All I can say is wow... I don't think I've been this busy in a while. I mean, I'm always busy, but my work normally doesn't involve this much travel.
Where to begin... Last weekend I went to the Paris Bridal Gala as a vendor. I was very excited to see everyone there and do some networking. With over 300 brides in attendance, the place was packed. Also, I was set up across from a popular decorator, so I had a ton of traffic by my booth. However, I learned I really need to get some sort of banner with some drapery - everyone's booth was all jazzed up with fancy artwork, and mine was pretty plain. I managed to hand out 3/4 of the flyers and cards I brought with me - I hope that boosts business!
Now, when I signed up to do the Gala, I knew I had 3 weddings to do this summer. As a regular person who can't predict the future, I had no idea that I would get another 3 weddings booked in the span of a week - all before I went to the Gala :) All confirmations were done through e-mail, but I always arrange a follow-up meeting. This meant I had 3 meetings to go to on top of work. As well, I met with the bride of the wedding I shot in December to go over the footage. Word to the wise - scheduling is key!
The only thing I wish I had done more of this week was go to the gym. I had arranged my work schedule to a tee, but I didn't get around to the gym as much as I wanted to. I try to go every day for about an hour and a half, but this was just not happening this week :( I managed to squeeze in a couple small workouts at the gym at work, but it wasn't the same. On a positive note, I am talking to a personal trainer through work; I want to have abs by the end of February. I need to get some new exercises and a plan figured out to do this. I'm getting there - I measured myself this week and found out I have lost 4 inches across my midsection - but I need a good push in the right direction. I think this will work :)
With all this new development happening every week, I feel like my confidence in my business is continuously being renewed. I am always happy with where this business is going and I'm really excited to see myself grow. I just have to manage my schedule so I won't burn out :)
Have a great weekend!!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
BIG NEWS!!!
I have officially concluded that I need to do more marketing. I mean, Kijiji is great (until they start blocking my ads), and I have received a lot of business off of it, but I need to really start promoting myself in a more professional setting.
So... here's my news!! I am going to participate in 2 bridal conventions! One in Paris and one in Woodstock. Why those places? Well, Paris only has one other videographer signed up (who will be from out of town - hometown-ish advantage!) and Woodstock doesn't have one yet! I go into Paris this Sunday and I'm so nervous! I hope people really go for it, but I don't think it will be a problem :)
As well, I have 2 - thats right, 2!!! - more wedding sign-ups for this year. As well as another that might be in the works! That puts me to 5 this year (counting the one in December) altogether! I feel like I'm actually getting somewhere with this. I feel like I am accomplishing something with this. We'll see where it gets me!
In other news, I have been going to the gym A LOT in the last couple weeks - I think I've only missed one day. I am doing a bunch of ab routines, so I am starting to see my stomach and hips slim down. Beach bod by summer? Definitely :)
Anyway, that is my life update for the last little while. So nervous/excited about the weekend. I can't wait! If anyone has any ideas out there about what I can bring (besides the obvious business cards, samples, and camera) please let me know!
So... here's my news!! I am going to participate in 2 bridal conventions! One in Paris and one in Woodstock. Why those places? Well, Paris only has one other videographer signed up (who will be from out of town - hometown-ish advantage!) and Woodstock doesn't have one yet! I go into Paris this Sunday and I'm so nervous! I hope people really go for it, but I don't think it will be a problem :)
As well, I have 2 - thats right, 2!!! - more wedding sign-ups for this year. As well as another that might be in the works! That puts me to 5 this year (counting the one in December) altogether! I feel like I'm actually getting somewhere with this. I feel like I am accomplishing something with this. We'll see where it gets me!
In other news, I have been going to the gym A LOT in the last couple weeks - I think I've only missed one day. I am doing a bunch of ab routines, so I am starting to see my stomach and hips slim down. Beach bod by summer? Definitely :)
Anyway, that is my life update for the last little while. So nervous/excited about the weekend. I can't wait! If anyone has any ideas out there about what I can bring (besides the obvious business cards, samples, and camera) please let me know!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Keeping Up with Social Media and Edits
Some days I wish I had a personal assistant.... seriously. If I had one, I would make him/her edit, check my e-mails, and update every status I seem to need to keep updated. I feel like I am constantly on the computer trying to tell the world what I am doing on a daily basis.
