A Very Special Announcement…

… but not just yet.

Times, they are a changin’ and for Ginkgo Consulting that means quite a few things.

1. We’re in the process of re-structuring. There are some amazing new projects in the works that I’m going to be heavily involved in, and therefore need to come up with some really cool ways to keep Ginkgo running but with less of my individual time. This means I’ll be needing some more really cool people to help me do that.

2. I’ll still be doing the consulting work. Be it on the phone or in person – I’m the one you’ll be speaking with when you have questions, be they about work we’ve done, work you need done, or simply training you may need.

3. Tying up some loose ends. Right now I’ve got two “charity” projects going on, and a few client projects still on the table. While I’ll always spend available time on a project I believe in for charity, at this time I’m not sure we’ll be able to take on any further clients. At least not until I get the restructuring done. If you don’t have an immediate deadline, you can always call and we’ll see what we can do. Worst case scenario, I can refer you to one of several colleagues who I’m confident can help.

4. I’d like to make it clear that I’ll still be blogging here, as well as at my other sites. I’m not going anywhere, that’s for damn sure. You’re actually more likely to see me than ever before, but that’s all part of the “Very Special Announcement” I just can’t make right now. I promise, you’ll be the firsts to know once I can! Your best bet to keep tabs on me? My hub, Lara Kulpa. It’s not finished yet, or designed yet, but it’s there.

So there you have it! Thanks for staying tuned in, and don’t go anywhere! It’s going to be an interesting Q4, and an amazing 2010!

Client Updates and Quarterly Recap (2009Q1)

Can you believe we’re already 25% of the way through 2009? Part of me feels like Christmas was yesterday, but I think the fact that we’ve been so busy around here means a lot!

As usual, I’m still working with Darren Rowse over at ProBlogger, but now I’m also managing content for him over at TwiTip, which is quite the Twitter resource! I’ll also be helping out with the 31 Days to Build A Better Blog project starting this Monday, April 6th. (If you haven’t signed up yet – don’t miss it!)

Along with that, I’ve worked with my dear friend James to launch two projects of his, America The Lost and Shoot. Edit. Publish.

America The Lost

Shoot. Edit. Publish.

James also did a guest post over at Digital Photography School (another of Darren’s blogs) titled 13 Tips For Improving Outdoor Portraits which has been a great traffic boost to both new project sites. America The Lost currently is receiving a decent amount of search traffic – which completely debunks the myth of the Google Sandbox, but that’s another story for another time.

In the midst of all of this, we’ve done most of the work on the liquor store client site, and are now waiting for the newest list of wines so we can add them to the site, work on the front page, and make an official launch.

We also did a big revamp of another great site: Cookerati. Prior to working on the site, it was a fairly old install of WordPress with an outdated theme. So we managed an upgrade and customized a design for them that added some great color and layout changes. There’s been some great feedback from the site’s regular visitors already, and thankfully the owners are pretty excited, too!

Cookerati

Dark Shadows Magazine

We’ve also done some work for a revamped online fashion ‘zine, Dark Shadows Magazine. It’s editor is Genn Shaughnessy, who is a celebrity and fashion makeup artist. She’s phenomenal, folks. Really something!

All in all it’s been a good first quarter, to be honest. I’m feeling good about our clients and their needs being met, despite the economic situation we’re all in.

What You Can Look Forward To

• More frequent blogging. We’re taking “consulting” to an extreme in the coming months, and will be talking more frequently on the blog about helping you, either as an individual or as a part of a larger business model, to continue to profit from your online efforts.
• Premium WordPress Themes. I can’t say when yet, or how much, but it’s something we’ve been thinking on for quite some time. And yes, there will be an option to have us customize for you. And also yes, there will be free options.
• More client launches and relaunches. We’re really firm believers in helping to highlight our great clients. No, it’s not just to show off our stuff (though it helps), but rather we want to share with the world how awesome we think our clients are. We hope you don’t mind the intrusion.
• More details on consulting services offered, and improved scheduling options. We’re looking to add more options for lower rates and lesser minimum hours. We know times are tough for everyone, so we want to help as best we can.

So there you have it! We’ve got an exciting quarter planned and hopefully we’ll make it through the above mentioned points and much more!

A quick apology…

Just wanted to put this note out to readers and visitors who might be wondering why it’s been so long since I’ve posted anything around here.

In three words: I’ve been busy.

