Back in June 2024, I had the honor of presenting a digital marketing workshop for the Ivy Tech Entrepreneurship Program led by Steve Thrash. I spoke with a cohort of small business owners, creatives, and students working through the final course in their Entrepreneurship Certificate.
That Zoom call planted a seed.
One of the students, Shawn Haymaker, reached out afterward with an idea: to rework his private practice website and elevate the way he serves the Indianapolis community through art therapy and mental health counseling.
🔗 A Collaboration with Purpose
Over the next several months, Shawn and I worked together to transform his online presence. We:
Reorganized blog content into SEO-rich categories like Art Therapy, Stress Management, and Mental Health Counseling
Created and optimized content descriptions, structured metadata, and internal linking
Tuned up performance for fast load times and mobile responsiveness
Our goal wasn’t just a better website. It was a more authentic and useful resource for Shawn’s clients and community.
🎉 A Perfect 100 Website Score
Shaymaker Counseling earns a perfect 100 score on HubSpot’s Website Grader, achieving top marks in performance, SEO, mobile optimization, and site security
Last week, Michelle Maddox, a marketing consultant working with Shawn, ran the site through her regular web audit tools. What she found surprised even her:
“This is a first for me! I run all new customers’ websites through a few website grading systems to get a pulse on where we are at. I have never seen a perfect 100 when I do this.
Shawn’s story is one of the most rewarding kinds of collaboration I get to be part of. He didn’t just hire me to build a site. He brought intention, creativity, and a clear vision for how his digital presence could align with his mission as a therapist.
And it all started with a single workshop.
This is why I love teaching. And it’s why I stay rooted in projects that serve real people with real stories.
At David Martin Design, I’ve always believed the best solutions aren’t just creative — they’re structured, strategic, and built to work in real life. Today, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become one of the most powerful tools I use to deliver on that vision — both for my business and personal workflows.
But here’s the key: AI is not just about speed — it’s about building smarter systems. When you pair human strategy with AI efficiency, you create solutions that are sharper, faster, and more sustainable.
How I Use AI in My Business
Client Communications and Project Management
When working with clients — whether it’s a web design project, SEO consulting, or a marketing campaign — clear communication is everything. I use AI tools like ChatGPT to:
Draft client emails faster
Refine project scopes and proposals
Structure timelines and task lists for complex projects
This ensures that every message is clear, professional, and moves projects forward efficiently without losing the personal touch.
Prompt Examples You Can Use for Client Communication:
“Draft a friendly but professional email to a client requesting final website approval before launch.”
“Summarize a kickoff meeting into a clear action plan email with assigned tasks.”
Content Creation and Optimization
AI accelerates the heavy lifting involved in blog posts, service pages, and social media content. Instead of staring at a blank screen, I can:
Quickly generate first drafts
Refine ideas into structured outlines
Brainstorm multiple creative directions for marketing campaigns
“Create a blog outline on how small businesses can use SEO to grow their local presence.”
“Brainstorm 5 blog post ideas for a small business offering sustainable landscaping services.”
Business Systems and Framework Building
One of the biggest shifts in my work is how I use AI to formalize systems that used to live only in my head — like:
Website design launch checklists
SEO audit templates
Client onboarding flows
Coaching frameworks for pickleball and business training
By documenting and refining these systems with AI’s help, I can deliver more consistent, scalable results.
Prompt Examples for Building Systems:
“Design a client onboarding checklist for a freelance WordPress developer.”
“Create a website launch checklist that includes SEO basics, security checks, and mobile optimization.”
How I Use AI in My Personal Life
Financial Planning and Decision-Making
AI supports me in thinking critically through major financial decisions, such as:
Choosing the best credit card repayment strategies
Managing home equity options
Forecasting cash flow for long-term planning
Using AI for structured what-if scenarios helps me make better-informed decisions, faster.
Prompt Examples for Financial Planning:
“Organize a weekly financial review checklist for a freelancer managing multiple client payments.”
“Create a debt repayment prioritization plan based on interest rates and balances.”
Education and Teaching
As a pickleball coach and adjunct faculty member at Indiana University, I use AI to:
Design lesson plans for different skill levels
Create drills focusing on specific technical skills like footwork and paddle control
Organize coaching materials for better student progression
Prompt Examples for Education:
“Create a beginner pickleball lesson plan focused on footwork and paddle grip basics.”
“Design a player progression chart for beginner to intermediate pickleball skills.”
Daily Productivity and Life Planning
Beyond business and education, AI helps streamline everyday life too:
Troubleshooting tech (like fixing an iPad photo booth setup)
Planning travel days
Creating structured grocery and shopping lists for family meals
It’s like having a structured brainstorming partner available whenever I need it.
