The Office Maven is now Maven Mauve
I’m rebranding and will be slowly winding up The Office Maven name. Check out https://mavenmauve.au or click the button below.
New business; focusing specifically on website builds plus maintenance.
Featuring inspiration to help you get started;
tips and tricks to elevate your content and site;
security topics to keep you informed;
allowing you to get the best out of your
content, social media and website.
Featuring inspiration to help you get started; tips and tricks to elevate your content and site; security topics to keep you informed; allowing you to get the best out of your
content, social media and website.
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Balancing Act
I’ve recently struggled with balancing my writing for my own website with my clients’ needs. I’ve mentioned before that this kind of thing happens and I know that it’s hard to get back on track once it occurs. So far, I’ve missed two weeks’ worth of content; including...
June Blog Round Up
The following blog post is a list of blogs I read during June that I found worthwhile of sharing with others. They cover a range of topics which relate to websites, marketing, social media and other topics. 4 Simple Ways To Develop A Strong Brand Voice On Instagram...
Content Sharing
You will have noticed that once a month, I share content that comes from other people as one of my blogs. I have had a few people ask me why I do this as to them it doesn’t make much sense for a few reasons. Aren’t you in competition with those you are sharing? In a...
Blogs can be imperfect
I haven’t written anything about blogging recently, focusing mainly on web design and web site clients but I’m ready to come back to it this week as I had recently read an article that had frustrated me so much. Perfectly Polished Only The article I had read was...
How far ahead should I schedule content?
I’ve been asked this question by several people who have started looking at their content and trying to develop a plan for how they go about it. And the easy answer to this question is: that it depends! Yep, so helpful I know! I...
Is That Really Necessary?
Each of my new web design clients are informed during the brief that I recommend a Maintenance Package as part of the web build. I’m clear and up front that it’s not essential for my clients but it’s strongly recommended. Some people see this as an additional cash...
Why Yet Is So Important
I've been pretty quiet on the blog side of things recently, for a whole number of unexpected reasons including changing the direction I'm taking my business but I really wanted to touch base on something that came up in a book I...
Flexibility in Design is a Must
After building websites for a while, you begin to discover that it isn’t always easy to meet the exact specifications of your clients. You do everything in your power, but sometimes, it just isn’t always feasible to do so. I don’t tend to work often from a design...
Why a Clear Vision is the Ultimate Resource When Designing a Site
I know that this is a common question asked to potential clients who are looking for a site to be built: do you have any examples of things you like on a website? Often, it’s followed up with a request for examples of websites you like, with notations on why you like...
Why Content is Required Before Developing Your Site
You might notice that when shopping around for a web designer that you get asked to provide the content before the start date. I request content as one of the first things needed from my clients. But why is it necessary when you are still working out your design...
Low, High or Stock Images!
One of the regular discussions I have with clients is in relation to the images they want to use on their site. This is an area I have a few definitive opinions on, and so, I decided to cover them below. Personal photos trump stock photos except when low quality I...
What do you mean, that costs extra?
I’ve had this question asked to me several times and I get why it can be frustrating for a client to be expecting to pay one amount for a site and then to have things added to the cost. However, as a designer/developer this is something that is essential for me to ask...
4 Tips for Meeting Website Send Live Deadlines
You’ve got a website in the works and you have a deadline in mind. These tips are there to help you ensure that your deadline is not missed, based on my experiences with clients. Content I’ve mentioned in my blogs before about having content ready to go before getting...
Is That Really Necessary?
Each of my new web design clients are informed during the brief that I recommend a Maintenance Package as part of the web build. I’m clear and up front that it’s not essential for my clients but it’s strongly recommended. Some people see this as an additional cash...
Brainstorming When You Work For Yourself
In my prior blog, I mentioned that I brainstorm to come up with ideas to write about. This can, at times, be difficult when it’s just you coming up with them. Unlike when you work within a team; where brainstorming can be easy as you have a range of people surrounding...
Notebooks are Important
I’m going to start this blog with a note of importance: whether you use a physical notebook or electronic, find whatever method works for you. Using both physical and electronic notebooks works for me well but might not for you. I’ve been writing content on my own...
How much should I write?
When writing a blog post, there are so many elements to keep in considering that sometimes it’s hard to keep track of it all; especially when you are struggling to either find the words, or reining the words in. I’ve recently had a few conversations with people over...
Should I Batch Content?
I've seen a bit of discussion around this topic recently and thought I'd add my take on the matter. What do you think about the idea of batching?
Content Sharing
You will have noticed that once a month, I share content that comes from other people as one of my blogs. I have had a few people ask me why I do this as to them it doesn’t make much sense for a few reasons. Aren’t you in competition with those you are sharing? In a...
Blogs can be imperfect
I haven’t written anything about blogging recently, focusing mainly on web design and web site clients but I’m ready to come back to it this week as I had recently read an article that had frustrated me so much. Perfectly Polished Only The article I had read was...
Balancing Act
I’ve recently struggled with balancing my writing for my own website with my clients’ needs. I’ve mentioned before that this kind of thing happens and I know that it’s hard to get back on track once it occurs. So far, I’ve missed two weeks’ worth of content; including...
Don’t Let Your Fear Of Videos Stop You
One of the most common reason people don't vlog is their fear of being in front of a camera. I know I was like that too. Yet, it's one of the best ways to get your clients to connect and resonate with your message. What do you have to loose to give it a shot?
Taking Some Action is Good, Taking Regular Action is Better
Become known as a source of good content, build your brand by taking action. By only posting ocassionally, you not only have to win over new people, but those who have lost interest. And those are harder to win back. If you're struggling for ideas for what to talk...
