melboure-webdesign-land: My 2020 Year In Review

This is the time of the year to reflect.

We all know the negatives of 2020 so I am not going to dwell on them but instead share some insights to a rather productive 2020.

While many year-in-review posts are self-indulgent humble brags, I’ve tried to tie in some advice & lessons learned for added value.

Thanks for being a part of my 2020.

JUST Keep Going.

My Biggest 2020 Insights

Here are the eight biggest insights I took from the past year.

1. The wisest decision I made…
Was focusing on learning & implementing brand strategy as this nearly doubled my consulting revenue with less clients.
Takeaway: Invest in yourself.

2. The biggest lesson I learned…
Sales and systems trump technical skill.
Takeaway: Experiment with your pricing strategies, funnels & customer service skills to level up.

3. The biggest risk I took…
Starting a podcast + starting two coaching mastermind groups. I also hired 7 people over the year including a VA, Podcast Editor, 3 Writers, Editor & Blog Assistant.
Takeaway: Hire to scale faster.

4. The biggest surprise of the year…
Apart from the obvious pandemic, referring over $3.5 million dollars to Amazon and earning over six figures of commission in the process.
Takeaway: Don’t underestimate the power of SEO and capitalism.

5. The most important thing I did for others…
Started a coaching group + consistently donated to charity through B1G1.
Takeaway: Give back.

6. The biggest thing I completed..
Brand Master Secrets course.
Takeaway: Always keep learning.

7. Best thing I created
The Inner Triangle Coaching Program
Takeaway: Get out of your comfort zone.

8. Biggest achievement
Not working weekends all year (nearly)
Takeaway: Work will always be there.

How I Make Money Online (& Help Others)

We’re all hybrids wearing many different hats and thus have to master a variety of skills. These are the areas that I specialise in and how I will help others in 2021 (aka how I make money online).

Brand Consultancy / Design / Strategy
Coaching
Amazon Associates Program
Affiliate Marketing + SEO
Course Sales (Referring other people’s products/courses)
Ads (BuySellAds, GoogleAds, Mediavine, VDO.IO)
Email Newsletter Media Buys

2020 Blog Stats

~$15k/month Revenue (passive income)
6,300,000 Page Views (6.3 million!)
330 Articles Posted in 2020 (27.5/month)
5,400,000 Unique Visits
2.53 minutes average time on site
31,000 newsletter subscribers

Visit Blog

2020 Personal Highlights

Despite the obvious downfalls of 2020, this was my best year yet in terms of business & personal growth and I actually feel a bit of guilt saying this as I know how rough this year has been for people all around the world.

But in reality these highlights are a good decade’s worth of consistent effort coming to fruition.

Bought our dream house with seperate work studio
Bought a family car
Had a baby girl, Mika Cass
Added two new arms to the business: coaching & podcasting
Lived in South Africa for 2.5 months (Jan-March)
Exercised 3-5 times a week

Coaching

130 hours of coaching
2 Coaching Groups (Rising Stars & Pro)
30 Total members
22x Active Group Coaching members (Max 12 per group)
6x One-on-One Coaching Clients

Apply here

JUST Branding Podcast

24 episodes (released fortnightly)
20 amazing Guests
30 5 Star Reviews
~2000 listens per episode
Some advertising will start in 2021 to cover costs
Best of 2020 Episode dropping soon’

New Hires

This year I hired 7 contractors to help run JUST Creative.

Virtual Assistant (Podcast posting + community management)
3x Writers
Editor
Podcast Video / Audio Editor
Blog Assistant (Wifey – not a new hire)

Awards

Although not a motivation for my work, it’s nice to be recognised for your efforts.

Jury Panels

I have been fortunate enough to judge a number of award programs around the world. In 2020, I was a part of 5 different juries.

Graphic Arts Today MVP Awards Jury
Best Brand Awards Jury
Horizon Interactive Design Awards Jury (2019- 2020)
LogoWave Jury Member (2017-Current)
International Visual Identity Awards (2015-Current)

Brand Strategy

I completed 7 brand strategy courses in 2020 along with a number of books on the topic.

LEVEL C ‘Brand Specialist’ Certification with Marty Nemiumer
Brand Master Certificate from Brand Master Academy
eResonaid
Activate Your Strategic Brain
Brand Consulting Mastery from Future Academy (in progress)
View All Brand Strategy Courses

Collaborations (Approx)

I lost count of how many collaborations I did this year, but it was more than all the years prior put together. Instagram Lives, Podcasts, Video Collabs, Zooms, Webinars & more. What an awesome creative community we have! So honoured to be a part of it.