Monthly Archives: June 2010

Six Tips for Creating a High End Website

June 30, 2010

This is an interesting conundrum–you want to create a high-end website for a platform (the Internet) that is inherently mass market (when anyone and everyone can get to your URL, that’s as mass as you can get, right?).

Well, here’s the thing. Within the millions of pieces of content out there, lives tiny niches that reach out to very specific types of people who are seeking very specific type of information.

I’m sure I don’t have to define “niche” to you since you know that our industry is a niche itself, but I think this is an important point to remember when creating your website.

Sure, anyone can get to it, but you don’t want just anyone.

Depending on your industry and your business, you want the folks that will relate to what you are offering and eventually buy or call you to request your services, right? So, how do you do that?

Here are six tips for creating a high end website:

  • If your business is high-end, you probably already have a strong brand identity. Ensure that this identity shines through in your website.
  • Invest in a strong graphic designer and smart web developer. There are millions of places that allow you to “do it yourself” but if you want your website to have the polish of being professional, you’ll need professionals to help you create it.
  • In terms of designing your site, every brand is different, but when designing think of the basics of what makes something elegant: simplicity, striking visuals and minimalism. Less is always more.
  • I’ve said this before about other aspects of your business, but this is especially important for your website–think about your brand and how you can execute it differently from others. Think of the language you use. The imagery you use. The website’s functionality. Visit other high-end sites you admire and see how you can take what they do best and do it better.
  • Update your website regularly. Some folks build their website once and then forget about it. I would suggest that as your brand evolves, the website evolves with it. If you begin to offer new services, make sure you highlight that. If you change your logo, or update your marketing materials, update your website. The easiest way to have a cheap looking website is for it to stay looking the same for years. Not only that, you want to ensure that the information you’re putting out there about your business is up to date.

Sometimes it helps to have examples for inspiration. Here are some of my favorite high-end websites:

  • http://www.chanel.com/
  • http://harrywinston.com/
  • http://www.bentleymotors.com/
  • http://www.manoloblahnik.com/
  • http://www.jaguar.com/

What are your favorite high-end websites? And what one aspect of your website makes it stand out from all the others like yours?

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Frequently Asked Questions: How did you become a high-end business?

June 29, 2010

By always thinking the sky is the limit. Restrictions are poison. An overinflated ego is also poison. But, the biggest poison? Fear. I recently read a wonderful quote by Michelangelo: ”The greatest danger is not that your hopes are too high and you fail to reach them, it’s that they are too low and you do.”

Making the decision to become a high-end business is only the first step. The next step is developing a new mindset for you and your company–giving it a soul. Always remember, whether you believe success is possible or impossible you’re right.

What has kept me going all this time, is what I call my “10 commandments:”

  1. Mistakes are not a sign of stupidity, they are human ways of learning. (This simple truth still encourages me to keep improving my brand.)

  2. Things are not always the way we want them to be, nor do plans always work out our way. (Once you learn this, nothing can keep you down.)
  3. To accomplish success, we constantly need to shift “colors.” (If you design or your idea is not working, let go of it and change it.)
  4. Focus less on your self-interest and more on how you can service your client in some way. (Establishing great service first is a great segue to raising prices later.)
  5. Go with the flow of your failures instead of being devastated by them. (This gives you endurance and longevity.)
  6. Always pay attention to the “teachers” in your life. (What you strongly admire in others may be exactly what you want and CAN accomplish.)
  7. Daily Mantra: “Let things happen as they happen and do your best at all times.” (In other words, when you get lemons, make lemonade.)
  8. I never seek to be the best, however my goal is always to be different. (This will always give you a business edge.)
  9. Fear should never stop you. Some fears are obstacle to what you really want, other fears are signals that you are attempting something you do not want.
  10. When “bliss” meets “talent” watch out. (Always work on improving your talent.)

Creating a soul for your company is one sure way to success. Once you have a strong soul, the big bucks will naturally follow. Without a business “soul” you might only go so far before feeling discouraged. On Thursday in our Common Mistakes, we’ll discuss the common pitfall of not knowing your own worth.

Which of my “commandments” do you relate to the most? And which ones, if any, do you have conflict with? Are you ready for the next step?

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To Do: Getting the Big Bucks

June 28, 2010
Prada Shoes

What I really wanted to call this post was: My name is Preston Bailey and I am a shoe junkie–but I figured you’d want to know more about getting the big bucks, right?

Confession time: I am capable of being incredibly superficial. Nothing gives me more pleasure than walking into Prada and dropping $1500 on a pair of shoes. (Long ago, this is what my father made in a year).

As I prance down the avenue like a very proud fashion peacock, I feel like a better person when someone acknowledges my new overpriced Prada purchase. (I am sure I am not alone–you know who you are.) However, I still have the first pair of Prada shoes I purchased 12 years ago. I can safely say that as overpriced we might think Prada is, the quality of the shoes is excellent and I always feel a bit more special wearing their brand.

This week, I’d like us to work diligently in improving the quality and perception of our business to ensure that our clients feel special and proud of using our services. In other words, work on becoming a high end business. The question is: How can you make yourself and your services so unique that you can charge the big bucks like Prada?

To Do this week (and remember, this is just an exercise to test if you are ready):

  • Start by doubling the price of your services or designs.
  • Choose one about how you feel: A. My customer will never pay this amount; B. I am not worth that much, I feel like I am robbing my clients; C. I deserve this and I can make this happen by giving a very unique design mixed with great service.

If you chose:
A. You are one-hundred percent right. They never will if you actually feel this way.
B. Again, you are right. It’s up to you if you think you are not worthy.
C. I can assure you (based on experience) that with time and determination you CAN make this happen. I am convinced that anything we want the Universe or God conspires with us (and the world) to help us achieve it.

Making this decision is only the beginning. Tomorrow in Frequently Asked Questions, I’ll answer the question: How did you become a high end business? I’ll also give you a few tips on how to make this happen.

Which did you choose? A, B, or C? Please share at least one example about how you managed to improve the quality of your services. And actually, I wonder: Are you interested in becoming a high end brand and getting the “big bucks” or are you just happy where you are? (A lot of artists are completely content with where they are, and of course that’s okay too.)

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Your Turn: Food

June 25, 2010
Junk Food

(Photo via)

I had the pleasure of spending time with my new partners from the Wedding Planning Institute the gorgeous Cho Phillips and her wonderful brother Jerry Madson for two weeks, and I was fascinated by how good and healthy they both looked.

I asked Cho what her secret was and she said that she has been on a raw food diet and described how much she enjoyed it. While working with the amazing Donna Karan, I was also blown away by her energy and looks, to find out that she was on the same raw food diet.

One of my survivals skills is always trying to adapt the good habits of my friends and colleagues, so I have decided to give it a try. You must understand, however, that my usual lunch consists of ox tail stew (yum!) with rice, beans and fried bananas…

I was never into fad diets, so before starting I did a lot of research. I found out that this a potentially life changing diet, if done properly. Today I am on my fifth day of eating only raw food. It’s basically a diet of eating fresh fruits and vegetables, which has always been a huge challenge for me.

I feel lighter, though I do need to be careful with all those unwanted gasses (I noticed that no one wanted to workout around me at my gym). I’ll continue, just as you do with any new thing, by taking it one carrot at a time. And, to all my dear friends and family coming over to my apartment for dinner–be ready for some raw food entertaining.

What is your number one favorite dish to cook or serve? And please share any tips you have on maintaining healthy eating habits…Plus, I would love to know what restaurant you’ve been to that served the best meal of your life.

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