Prompt Examples for Personal Productivity:
“Create a grocery shopping checklist for a taco night with beef and chicken options.”
“Plan a travel day itinerary for taking kids to school and sightseeing in Hauula, Hawaii.”
Personalizing Your AI Experience
One of the most overlooked features of AI tools like ChatGPT is Custom Instructions. I’ve set mine up to match my real learning and working style:
I prefer structured, clear, visual responses.
I like practical, hands-on examples whenever possible.
I prefer direct communication that challenges me to think critically.
By adding custom instructions, AI can better mirror how you actually think — making every response more actionable and useful.
If you want the best AI experience, consider subscribing to ChatGPT Plus. It’s $20 per month and gives access to the newest models like GPT-4o, which offer better reasoning, faster responses, and a higher quality overall experience.
I also experiment with Google Gemini and Meta AI. Each has unique strengths — Gemini is tightly integrated with Google services, and Meta AI is expanding rapidly in the social media space — but for daily content creation, strategic planning, and client communication, ChatGPT remains my go-to platform.
Final Thoughts: AI is a Tool, Systems are the Secret
AI is powerful — but it’s not magic. The real secret is building better systems — and AI simply helps you build them faster, smarter, and more sustainably.
At David Martin Design, that’s the heart of how I approach every project: Structured thinking. Practical execution. Real-world results.
If you’re ready to build smarter systems for your business — or you’re curious about how AI could fit into your workflows — let’s connect.
Earlier this year, I attended one of my favorite local networking events—Design & Donuts—held at The Mill in Bloomington, Indiana. For those unfamiliar, The Mill is more than just a coworking space; it’s the heartbeat of our entrepreneurial community. It’s a place where creators, innovators, and tech enthusiasts collide to share ideas, collaborate on projects, and, of course, enjoy some delicious donuts.
Assorted donuts served at the Design & Donuts event held at The Mill in Bloomington, where creators and innovators gather to network, collaborate, and enjoy local treats.
The Mill: A Hub for Networking and Innovation
The Mill provides an energetic atmosphere that fosters creativity and connection. With its modern workspace design and a calendar full of events, it’s a magnet for startups, freelancers, and tech professionals. Whether you’re looking to brainstorm over coffee, attend a workshop, or network with like-minded individuals, The Mill has something for everyone. It’s a space that breathes life into the entrepreneurial spirit of Bloomington.
The Mill in Bloomington offers a dynamic co-working environment for startups, freelancers, and tech professionals, featuring a modern design and vibrant community atmosphere.
Meeting Brian Beach: CTO of BackBlaze
During the meetup, I had the opportunity to chat with Brian Beach, the CTO of BackBlaze, a company renowned for its affordable and reliable cloud backup solutions. As we sipped coffee and nibbled on donuts, we discussed all things design and technology, diving into the intricacies of web hosting, data protection, and the challenges we face in today’s digital landscape.
Brian shared insights about his role at BackBlaze and the company’s mission to make cloud storage accessible for everyone. Our conversation naturally steered toward backups—a topic near and dear to anyone managing web servers. As someone who manages web hosting through WHM cPanel on my VPS for IndianaWebHosting.com, I’ve always had a lurking fear of data loss. But thanks to Brian, I found the solution I didn’t even know I was looking for.
Setting Up BackBlaze: A Game-Changer for My VPS Backups
Inspired by our conversation, I decided to explore BackBlaze as an option for my VPS backups. After learning that it could easily integrate as an additional backup destination within WHM cPanel, I decided to dive in. The setup process was straightforward, and within no time, my server was securely backing up to a BackBlaze B2 bucket.
Brian’s expertise was invaluable as we configured the optimal backup settings for my needs. And let me tell you, the peace of mind that comes from knowing your data is safely backed up offsite is priceless. Plus, the cost of BackBlaze was a pleasant surprise—my first monthly bill was just $1.24! It’s incredible to have such a reliable solution without breaking the bank.
Why Networking Matters
My experience at The Mill is a perfect example of why networking is so important. It’s not just about exchanging business cards or attending meetings; it’s about forming genuine connections that lead to real-world solutions. Had I not attended that Design & Donuts meetup, I might still be navigating my VPS backups with trepidation. Instead, I now have a robust backup solution, thanks to a casual chat with Brian Beach.
And, of course, I have to give a shout-out to Brian and the BackBlaze marketing team for the awesome new BackBlaze hat swag! It’s always great to see companies that not only provide excellent service but also support their communities and customers in fun, engaging ways.
Brian Beach, CTO of BackBlaze, and a fellow attendee at The Mill in Bloomington, discuss cloud storage, web hosting, and data protection during a casual meetup.
