How to create your VERY OWN Business Binder

Hey Guys! Are you ready to learn how I manage to keep all of my ducks in a row???

I am SO excited to finally be sharing with you how I created my Business Binder! I’ve mentioned several times in the past how much this book has been a life saver for me, and I’m hoping that it can become just as valuable for you! If you have any additional questions, please shoot them my way. I love to help out in any way that I can!

During the “research” phase of my blog, I ran across a post talking about how important it was to create a “Blog Binder.” Not only does it keep your thought process organized, but it also allows you to stay ahead of the game. It was advised to have at least 2-3 months worth of material available at ALL times to prevent scrambling at that very last second to get your post put together. I implemented that in the beginning, but VERY quickly went through my material. I now try to work on posts 1-2 weeks in advance, and this works out well for me. But, with all things, there are just some posts which end up taking a bit longer. I actually have 2 posts that I have been putting together for the past several months; looking forward to their release! So, let’s get to the meat of the matter….

What is a “Blog/Business Binder,” and what do you need to make one? Well, the binder is a compilation of all things blog/business related. I have my post ideas, my research, ideas for my creations, a calendar filled with posts that I want to release on certain days, and so on. I will give you a breakdown of mine a little further down, so don’t go anywhere just yet.

When it comes to creating one, you can make it as “inexpensive” or “elaborate” as you choose. Since money was tight when I first put mine together, I went down the cheap route. I rummaged through my supplies and found a 1 inch binder, some white copy paper, and a hole punch. I then designed my own calendar, punched holes in all the pages, and secured them all inside. I also tried out the color-coded post-it notes, but passed on those pretty quickly. Basically, you choose several different colors/patterns and those will represent the different topics/categories that you will write about. That way, at a glance, you can see whether you have a good “balance” for your posting schedule. Fantastic concept, but a bit more work than I needed in my life.

While a lot of people choose to use colored markers/sharpies to create a fun and colorful binder, I prefer having the option to erase, as my mind changes so often. I can’t tell you how many times I have had to throw my post ideas back onto the idea list, because one, I just didn’t have the time to devote to that particular topic, or two, because I just wasn’t feeling it. It’s so much easier just to re-write and erase as opposed to filling in a new calendar. But, as the old saying goes, “whatever floats your boat.”

In my post, Implementing 5 Changes for a Successful Year, I stated that I have decided on a new direction for my blog, as well as for my Etsy shop. I am in Year 3 of my 5 Year Plan, and the time has come to shake things up a bit! I have been watching a TON of marketing videos, and have decided that I need to be a bit more strategic in my planning. In saying this, I am beginning to realize that it’s about time to invest in a larger binder. That 1 inch just doesn’t seem to be cutting it anymore! My ideas are LITERALLY busting at the seams

A few weeks back I decided to bite the bullet and re-organize my binder, and while I liked the new changes, it still just wasn’t quite right. Thus, I decided to change things up yet again. While my Etsy shop and my blog are certainly 2 separate entities, when it comes down to it, they are really one in the same, as they work hand in hand towards the same ultimate goal. So, I had to figure out a way to join the two within my binder. I put a lot of thought into it, and the breakdown below is what I came up with.

I still find myself struggling to remember where I have put everything, but in time, I believe that this new configuration will make my business run a bit more efficiently.

MY BUSINESS BINDER

Broadscope:

• Krista Kemp Designs-My creations-packaging ideas-shopping wish list-chart of my goals and deadlines
• From Food Stamps to a Future-My mission statement-the direction that I want to take my blog-chart of my goals and deadlines

Idea Bank:
My creation ideas broken down by category-future product lines-possible post ideas-upcoming events and collaborations

Logistics:

• Blog Editorial Calendar-my post lineup-month at a glance
• Product Launch Schedule-a list of each item in my newest product line (broken down by color, pattern, and price), my anticipated launch date, and a checklist for my promotion schedule
• My Social Media Calendar-Sucking miserably in this area!!! Need to get more involved. Each platform is broken down by section, and will allow me to fill in what type of post/promotion/video I will include at each destination
• Local Selling and Promotion-a “4 month at a glance” breakdown of what I’ve got going on around town; from advertising my shop and blog, to teaching classes, to selling creations at different venues; planning to add some local media advertisement to that list.

Food for Thought:
Upcoming Events (in person and online)-my TO DO checklist

Research and Marketing Strategies:
A safe place for all of my super important notes-a vault of knowledge for numerous upcoming adventures

So, there you have it. Pretty simple concept, huh?! If you have a blog/business/editorial calendar/binder, I would LOVE to hear how YOU have it organized!

