I am looking at the possibility of working as a freelance web designer…designing web sites for small businesses and individuals. In order to make this affordable, the websites will be pre-made and customized per order. That way, it will keep the cost down for the client as the site could potentially be sold to multiple businesses. I have started designing some sites and figuring out the going rates for designs such as this. I have seen samples of web design that in my opinion have completely undervalued what they are doing by not charging enough. And I have seen those whose designs are so ugly that they shouldn’t even be given away. So the prices seem to run the gamut, as expected.

The next few weeks, I will be cleaning up the sites I have designed and design more. I plan on offering a variety of sites from very simple HTML sites, to more intricate HTML sites, sites with Flash menus and full-Flash websites. I am designing into the sites, ways for the client to upkeep the website themselves, if that is what they want to do. I am also designing the website for the business.

The next step after that will be to figure out a marketing plan.

I think one reason why I draw a complete blank when it comes to marketing is that I have a hard time tooting my own horn. But there are plenty of blogs and websites out there that chronicle how to do it…so I know its possible for people like me who’s head just doesn’t go there. Hell, books and more books have been written about the subject and many geared towards creative types. I guess like anything else, it will take one step at a time.

Well the DVD project is still in the editing phase. I think its finally coming along but it isn’t read for the work I need to do. I have also been asked to help market the DVD once it is complete, along with designing the website for the master drummer in Africa. A couple of things come to mind: first, asking ME to market anything is a hoot, but I understand the rationale here. I am very adept (comparatively speaking) in the Web 2.0 world from my days as an instructional designer in my past life. And the goal here is to spend very little money on this – hence the need for “viral marketing” using Web 2.0 tools.

The online business my boyfriend and I want to create has been put slightly on the back burner as well. It seems that the status of the guy who was pegged to help us program is up in the air right now. But the good news is that he seems interested in doing it either way. So its just a matter of time until he knows something about his own personal status before he can commit and start helping. So its still simmering…but the heat has just been turned down a little bit more.