Freelancer Forum

Website 123 Class: The Missing Manual for Website Owners Starts May 22nd

Website 123 Class: Plan, Assemble and Market

Begins May 22nd, 2012

Learn about setting up your website!

Do you have a website that's not performing? Is it time to update your site you haven't touched in years? Do you know how to use social media in your marketing campaign? If you have questions like these, then I have answers for you in the Website 123 Class: Plan, Assemble and Market Your Website.

This class is a series of 3 2 hour classes - PLUS a one hour website consultation with the teacher (Colleen Rice Nelson of The Ultimate Answer). The course provides beginners through advanced website owners practical tips and instruction on how to properly build a professional, search engine optimized website with a social media marketing strategy.

Join us and learn how to create great content and drive traffic to your website. Whether you are building the site yourself or you want to hire someone to do it for you, you need this class. This class is the missing manual for website owners. The course is broken down into easy to understand terms. While there is technical talk used throughout the class, I will also explain what those terms mean as well.

For Details about the class contents visit this page for details

Dates Day & Time: May 22nd 2012 through June 5th, 2012 Tuesdays - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Includes 1 hour individual consultation. To be scheduled during the class.

Location: PACE Business Development Center - 1055 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 900B Los Angeles, CA 90017


Fee: $50 if you pay online, $60.00 if you pay at the door - see registration link for details


Register
via PACE LA Website 1,2,3 Registration Here


See you there!


About PACE LA: PACE Business Development Center is a local, non-profit organization that aims to facilitate the start-up and expansion of businesses in Los Angeles, by providing its clients with business training, capital acquisition, market development, and technical assistance.

About the Teacher Colleen Rice Nelson (The Ultimate Answer) is a web developer that loves to expand individuals and small businesses web presence with creative, effective and targeted website development, social media marketing, organic SEO and good old smarts. Colleen has been teaching people about creating an online web presence for over ten years, and helping clients create a marketing strategy that works with their target audience. Her energy is inspiring and contagious! Catch her online http://www.The-Ultimate-Answer.com

How to Not Completely and Totally Hate Doing Your Taxes

January 15th,. 2012

How to Not Completely and Totally Hate Doing Your Taxes

January 15th, 2012 | Blankspaces on Wilshire | FREE | RSVP

For the average small business owner, getting one’s taxes done is about as fun as getting a root canal, then getting punched in the face, then having your heart broken via text message.

Fortunately, preparing your income tax returns does not have to all that painful. Yes, actually paying the taxes due may hurt no matter what, but the tax preparation process itself can be tamed. If April is your least favorite month of the year, we have a seminar for you:

“How to Not Completely and Totally Hate Doing Your Taxes.”

In this January 15th seminar (3 pm at BLANKSPACES on Wilshire), Enrolled Agent tax consultant Andy Frye of Pronto Income Tax of California, Inc. and Certified Professional Organizer Mishele Vieira of Away with Chaos will show freelance entrepreneurs how to:

 Save money on taxes
 Save money on tax preparation
 Avoid problems with the Internal Revenue Service

Surely these are three things that every freelancer can enjoy! The best way to save money on taxes, save money on tax preparation, and avoid problems with the IRS, of course, is to keep good records of all business-related expenses. But for the busy entrepreneur, achieving the dream of meticulous bookkeeping is often easier said than done.

In this seminar, Andy and Mishele show you how to develop a simple, doable record-keeping system for tracking business expenses—and thus not completely and totally hate doing your taxes. At the end of the seminar, attendees will receive a special tax season offer worth more than $200.

Cost: FREE

Location: 5405 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, Phone: (323) 330-9505

Thank you to Blankspaces for the generous use of their space! Visit them and learn more about Co-Working space in LA! http://www.blankspaces.com


RSVP Required: http://www.meetup.com/LA-Freelance


Brought to you byThe Los Angeles Freelance Meetup Group – Free to join! For all self-employed, 1099ers, solopreneurs and small business peoples! http://www.meetup.com/LA-Freelance


About Andy Frye:

Vice President of Pronto Income Tax of California, Inc. and Enrolled Agent

Andrew Freiburghouse, or “Andy Frye” as he is known in the tax world, has prepared more than 10,000 tax returns over his ten year career. Andy has also provided extensive training of other professional tax preparers.