Implementing 5 Changes for a Successful Year

For those of you who are unaware, my grandson was finally released from the hospital. YEAH!!! He was one day shy of turning a month old. Things are FINALLY getting back to normal here, and with a few days off of work (Thank You Snow!), I am finally able to form a rational thought. I’m about a month behind in my “Goal Planning” for the year, but better late than never is what I say!

So, I have been giving this year A LOT of thought (as this is Year 3 of my 5 Year Goal), and I have decided on 5 changes that I want to implement. I feel that these changes will REALLY help me in obtaining my ultimate goal, and this is the year for diving in head first.

So, let me give you the little run down of my list…

• #1 My “Studio”
  This past weekend I dug into my craft studio with the full intention of making it work FOR me, rather than against me.   I have been SO busy these past couple of years trying to get this ball rolling, that my craft supplies have managed to get extremely jumbled and disorganized. Prime example: I went on a hunt for my hole punch a couple of months ago. Not only could I NOT find my one hole punch, I couldn’t even track down my 3 hole punch! That thing’s HUGE! You would think it would be easy to find, but nope! I spent the entire weekend going through things, and I have yet to run across either of them. Instead of having my beading stuff here, and my paper crafting items there, and so on, I am simplifying it. Remember those awesome plastic drawers I was telling you about? Well, those bad boys are being filled with “Tools” in one drawer, “Adhesives” in the next, “Paints and Inks” in the next, and so forth. Enough of this, “That clay tool would sure make this distress job easier!” Now, I’ve got it ALL together; I’m loving it! Still have a little work left to do, but she’s coming together nicely.

 

• #2 My Editorial Calendar
  Putting this binder together has been one of the best things that I have ever done! Not only does it hold the posting schedule for my blog, but I have all of the ideas for my creations contained inside as well. My craft supply wish list, my book ideas, my sporadic thought process scribbled in the margins, my marketing plans, and the list goes on and on. This book has proven to be a life saver on quite a  few different occasions! BUT, I do believe that by re-evaluating and then re-organizing it, I can create an even more valuable resource.

 

• #3 Commitments to Projects
  I have thousands of creations stuck in my mind that are screaming to be released. But, I have decided that I need to hone in on just a few specific projects, and take the extra time necessary to make these creations top notch. I have been dabbling with my book (which this blog is based on) for some time now, and I have decided that the time has come to get stubborn and make it a priority. The path/keys to my success will be contained in those pages, and I want to share them with others around the world. I have decided to STOP procrastinating, and just get the thing written all ready. The sooner I can release this book from my mind, the sooner I can get to all the others. My list is massive, and my time is short. I have SO much that I NEED to share!

 

• #4 Breaking Free from the Comfort Zone
  When I started down this path, I definitely detoured away from my comfort zone, but the time has come to shake things up just a bit more. I have decided that this is the year that I am going to really make my presence known to others. I am planning on reaching out to my local media, getting more involved on my social media, getting my YouTube channel out of the crib and into school, and sharing some of my creations around town. I would love to start teaching some local craft classes, but I’m still rolling that one around. I have been giving a lot of thought into putting together some eCourses; just have to work out the kinks. Being successful doesn’t happen overnight after all!

 

• #5 Re-Evaluate My Schedule
  I work non-stop and stay SO tired that when I finally do have the opportunity to get some productive work done, my brain is too fried to make it beneficial. I believe that I need to take a step back from my work, and establish a healthy balance in order to be successful, and capable of creating more. I honestly believe that if I do less, I’ll become more, which will be a WIN-WIN for everyone involved.

So, there you have it; my list of changes for a successful new year. We’re only a month in, let’s make this the best year yet!

What changes are YOU implementing this year?

My Writing Process

I am a super busy woman, who is constantly on the go. I call myself the “bag lady” because I tote around multiple bags everywhere! My business/blog binder is always with me, and this is where my thoughts are recorded, my plans are implemented, my posts are created, my inventory is accounted for, my goals are made, and my desires are notated. Absolutely everything that I do begins in this binder, and I’ve already had to tape up the seams up after ONLY 5 months of use!

When I write, I go old school; pen to paper, scribbling as fast as I can before I’m interrupted or lose my train of thought. It works best for me! Once I have everything edited how I see fit, I dig out the laptop and type it up. I prefer to wait until I have several things to type, but it doesn’t always work out that way.

I enjoy having the tunes cranked up while I type, and here lately, hubby man has been jamming out during my typing sessions. Yeah!!! Gorillaz, Insane Clown Posse, Jane’s Addiction, Nine Inch Nails, Korn, and so on… It’s been fantastic!

I always make sure to have my caffeine fix sitting next to me and something to munch on is always a treat, even though that doesn’t happen very often.  So there you have it; my writing process.

So, how about you? What is your writing process?