Why do I do this? Well... because I want people to see my business and have my stuff actually get out there. Most of all, I want people to hopefully see that I am a hard-working, down-to-earth individual who is trying her best to do a great job. I know that sometimes I try way too hard and take on way too much, but why not try too hard than not enough, right?
This past week has been the end of my on-purpose holiday procrastination. I managed to earn a few extra bucks by importing/exporting some tapes, sold off my old tires from the Ford, and completed a bunch of exporting and re-edits for my work. I even managed to sign up for free Google Ads (I got a coupon in the mail) and have a meeting about a wedding occurring this summer. I've been pretty busy all week.
I also kicked it into high gear again with the gym. I went swimming, started going on the treadmill, and did a Body Sculpt class (which is still killing me slowly, 3 days after the fact). The goal now is to have slimmed down hips and abs by March, when I hopefully plan to take a vacation. I had planned on going to Newfoundland next week, but with the new car, that clearly won't be happening.
Anyway, that's my update for the week. Hope you like the new layout!
Why do I do this? Well... because I want people to see my business and have my stuff actually get out there. Most of all, I want people to hopefully see that I am a hard-working, down-to-earth individual who is trying her best to do a great job. I know that sometimes I try way too hard and take on way too much, but why not try too hard than not enough, right?
This past week has been the end of my on-purpose holiday procrastination. I managed to earn a few extra bucks by importing/exporting some tapes, sold off my old tires from the Ford, and completed a bunch of exporting and re-edits for my work. I even managed to sign up for free Google Ads (I got a coupon in the mail) and have a meeting about a wedding occurring this summer. I've been pretty busy all week.
I also kicked it into high gear again with the gym. I went swimming, started going on the treadmill, and did a Body Sculpt class (which is still killing me slowly, 3 days after the fact). The goal now is to have slimmed down hips and abs by March, when I hopefully plan to take a vacation. I had planned on going to Newfoundland next week, but with the new car, that clearly won't be happening.
Anyway, that's my update for the week. Hope you like the new layout!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
My Start to the New Year
Well, I think this week just proves that acting under pressure is the best way to achieve anything. I can't believe I started Monday night with a broken car, and by Friday I was driving a new one. If anyone else has ever had to make a HUGE purchase under pressure, you know how I felt - a little crazy, exhausted and sick of looking into your bank account. However, it was so worth it in the end. Here's a re-cap of my week:
Monday: After a great New Years weekend, I was driving home after 11. I was pulling off the 401 when I noticed my battery light came on. I chose a few choice words to yell at the car, but these worked to no avail - ALL the emergency lights came on, and the car just shut off. After this had happened the previous Friday (I had thought that it was the gas gauge then - this time I had a full tank), I knew exactly what I needed to do - get off the road as quickly as possible. So, I rolled down the exit, and pulled off the road onto the curb. I then waited and tried to start the car again - this worked, but as I drove for 2 blocks, I saw the car was going to do the same thing again - all the lights kept dimming, the radio shut off - so I pulled off the main road. Just as this happened - of course, the car died again. I managed to roll into a parking lot, and called CAA. If anyone has ever thought you couldn't get their money's worth out of a CAA card, it was me. After talking with the CAA driver, I thought the best idea would be to bring the car to Canadian Tire - Obviously there is an electrical problem with the car. I had just had the alternator switched out a couple months back - I figured I would get my money's worth out of the 2 year warrantee that came with it. Time home - approx. 1:30am
Tuesday: I somehow managed to get up at 6:30am and catch the bus into work. I called Canadian Tire and told them what happened to the car. After performing a diagnostic test, the guy called me back to say there was nothing wrong with the car.
My thoughts at that moment: REALLY?!!! You're telling me I just decided to shut the car off mid-drive willingly?!? I should let you drive the thing in the middle of the night and have it mysteriously shut off on you.... on a bridge, as you hit a patch of black ice....
My words at that moment: What do you think it could be? Is there any other tests that can be done?