As a small business owner himself, Andy particularly enjoys working with small business owners and helping them get their tax situations under control and optimized. Knowing that taxes are one of the main challenges facing today’s small business owner, Andy seeks to do his part to alleviate the messy tax issues that often afflict small business owners.

In addition to his tax preparation and consulting duties, Andy is an Enrolled Agent licensed to represent taxpayers before the IRS. In this capacity, Andy has negotiated numerous tax debt settlement cases, saving small business clients tens of thousands of dollars in federal income taxes. Far better, though, in Andy’s opinion, is to avoid tax problems in the first place.

Contact: andy@pronto4tax.com 310.577.7530


About Mishele Vieira:

Owner of Away with Chaos and Certified Professional Organizer

Mishele Vieira has been organizing individuals, families, and companies since 1983. After years of working in sales, marketing, and operations management in the corporate world, in 2002 Mishele launched her own professional organizing company, Away with Chaos.

Through Away with Chaos, Mishele works with clients to determine what challenges they face in getting and staying organized. Getting to the root of the challenge without judgment, Mishele helps clients reduce and release the “stuff” that often overwhelms them.

Tailoring her methods to each individual’s unique abilities and personal style, Mishele coaches clients in maximizing their productivity, achieving their goals, and making room for what matters most™. In 2007, Mishele became one of the first people in history to receive the official designation of “Certified Professional Organizer” (CPO). Chaos is her sworn enemy!

Contact: mishele@awaywithchaos.com 818.519.2938

Bring your business cards, your tax questions, and a snack to share with the group (if you can)!

Freelancer Frolic Mega Mixer December 13th - Los Angeles


Freelancer Frolic Mega Mixer

December 13th, 2011

Los Angeles Freelance MeetUp Group

It’s that time of year – to wrap up those projects, file those receipts and get in the spirit of the holidays!

It’s the “office party” to attend this year!

Join fellow freelancers, self employed entrepreneurs and small business owners at the St. Felix for a festive Freelancer Frolic Mega Holiday Mixer!

Join us for:

 -Fun and Holiday Spirit

-Optional Gift Exchange*

-Raffle Prizes

-Great People

-Yummy Appetizers

-No Host Bar

Who: Small business owners, freelancers and solopreneurs from Los Angeles

Cost: $10.00 includes entrance and munchies!

RSVP: Please RSVP here on The LA Freelance Meetup Group AND you must also RSVP and pay your $10 at http://holidaymixer2011.eventbrite.com/

Where: St. Felix 1600 North Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 323-469-5001

Parking: Some street metered parking. Paid lots available nearby, including a lot on Selma.

Why?: A reason to get out of the house and have an “office party” with other people who understand what it means to be self employed!

*Optional Gift Exchange: If you bring a wrapped present of a value of up to $10.00, you can pick a present for yourself from the gift exchange box. You must bring a wrapped cool present in order to participate in the reindeer games. What to bring? Bring something you would like to receive!

Presented by:

LA Entrepreneur Connection http://www.meetup.com...

Los Angeles Freelance MeetUp Group http://www.meetup.com...


NOHOpreneur Meetup Group http://www.meetup.com...

Be sure to RSVP here *AND* RSVP/PAY using the Eventbrite link above. See you at the Freelancer Frolic!

 

 

Become a Tax Preparer and Create a New Income in 2012!

Pronto Income Tax Class Starts December 1st, 2011West Los Angles Tax Preparer Class

Starts December 1st, 2011

CTEC Approved In-Person Class

With tax season rapidly approaching, Pronto Income Tax of California, Inc. will offer an accelerated version of Pronto Tax Class Live running December 1 through December 10, 2011. This live classroom tax course, approved by the California Tax Education Council (CTEC) as "qualifying education," will enable students to become professional tax preparers in only 10 days.

