Podcast S3:E10 - For the Love of Templates

Show notes:

In this episode I talk about why I use templates for every aspect of my business and how you can use them to add ease to your workflow.

I also give you the low-down on my brand new Squarespace website templates which are available to purchase now from my Template Shop.

This podcast is written and presented by Ellie McBride from Calibrated Concepts. It was produced by Emily Crosby Media.

Transcript:

(Please note that these are computer generated and therefore imperfect).

Ellie McBride: [00:00:00] Hello, and welcome back to the capable collective. I'm so excited to be recording this episode. I have an obsession with what we're talking about today, which is all things templates.

But before we get started I wanted to talk a bit about this podcast. It has been so good hosting this podcast over the last year or so.

And I really enjoyed all of the glorious guests that I've had on here and all the wisdom and expertise that they've shared.

I've learned so many good things. From these brilliant women. Non-binary entrepreneurs.

That said, I think that this is going to be the last episode of the capable collective podcast for quite a while. Um, I do have some dreams to host a very specific season. Um, maybe next summer, maybe next autumn. We will see, but it's going to be a while. So I thought I would love to wrap [00:01:00] things up with something that I've maybe always been obsessed with, but have been especially obsessed with, since I started a business.

And that is templates.

Let's rewind this a second and talk about my obsession with templates in general. I have had the same red skirt that I got in a thrift slash charity shop. Um, When I think I was about 16. Um, so I've had this skirt for like 12, 13 years. And somewhere along the line, it became my go-to Christmas skirt as well. So I wear.

Outside of the holiday season. But at the holiday season, I add. Some, so it's a big red skirt flowy. Kind of Minnie mouse type skirt with a black sweater at Christmas. And then I have my grandfather's Santa Claus, suspenders. Or if you're in the UK, they are known as braces. And I put those on with a skirt.

And those braces are probably. Like older than [00:02:00] me. Um, my granddad passed when I was quite young and I know we had them for quite some time before then. So I have these like, 30 plus year old braces and suspenders. And I hit that is my go-to Christmas outfit. So I've been wearing this same outfit for like every major Christmas dinner, holiday parties.

Et cetera for. Pelt seven years, at least running. So, this is what I mean about templates. I find a system I don't reinvent the wheel. And there's no need to it's. I found it, outfit that I feel good in that looks good. It isn't as hot as an ugly Christmas sweater. Or a jumper. It. Is versatile and I can dress it up and down and it works for whatever.

Situation or whatever party we're at.

So that's why I love templates. They provide consistency. They save you time. They save you energy. They make you feel more comfortable. Um, And they [00:03:00] are so fricking useful.

 So let's talk about templates in your business. I use so, so many templates. Um, in the earlier days of my business and still occasionally I would create a template.

By Googling, I would say, okay. I need to figure out what the words. I need for, to remind some of that. They need to pay me. Or I would say, oof. Like, how do I write this email saying I need to hire someone or maybe they didn't make the cut for the position I was hiring for. Or maybe I needed an idea for an email newsletter.

And I would just Google templates. You can just find them along the internet. And. That's really what I did. And then. I would take them, put them in a word document or in my case, usually a Google doc. And reformat them. So they suited my brand voice, my needs, my what, what I need, and [00:04:00] then save them to you reuse and reuse and reuse. And so let's talk about.

The types of things that I use templates for in my business. I used them. For consultation calls. So when I have a client or a potential new client, I have the same Google doc that I duplicate over and over again, to keep notes. For that call. That way when I send the follow-up email, that email is really specific and personal as to what that person wants out of their website, using words that they used on the call.

I use it for by podcast scripts. So I have a script for my calls with guests. And it follows the same questions. We have the rapid fire questions. It gives them a link to join the call and I share it with them so that they can see the questions I'm going to ask them in advance. I have a blog template. So in my blog, I have formatted a template post that has loads [00:05:00] of.

Fun, other blocks in it. And ideas and things like that. Um, and a structure and places for image and this step and these types of things. And I just duplicate that same blog post template and then go in and edit it for that specific content that I'm creating a new blog post for.

I have templates for my onboarding client emails. Sorry. I have templates for my client onboarding emails so that they all receive the exact same information. Each and every client it's really consistent. Um, in those emails, I've included videos, tutorials for how to use a sauna and loss.

