Freelancer Forum

How to Not Completely and Totally Hate Doing Your Taxes

Colleen — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 02:59:54 GMT

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

Colleen — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 21:11:57 GMT

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!

Colleen — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 01:14:34 GMT

West 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.

Register 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, 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

Colleen — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:59:54 GMT

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

Colleen — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:12:10 GMT

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

Social Media Workshop

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

Colleen — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:51:40 GMT

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

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

See you there!

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

Colleen — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 01:39:11 GMT

Create 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 solution 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

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

Colleen — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 18:40:35 GMT

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 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!

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

Colleen — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 14:42:00 GMT

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 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

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.

Small Business / Freelancer MegaMixer Los Angeles August 30th

Colleen — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 01:42:52 GMT

Mega Mixer LA

Date: Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Time: 6:30pm - 9:00pm

Place: St. Felix, 1602 North Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

Join entrepreneurs from across Los Angeles for a summer mixer that you won't want to miss! It may be summer, but we know all your hard working dedicated entrepreneurs out there are still burning the midnight oil. So we're putting this mixer together with great groups from across Los Angeles to celebrate the summer, what we've accomplished this year, and ourselves!

This summer soiree will be a great opportunity to make connections with entrepreneurs across all industries and neighborhoods. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with members from some of Los Angeles' most active entrepreneur, freelance, and small business organizations.

We'll be meeting at the fabulous new St. Felix in Hollywood.

Come to mix, mingle, and munch! Complimentary appetizers will be served and there is a no-host bar available.

Parking lot and metered street parking are available.

Confirmed participating groups include:

Nohopreneurs

The Entrepreneur Connection™

Under30CEO, LA Chapter

Tuesdays With Transitioners

CareerCamp

CareerCamp International

Career Opportunities

Los Angeles Freelance Meet Up Group

Cost: $10 per person

Website 1,2,3 - The Missing Manual for Website Owners Class Starts May24th @ PACE LA

Colleen — Fri, 20 May 2011 18:52:41 GMT

Website 1, 2, 3 - Plan, Assemble & Market Your Website
The missing manual for owning a website

Starts May 24th!

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 course will not involve coding or programming.

* Session 1: Plan Your Website (5/24)
* Session 2: Assemble Your Website (5/31)
* Session 3: Market & Maintain Your Online Web Presence (6/7)
* Plus 1-hour consultation to be scheduled first day of class.

Dates Day & Time

May 24th - June 7, 2011
Tuesdays / 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Inlcudes 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

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.

Pronto Income Tax - Procrastinator's Tax Special - Don't Wait Any Longer!

Colleen — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 17:21:00 GMT

Procrastinator's Special
$49 Short, $99 Long Form

"You know who you are"

You know who you are. You're waiting until the last minute, to do your taxes.

See the thing is, you don't want to pay an arm and a leg to get your taxes done. Last year you paid like $225 for service that was mediocre at best.

Not sure if you've heard, but prices for tax preparation tend to skyrocket once we hit April here. The proverbial shooting fish in a barrel.

You should have done your taxes earlier! When prices were more reasonable and your old tax person wasn't too "busy" to actually give you good service in return for your $220.

You should have done your taxes earlier. But you didn't. You waited until April.

If this predicament sounds familiar, how does $99 sound, to get your taxes done and you have a house, itemized deductions, maybe a little side business?

All that, for $99? Federal and state? Electronic filing included?

Seriously?

Yes.

Seriously.

Seriously head over today until April 15th to the Pronto Income Tax new location on 4501 S. Centinela, Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90066. Phone there is 310 577 7530.

Please don't call to set up an appointment while taking advantage of this offer.

This offer is ONLY for walk-ins and ONLY for new clients and ONLY in the new Pronto Westside location.

Walk in today--before it's too late!!!

(Well technically it's never too late because Pronto is open year round to do taxes no matter what month or year it is...but you know what we mean.)

