#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Idea to Reality in One Winter Break A Side Project Workshop
Presented by Emily Miethner Founder, President, FindSpark
FindSparkMissionTo set up every young creative for career success
Fun Facts Largest Meetup for interns and grads in country
Speakers from Condé Nast, Etsy, Bravo, Tumblr, Google, Tribeca Film Festival, NBCUniversal and more
Social and educational events all year round
Resource for companies to find young creative talent
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Let's Meet● Your elevator pitch (what’s your project)● What do you currently have (site, Twitter, etc)● Biggest accomplishment so far● Your numbers oriented goal● Your biggest question
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
What We’ll Cover● What you need to do to get started● Overview of free and inexpensive tools ● Options for building a website ● How to gain support using social media ● The importance of attending events and networking ● A high level overview of legal factors to consider ● Set up your project for future success
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Make Sure You Love Your Side Project
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Side Projects Are Hard Work
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Don’t Obsess. Start.
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Give Yourself Space
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Give Yourself Space
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Tell Trusted Supporters
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Make it Easy to Help You
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Build Relationships with Early Adopters
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Think About Your Angle
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Choosing Your Website Platform
WixPros● Forever free (with branding)● Can host your domain ● Very customizable, lots of template themes● Local Wix community and free support at Wix Lounge● Live phone support● Starts at $8.25 a month
Cons● Can’t import Wordpress blog (can only
embed and import from Tumblr)
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Examples of Wix Sites
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Examples of Wix Sites
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Pros● Can host your domain ● Lots of great templates● Live chat support● Starts at $8 a month
Cons● 14-day free trial only● Less intuitive / customizable
Squarespace
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Example of Squarespace Site
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Pros● Forever free at Wordpress.org● Completely customizable and incredibly powerful● Best option for blogs ● Lots of great templates
Cons● Not as intuitive and more difficult to set up● No customer service per say● Must host domain elsewhere
Wordpress
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Example of Wordpress Site
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Using Social Media to Gain Support
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Benefits● Directly connect with customers and partners
(@mentions are key)● Become a thought leader● Drive traffic to blog posts and websites
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Benefits● You likely already have a network of friends there● Consider setting up a Facebook page or group● Everyone is here
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Benefits● Share your expertise● 100% professional● Add rich media● Add your side project as a job!
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Benefits● Less crowded● More specific to you
Niche Platforms
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Benefits● Manage multiple Social Media accounts on the go● Monitor and manage your mentions● View click stats, and more.● Great mobile app● Freemium model
Hootsuite
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Benefits● Share to Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn all from
one place easily from your browser ● Updates will automatically be spaced out over the week● Any update can also be “posted now”
Buffer
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Benefits● Track hashtag activity● Only $20 for a 7 day report
Tweetreach
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Free and Inexpensive Tools
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Benefits● Collaborate seamlessly● Create forms, spreadsheets, slides, and drawings● Edit on the go with the app● No need to attach files and wonder what version you have
Cons● Some limited features
Google Drive
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Benefits● Freemium up to 250 contacts● Manage your partners, clients, writers, etc● Includes simple task management system
Highrise
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Benefits● Free up to 2,000 subscribers● Live chat support during normal biz hours● Great, fun, easy to use platform
Cons● Not the cheapest option
Mailchimp
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Benefits● Free to manage your side project expenses and profits
Cons● Not meant for business
Mint.com
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Meetup● Best for discovery● $140 a year to start a group
Eventbrite● Best for ticket management and website integration● Technically free...always pass off the fees
Meetup & Eventbrite
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Benefits● Quickly and easily get your mundane tasks out of the way● Make more time for your side project● About $5 per task
Cons● Tasks can technically only take 20 minutes
FancyHands
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Benefits● Know where your traffic comes from● Discover your most viewed content● See if other blogs are writing about you● Get numbers for advertisers
Cons● Very overwhelming
Google Analytics
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
The Importance of Events and Networking
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Practice Your Elevator Pitch
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Learn & Get Feedback
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
A Brief Overview of Legal Factors
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Docracy
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Benefits● Gives you a starting point for legal documents
Cons● Not customized to you
It’s Not too Hard to Be Official
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Consider Protecting Yourself
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Set yourself up for future success
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Make Some Investments
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
Make Some Investments
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark
What Now?Q&A
Set one more goal for the next month (challenging but realistic)
Attend our events! findspark.com/events
Become a member! findspark.com/membership
#SideProjectWksp by @EmilyMiethner of @FindSpark