Conclusion: BackBlaze and Beyond
In the end, what started as a casual morning meetup evolved into a transformative experience for my web hosting business. I’m grateful for the connections made at The Mill and the invaluable advice from Brian Beach. If you’re managing a server and haven’t explored BackBlaze, I highly recommend giving it a try. It’s simple, cost-effective, and offers peace of mind that your data is safe.
So, here’s to The Mill, Design & Donuts, and the power of community—where even the smallest interactions can lead to significant breakthroughs.
Are you trying to DIY your online presence but are struggling to understand all the search engine optimization (SEO) terms? Are you worried about causing more damage or harm than good, or overwhelmed with deciphering what practices are essential and what could be saved for a rainy day?
Hello and welcome to the first chapter of our WordPress SEO for the Busy Entrepreneur series where we help our clients, fellow entrepreneurs, and aspiring digital marketers better understand the foundational practices of SEO for their website’s organization.
We know the stress of trying to run a business on top of marketing it. That’s why people come to us and we have a business! (Talk about the circle of life!) But we also have many wonderful clients who aren’t at that stage of their entrepreneurial journey, who need a professional website with reliable hosting and can’t afford a marketing agency quite yet. Yet, many have a drive that knows no bounds and are more than willing to put in the work updating their website with edits and blog posts. They just don’t have the time to learn what’s important, what’s less so, what resources to trust and learn from.
It’s become clear to us that there needs to be a resource for entrepreneurs who are willing to put in the work, but can’t afford a single moment more. For those who need the pieces broken down and targeted specifically for their WordPress site. For those who aren’t technically savvy and have no desire to be, they just want things to work and for customers to go 📈. If any of these sounds like you, you’re in the right place.
Today, we’ll be talking about Image Optimization, why it’s important and how it plays into your institutions marketing success, and ranking each piece by what’s most important as well as the process we recommend you take for the most efficient use of your time.
What is Image Optimization?
Image optimization is the process of converting high quality photographs, artwork, and graphics from their original state into copies that are optimized for websites and social media platforms. This process involves two main procedures:
Cropping, resizing, and saving images into a compressed format while sacrificing minimal quality
Correctly categorizing and describing the images you’re using through image metadata
Just like you wouldn’t want to wear a t-shirt that’s 5 sizes too big and claims to be “wrinkle-free” when it’s clearly not, you wouldn’t want an image on your website that takes 2 minutes to load and ends up not being what the user was looking for. The process of image optimization is like tailoring that oversized t-shirt to fit just right.
Image Compression: Tailor Your Images to the Digital World
Image Compression is ultimately about carefully cropping, resizing, and compressing the image file so it loads quickly and looks great on screens – without sacrificing the quality or intent of the original image.
Image Compression can be broken down into 4 steps:
Crop: Crop the image so that the main focus is centered, if needed. Consider the platform(s) you’re uploading to and whether they use a square, rectangular, or circular aspect ratio. This not only reduces the file size, but also improves it’s impact.
Resize: Digital cameras today are capable of taking superb quality photographs in 4K resolution. But images on web pages or social media platforms are rarely displayed at this resolution, since most images are not displayed full screen and the majority of internet users are using devices lacking 4K output. When in doubt, a 1200px width is more than enough for the vast majority of images used on a web page.
Reformat: There are plenty of image formats out there nowadays. Each come with their own benefits and drawbacks, but to keep it simple: Use .jpg for images that have a background, and .png for images that have a transparent or no background. The default quality option should be sufficient.
Compress: Using a free image compressor like compressor.io can further reduce the file size of an image by up to 80% sometimes without making a noticeable impact on quality. Now would be a good time to rename your image for SEO purposes (more on that below.) If you follow nothing else in this guide, using these image compression tools are an extremely easy and straightforward way to reduce page load time.
Crop & Resize Images on Windows
Open File Explorer and find the image you want to edit.
Right-click on the image, hover over “Open with,” and select “Photos.”
Click the “Edit & Create” button in the top-right corner.
Select “Edit” from the dropdown menu.
Click the “Crop & rotate” button.
Adjust the cropping frame by clicking and dragging the corners or edges of the frame. Once satisfied, click the “Save a copy” button to save the cropped image.
Open the cropped image in Paint (right-click the image, hover over “Open with,” and select “Paint”).
Click the “Resize” button in the Home tab.
Ensure the “Maintain aspect ratio” checkbox is checked.
In the “Horizontal” box, enter “1200” (the vertical dimension will adjust automatically). Click “OK” to resize the image.
Click “File” in the top menu bar and select “Save as.” Choose the desired location and format, and click “Save.”