Visit Our Website for Locations and More Information! www.Pronto4Tax.com

Website 1-2-3: Plan, Assemble & Market Your Website The missing manual for owning a website

Colleen — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 08:14:00 GMT

Starts April 5th!

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 with the questions to ask, and the information you need to know to be a smart website owner.

*This course will not involve coding or programming.

* Session 1: Plan Your Website (4/5)
* Session 2: Assemble Your Website (4/12)
* Session 3: Market & Maintain Your Online Web Presence (4/19)
* Plus 1-hour consultation to be scheduled first day of class.

April 5 - April 19, 2011
Tuesdays / 10:00am - 12:00pm

Dates Day & Time

4/5, 4/12, & 4/19 Tuesdays; 10 am – 12 pm

Inlcudes 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

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.

Pronto Income Tax Grand Opening In West L.A. - Win Free Tix!

Colleen — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 03:58:00 GMT

New Office Pronto Tax Referral Contest

See Blake Griffin DUNK Up Close and Personal!!!

Whoever sends the most referrals to our BRAND NEW office located at

4501 S. Centinela Ave., Los Angeles,
CA 90066

will receive TWO FLOOR SEATS to a Los Angeles Clippers game, VIP parking pass included.

These tickets have a face value of $300 each, these are fantastic seats.

All YOU have to do to win our New Office Referral Contest is tell everyone you know to go to Pronto Income
Tax. And why not? Pronto is professional, affordable, and convenient.

Pronto Income Tax know all about being a small business owner - it's time to work with a tax preparer who understands your business needs. Visit their website to find out more www.Pronto4tax.com

Hablamos Español

For More Details Click Here to Go To The Website Pronto Income Tax

Contest Valid through February 28th, 2011

Thank You! & Happy New Year

Colleen — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 18:51:00 GMT

Just a post to say Thank you for making 2010 a great year in the freelancing and small biz world great!! Below is a snapshot of the visitors for the blog! Over 101,000 visits! Yay! I just wanted to thank you for visiting my freelancer forum world and hope you stick around via RSS for more. You can also follow my helpful tips and resources and events on Twitter too - just look for @freelancerforum there too!

I will be working on new radio show and new blog ideas and new everything this year - so be a bit patient as I do all of this in my spare time for free. I don't want to stop any of it - but I do need more of my own time back so I am figuring out a more efficient way to use my time and still get you the information you want!!

So until next time - in 2011 - Happy New Year!

Thank you so much for your support!

Colleen Rice Nelson
Small Biz / Freelancer Owner of The Ultimate Answer

Start 2011 off with a New Marketing Plan!

Colleen — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 22:44:00 GMT

Pain-free Marketing in 2011
with the Marketing Mentor Calendar Bundle

(includes eCalendar + Start Anytime printed version)

Anything here sound familiar?

“I need to be more organized with my marketing.”

“If I knew what to do and who to do it for, I’d probably be doing it!”

“I’m just not sure what to spend my time on.”

“I get some pieces of my marketing partially completed, but never have developed a plan of attack or actually targeted a market for my services. It’s a very haphazard approach that puts all of the power in someone else’s hands. That’s very stressful and not a way to run a business.... I’m ready to use my energies and talents for my business.”

Do you need help:

•   Knowing exactly what marketing you need to do, when, and how often?
•   Developing a marketing schedule that you will stick to come hell or high water?
•    Carving out and protecting your marketing time?

…then the 2011 Marketing Mentor Calendar Bundle will change the way you approach your business!

What comes in the Calendar Bundle?

The 2011 Calendar Bundle is made up of two complementary products: The Marketing Mentor eCalendar, which provides marketing reminders inside your iCal, Outlook or Google Calendar, and the Start Anytime spiral-bound Marketing Plan + Calendar, which is a printed calendar/journal that provides more guidance on the marketing tasks.

