-bell instructions on how to do that. But I can hold your hand as you cope with WordPress or Blogger. I can answer questions. If I don’t have the answer, I’ll research until I have it. If I can’t answer your question, I’ll be honest with you and direct you to someone who does have the answer.
I’ve set up the new site. I’m trying to determine how to handle pricing – which will be very reasonable. Since I will handle a variety of requests, and I’m not a blog designer offering a menu of packages, I’m leaning toward an hourly charge. If the question posed can be answered fairly easily, perhaps the fee would be for half an hour? And if the project or work on a blog were more involved…?
Do any of you have thoughts on this? Do you have experience with charging a fee for a service? I want to figure this out so I can get the site up and running – but the more I ponder it, the more confused I become. I would greatly appreciate your input.
Am I crazy for doing this?
Happy Thursday.
Good morning, Claudia…you are not crazy, you are a godsend! I know there are many of us out here in blogland who need just your kind of expertise…not a designer but a friend who can walk us through the little puzzling things that hold us back from the next level. I am so excited for you!
Thank you, Martha. Your support means a great deal.
Not at all crazy for doing this, Claudia! I research HTML and tweak my blog, but it’s scary for me… I’m sure you will find many that would LOVE to have your help with this.
When it comes to charging a fee, I’d suggest visiting designers’ sites to see what they charge, and then go from there.
Best of luck with your new venture!!!
Hugs,
Zuzu
Working with coding, whether html or css, IS scary. I’m not so intimidated anymore but I totally understand why so many bloggers are!
Personally, I don’t like to charge for helping my fellow blog friends, but if I get someone who needs more help on a consistent basis then I usually work out a barter or charge a small fee. You might consider doing a video and charging a small fee to watch it. Lot’s of people are mostly visual and need the comfort of having something they can refer back to periodically.
I wish you best of luck with this endeavor pretty lady, and much success.
Hugs,
Meri
I’ve done lots of work without charging, but coding and getting into the guts of a blog is a skill and it should be compensated. Since I freelance and am not getting much work lately, and my husband also freelances and has been dealing with an illness, I need to find avenues for extra income.
No, you’re not crazy for doing this, hon. Not at ALL. You need the extra income and if you help people, you should be paid. I never have a problem paying if that’s what’s required. Never.
xoxo,
Connie
Thanks, Connie!
Hi Claudia, Since I am not a writer of any sort and could never accomplish the things that you and Brenda have,my opinion is probably not worth much ,But I can see how you gals could naturally want to continue to grow. You both need income right now so why not? Just don’t forget about us little people.lol Your blog is the first click I make every morning! You Go Girl! -Judy-
Your opinion is worth a great deal, Judy! Thank you.
Not crazy at all… I think it’s a great idea. When I need bloggin’ advice I’d certainly be going to someone with a thing for barkcloth and an allergy to shredding. Good luck!! :)
Still no shredding, Tracy – as of 11:16 AM EST.
Claudia, I think that is a fantastic idea, sign me up! I need all the help I can get and I want to start my web business so it’s perfect timing! I think you have a wonderful spirit and certainly from knowing you through blogging you have a natural gift of making people feel like they have known you forever…..
Hugs,
Mags
xxx
Aw, thank you, Mags! I was a teacher for many, many years and I think that helps. I love helping people.
Seriously I need help!
Mags
xx
Wow, cool!!!!
Thanks, Kris!
I think it is a great idea, Claudia. You and Brenda are both very busy.
Hugs,
Laura
You have to have a lot of irons in the fire when you are a freelancer. Believe me!
My daughter is considering the start up of a blog and I have sent to her both your and Brenda’s link. I think it is a wonderful idea!! Good Customer Service is worth its weight in gold. I know both of you would be wonderful at helping both new and existing folks in these endeavors! Paying for this kind of assistance would be well worth it if it means being successful at what one does. No sense in sputtering when just trying to get out of the gate, so to speak, when there is help at hand.
Good luck to both of you!
We’d be happy to help your daughter out, Chris.
Claudia – I think this is just what so many people need and want. They want someone they can trust and that knows the ins and outs of problems. Just to have someone to go to is worth its weight in gold!! Go for it!
Judy
Thank you, Judy!
In response to charging, when you start doing this much of your day, you have to consider that you should be compensated for your time. If this is basically what you do full time or a good bit of the day, I see no problem with charging for your “expertise.” I’ve spent most of my blogging years doing things for free because I care about other bloggers. But there comes a time when you have to make a living and buy food.
Brenda
And try to pay the mortgage. And put gas in the car. And….
Wishing you all the best! You are making this blog gig work for you…good for you! ;). (I haven’t done what I was supposed to do today either…shhhh!)
It will be our secret, Donnamae!
Best wishes Claudia, who is not crazy. You should absolutely be compensated for your time and as far as pricing, I’m afraid I have no idea. Shall we start a counter? Day 3: No Shredding Yet. Ann
Yes. I will be supplying you with a counter as the week moves along. I can already say that is 2:49 pm on Thursday and no shredding has been done. The Yankees/Tigers game starts at 3:30 pm. What do you think the odds are of any shredding happening today?
You are doing this to avoid shredding the paper, right ? :)
Of course.
Claudia my dear I think this is a great ‘niche’ for you. You have the skills and you love to help so it’s perfect. And there is certainly no need to be/feel apologetic for charging a fee! Wishing you all the best!!
Thank you, Norma! Glad you’re back. Are classes finished?
Last tutorial is today then just have to work on my assignment which should be done by the 29th. At last the end of my undergrad ‘career’!! Start a Masters degree in March 2013 – call me crazy ;)
You are not crazy, Norma. I applaud you! Yay, Norma!
No your not crazy. I need you!!! I can’t wait till you get your details up. My question list is growing already!
Ooh, goodie! Keep that list. Hopefully, I’ll get the details up in the next 4 or 5 days, Leslie.
A match would be much quicker than a shredder..!!
No fireplace. No wood stove. No burn permit.
I’m saving already as I know I’ll need help from you in the future, especially if I decide to change to WordPress! You should definitely charge, your time and knowledge are valued and you need to make a living. You’ve always been generous with great free tips and help Claudia, now it’s time for you to be recognized. You are an excellent teacher, your patience is always evident and you explain things so well. YOU deserve a paycheck!!!!
Hey girlfriend, you’re just a blessing to us all!!!
I will post Sat. before I leave, however, while away I’ll try to join in but can you please link me if you see A Favorite Thing post, I doubt I’ll be able to do that whilst on the ship.
Thanks dear.
Hugs – Mary
Nope, not crazy at all! It’s a great idea
Good luck with your new site Claudia!
I’ve worked with lots of designers and most of them charged by the hour to tweak a design or fix a problem. Although most of them knew about how much time would be involved and therefore I’ve never been surprised by a charge.