After a consistent no from Canadian Tire, I took it to Ford over my lunch break. Surely enough they would find something wrong. Around 3 that afternoon, the lady I was dealing with came back with the same message as Canadian Tire - there was nothing wrong with the car. She had done 2 different tests - one that hooks it up to the electrical, one that hooks it up to the engine - and nothing was coming back wrong. She said that the technician had taken it for a drive himself and it died within 6 minutes of him driving it. She told me that she had a guess of what it might be - something to do with an AIC (?) - and that to get to it would cost $100 an hour. To fix the piece would cost about $400.
This was when I decided enough was enough. I had tossed $1500 into that car over the last 3 months, and to add another piece into that car wasn't going to make it any better in the long run. I asked her if I could talk to a sales rep to see how much I could get for the car. I told her I needed a new car by Thursday as I had to get to work. She put me in touch with a sales rep and I made an appointment to see him after work.
After the bus ride over to the dealership, I sat down and talked to the rep. He told me he didn't think he could get more than $700 for my car, but with a promotion they had going on, they could put it towards a decent car. He showed me the prices for 2 cars - one used and one new. I said the used car (a 2007 focus with 40,000kms on it) was more in my budget. He said the warrantee was still good for another year and a half, and I could extend the warrantee to 85,000 kms (which is supposed to be 4 years, but would only be 2 seeing as there were already 40,000kms on the car) if I wanted to. I said alright, as I thought that this was my only option at the time. I said I would go home and sleep on it before I signed on the papers. Time home - approx. 9:30pm
Wednesday: I got up at 6:30 once again to get to work. I called Ford and made an appointment that afternoon to sign the papers.
Now, while all this was happening, I was dreaming about a new Hyundai - the 2011's were really fancy, spacious, and the warrantee couldn't be beat (5 years/100,000kms bumper-bumper with $0 down for repairs - Ford's would have been $100 down and I would have had to extend the one that was already on the car). I thought, why shouldn't I try?
So I called Hyundai and asked what they thought - they said they had a $4000 rebate on their 2010 Hyundai Elantra's right now, that they could give me $1200 for my car, and could give me the new Elantra for the same price (of course with more money down from the Focus) as what Ford was going to give me for the used car! They could also get me a loaner car for Thursday if the car wasn't in, and I could have the car by Friday!!! SCORE!!! I made the appointment to see him after work that afternoon and nearly gave the guy a hug once I was approved :P I drove home with the loaner car and basically lazed around all night.
Oh ya, I completely forgot about calling Ford back to cancel (I had called and moved it to after I saw Hyundai).... he called me, asking where I was, and I told him all about the deal Hyundai had given me. Take that!
Thursday: I drove into Woodstock, well-rested (but sick) and worked. I didn't like how the loaner car (a 2003 Accent in better shape than my old car) drove... it seemed to have a mind of it's own and kick into 4th gear whenever it wanted to... so I crashed in Ingersoll for the snowy night. I managed to get the insurance set up for the car (which was a nice 1.5 hour chat) and somehow got property insurance and auto insurance for cheaper than if I just got auto insurance itself. I figured that was the best deal I was going to get!
Friday: I GOT THE NEW CAR!!! I was so excited :) I have never had a car with heated seats, and this just made it worth it :P So happy I decided to get it - I feel so much safer on the road. Its like a weight is lifted off my shoulders and I don't have to worry so much about unexpected costs.
For those of you who would like to see my car - check out my Facebook :)
Well, there is my week - craziness!!! Now to catch up on the wedding and demos.
Have a good one!
Monday: After a great New Years weekend, I was driving home after 11. I was pulling off the 401 when I noticed my battery light came on. I chose a few choice words to yell at the car, but these worked to no avail - ALL the emergency lights came on, and the car just shut off. After this had happened the previous Friday (I had thought that it was the gas gauge then - this time I had a full tank), I knew exactly what I needed to do - get off the road as quickly as possible. So, I rolled down the exit, and pulled off the road onto the curb. I then waited and tried to start the car again - this worked, but as I drove for 2 blocks, I saw the car was going to do the same thing again - all the lights kept dimming, the radio shut off - so I pulled off the main road. Just as this happened - of course, the car died again. I managed to roll into a parking lot, and called CAA. If anyone has ever thought you couldn't get their money's worth out of a CAA card, it was me. After talking with the CAA driver, I thought the best idea would be to bring the car to Canadian Tire - Obviously there is an electrical problem with the car. I had just had the alternator switched out a couple months back - I figured I would get my money's worth out of the 2 year warrantee that came with it. Time home - approx. 1:30am
Tuesday: I somehow managed to get up at 6:30am and catch the bus into work. I called Canadian Tire and told them what happened to the car. After performing a diagnostic test, the guy called me back to say there was nothing wrong with the car.