The Marketing Mentor eCalendar

We have heeded the cries of creative professionals and – drum roll please – we couldn’t be more excited to announce that the new 2011 Marketing Mentor eCalendar is designed specifically to integrate into the technology with which creative professionals, like you, work!

The Marketing Mentor eCalendar integrates directly into:

•   iCal
•   Google Calendar
•   Outlook Calendar
•   Most other calendar software

All your marketing tasks will be in one place, and can be viewed with your other appointments and commitments. We know your marketing efforts don’t exist in isolation. They need to be incorporated into your business, your timeframe, and your life!

Make the tools your own!

The eCalendar is completely customizable. Each task can be appointed to your ideal day and time. If you don’t get to it, it can be moved. But most importantly, the Marketing Mentor eCalendar will lay out every single task, and every single marketing effort, that you need to be doing to run a successful creative business.

Whether you are new to marketing your business (because until now everything has come via word-of-mouth), or you have a few solid marketing tools in place, you probably realize by now that marketing is essential to the growth of your business.

As some of our clients have told us, their time devoted to marketing is “as - if not more - important than client work” because it actually fuels the client work and keeps it coming!

No need to be overwhelmed!

We know there are so many options when it comes to marketing your business -- that it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

•   Which marketing tools should you use? How often?
•   How many networking events should you attend each month (and what should you do if
      your prospects aren’t local)?
•   When is the best time to make phone calls (and do you really have to call people)?
•   When’s best to email (and do people even read their email anymore)?
•   Should you be blogging? Guest blogging?
•   And how the heck will you fit social networking in?

The Start Anytime Marketing Plan + Calendar

The spiral-bound, printed Start Anytime Marketing Plan + Calendar includes:

* Monthly tracking and metrics
* Ready-to-use, customizable phone scripts
* Online support and networking
* Advanced marketing strategies for veterans
* Profit-driving social networking strategies

The Start Anytime Marketing Plan + Calendar is a weekly calendar with all of your marketing tasks filled in for you already. Plus, it includes all the nitty-gritty details you’ll need to create powerful growth for your business. It is a printed spiral-bound version that you can keep right on your desk. You can even use it as your "main" calendar for the year—whatever fits best into your life.

With the 2011 Marketing Mentor Calendar Bundle,
you can eliminate the Feast or Famine Syndrome forever!

Without a plan, you are haphazard in your efforts, and those efforts yield spotty results, at best. If you have been there, you know that feast or famine creates lots of stress in itself. One client said, “it deflects me from doing my best work or enjoying it as much as I could.”

You need a plan that will guide you -- one day at a time -- through an entire year of consistent marketing. A plan that literally breaks out all the steps to follow, all the tasks you need to do. You need a process for reaching out and following up with both new and existing clients and prospects. Once you have all the pieces in place, the execution is relatively painless. It’s all about preparation and, as Edna ‘E’ Mode in Disney’s The Incredibles, said, “Luck favors the prepared.”

You need a plan that is not just a few vague ideas in your head, but a plan that is clear and systematic and that integrates into the rest of your life – a “to do” list of marketing tasks that you can simply add to your existing “to do” list.

Well, as luck would have it, we have one for you: the 2011 Marketing Mentor Calendar Bundle for Creative Professionals.

For all the details visit Marketing Mentor's Toolbox

Website 1, 2, 3 - Plan, Assemble & Market Your Website Class Starts Nov. 30th

Colleen — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 23:42:00 GMT

Website 1, 2, 3 - Plan, Assemble & Market Your Website
The missing manual for owning a website

When: November 30 - December 14, 2010 Tuesdays / 9:00-11:00am

This is a series of three 2- hours classes + 1 hour consultation with a web professional. 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 with the questions to ask, and the information you need to know 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 (11/30)
Session 2: Assemble Your Website (12/7)
Session 3: Market & Maintain Your Online Web Presence (12/14)
Plus 1 hour consultation to be scheduled first day of class.