It’s funny, because I’m always telling my clients that it’s important to blog on a regular basis – at least 3-5 times a week, every week. Yet here I am not practicing what I’m preaching!

I’m actually working hard on trying to develop a better “routine” – it’s something that as a business owner wearing a thousand hats, I’ve had trouble with quite a bit. Add to that, I’m mostly doing things all on my own plus that I work from home (which in and of itself is known to prove troublesome at times for most people) and I’ve got a list of excuses a mile long.

Anyway, I just wanted to update and let you all know about the projects I’ve recently completed and those I’m working on currently:

America The Lost – A project by my friend James Pickett. I can’t reveal any more than the fact that his tagline for the site is “Inspiration is not lost.” Right now, you can go and sign up to be notified of the launch via email.

Shoot. Edit. Publish. – Another project by James, as he’s a professional photographer. He’ll discuss photography (digital and traditional) and videography there. We’re planning on taking submissions from contributors as well and are planning on adding a forum. Again, this one has a form on the front right now, where you can enter your email address to be notified of the site’s launch.

The Saratoga Comedy Club – Right now, the site isn’t showing any changes, but the theme there now is an outdated one and it’s in dire need of a revamp, so that’s on the table as well.

Cookerati – A re-design is in the works for this blog project. Should be a great update from the also outdated look it has currently.

Luna Fabulous – This is a personal project of mine that’s been in dire need of attention and thus is receiving that. It’s about living a fabulous life, regardless of where you think you might be now.

Montréal On The Cheap – This is a great blog part of an “On The Cheap” network, featuring various cities across North America. The blogs are written by people who actually live in those cities, so they’re passing along “insider” information about how to live, work, and play in today’s economy.

I’m still working over at ProBlogger, and while Darren was away on vacation, I did some work over at Digital Photography School and TwiTip. I’m also working on a project for a local liquor store, which is an online wine store and wine blog (I’ll announce that link when the site’s completed.)

James and I were also working on getting some of his fine art photography prints framed and shipped off to a red carpet charity event in Las Vegas for an event called The Great Pit Ball. It’s put together by Brandon Bond, international tattoo artist and pit bull activist. The event will feature his documentary film, Viktory the Underdog and the whole thing serves to benefit animal rescue (more specifically pit bulls) and the Villalobos Rescue Center in Canyon Country, CA. Villalobos is the largest, no-kill Pit bull rescue center in the country. It’s a really cool project.

So there you have it… all the food on my plate right now! I promise I’m going to start working towards regular blog posts, though. Since Ginkgo Consulting has opened up services to include blog consulting (by phone or email) and so on, I want to offer up better tips here on the blog itself.

Thanks for your patience!

More New Client Announcements!

I’ve got a few more announcements to make about recent clients we’ve worked with here at Anubis Marketing. I love to brag – but moreso brag about my clients, than the work we’ve done! (You’ll see why when you see who they are!)

• Tina Dame-Zawisza – Tina’s one of the stars of the new hit reality show on ABC “The Ex-Wives Club” (her episode aired Monday, June 4th, 2007). Tina had us build her a site a while back when she was doing more of her modeling and acting work, and we decided it was time for a fresh new site because of the show.
• Lynn Jones – Lynn’s another wonderful lady I met because of Tina, who is also on the show (I’m not sure yet when her episode airs, but check out her site – I’m sure she’ll post it.)

I’ll be spending the latter half of this week at the FOOA Conference and with Darren Rowse at a meetup on Saturday night – all in Manhattan. I’ll try to post while I’m there, but conference trips are never predictable!

It’s Official – NYC Blogger Meetup – June 9th

When: Saturday, June 9th, 7-10pm
Where: The “Speakeasy” at the Gin Room
442 Amsterdam Ave. (between 81st & 82nd Street)
How: Sponsored by the lovely folks at Chikita – free munchies, and free drink tickets for the first 100 people through the door!
Why: Meet up with Darren, myself, and other bloggers! This comes on the tail of the FOOA conference happening on Thursday and Friday, and if it’s anything like last time, should prove to be a great experience! (Plus, you have the potential to win a few door prizes if you bring along a business card!)

Please, PLEASE advertise this on your blog, even if you’re not from NY, not planning on attending, or what have you. I promised the folks at Eat Drink & Be Merry that I’d get them lots of blog traffic – so please help me to not let them down!!

That said, I’d love to see you there – please let me know if you plan to attend! (And head over to Darren’s to let him know as well!)

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