Side Project Workshop: Idea to Reality in One Winter Break

#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


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


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



Make Sure You Love Your Side Project


Side Projects Are Hard Work


Don’t Obsess. Start.


Give Yourself Space


Give Yourself Space


Tell Trusted Supporters


Make it Easy to Help You


Build Relationships with Early Adopters


Think About Your Angle


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)


Examples of Wix Sites


Examples of Wix Sites


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


Example of Squarespace Site


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


Example of Wordpress Site


Using Social Media to Gain Support


Benefits● Directly connect with customers and partners

(@mentions are key)● Become a thought leader● Drive traffic to blog posts and websites

Twitter


Benefits● You likely already have a network of friends there● Consider setting up a Facebook page or group● Everyone is here

Facebook


Benefits● Share your expertise● 100% professional● Add rich media● Add your side project as a job!

LinkedIn


Benefits● Less crowded● More specific to you

Niche Platforms


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


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


Benefits● Track hashtag activity● Only $20 for a 7 day report

Tweetreach


Free and Inexpensive Tools


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


Benefits● Freemium up to 250 contacts● Manage your partners, clients, writers, etc● Includes simple task management system

Highrise


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


Benefits● Free to manage your side project expenses and profits

Cons● Not meant for business

Mint.com


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


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


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


The Importance of Events and Networking


Practice Your Elevator Pitch


Learn & Get Feedback


A Brief Overview of Legal Factors


Docracy


Benefits● Gives you a starting point for legal documents

Cons● Not customized to you

It’s Not too Hard to Be Official


Consider Protecting Yourself


Set yourself up for future success


Make Some Investments


Make Some Investments


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


Side Project Workshop: Idea to Reality in One Winter Break

Career

side project

elevator pitch

wix sites

legal factors

future success

gain support

benefits free

benefits share