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

Fee $60 Pre-paid online, or cash at the door

About the instructor: 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.

Career & Entrepreneur Fair: Tuesday Oct. 26th in Pasadena

Colleen — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:46:00 GMT

Career & Entrepreneur Fair
Tomorrow October 26th, 2010
PACE LA
Pasadena

Don't miss this opportunity to join 40 local and national, public and private companies that are seeking to increase their workforce diversity and expand their service to small businesses, including Aerospace Corporation, Southern California Edison, FBI, ABC7, IKEA of Burbank, and Apple. The fair provides a free résumé assessment clinic, free internet café and print center, and free workshops for attendees to grow both professionally and personally.

Topics for workshops:

For Job Seekers:

- Understanding labor market information
- Resume & interview techniques
- Credit workshop
- Energy & cost savings program

Click here for more information

For Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs

- Access to capital
- Access to market & procurement
- Green business opportunity

Click here for more information

When:
Tuesday Oct.26th
10 am - 2 pm

Where:
Pasadena Conference Center
300 E. Green Street
Pasadena, CA 91101

Admission:
Free to the public

Register NOW!!
*Pre-register online and double your chance of winning an Ipod!

Register today for FREE to attend this dynamic event and enter a raffle to win an iPad!

Sincerely,
The entire team at PACE

Los Angeles Freelance October MeetUp Mixer Help Yourself! Sunday October 3rd. 2010

Colleen — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 20:04:00 GMT

Los Angeles Freelance

October MeetUp Mixer

Help Yourself!

When: October 3, 2009 2:00 PM

Help Yourself! Bring your questions that you need help with - maybe you need some ideas for your own business, or ideas for a client project.Whatever it is, bring your notepad and your questions and get ready for lots of help, suggestions and advice. It's a brainstorm session with really qualified people. If you don't have any questions, then bring yourself and provide answers. Networking is all part of this too.

The Agenda...
* 2pm - Organizer Introduction
* 2:30pm - Attendee Introductions - we will go around and have everyone introduce themselves. (Treat this as an practice run for potential clients.)
* 2:45 pm - Help Yourself! - we will go around the attendees and find out what questions are on everyone's mind,and start brainstorming some great ideas for you!
* Networking and Ideas will follow!

It will be FREE, it will be informative, and it will be fun!

PRIZE DRAWING I have 2 books to give away at the Meetup! The authors of "The Wealthy Freelancer"(by Ed Gandia, Peter Savage and Steve Slaunwhite) have generously given me 2 books to give away at our next Meetup! We will have a drawing before the end of the meetup at 4pm! A great book with great advice for people like us! For details about the book and reviews visit their website http://www.thewealthyfreelancer.com

BYOW Bring your own little whatever to share with the group. Finger foods or small drinks are always appreciated, and help keep the Meet Up free for this group!

RSVP: Join LA Freelance Meet Up Group for free.

Location:

Blankspaces

5405 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323.330.9505

Time to mix it up! Bring your business cards and a great attitude to meet fellow freelancers from in and around LA. Network with other people who understand the world of freelancing. Learn new things, teach a few tricks, find resources for your own business. This is the place to do it!

LA Freelance Meet Up group is a great place to find new friends and business associates in a relaxed friendly environment. The location is Blankspaces, a great co-working space in Mid-Wilshire area.If you have never been, or don't know what co-working is all about -come check it out.

Blankspaces (Our sponsor) is a great co-working space. What you have never heard of "co-working"? Then come to the Meetup and see what it's all about. A great location to have some office space and work with other freelancers who "get it". Hourly,daily and monthly rentals centrally located LA. A great place to found! 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

More Freelancer Resources:Check out www.freelancerforum.net blog for resources, information and events for freelancers. Check out the internet radio show www.BlogTalkRadio.com/Freelancer-Forum and listen to shows live or via podcast just for freelancers.

