When the iPad first came out, I’ll be honest. I wasn’t impressed. It was just an oversized iPhone to me without the SIM. I wasn’t watching Steve Jobs talk about it nor did I croon as he held it. I wasn’t waiting in line or crying on twitter about it being on back order.
My arguments were simple:
I didn’t need “another” device. I’m doing my best to turn off now with my office hours.
I didn’t need or want to read on it– I enjoyed having a Kindle
I didn’t see the point.
How did I get here, to the point where I’m the iPad’s biggest fan? Well, retail therapy’s a helluva drug.
Prior to my purchase I made a list of the ways I would use it. The iPad, even at the entry level comes at a nice little price tag, so I wanted to make sure its use would be practical. I debunked the naysayers and complainers who stood by whining about what it didn’t have (my house didn’t come with a maid either but we still bought it). I needed to make sure it would fit well into what I have planned for my company.
Here’s the hopeful list I created:
- Use on the day of for event packets (programs, event directions, readings) and timelines
- Show videos of previous weddings
- Show image slideshows of previous weddings
- Present and sign contracts
- Notes/Worksheet during consult without having to have a computer
- Show virtual office
- Create workflow list in Taska
- Access, edit, work on Google Docs
- Web conferencing (Go to Meeting, WebEx)
- Dictate blog posts, email, notes
- Create brochures for each collection for view at consults
The first one was huge, as I hate carrying around a cumbersome binder or papers– and it will get its test run at an event this weekend. I have my event blueprints uploaded and am ready to go. My pictures look AMAZING– the work of Scarlett Lillian and Agnes Lopez jump off of the screen. I notice that people look at the images a lot longer and observe more details. During weekly staff meetings, I’m able to quickly take notes, pull up data and set appointments in my calendar. When I’m away, I can still Skype with my kids and have access to my business line with Ring Central.
I’ve had my iPad for a week and while it will never replace my laptop (which is my only comp), it truly does hold its own. For example, I was able to convert and export a contract for a client while in the drive thru of my favorite local Mexican restaurant.
This thing enhances my awesomeness. And what you’re reading was typed entirely on my iPad from the WordPress app.
Stay tuned for part two, where I’ll talk about must have apps.
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8 users responded in this post
I heart you.
Great post and good timing!! I JUST placed my order for an ipad on Monday, but bummed that it will take 2 weeks to get here… My biggest reason for buying it is to replace my clipboard on wedding days (while my assistant will still carry the paper copies and therefore have a backup in case of emergency). And I also love that I can show potential clients what their Basecamp site will look like
Love you, too, Saun.
Charlene, I had the SAME issue. I was without my laptop so I actually purchased an iPad from my iPhone. I then got an email saying I wouldn’t get it until July 29th. I was NOT happy…so I used the ebay app to buy one from eBay. I lucked out and got one from a man who had just bought one a few weeks earlier but didnt have use for it. It even came with the ZAGG shield which is an awesome screen protector. I had it literally, 2 days later.
Great post Terrica! I felt the same way that you did in the beginning but now I am in love like seriously!
I love the Keynote app it’s a little pricey for an app to me, but it’s a great way to show your services & portfolio since flash sites do not show up on the iPad.
I think everyday I find another use for it. I am interested to see what other apps you have discovered…bring on post 2.
Oh I am using my iPad to reply to this post! Oh download the free issues of Entrepreneur magazine it’s freakin’ awesome!
Thanks! I love my ipad too, but was very skeptical when it first came out. I also made a list of things I could do on the ipad and it has really helped me book more weddings!
Anxiously waiting for Part 2, Terrica! haha
[...] I mentioned in part one of this series, I did some heavy researching before I purchased (purchased from Apple, to later cancel and win an [...]
This is the most amazing blog ever! I’m trying to be more of a geeky wedding planner – so I bought the iPad yesterday. My question for you though, is what program do you use to take notes in meetings with clients? I’ve done quite a bit of research and can’t seem to find a good one (I’m hoping to use a stylus).
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