My thoughts at that moment: REALLY?!!! You're telling me I just decided to shut the car off mid-drive willingly?!? I should let you drive the thing in the middle of the night and have it mysteriously shut off on you.... on a bridge, as you hit a patch of black ice....
My words at that moment: What do you think it could be? Is there any other tests that can be done?
After a consistent no from Canadian Tire, I took it to Ford over my lunch break. Surely enough they would find something wrong. Around 3 that afternoon, the lady I was dealing with came back with the same message as Canadian Tire - there was nothing wrong with the car. She had done 2 different tests - one that hooks it up to the electrical, one that hooks it up to the engine - and nothing was coming back wrong. She said that the technician had taken it for a drive himself and it died within 6 minutes of him driving it. She told me that she had a guess of what it might be - something to do with an AIC (?) - and that to get to it would cost $100 an hour. To fix the piece would cost about $400.
This was when I decided enough was enough. I had tossed $1500 into that car over the last 3 months, and to add another piece into that car wasn't going to make it any better in the long run. I asked her if I could talk to a sales rep to see how much I could get for the car. I told her I needed a new car by Thursday as I had to get to work. She put me in touch with a sales rep and I made an appointment to see him after work.
After the bus ride over to the dealership, I sat down and talked to the rep. He told me he didn't think he could get more than $700 for my car, but with a promotion they had going on, they could put it towards a decent car. He showed me the prices for 2 cars - one used and one new. I said the used car (a 2007 focus with 40,000kms on it) was more in my budget. He said the warrantee was still good for another year and a half, and I could extend the warrantee to 85,000 kms (which is supposed to be 4 years, but would only be 2 seeing as there were already 40,000kms on the car) if I wanted to. I said alright, as I thought that this was my only option at the time. I said I would go home and sleep on it before I signed on the papers. Time home - approx. 9:30pm
Wednesday: I got up at 6:30 once again to get to work. I called Ford and made an appointment that afternoon to sign the papers.
Now, while all this was happening, I was dreaming about a new Hyundai - the 2011's were really fancy, spacious, and the warrantee couldn't be beat (5 years/100,000kms bumper-bumper with $0 down for repairs - Ford's would have been $100 down and I would have had to extend the one that was already on the car). I thought, why shouldn't I try?
So I called Hyundai and asked what they thought - they said they had a $4000 rebate on their 2010 Hyundai Elantra's right now, that they could give me $1200 for my car, and could give me the new Elantra for the same price (of course with more money down from the Focus) as what Ford was going to give me for the used car! They could also get me a loaner car for Thursday if the car wasn't in, and I could have the car by Friday!!! SCORE!!! I made the appointment to see him after work that afternoon and nearly gave the guy a hug once I was approved :P I drove home with the loaner car and basically lazed around all night.
Oh ya, I completely forgot about calling Ford back to cancel (I had called and moved it to after I saw Hyundai).... he called me, asking where I was, and I told him all about the deal Hyundai had given me. Take that!
Thursday: I drove into Woodstock, well-rested (but sick) and worked. I didn't like how the loaner car (a 2003 Accent in better shape than my old car) drove... it seemed to have a mind of it's own and kick into 4th gear whenever it wanted to... so I crashed in Ingersoll for the snowy night. I managed to get the insurance set up for the car (which was a nice 1.5 hour chat) and somehow got property insurance and auto insurance for cheaper than if I just got auto insurance itself. I figured that was the best deal I was going to get!
Friday: I GOT THE NEW CAR!!! I was so excited :) I have never had a car with heated seats, and this just made it worth it :P So happy I decided to get it - I feel so much safer on the road. Its like a weight is lifted off my shoulders and I don't have to worry so much about unexpected costs.
For those of you who would like to see my car - check out my Facebook :)
Well, there is my week - craziness!!! Now to catch up on the wedding and demos.
Have a good one!
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