Crop & Resize Images on Mac
Locate your image in Finder
Open the image in Preview (double click on the image)
Press and drag your selection
Hover on Tools in the top menu bar, select Crop
Hover on Tools again, select Resize Image
In the width box, put 1200px & confirm
Save the image by hovering on File in the top menu bar and selecting save (or press ⌘S)
Image Metadata: The Catalogue Card for Your Photos
Before we delve into Image Metadata, let’s back up and ask the question: “What is Metadata?”
Metadata defined for the laymen
To define it simply: Metadata is data about data. It’s information that categorizes and summarizes what something is.
To use an analogy: In the 80’s you needed to find a book (website) at the library (web). You would use the library catalogue (Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.) to search for the book either by it’s name or author. When you found the right card (search result), it would tell you the call number or location. You would then go through the shelves or ask a librarian for help (click) and eventually find and check out your book (website).
In our case, we use metadata describing your website to help the robots that search engines use to rank search results better understand who your organization is, what you do, when you’re open, how to contact you, etc. and ultimately rank as high as possible.
What do I need to know about image metadata?
Image metadata is important not only because it helps these robots understand images they can’t actually see (yet) and determine if they’re relevant or not, but also ensures your website remains accessible for those with sight disabilities or a painfully slow internet connection by providing descriptions of what they’re viewing.
Image metadata can feel complex to understand considering all the various elements that go into it, and even harder to know what to prioritize. But luckily, the elements that have the greatest visibility impact are also some of the simplest to incorporate. Here are the three most important elements concerning image metadata:
Alt Text: Alt text, short for Alternative Text, is the most important part of image metadata. This is really just a brief description of what the image is. It’s used for people who rely on screen readers, when the image fails to load to give context (common for those with slow internet connections), and for showing search engines that this image is relevant in relation to your organization.
File Name: An images name before uploading it plays a huge factor in helping search engines better understand the image content and increase it’s visibility. This is a great place to tie your images with your company and it’s specific services or people. Instead of “mark.jpg”, something like “Mark-Scott-Sales-Manager-Generica-Inc.jpg” helps search engines recognize that Mark Scott is the Sales Manager at Generica Inc, this is his picture, and that this image is relevant to the blurb describing him below it.
Title: The title tag is used as a tooltip description, providing supplemental information when the user hovers over an image. However, the this only applies to users on desktop. This is a good place to add keywords if warranted.
Let’s get to work: An actionable Image Optimization checklist
Now that we’ve explained the abstract concepts behind Image Optimization and it’s two major components: Image Compression and Image Metadata, let’s go through a step by step process on how to actually incorporate these pieces efficiently:
Gather your images into a folder called something like [subject]-originals
Decide where you’re uploading these images and crop each one as needed
Resize the width of each image to 1200px
Reformat each image. Are they photographs? Go with .JPG. Are they graphics or use transparent backgrounds? .PNG is the way to go
Create a folder called [subject]-optimized and upload your edited images to compressor.io
Download each image, saving it into the [subject]-optimized folder and rename each image to relate to your organization and the relevent service or person
If you want a break, now’s a good time
Login to your WordPress website, and navigate to the Media tab in the admin panel
Upload your optimized images
Return to the media library, click on the first image thumbnail in the upper left. This will open the image metadata panel. In the alt field, write a brief description of the image in question either manually or use AI to assist you. If you have a premium ChatGPT plan, use our A11y SEO Image Wizard.
Fill out the alt text (and optionally the title) for the remaining images. Congratulations! You’ve now optimized the images on your website. Your images can be now be added to the posts or pages of your choosing.
If you followed this checklist, you can rest easy that the most important standards concerning image optimization are being met. Your web page will now appear more attractive to search engines, as well as improve the page load times and accessibility for your visitors.
David Martin Design recently had the privilege of spending an extraordinary day with nearly 800 eager 7th graders at the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce’s Success School Career Cruise. This event was an unparalleled opportunity for these young minds to quench their curiosity and widen their horizons in various fields including web development, artificial intelligence (AI), entrepreneurship, and much more.
800 7th Graders Learning About Web Development, AI, Entrepreneurship, & More at The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Career Cruise
The enthusiasm and insightful queries from the students were nothing short of inspiring. The subjects that drew their interest most were AI, entrepreneurship, and website building. I was amazed by their depth of understanding and their eagerness to learn more about these complex topics. It was an honor for David Martin Design to be part of this event. We believe that the lessons learned here will enable these students to seize the local opportunities that Monroe County has to offer.
We are hopeful that the students have left the event feeling motivated and inspired, ready to explore and conquer the world of web design, AI, and entrepreneurship. With events like the Career Cruise, the future of Monroe County looks bright indeed. We can’t wait to see what these young minds will bring to the table in the coming years.