Can anyone be a tax preparer?

There is no experience or education necessary whatsoever to attend this class and graduate. You do have to be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen or legal resident.

Where:

This accelerated 10-day "crash course" will be held in the West Los Angeles office of Pronto Income Tax, located at 4501 S. Centinela Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90066, situated adjacent to Culver City, Venice, and Marina del Rey and convenient to all surrounding Westside communities.

Pronto Tax Class offering Online and In-Person Tax coursesRegister Today:

You can register for this course at www.prontotaxclass.com



Hurry! Class size is limited!

Class size will be limited to 10 students so that each student can receive extensive personal attention and tutoring. Students will also be given in-class access to tax preparation software so that practice tax returns and scenarios can be completed in class in a hands-on tax training manner.

Class Schedule:

Classes will be held every night from December 1 – December 10 from 6pm to 10pm. Students with scheduling conflicts are allowed to miss up to three class sessions and still graduate, as long as they complete the online quizzes hosted at www.ProntoTaxClass.com.

On the last day of the course, students will be guided through the process of obtaining a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) from the IRS, obtaining a tax preparer bond, and registering with the California Tax Education Council (CTEC). This way, students will graduate from this accelerated 10-day tax course fully equipped to earn money this tax season as professional tax preparers.

What does it include?

The cost for Pronto Tax Class Live is $297 and this includes:
  • Pronto Class Book
  • CTEC Quiz
  • Online Access to private student forum
  • Online Access to video tutorials
  • Online Access to additional resources and updates
  • Once passed, we will notify CTEC on your behalf and you are on your way to becoming a certified CTEC approved tax preparer!
Everything you need to become a certified CTEC Tax Preparer!

You can register for this Pronto Tax Course Live Course at www.prontotaxclass.com


Have questions? Call our Student Support Hotline at (310) 422 – 1283. Thank you and hope to see you there!

About the Instructor: The instructor for the December Pronto Tax Class Live in the Culver City / Marina Del Rey area will be Andy Frye, primary author of the Pronto Tax Class Textbook and an Enrolled Agent who has prepared approximately 10,000 tax returns in his 10 year career.  Special guest appearances will include Kent Frye, who has 40+ years of tax consulting experience, and Casimiro Peña, a top-performing Pronto Income Tax preparer for tax season 2011.

About Pronto Income Tax Inc. of Ca: Pronto Income Tax was founded in 1965 by an attorney/businessman,Pronto Income Tax of Ca. Inc. About Wayne Freiburghouse, who noticed a need for reliable, affordable, and convenient tax preparation. The current partners at Pronto Income Tax of California, Inc. are Wayne's eldest son, Kent, and Kent's eldest son, Andy. Kent's son Tim also works in the business and was integral in developing Pronto Tax Class.  Pronto Income Tax of California, Inc. currently maintains four office locations in the Los Angeles area: Monrovia, East Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, and Carson. Pronto Income Tax of California, Inc. currently maintains four office locations in the Los Angeles area: Monrovia, East Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, and Carson. We remain dedicated to providing professional, affordable income tax help in an extremely efficient style that can only be called Pronto. Visit our Pronto Family of Websites: http://www.pronto4tax.com http://www.prontotaxclass.com http://www.renewctec.com



Protect Yourself & Build Value Through Client Agreements: MeetUp 11/12

Los Angeles Freelance MeetUp Group

Presents

Protect Yourself & Build Value Through Client Agreements

Sunday November 12th, 2011

Some of you may be doing client work without a contract. The rest of you probably learned your lesson. But many small business owners still aren’t doing contracts right.

