The Blog is Dead! Long Live the Blog!

Posted on 11. Apr, 2011 by in Blog

After very little consideration, I’m officially pulling the plug on the blog here at Sweet Lid. Too much work, too little time, and too many other things to spend my “spare” time and energy on. Check out the Portfolio page to see what we’ve been up to, aside from raising a baby, holding down full-time jobs, and working hard — but not too hard — to keep this part-time Web consulting thing going. :-)

June … er, July Update

Posted on 05. Jul, 2010 by in Blog

A post a month. Feels about right. (Too bad I just had to change the title of this one from June Update to July Update, though.) The good news is that Sweet Lid has been busy of late. Here’s the skinny:

1) The May FiBA presentation was a blast and lasted for about an hour. Questions were great, interest was high, energy was up, and feedback has been resoundingly positive. I’ve had the opportunity to follow up with quite a few attendees and would love to do another session sometime soon. Here’s the Powerpoint I used if you’re curious…

Working the Web (so it doesn't work you
View more presentations from bkamradt.

2) Not long after the meeting, I received a surprise call from Atlanta, GA. The founder of a local nonprofit saw the Criollo and Brix Websites featured in the WooThemes April Showcase. She liked what she saw, got in touch, and For Food’s Sake had a new online community within a couple of weeks, just in time for its first anniversary in June.

SIDEBAR: I have to take just a moment to sing the praises of WordPress. It’s powerful, flexible, extensible, free, open source, supported by a devoted community of users, and can empower even non-technical users to take control of their Websites. There’s really no other online publishing platform that could have enabled us to turn the For Food’s Sake project around so quickly, so affordably, so collaboratively, and with such great results.

3) June also marked the inaugural month of search-engine optimization and marketing work for Williams and Flagstaff-based Mountain Goat Air Tours. Not much more to say yet — we’re still in the early stages of a 90-day initial plan that will hopefully continue into the fall — but I’ll be excited to see (and share) some results after a bit more time has passed.

4) Just last week, we also wrapped up some work with Intrinsic Consulting on a proposal for the Coconino National Forest that includes the integration of technology tools into a public-meeting and planning process. If we are awarded the contract, this will be an amazing project, one that includes but also goes well beyond Sweet Lid’s ususal Web-design-and-online-marketing focus. Even if we aren’t awarded the project, I have to say that Dexter and Jason at Intrinsic are true professionals, and it was a pleasure working through the proposal with them.

So that’s it for now. This month, I’m looking forward to continuing Web work for Brix and Criollo, increasing Mountain Goat Air Tours‘ Web traffic and visibility, and possibly helping local photographer friends (Kristen and Keiji) enhance their current Flash-based sites with a couple of search-engine-magnet WordPress photoblogs. And — oh, yeah, almost forgot — having a baby. (Can’t wait to meet you, Camille!)

‘Til next time,

Brad

Working the Web (So It Doesn’t Work You)

Posted on 06. May, 2010 by in Blog

One week from today, at the May Flagstaff Independent Business Alliance meeting:

Working the Web (So it Doesn’t Work You)

FiBA PRESENTATION by Business Member BRAD KAMRADT — open to all.
$10 ENTRY for not-yet-FiBA-members, FREE TO FiBA MEMBERS!

Thursday, May 13 … 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Downtown Greenhouse

Online Survey and RSVP: http://www.sweetlid.com/contact/fiba-rsvp/

It’s often said that every business needs a Web site, but just having a site isn’t enough — you need a plan to make it work for you. Join us for a presentation and discussion led by FiBA member Brad Kamradt of Sweet Lid Solutions as we demystify Web development and help you jump-start your online marketing plan.

Planned topics include how and why to get started, what to do AFTER you launch a Web site, handling search engines, and moving beyond the hype of “Web 2.0″ and “social media” buzzwords. Whether you’re a FiBA member or not — whether you’re planning to attend or not — we’d appreciate a few minutes of your time to complete this online survey so we can tailor the event to your questions and needs: http://www.sweetlid.com/contact/fiba-rsvp/

Should be fun!

Spring Has Sprung … Time to Follow Suit!

Posted on 24. Mar, 2010 by in Blog

Well, it’s been QUITE some time since the last post. Since November, there have been quite a few changes around here. First and foremost, Katie and I are expecting our first child in July, which has resulted in some pretty extreme lifestyle shifts. Accordingly, I’ve also spent quite a bit of time and energy refocusing on my full-time gig as Flagstaff Unified School District’s Technology Integration Coordinator while picking up extra work through other avenues besides Sweet Lid. (One of the benefits of having a full-time job and running a smallish part-time business is that I can put growing the business on hold for a spell without jeopardizing our primary source of income.)

Sweet Lid, however, has been plenty busy during the past few months: The Brix and Criollo Websites launched successfully in December, and we’re continuing to work with the owners and management team to slowly but surely develop the sites and implement online media and marketing strategies. TeamMastermind was back not long ago for another site enhancement in the form of a recently released Northern Arizona University research study on the efficacy of their curriculum. And, most exciting of all, we’ve just launched a brand new site for High Country MotorCycle & ATV Center, their first foray into the world of online media.

It has to be said that I feel fortunate to have such great clients. They respect the creative and technical process — and sometimes unpredictable nature — of designing and developing Websites and implementing strategies. Pretty much the opposite of what’s depicted here: “How a Web Design Goes Straight to Hell“. Bottom line: I’ve been in situations much like that one, and it’s pretty f’ing horrible. It’s nice to feel valued for the expertise and ideas you bring to the table, and treated as a colleague and trusted advisor rather than a mere hired gun. (Thank you!)

So, having said all that, the only other news is that I have joined the Flagstaff Independent Business Alliance and will be attending my first meeting tomorrow night. It’s an “elevator-minute” “speed dating” event where members get to meet one another and, I suppose, pitch goods and services. Should be interesting, to say the least. Hopefully, my next project and outstanding client is waiting for me there. Even if the meeting isn’t fruitful in that respect, I’m looking forward to getting involved in an organization whose mission and goals I believe in. I’ll let you know how it goes … eventually.

‘Til next time,

Brad

Time Flies When You’re Getting Things Done

Posted on 02. Nov, 2009 by in Blog

Okay, so it’s been over a month since my last blog post. No excuses, but reasons aplenty: Lots going on at work, developing and launching phase one of the Criollo Latin Kitchen site, trying to drum up more business, holding down the homestead, a new bass guitar in my life, and so on. Overall, though, life is good and everything feels like progress. Here’s a quick Sweet Lid update: (more…)

Do More. Blog Less.

Posted on 29. Sep, 2009 by in Blog

There’s a bumper sticker in my day-job cubicle that says “Blog Less. Do More.” At this point, I’m convinced it should read the other way around: Since my last post over two weeks ago, I’ve been chugging the Getting Things Done Kool Aid, and it tastes fine. Delicious, even. Nutritious. Blog free. (more…)

Getting (A Few) Things Done

Posted on 12. Sep, 2009 by in Blog

Well, here we go. Sweet Lid Solutions — the site and business — has officially launched. I’ve got a couple of clients who appreciate what I do. Business feels ready to boom as long as I can rustle up a few more. And I’m about to draft my first blog post on a topic I never imagined writing about: personal productivity. (more…)