Introducing The Matilti Monthly
Last month marked one year since launching Matilti Web Design, my daring yet committed venture as a small business owner. Why when there are others who have been doing it for longer and with more experience? Why when many DIYers find out-of-box templates easier on the pocketbook? Frankly, I love collaborating with people and giving form to an idea. In my previous intranet web designer role, it was the favorite aspect of the job which I did for five years.
The Grind, Matilti Snackables and From Idea to Impact
Today, I am the business, a one-man operation - a solopreneur - who takes complete responsibility and command of the company’s successes, challenges, tasks, aspirations, and vision. Whatever the euphemism - solopreneur, entrepreneur, or small business owner - one common trait runs through them all - courage! To fellow small business owners, I commend you for the contributions which generate 44% of the U.S. economy. My newsletter, The Matilti Monthly, is intended for all of us who are constantly evolving and finding new ways to grow business and boost revenue. Here’s what you can expect from the newsletter which will consist of three sections, or “features”.
The Grind
My new daily “grind” is to start with a vigorous daily 3-mile walk and inform my mind with podcasts about web design, copywriting techniques, and SEO strategies. I’m also continuously investing in courses, networking memberships, and books to hone my talent, focus, and skills. In challenging - even discouraging - times, I’ve also come to rely on these resources for inspiration, creativity, and perseverance. I’ve also found it helpful to sprinkle simple yet important website tips in conversations with business owners seeking to improve their online presence.
A requisite of being an entrepreneur is to stay top-of-mind by consistently networking and forging authentic and meaningful relationships and partnerships. Likewise, I discovered in the past year that supporting each other paves the way toward success.
And that’s what The Grind is all about - networking insights, website strategies, and work-life tips that arise in the process of hitting the pavement and understanding people’s needs. I am a relative newcomer to this whole new world of business ownership and, therefore, bring a fresh perspective to it. Gleaning something valuable and sharing it with others will always be the point.
Matilti Snackables
There is plethora of website design platforms to choose from, and my chosen hosting site is Squarespace (SQSP). The platform most closely resembles the functionality of the platform I used in my previous design role. Having built websites on WordPress and Wix, I was new to SQSP but was immediately impressed by its intuitive and simple approach to website design. Yet, it also came loaded with plenty of sophisticated functionality that a professional designer could leverage.
Matilti Snackables - video tutorials - for clients
My philosophy today - same as my previous SharePoint designer role - is to create a website that clients can efficiently and quickly make changes to without being held hostage by the intimidating bear of technology. And that’s how Matilti Snackables comes into play. Snackables are intended to be brief video tutorials that put control of website updates into the owner’s hands well after the initial design is architected and the site is published. And for those who prefer written instructions, an accompanying blog is also made available.
From Idea to Impact
A key aspect of building a business and networking is to schedule one-on-one meetings to understand the business and the passion behind it. Whether a child daycare, roofing company, or digital marketing agency, at the core of each owner is an expertise and unique value proposition that fuels the business. Along the way, they, too have gained valuable insights, gleaned common experiences, and honed success factors that have positively influenced their business and the local economy. In this blog series, From Idea to Impact, readers will find what makes them positive forces of influence and change. Each featured business is an example of the best of us, and they share what has made the difference in their business.
And that’s it, folks - this is what readers can expect from The Matilti Monthly. And please keep in mind: feedback is a gift. If you have any comments, suggestions, or feedback on how to make this a valuable read, please leave a comment.