One of our very own LA Freelance members, Christina DeHayes, J.D., has graciously offered to set the record straight for us. She’ll cover topics such as

  • When Do You Need a Contract?
  • Are Verbal Agreements Ever OK?
  • 10 Keys to Successful Client Contracts
  • How Can Letters of Intent/Memos of Understanding Come Into Play?
  • How Can I Use Client Contracts to Build Value for my Business Instead of Just Being an Administrative Burden?
  • Common Mistakes Entrepreneurs & Freelancers Cannot Afford to Make When Dealing with Client Contracts
  • Copyright & Intellectual Property – Who Owns the Work?
Cost: FREE

RSVP Required: Join the group for free to RSVP

Where: Blankspaces LA
5405 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

When: Sunday November 12th @ 3 pm

About Los Angeles Freelance Meetup Group: Anyone who is interested in meeting other freelancers from various industries here in Los Angeles. It doesn't matter what you do, as long as you do it as a freelancer! See what it's all about - http://www.meetup.com/LA-Freelance



Getting a Grip On Social Media - Don't Tweet Twittlessly - November 5th, 2011

Don't Tweet Twittlessly: Getting a Grip on Social Media

Social Media Workshop

Learn About Social Media November 5th in Los Angeles

Saturday November 5th, 2011

@ PACE LA in Downtown Los Angeles

This is the class you take if you have a website and are trying to figure out how to use and implement social media strategies in your marketing plan. This is a must class for those unfamiliar with social media and website marketing!

Don't Tweet Twittlessly: Getting a Grip on Social Media Join us and learn how to harness the unruly social media networking sites to your advantage and your timetable. We have all jumped into the social media pool without knowing how to manage it or what to do once we got on. Well this workshop will help you find your direction on the web. You will learn... How to effectively use social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, Linked etc...) How to effectively manage all of your accounts How to create, implement and maintain your online marketing strategy

Don't waste time anymore logging into every social media account separately. Come and learn about some very useful tips and tools that will save yourself time and create a more effective marketing campaign. You will walk away with a better understanding of the “Big Picture”, and how you can find your place in this unruly social world of the web.

You want to be part of what everyone is talking about, but you just don't know whether it's really effective for your business. It can be overwhelming to sort out all this social media information on your own. When to tweet? What to post? How often to post? Come and learn strategies that will save you time, determine which networks fit with your target audience and gain control over your marketing strategy.

Read the Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Attend This Workshop!

About the Presenter: Colleen Rice Nelson (The Ultimate Answer) is a web developer that loves to expand individuals and small businesses web presence with creative, effective and targeted website development, social media marketing, organic SEO and good ol' smarts. Colleen has been teaching people about creating an online web presence for over ten years, and helping clients create a marketing strategy that works with their target audience. Her energy is inspiring and contagious!


When:
Saturday November 5th from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM PDT

Where: PACE Business Development Center 1055 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 900B Los Angeles, CA 90017

Cost: $20.00 Online in Advance | $25.00 At the door

RSVP is requested whether you pay in advance or at the door. We need a head count people!

Register Today!


About PACE LA: PACE Business Development Center is a local, non-profit organization that aims to facilitate the start-up and expansion of businesses in Los Angeles, by providing its clients with business training, capital acquisition, market development, and technical assistance.

Website 123: Planning, Assembly and Marketing Your Website starts 11/1

Website 1, 2, 3 - Plan, Assemble & Market Your WebsiteWebsite Planning Class at PACE LA


The missing manual for owning a website

Starts November 1st, 2011

If you own a website, are thinking or overhauling your website or want to hire someone to build your website - you need this class!

This is a series of three 2-hours classes + 1-hour consultation with a web professional (That's me!). You will learn practical and useful information to get your site up and running properly. Learn the most important principles of planning, assembling and marketing your website in an organic search engine friendly way that will attract and drive more traffic to your website. Whether you are building it or hiring someone to do it for you, this class will provide you with the questions to ask, and the information you need to know how to be a smart website owner.

The course is structured into an easy to understand format with useful and helpful tips to help transform your vision into a properly functioning and good looking website. Including creating the content you want people to know, organizing the information you want people to find and finding your best marketing tools in this social media climate. If you want to increase your web visibility, traffic and potential client pool, then you need to come to this class!

To read more how you can benefit from this class - check out this blog with details!