For how to use a sauna and last pass. And make sure that my clients are really well handheld through the process of working with me. I have them for payment reminders for people, maybe haven't paid in time. And I have those reminders set up in my accounting software for [00:06:00] three. 15 and 30 days for their payments.

Um, I have them for job descriptions. I also have templates for these, for interview questions. So when I'm interviewing people, I have templates for the things I want to know about them before I try and bring them on as a part of my team.

I have templates for code that I use on Elvis, every website I design, so I can copy and paste that and then swap around colors. Maybe, um, change the borders or the shapes.

I have an Assano board template that I duplicate for every single client I work with. And then that means my web design process is always the same. I have a checklist and a routine that I follow. I have places for them to upload content. Um, Or if a client doesn't feel comfortable with sauna, then me and my team will upload the content. So me and my team can see.

All of their logos, all their headshots, their colors, everything in a sauna. So we can all see it in one place at one time. [00:07:00]

I also have a template for my annual budget spreadsheet where I go in at least once a year. See, all the things that I'm spending money on, decide what can stay, what can go, what I might need to tweak. Um, and where. What type of income I need to make. To meet, not just my expenses, but my goals for my own income as well.

I also have a template for my contract. Um, all of our clients saying. All of my clients sign the same contract. I also have, um, a lot of templates for visual things. So think about podcast graphics. Blog graphics, um, logos that I. I have so many things that I use as templates in this world and the reason for it is because it makes life easier. Nobody is going to know if they're [00:08:00] receiving the same content to somebody else. Nobody's going to know if you're using a blog post template. Nobody's going to know if you're using an email template. They're not going to feel any less special if you send them an email that everybody else that asked that same question is getting.

I think that these things, scripts, templated emails, templated formatting are so important because you have a brand to uphold really. And people feel much more comfortable and trusting of somebody that is consistent all the time. And I don't mean consistent as in you, the way that people talk about showing up for social media, a certain amount of times per week. I mean consistent as in your brand is always the same. Your colors are always the same. Your tone is always the same.

The way that something looks or as structured is always the same, the support use your clients receive as always the same. The [00:09:00] advice that you give is always the same. And having these things at. With an easy access to you. So in templates. So whether that be in your Gmail and you have those templates saved in there, or if you have a template and a Google doc for a form that you use all the time.

Or if you have. Gone through and have something like the. that's holds all of these things together and makes all these workflows go. Um, having these templates means. That you can do things. Quickly, consistently, beautifully and feel really good about. The way that you're communicating in your business.

Which brings me to an exciting announcement. Some of, you might know that. I have. Lots of templates, right? Um, so. I think some of the biggest things.

Which brings me to a really exciting announcement. [00:10:00] I have. Templates that I've created for you. And they're not for everything because I cannot give you templates for everything. I just talked about. Um, some of my programs in the past have included some of these.

Some of my tutorials on my blog. Talk to you about talk you through how to create some of these things. But I have templates for the most important thing that you can do, which is your website. I have four website templates. I have the solving. Which is a gorgeous, minimal template that I've just launched.

It is so functional and so beautiful for service providers. Um, really nice neutral theme. I have. The Pendleton, which has a bit of a bolder theme and it is just so, so pretty. And all of these templates are designed after my hometown. So they are all really special to me. Um, The Portland. Which is designed for [00:11:00] podcasters and has some really great features around that.

Um, it can be converted for use of blogs and that one has really beautiful greens. And yellows and blues. And then finally the seaside, which is a really bright and fun beachy theme. Um, and each of these is designed uniquely for service providers. That said there are, um, the, my tutorials, which we'll get into in a minute.

I do include information as to how to set up a shop. If that's something you're interested in. Within the template.

So let's talk a little bit about these website templates, because I think they can help. So many of you. To be able to have a website that feels good for you is expertly designed is really quick to create is a budget friendly for you. Um, It's such a beautiful thing. And on top of that, These templates come with tutorials to a full tutorial vault that teach you how to do pretty much everything you're ever going to need to know a [00:12:00] Squarespace.

And addition to that, they all come with 30 days of customer support from yours. Truly. And I cannot be more excited about this. These templates are something that I soft launched in the autumn and I've spent the last few months testing them, tweaking things, learning from the people, using them. And now I have them so perfect. Just for you.

