Ekkk!! It’s almost the end of 2017!  How did that happen?! This year has whizzed by if I do say so myself!

It’s got me thinking about how many articles I have written this year… there are A LOT!...

This is why I figured I would share a small roundup of the best articles from 2017. Here goes….

Ok so you have a Squarespace website that you built yourself, you may have got some help from your tech friend too, which is great, but have you completed all the essential areas, mainly in the backend of your site that will help your website look extra professional, work faster and harder for you once you go live?

As a Squarespace circle member and a professional digital designer whose website is on the Squarespace platform, I highly recommend the platform to any small business owner, more about that in this post - 10 Reasons Why Squarespace Is Best For Your Business.

But for now, I wanted to share my top 10 MUST DO things during the setup of a Squarespace website.  You could say this is my “checklist of things to do” before going live LIVE....

For ages, I didn't see this as a priority for my small business. That coupled with not knowing what the benefits of an email list are meant I was missing out on some major business opportunities!

Then one day I decided to set up an email list. I mean, I wasn’t losing anything, if anything I was gaining many things… I just didn't know what.

That is why today I want to share my thoughts and tips on why you should grow an email list for your small business, especially as I’ve learnt the benefits first hand!

It’s funny how clients become clients.  If you follow me on Instagram you may have noticed I took it upon myself to learn how to use a sewing machine earlier this year.

I started off by taking a short 4 week course and before I knew it, I was hooked!  I can’t say I was surprised, it was a pleasure to spend one evening in the week with a group of friendly ladies, away from my iMac and doing something different.

It was within this easy going atmosphere and great learning environment that I met Julie, the lovely lady behind the already established business and brand, Escape & Create.

Let’s be honest.  Running a business is not always hunky-dory.  There are good days, great days and then there are those days when you just don’t want to even turn your iMac (or PC) on, let alone respond to clients, especially when they are unhappy….

In this post, I wanted to cover how to deal with unhappy clients and 3 proven tips that turn unhappy clients into happy ones!

YAY!! I'm super chuffed!! Two days ago (on my birthday) I found out my freelance side hustle business - Krishna Solanki Designs - is a finalist in the Small Business category in the Cambridgeshire Digital Awards 2017.

As a brand designer, I see it A LOT in facebook groups….“I only need a logo”... “I don’t need a brand”... “Branding is for large organisations”...So many branding myths and misconceptions!
So today I wanted to burst the bubble on 7 branding misconceptions!

Whether you’re a new business owner or a seasoned pro, you should know that a logo is more than just an image.  It’s an extension of your brand.  Not only does it need to look visually pleasing, be well balanced, and stand out, it, more importantly, needs to speak to your potential clients/customers and have longevity.

Believe it or not, there is a level of creativity and design know-how that goes into creating an iconic logo, not to mention a process so today I wanted to share 5 unmissable tips on designing an evergreen logo.

If you have ever felt overwhelmed as a small business owner then you know where I am coming from when I say ARGHHHH…..

For a few weeks now I’ve felt a bit overwhelmed and it’s left me a little shell shocked if I’m honest.  I think I am just about getting over the feeling now so I figured I would share how I how dealt with overwhelm.  

It’s important to say, not everyone deals with overwhelm in the same way, so what works for me may not work for others.  It’s definitely worth taking a look through and sifting out what doesn't work so you can concentrate on what does work!

Congrats! You have set up your business, and you have your professionally designed logo and brand in your armour to help you remain consistent, professional and trustworthy.  But now what?.. What do you do with your logo and brand?

Well, my friend, I’m here to help you make sure you utilise your awesome logo and brand in 24 different ways.

Even if you are a seasoned business owner, there may be something you are missing, take a look...

So I’ve kept this to myself in the past, and I don’t know why! It’s definitely something to be proud of and shout from the rooftops….

Hooray! I’m a member of Squarespace Circle.

I’m pretty sure you are thinking...What’s Squarespace Circle? And, so what?... How’s that going to help me?!

Well my friend, hang tight as I’m going to share the details of what that means to me and TO YOU!

In such a digital age I think it’s important that I have a well designed, well structured professional website in place so that any potential clients can not only find out more about my design services but also find out more about me.

I use Squarespace for my own business and totally recommend it to all my clients as well.  So much so that I wanted to share 8 benefits of using Squarespace instead of Wordpress.

With the rise of freelancers and side hustlers taking their dream job into their own hands, there has been an unnoticeable rise in new businesses, and startups. YAY if that’s you!! Definitely excited times ahead!

From creating a logo and brand, through to setting up a website, and creating a marketing plan for your new venture. You will have lots to think about and lots to do.  That being said, I want to help you name your business.  So today, I will be sharing my top tips on how to name your business.

Now, being a self-taught designer, side hustler, freelancer, and more, this question struck a note with me.  When it comes to my business I’ve always wanted to make sure I give the best impression, and so today I want to share a blog post to help all those that have also asked: “how do I make my business look more professional?”.....

So you have your logo, your brand and even your website in place. What’s next?  Maybe some social media banners, maybe some blog post templates, but did you think about any print collateral you may need, in particular, a brochure…

John contacted me a few weeks after our consult call and told me he and his client, Mark, were very impressed and that they wished to move forward with starting the project.  Naturally, I jumped at the opportunity as I have never created a brand or website for a scientist who works with pharmaceutical and biotech companies.  This was going to be interesting, and exciting at the same time! I couldn't wait to start!

Not so long ago I shared some great tips on  Why You Need A Professionally Branded Email Address.  Today I want to show you how to create a professional email signature in Gmail as it’s so easy and can make your emails look a lot more professional and on brand.

I use Gmail as my email application for my business, it's such a great tool it has definitely made my life easier to manage.

Right, let’s get to the step by step instructions...

With the rise of self-employment, freelancers and side hustlers wanting to take their business to the next level, there are a few common questions they all ask:

• How do I find a web/graphic designer?

• What do I look for in hiring a web/graphic designer?

• Where do I find a web or graphic designer?

Let me share a little secret with you.

Well actually it’s less of a secret, but more of a simple list of things you should ask yourself and what you should look for if you ever find yourself asking the questions above.  So, today I wanted to give you a heads up into how to find the right designer for your project.

Hopefully, after reading this post, you will walk away feeling calculated and confident about your next steps.

Not so long ago I was merrily browsing in a Facebook group and the topic of websites caught my eye.  Now, being a Digital Designer, I just had to stop and read the comments.  

A small business owner was asking why she would need a website.  My initial reaction was “what a crazy question!” - especially in this day and age where technology is literally at our fingertips.  Then it slowly dawned on me that not every business owner sees or understands the relevance of a website.

So in today's post, I thought I would keep it short and simple and give you 5 excellent reasons why your small business definitely needs a website.