*This course will not involve coding or programming.

* Session 1: Plan Your Website (11/1)
* Session 2: Assemble Your Website (11/8)
* Session 3: Market & Maintain Your Online Web Presence (11/15)
* Plus 1-hour consultation to be scheduled first day of class.

Dates Day & Time

November 1st- November 15th, 2011
Tuesdays / 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm (2 hours)

Includes 1 hour individual consultation. To be scheduled during the class.

Location: PACE Business Development Center - 1055 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 900B Los Angeles, CA 90017

Fee: $50 if you pay online, $60.00 if you pay at the door - see registration link for details

Register via PACE LA Website 1,2,3 Registration Here

See you there!

About PACE LA: PACE Business Development Center is a local, non-profit organization that aims to facilitate the start-up and expansion of businesses in Los Angeles, by providing its clients with business training, capital acquisition, market development, and technical assistance.

About the Teacher - Colleen Rice Nelson is a web and social media expert who loves to inspire and help individuals and small business get going on the web with their best foot forward. To learn more about her background, experience and clients visit her website http://www.the-ultimate-answer.com

Mini Marketing Plan Brainstorm Brew - Oct. 9th, LA Freelance Meet Up Group

LA Freelance Meet Up GroupCreate Your Mini Marketing Plan for the Rest of 2011 - Workshop & Brainstorming Session

October 9th, 2011

Los Angeles Freelance Meet Up Group

We’re down to the final quarter of 2011. Is your business where you want it to be?

Join other freelancers, self-employed folks, entrepreneurs, and small business owners to create your marketing plan for the rest of this year. Rebecca Quinn will guide you through creating your plan using low and no cost marketing to meet your business goals. Workshop includes planning worksheets so you can work on your plan right there! We’ll look at …   

  • What’s working with your current marketing? And what isn’t?
  • How to combine online and offline strategies
  • What you must have in place before you market at all
  • The keys to helping potential customers find you
  • How to avoid the overwhelm with a simple, consistent plan and calendar

BONUS BRAINSTORMING SESSION! Some of us do the majority of our business in this quarter. Other find business slows down as we go into the holiday season. As everyone’s business is different, you are invited to bring YOUR BIGGEST MARKETING CHALLENGE to the group! Rebecca and Colleen will lead a brainstorming session where you’ll get a chance to tell what you do, who your target market is, and what you need help with. The group will brainstorm individualized solutions you may not have thought of that you can use right away in your Mini Marketing Plan for the Rest of 2011!

Bring yourself, your challenge, plenty of business cards, and you’re invited to bring a snack to share with the group.


AGENDA:

3:00 Arrivals and we intro ourselves
3:15 I speak on the topic (walk them through simple mktg plan) then wrap up and announce brainstorming
3:45 Brainstorm in a group, or if there are more than 10 attendees I'd love to split the group so we each lead one (if that's ok with you!) Each person will have a minute to tell what they do, for who, and their marketing challenge. Then we spend around 5 minutes brainstorming and giving suggestions (time depends on how many attendees.)
4:30 Wrap up and answer questions, if any, then let people network a bit.

Where: Blankspaces
5405 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036

When: Sunday 3:00 pm

Cost: FREE!!

RSVP Required; LA Freelance Meet Up Group RSVP

About Blankspaces: Whether you need workspace for an afternoon, or a whole office for the year, we have your solutionBlankspaces - Co-Working In Los Angeles ready to go with every amenity you need to run your business. Why bother with the noise of coffee shops, or the hassle of long-term leases when BLANKSPACES is configurable to your needs. Visit us at http://www.blankspaces.com

About Los Angeles Freelance Meet Up Group: Is a networking and resource meet up for freelancers. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you do it as a freelancer! Join us once a month for networking opportunities and special guest presentations just for freelancers, self employed or solopreneurs. Become a member today for free! www.Meetup.com/LA-Freelance 