No Comments, No Worries
Feeling disappointed after loading content onto your website to have no reaction? Wonder why you should continue considering that no one has made you feel like what you've said is worthwhile? I get it! I do. But here's why you should say, no comments, no worries! And...
Repurposing Blog Content
Congratulations for taking the step to blog. It’s something that can really build audiences for you, both visible and invisible. Yet, did you know that this is just the first step to what you can do with the content within the post itself? Here’s a handy guide to how...
Should I Batch Content?
I've seen a bit of discussion around this topic recently and thought I'd add my take on the matter. What do you think about the idea of batching?
#everythingiscontent
NB: I can't stop laughing at my facial expression in the featured image. Yes, I've totally stolen Chenae Carey's hashtag but I told her I was going to! But, more to the point, Chenae was spot on with the use of it and it was nice to get a reminder. Let me know what...
Reasons Why I’m Loving Pinterest for Business
I know, I'm kind of late to joining Pinterest and using it as a business tool, but I know I am not the last person to join and learn the benefits of it. Yes, for those of you who don't use Pinterest for business purposes, there is more to the site than recipes,...
Sharing passwords
Passwords are supposed to be private. It gets reiterated to you whenever you sign up to a new account. Add in the secret questions and what not when you aren’t sure of your password and it becomes a nightmare trying to remember it all. A lot of business people also...
Passwords
Passwords can be the bane of everyone’s work and home lives. Nearly every system requires a password, has their own rules about what can be used as a password and then there is the recommendations about not using the same one for multiple things! How are you ever...
Phishing
In a nutshell, phishing is an attempted to convince people to enter in their login details into a fake website that replicates another site, in a means of gaining this information for use illegally. How does it work? Phishing works in a few ways to get the same...
Facebook scam
I became aware of a new type of scam online the other day. One that I know a number of people have never heard of. So I figured I'd pass on some information about the way the scam works and some ways people can identify it. The set up: I received a Friend request on...
Caution: ATO Scam Warning
Last week I received an interesting phone call. One which I had heard of last year, but until now had never received it. So what was the phone call? One which would lead me to believe was from the ATO. It was warning me that there was an affidavit out against me and...
Security for your site
When I used to work in internet security, I loathed WordPress, Joomla and a few other platforms because they were the websites that were always being hacked. It surprised me though when I started really developing my own sites how much I loved WordPress because it was...
Scam Warning: Boiler Room
I’ve not written a security blog post for a while but after receiving multiple of these calls, I figured I would do a blog about the Boiler Room scam. Please, remember, that any advice in this blog is just information. I link to a few sites that have more information,...
Accountability and Content
I know that for a lot of us, whether we're determined to keep a schedule or not, life gets in the way. And it's so true that there are times where you just can't focus on anything else but whatever it is that has your attention. Stopping to write a weekly blog is not...
Alternatives to Blogging
Want to blog but feel you don’t have time? Struggling to write the ideas and thoughts in your mind? Want someone else to write your blogs for you, yet they don’t quite match your concepts or voice? We all struggle at times to be consistent with putting content on our...
Email Organisation Tips
You have an intense relation with your email. We have to utilize our inbox several times a day and when we are unable to open an email, we simply use the power of archive. However, it leads to the collection of excessive clutter in our inbox. So it is the time that we...
Ways to Organize Your Computer Filing Systems
I wanted to take a step back a little, and focus on some of the areas that often are overlooked... so, this was the result of that. Being unable to find a file is one of the most frustrating things that you have to go through. You might have searched in many folders...
5 Quick Ways to Enjoy More Success
During my research while writing blogs for clients, I discovered that people kept telling me the same thing when it came to those who were successful. As I read and listened to the information, these same five categories kept coming up. So here is my five ways to...
Motivation Detox: How to Get Unstuck
I’ve been feeling a bit underwhelmed with things recently, at least when it came to my own business. I felt stuck. It was easier for me to focus on my clients instead of focusing on my business and where I could grow it. So, I did some reading and these four tips I...
How far ahead should I schedule content?
I’ve been asked this question by several people who have started looking at their content and trying to develop a plan for how they go about it. And the easy answer to this question is: that it depends! Yep, so helpful I know! I...
May Cause Miracles by Gabrielle Bernstein
For the month of May I read the book May Cause Miracles by Gabrielle Bernstein. What’s it about? This book is described as a 40 day guidebook of subtle shifts fo radical change and unlimited happiness. Reason I chose this book When I purchased The Universe Has Your...
May Blog Round Up
The following blog post is a list of blogs I read during May that I found worthwhile of sharing with others. They cover a range of topics which relate to websites, marketing, social media and other topics. The No-Trick New Blogger Strategy for Content Creation...
The Power of NOW by Eckhart Tolle
For the month of April, I was finishing reading the book The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. What’s it about? This book looks at the challenging but extraordinarily rewarding journey to find the power of now. Reason I chose this book This was another book that had been...
April Blog Round Up
The following blog post is a list of blogs I read during April that I found worthwhile of sharing with others. They cover a range of topics which relate to websites, marketing, social media and other topics. The Power of Storytelling in Social Media...
Balancing Act
I’ve recently struggled with balancing my writing for my own website with my clients’ needs. I’ve mentioned before that this kind of thing happens and I know that it’s hard to get back on track once it occurs. So far, I’ve missed two weeks’ worth of content; including...
June Blog Round Up
The following blog post is a list of blogs I read during June that I found worthwhile of sharing with others. They cover a range of topics which relate to websites, marketing, social media and other topics. 4 Simple Ways To Develop A Strong Brand Voice On Instagram...
Why Yet Is So Important
I've been pretty quiet on the blog side of things recently, for a whole number of unexpected reasons including changing the direction I'm taking my business but I really wanted to touch base on something that came up in a book I...