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How to design a visually-appealing website when you’re not a designer

How to design a visually-appealing website when you’re not a designer

Dec 1, 2016 | Visual Marketing

I’m a firm believer that every business needs a website. Although some may argue whether that’s true, I can’t tell you how often I’ve walked away from a business who either didn’t have a website or had a poorly designed one. When I DIY’ed my first...

Hey, there. I’m Krista

An ENFP. Aries sun. Libra Moon. Cancer Rising. I’m also a mom of two who’s been building her business between nap schedules and snack breaks for the past 5 years.

I help fellow coaches and healers refine their online presence so it reflects their values and resonates with their ideal audience (NOT push for sales). Read my story here.

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  • Clarity
  • Copywriting
  • Visual Marketing
If someone would’ve told me 5 years ago, I’d b If someone would’ve told me 5 years ago, I’d be teaching kindred-clients how to create a real and resonant online presence to market their services online… I would’ve thought, no way! I hate marketing. Back then, I did because I thought it meant stiff elevator pitches, pitchy discovery calls that had me reading from a script, and shouty emails that tried to shove “value” down people’s throats. Like many of the people who resonate with my work, I’ve got an aversion to the neon lights and unicorn-glitter style of marketing that sells you on hype and seven-figure secrets. When I began this journey, I was true to myself because it’s all I knew how to be. 
But, the more I learned about marketing, the more I lost my integrity and my inner compass went a little haywire. I didn’t know who or what information to trust anymore. Kind marketing is different. There are no formulas, magic pills or prescriptive one-size-fits-all approaches like most online gurus preach. It’s honest, open and inviting. Not pushy, loud or fear-based. When you allow your heart to take the front stage in your business, and are willing to put yourself out there (even just a little), the right people start to gravitate towards you naturally. When you’re marketing to people who would *truly* benefit from your work and resonate with you, there’s simply no need to shout. If you’re someone who values service over sales and connection over conversions, I’d love to know what you fear most about marketing your offers or putting yourself out there online? With love, K.
I created my first online shop after someone recom I created my first online shop after someone recommended I offer the ebook from my Visual Marketing for Beginners course to people who can’t afford the course right now. It’s finally up in my *new shop*. Yes, it’s the only item but seeing it there brings me so much joy. You can click the link in bio to check it out… Many people have said the guidebook was “worth the value of the course alone” so if you’re interested, this might be an affordable way to learn how to easily create pro-looking graphics for your business. What’s your biggest struggle when it comes to creating visually-appealing designs? Thanks, to my lovely student for this thoughtful review. K. #VBMcourse
Like so many of you, I’m easing my way into the Like so many of you, I’m easing my way into the new year because I’m still recovering from the last one 😩 As part of my plan to start slow, I’m also getting back to basics in my business and rediscovering the parts of me that I want to express and align with on a deeper level — also to bring forth. I call this process of connecting to yourself, Finding Your Authentic Centre. For me, this is essential for creating and growing an authentic online presence. Your business needs to express who *you* are before you can attract the resonant clients who need your work. Before I knew any conventional marketing practices, this is how I started my business — a sincere reflection of me… but the more I learned, and the more “secrets” I applied, the less my business felt like me and I lost a lot of motivation to carry on. Throughout the month, I’ll be sharing my journey of returning to myself and if you’re feeling misaligned with the content you create or the people you attract, that could be an indicator, you’ve gotten off course somewhere along the way, too. What’s one way you know you’re out of alignment in your business? Love, K x PS. Wishing you a blessed 2021 🥂
Coming up with fresh content to write about can be Coming up with fresh content to write about can be challenging, especially if you're not feeling overly imaginative (this has been me lately). I’ve also found myself in the trap of thinking since I had nothing new to say my audience wouldn’t want to hear from me. It’s funny because this was a belief I struggled with a lot in the early days thinking that every idea had to be an original thought… or profound in some way. First of all, it's impossible to come up with an "original" idea—something that hasn't been talked about before. The important thing to keep in mind is that the people in your niche haven't heard it from you. Your fans want to hear your voice. Your perspective. The unique experiences that led to your personal point-of-view. Unfortunately, your fans are flooded with online content every single day. What they really care about is connection. Hopefully, this eases the pressure of trying to be overly imaginative or prolific with your content. After a lull in content creation, I’m eager to get back. My brain is brimming with ideas and I feel more focused than ever. If you want to get more consistent with content creation but have struggled to maintain a regular posting/publishing rhythm, what stops you? #growingtogether #highlysensitiveentrepreneur #empathinbusiness #consciousentrepreneur #creativeentrepreneurs #soulfulbusiness #authenticbusiness #inspiredaction ##sisterhood #soulconnections #HSP #authenticmarketing #authenticonlinepresence #consciousmarketing #heartcenteredbusiness
