Brian Bourn

Brian Bourn and his wife Jennifer run a full service design studio providing client services that focus in on WordPress and web design development, brand design and graphic design. They are both high profile members of the WordPress community and regularly give back to their clients and others by sharing their knowledge as public speakers and supporters of WordPress community events.

Although they began their agency some 10 years ago, Brian didn’t always want to be an agency guru. In fact, he toyed with the idea of being a lawyer when he was younger! After some consideration he decided it wasn’t for him.

Not long after he discovered the Internet, and then WordPress. He recalls his first experience with the interface and remembers it was 2008 and the version was 2.7. He loved the functionality, but says he stuck around for the community and it has been a mainstay of his ever since.

Today the Bourn Creative’s client profile is the not-quite enterprise – a business that is not fortune 500 but not a small start-up either. Bourn Creative services the people in between – doctors offices, and other business owners and entrepreneurs with expanding offerings. They typically employ 40-50 people and are well-established, growing enterprises.

When Brian and Jennifer aren’t providing services and value to their clients they are hiking, kayaking and enjoying nearby nature in northern California. They love to escape technology and spend time in nearby Napa Valley, Lake Tahoe or Yosemite National Park.

Brian also tells us how they got clear on that not-quite enterprise client base, what he spends his average day doing and what the future has in store for Bourn Creative. Have a listen to hear all of it on today’s WP Elevation show!

Elevation Round

Q: What’s the #1 thing any freelancer needs to know?
A: Pick up the phone or meet your clients in person. Stop emailing!

Q: What’s the best thing you’ve done to find new customers?
A: Networking within peer group and where clients go.

Q: How do you stop competing on price?
A: Build your own personal brand and add value to your clients or products so there’s no comparison.

Q: Any tips for writing better proposals?
A: Treat your proposal as a marketing piece.

Q: What’s your favorite CRM tool?
A: We manage our day to day operations with Infusionsoft and Basecamp.

Q: What’s the best way to keep a project and a client on track?
A: Mutually agreed upon deadlines and check-ins (on the phone).

Q: Any ideas for getting referrals from existing customers?
A: Just ask! And provide ongoing value to your existing client base.

Q: What’s the #1 thing you can do to differentiate yourself?
A: Educate others and help out. Start small and get involved with your local WordPress meetup or get involved in a Wordcamp. Continue to educate and give what you’ve learned is a great way to separate yourself and build a personal brand.