Don't Tweet Twittlessly: Social Media Workshop 9/27 Burbank

Social Media Workshop

Don't Tweet Twittlessly: Getting a Grip on Social Media

Social Media Workshop

September 27th, 2011

@ Ikea Business Center - Brought to you by PACE LA

Don't Tweet Twittlessly: Getting a Grip on Social Media Join us and learn how to harness the unruly social media networking sites to your advantage and your timetable. We have all jumped into the social media pool without knowing how to manage it or what to do once we got on. Well this workshop will help you find your direction on the web. You will learn... How to effectively use social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, Linked etc...) How to effectively manage all of your accounts How to create, implement and maintain your online marketing strategy

Don't waste time anymore logging into every social media account separately. Come and learn about some very useful tips and tools that will save yourself time and create a more effective marketing campaign. You will walk away with a better understanding of the "Big Picture", and how you can find your place in this unruly social world of the web.

You want to be part of what everyone is talking about, but you just don't know whether it's really effective for your business. It can be overwhelming to sort out all this social media information on your own. When to tweet? What to post? How often to post? Come and learn strategies that will save you time, determine which networks fit with your target audience and gain control over your marketing strategy.

About the Presenter: Colleen Rice Nelson (http://www.The-Ultimate-Answer.com) is a web developer that loves to expand individuals and small businesses web presence with creative, effective and targeted website development, social media marketing, organic SEO and good ol' smarts. Colleen has been teaching people about creating an online web presence for over ten years, and helping clients create a marketing strategy that works with their target audience. Her energy is inspiring and contagious!


When:
Tuesday September 27, 2011 from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM PDT

Where: IKEA Burbank 600 N San Fernando Blvd Burbank, CA 91502

Cost: $20.00

Register Today!

PACE LA
About PACE LA: PACE Business Development Center is a local, non-profit organization that aims to facilitate the start-up and expansion of businesses in Los Angeles, by providing its clients with business training, capital acquisition, market development, and technical assistance.

Website 1,2,3 Plan, Assemble & Market Your Website Starts August 30th, 2011

Website 1, 2, 3 - Plan, Assemble & Market Your Website

The missing manual for owning a website

Starts August 30th, 2011

If you own a website, are thinking or overhauling your website or want to hire someone to build your website - you need this class!

This is a series of three 2-hours classes + 1-hour consultation with a web professional (That's me!). You will learn practical and useful information to get your site up and running properly. Learn the most important principles of planning, assembling and marketing your website in an organic search engine friendly way that will attract and drive more traffic to your website. Whether you are building it or hiring someone to do it for you, this class will provide you with the questions to ask, and the information you need to know how to be a smart website owner.

The course is structured into an easy to understand format with useful and helpful tips to help transform your vision into a properly functioning and good looking website. Including creating the content you want people to know, organizing the information you want people to find and finding your best marketing tools in this social media climate. If you want to increase your web visibility, traffic and potential client pool, then you need to come to this class!

*This course will not involve coding or programming.

* Session 1: Plan Your Website (8/30)
* Session 2: Assemble Your Website (9/6)
* Session 3: Market & Maintain Your Online Web Presence (9/13)
* Plus 1-hour consultation to be scheduled first day of class.


Dates Day & Time

August 30th- September 13th, 2011
Tuesdays / 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (2 hours)

Includes 1 hour individual consultation. To be scheduled during the class.

Location: PACE Business Development Center - 1055 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 900B Los Angeles, CA 90017

Fee: $60

Register via PACE LA Website 1,2,3 Registration Here

See you there!

About the Teacher: Colleen Rice Nelson - Colleen Rice Nelson is a self employed business woman who runs a multimedia consulting business, The Ultimate Answer (www.The-Ultimate-Answer.com), helping her clients answer their questions about the world wide web. Working with websites since 1996, Colleen has a passion for inspiring clients to get creative and think out of the box with their website marketing, while maintaining a practical and functional approach to their site design. You can have great looking website, but if you don't promote it, and no one can find you - what's the point? Creating a website that is search engine friendly is the backbone of a great website, not an afterthought.