Creating a Successfull Business Plan Monday Sept. 27th

Colleen — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 18:34:00 GMT

What is a business plan?
How do I write one?

Business plans are essential for any successful business - and this workshop will enable you to propel your ideas forward and share your vision of your company with others. Every part of the business plan is explained in detail in a step-by-step format. You will leave this session with the tools to put your great business ideas on paper!

About the speaker: John Haskell (a.k.a Dr. Revenue)
Dr. Revenue is a Professional Speaker/Seminar Leader focused on CEOs and top managers of mid-size and smaller companies. He is a proven entrepreneur who created the Abbey Rents Furniture Division of Sara Lee Corp. As a founder of The Professional Marketing Group, Inc., Dr. Revenue developed over 400 Marketing and Sales plans for client companies. He teaches the Fast Trac Entrepreneurial Business Planning course at USC Business Expansion Network. For more information about Dr. Revenue, visit www.DrRevenue.com. See Dr. Revenue on YouTube!

When:
Monday September 27, 2010 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM PDT

Get more information

Midori Hartford

PACE Business Development Center

mhartford@pacela.org

Freelancer Forum

How to Not Completely and Totally Hate Doing Your Taxes

How to Not Completely and Totally Hate Doing Your Taxes

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

Freelancer Frolic Mega Mixer December 13th - Los Angeles

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

West Los Angles Tax Preparer Class

CTEC Approved In-Person Class

Can anyone be a tax preparer?

Where:

Register Today:

Hurry! Class size is limited!

Class Schedule:

What does it include?

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

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

Los Angeles Freelance MeetUp GroupPresentsProtect Yourself & Build Value Through Client Agreements

Sunday November 12th, 2011

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

Saturday November 5th, 2011

@ PACE LA in Downtown Los Angeles

Register Today!

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

The missing manual for owning a website

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

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

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

Register Today!

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

Website 1, 2, 3 - Plan, Assemble & Market Your WebsiteThe missing manual for owning a website

Small Business / Freelancer MegaMixer Los Angeles August 30th

Website 1,2,3 - The Missing Manual for Website Owners Class Starts May24th @ PACE LA

Website 1, 2, 3 - Plan, Assemble & Market Your WebsiteThe missing manual for owning a website

Dates Day & Time

Pronto Income Tax - Procrastinator's Tax Special - Don't Wait Any Longer!

Procrastinator's Special$49 Short, $99 Long Form"You know who you are"

Website 1-2-3: Plan, Assemble & Market Your Website The missing manual for owning a website

Dates Day & Time

Pronto Income Tax Grand Opening In West L.A. - Win Free Tix!

New Office Pronto Tax Referral Contest

See Blake Griffin DUNK Up Close and Personal!!!

Thank You! & Happy New Year

Start 2011 off with a New Marketing Plan!

Website 1, 2, 3 - Plan, Assemble & Market Your Website Class Starts Nov. 30th

Website 1, 2, 3 - Plan, Assemble & Market Your WebsiteThe missing manual for owning a website

Fee $60 Pre-paid online, or cash at the door

Career & Entrepreneur Fair: Tuesday Oct. 26th in Pasadena

Career & Entrepreneur Fair Tomorrow October 26th, 2010 PACE LA Pasadena

Los Angeles Freelance October MeetUp Mixer Help Yourself! Sunday October 3rd. 2010

Creating a Successfull Business Plan Monday Sept. 27th

Los Angeles Freelance MeetUp Group

Presents

Protect Yourself & Build Value Through Client Agreements

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

The missing manual for owning a website

Website 1, 2, 3 - Plan, Assemble & Market Your Website
The missing manual for owning a website

Procrastinator's Special
$49 Short, $99 Long Form

"You know who you are"

Website 1, 2, 3 - Plan, Assemble & Market Your Website
The missing manual for owning a website

Career & Entrepreneur Fair
Tomorrow October 26th, 2010
PACE LA
Pasadena