So, let me ask you this. How would it feel to know that your website showcases your expertise is on brand? Runs like a well-oiled machine and all in the background of your business, you don't have to do much of anything on the day to day. What if you could have a beautiful bespoke website virtually overnight.

If you didn't feel overwhelming to create your own content for your website, and you had someone holding your hand through the process.

Well, that's exactly what these templates are for. You don't have to start from scratch. You can easily achieve your most dreamy website. [00:13:00] And it's clean, functional and feels totally like you.

This only takes a few hours of work to put together because I've done all the heavy lifting. Isn't that the dream. So, like I said, let's talk about these features.

The website is pre-installed an exact duplicate of the template will be sent to you. No building required. They're customizable. So you can customize fonts, colors, text images, and more. You have 30 days of customer support with me. You have a tutorial vault. I offer thoughtful coffee, writing prompts throughout the template to help you communicate your.

Value to your community and there's no code required. I've put a little bit of code in these websites to make them really unique, but there's nothing you need to touch. These websites are for you. These templates are for you. If you're a service provider looking to improve your online [00:14:00] presence. If you're looking for a website with a really warm and clean style.

Or if you're looking for an overwhelmed, free way to get an amazing website.

Okay, let's talk about how it all works. First you buy a template. I have four gorgeous ones, like I said, for you to choose from. So you can pick ones that fit your aesthetic and your, the features you need the most. And remember the fees are fully customizable, so you don't need to build them. But if there's something you want, you can add it.

Then you'll receive a receipt. And in that you will also receive the log-in credentials for the tutorial vault. Within one business day. My team will make sure you receive your copy of your template. Through a Squarespace email invitation to be an administrator. Then with its tutorial volts help, you can swap out images and texts and make the website your own.

Once you do. I will help you launch with those same tutorials and you can get [00:15:00] 20% off square Squarespace, annual plan.

Then you have a gorgeous website out there for the world.

So, if you want to hear a little bit about me and my expert experience with Squarespace, I've been using Squarespace websites. For about five, six years, I've been building them and teaching people exclusively on them for about a year and a half. I have learned so much and I've created. These templates.

With solo entrepreneurs in mind. And with my expertise, it's even easier for you to create a website of your dreams. The questions I get asked the most about these templates. Is, can you customize them with your own branding? And the answer is absolutely. I walk you through exactly how to do that.

I also get asked, what version of Squarespace does this template use? And it uses the newest version, which is 7.1, which is great because it will mean that Squarespace is still and will be [00:16:00] continually supporting and improving. This platform.

I get asked if you can use this for clients, you can, but each one is a license for one website. Each payment is for one website.

I sometimes get asked if you need to know any code, like I said before you don't, I handle all of that.

I sometimes get asked if you can use this template on an existing Squarespace website and the answer is no. But you can copy your content into a new site.

And finally, I get asked if I can help customize the template. And the answer is absolutely. I offer Squarespace power hours to all Squarespace users. But when you buy a template, you get them for $40 off, which makes them. $100 for a recorded. Training with me to fix your Squarespace website, do [00:17:00] anything you need to do with it.

So. I cannot wait for you to shop the templates. For them to make your business so much easier. If you have questions about other types of templates, I would love love to hear them over on social media. If you have templates that you love to use, share them. I'm sort of this entire podcast, actually the entire endeavor of the capable collective with the firm belief that we do not need to hide the answers that we to business.

Uh, behind any kind of curtain. And that we as women in business. And non-binary folks in business should be sharing the information the way that women and non-binary people have traditionally. Um, throughout society and throughout cultures. And. Use our collective knowledge for the greater good. So.

Share your templates. If you have a [00:18:00] need for a specific template. Obviously I have my website templates for sale, but if you're like, Ooh, you mentioned that you have a template for this one type of email or something like that. Go ahead and reach out. I'm happy to share. Always happy to share. So have a lovely 2022.

Um, I. I'm just thrilled that we've done this together for the last year. And that I've gotten these beautiful templates out into the world. And. It's just been really special to have all of this happening over and to see my business grow and evolve. And for you all to be a part of that.

I think that's it for me. Um, I hope you have, like I said, I great. 20 22. See you over on social.