#notsponsored I ordered these beautiful eco-friend #notsponsored I ordered these beautiful eco-friendly products from @simplypolishedlife last week because I had heard their Magnesium Spray is a miracle worker. Of course, you can’t just visit their site and get one thing, I found myself carefully reading each product description to find the perfect item to treat myself after a few intense months of hustle. When I opened the box, I was pleasantly surprised to find a complimentary sample face oil and make-up remover along with a hand-written note (not a canned message but one that felt personal and custom). She said that because I’d placed my order one day before their 25% off sale, she gifted me a makeup remover. 
 Wow! Like who does that? Many coachers and healers loathe the idea of marketing their offers but let this be a reminder that it can feel sincere and natural. Generosity is a rare trait in mainstream marketing but it goes a long way. You can show generosity by: ▫️giving your clients something they weren’t expecting ▫️expressing sincere appreciation for the people who support your work ▫️ putting service above yourself. Generosity in marketing is about making your clients feel good and helping them be the best version of themselves. Thank you so much @simplypolishedlife, you’ve made this girl feel very good today. And I’d be selfish not to mention their 25% off sale is still on. What’s one thing you can do to express your generosity to your audience? K. x
Whitespace is one of my favourite ways to create e Whitespace is one of my favourite ways to create elegant, modern designs that feel calming and spacious. Cramped, cluttered designs can feel overwhelming for your audience and can diminish your credibility making your designs look spammy and dated. There’s a tendency amongst clients, students and colleagues to want to cram as much content on the page as possible (I know, I’ve been guilty of this, too). But I can’t emphasize the importance of embracing whitespace in your designs (social graphics, web pages, etc.) to provide space for your content to breathe. Not only will this make your designs instantly look and feel more professional, but it’ll enhance the overall reading experience for your audience as well. Who doesn’t want that? 🙋🏻‍♀️ My new course, Visual Marketing for Beginners with @geokao launched yesterday and there’s still time to get on board if you struggle to create visual content that reflects who you are and speaks to your audience 💜 [Link in profile].
When I was approached by my mentor, @geokao about When I was approached by my mentor, @geokao about teaching a Visual Marketing for Beginners course to his audience, every part of me thought, I'm not ready. 
Even with some visual art experience like painting, drawing and creative film-making most recently, I kept hearing, "you're not qualified to teach a course about visuals". When I started my business five years ago, I didn't intend to offer design support to fellow coaches and healers, let alone teach. However, as I expanded my skills and experimented with web design and visual content creation, peers noticed. 
With a love of my clean aesthetic and simple layouts, I was soon getting hired to create graphics and marketing materials for them, too. 
All the while, I never felt qualified. 
I hear the same words flow from the mouths of my colleagues and clients with small-businesses also. 
Things like: 
"I want to teach … but I don't have the right qualifications" or "I need more education before I can coach my clients on x,y,z…" 
But guess what? You're ready now. 
You wanna know how I know this? 
Because every big leap I've ever taken in my business (aka publishing my first blog post, doing my first live video or creating my first online course) I had a list of reasons (ahem...excuses) for why I can't do this. 
But, you'll NEVER feel ready. 
You've got to trust that when you decide to take that next big step, you'll get what you need. 
Even if that something looks and feels like failure. 
Y'know what I mean… ...a student asks for a refund, no one engages with your video, or your mind goes blank in front of a live audience…😳 it's always for your highest good. 
George saw something in me that I couldn't see in myself. Why? Because my work was evident enough for him to believe I was ready. 
Your clients, family, friends—the people who keep asking you to create x,y,z or teach them how to [fill in the blank] is all you need to know that you're competent, skilled or anything else enough to do that thing you keep saying you're not ready to do! 
Believe in yourself. I believe in you.
I won’t stay silent 🙏🏿🙏🏼More to say I won’t stay silent 🙏🏿🙏🏼More to say on this issue but for now #blackouttuesday

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