Articles
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Top 12 Job Boards for the Freelance Designer in Need of Fresh Work
Posted by øJoel R. published by §Damian M. on 23rd Jun, 2010 | 4 Comments in Business Development
Freelancing isn't always easy, especially if you have to be on the lookout for prospective jobs and clients. The best way to stay on your toes is to find several promising Freelance Job Boards that have a section geared towards developers and designers, then either subscribe to that section or follow up on a regular basis.
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6 More Lessons on Tough Negotiations from Pawn Stars
Posted by øBecky S. published by §Damian M. on 19th Jun, 2010 | 0 Comments in Business Development
This is part two of the lessons from the popular American television show, “Pawn Stars” about negotiating to get what you want. If you’ve seen the show, you know the basic premise. Set in Las Vegas, Nevada, the high-stakes gambling capitol of the U.S., people of all ilk come into the shop to buy, sell and pawn assorted items.
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Lessons on Tough Negotiations from Pawn Stars, part 1
Posted by øBecky S. published by §Damian M. on 11th Jun, 2010 | 0 Comments in Business Development
The popular American television show, “Pawn Stars” has a lot to teach us all about successful business negotiations.
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4 Ways to Boost Your Professional Image
Posted by øBecky S. published by §Damian M. on 3rd Jun, 2010 | 2 Comments in Business Development
Let’s face it, freelance design, by definition, can be a very insulated business. You don’t have co-workers there to encourage you and motivate you on a regular basis. And you don’t have others to help coach you with skills like improving your presentations and inter-personal skills.
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Even when we don’t want it, the unsolicited advice from peers can bring into clarity aspects of ourselves we can’t see.
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How to Sell Against An Agency, Part Two
Posted by øBecky S. published by §Damian M. on 25th May, 2010 | 1 Comments in Business Development
In part two of “How to Sell Against an Agency,” we’re exploring more of what you’ll need to win the business when you come up against an agency or design firm.
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How to Sell Against An Agency, Part One
Posted by øBecky S. published by §Damian M. on 19th May, 2010 | 1 Comments in Business Development
If you’re a freelance designer, you probably come up against your share of agencies and design firms in the sales process.
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When you know you’re competing against an agency, even a well known one in your region, you have two options.
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Developing Your Self-Employed 'Staff' - 3 Must Have People
Posted by Jessica B. published by §Damian M. on 18th May, 2010 | 3 Comments in Business Development
One of the best things about working for yourself is not having to work with other people. At least, that's my opinion. In a typical employment situation, you are constantly dealing with the presence (and subsequent neuroses) of a whole mess of other people, each looking out for their interests and careers. When it's just you...it's just you. And that can be a simplifying and liberating experience.
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Top 5 US Cities for Creative Professionals in 2010
Posted by Jessica B. published by §Khadija B. on 4th May, 2010 | 2 Comments in Business Development
So, you’ve powered through college and after way too many cups of coffee, a few regrettable romantic excursions, and a lot of hard work, here you are: armed with insert your degree here and ready to take on the world! Easy. You’re, like, a totally amazing designers, so naturally people will be lining up to throw high-paying work at your genius…right? Not so much.
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How to Avoid Giving Away Your Work
Posted by øBecky S. published by §Damian M. on 2nd May, 2010 | 0 Comments in Business Development
It seems like everybody wants something for free these days. And your best design work and strategies are no exceptions. As we discussed in Avoid Giving Away Your Work, for some, the good old internet has created the illusion of commoditization of creative.
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Avoid Giving Away Your Work
Posted by øBecky S. published by §Damian M. on 28th Apr, 2010 | 7 Comments in Business Development
We’ve all been here. You’re hot on the trail of a lead. Talks are going well. They’re nodding their heads in agreement. They like everything you say and they love your portfolio. They’re motivated to move quickly. You know you’re onto something.
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6 Ways to Keep Your Clients, Part 2
Posted by øBecky S. published by §Damian M. on 22nd Apr, 2010 | 1 Comments in Business Development
The rules are the same for Madison Avenue ad agencies, mid-tier creative firms, small shops and freelance design consultancies. You can’t build or sustain a business without repeat business. Even for firms that have a healthy portion of long-term clients on retainer, repeat business from project clients is essential to keeping the pipeline full.
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6 Ways to Keep Your Clients, Part One
Posted by øBecky S. published by §Damian M. on 19th Apr, 2010 | 0 Comments in Business Development
Whether you’ve done work for hundreds of clients or just a few, you know how important repeat projects are to building your freelance design business. If you’re like the vast majority of designers, repeat business and word of mouth are far and away your greatest business drivers.
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How to Fix Troubled Projects, Part 2
Posted by øBecky S. published by §Damian M. on 8th Apr, 2010 | 0 Comments in Business Development
It can be tempting to write off projects that go awry and difficult clients. But not so fast.
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As we discussed in part one, it may be in your best interest to resolve issues instead of counting the days before you can walk away from this client, never to work together again.
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How to Fix Troubled Projects
Posted by øBecky S. published by §Damian M. on 3rd Apr, 2010 | 3 Comments in Business Development
Not every client will be your favorite. Not every project will be your creative dream. But if you’re good at what you do, the vast majority should satisfy you clients’ demands and lead to more future work for you.
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Are You Easy to Work with?
Posted by øBecky S. published by §Damian M. on 26th Mar, 2010 | 2 Comments in Business Development
You don’t need me to tell you that your clients have choices when it comes to picking designers for their projects. A lot of factors go into their decision. Sometimes one of the most overlooked considerations is how easy you are to work with.
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Finding Your Sweet Spot-Part Two
Posted by øBecky S. published by §Damian M. on 18th Mar, 2010 | 1 Comments in Business Development
In part one of Finding Your Sweet Spot, we established that designers—and entrepreneurs of all ilk—easily fall into a common trap. It’s the treadmill analogy. We work so hard to win so many types of business that we forget to stop and focus on the types of opportunities we really need to be successful.
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Finding Your Sweet Spot-Part One
Posted by øBecky S. published by §Damian M. on 16th Mar, 2010 | 5 Comments in Business Development
Frequently designers and other entrepreneurs fall into a trap. They work so hard to chase business opportunities that they miss the big picture. They lose sight of the kind of opportunities they really want. Their focus dulls on who they are and the kinds of businesses they need to work with to reach their growth goals.
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10 Questions that Will Build Your Design Business, Part Two
Posted by øBecky S. published by §Damian M. on 11th Mar, 2010 | 2 Comments in Business Development
In part two we’re looking at asking the right questions to grow your freelance design business. You may be a hero for your clients, but are you asking the right questions? The kind that will help you close more business and get more repeat business?
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10 Questions that Will Build Your Design Business, part one
Posted by øBecky S. published by §Damian M. on 9th Mar, 2010 | 1 Comments in Business Development
Freelancers, independent consultants and sole proprietors are cowboys. You’re out there on your own creating success. You’re in charge or your own destiny. You’re a problem solver, a champion, a hero to your clients.
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10 Signs You Should Walk Away from a Project, Part Two
Posted by øBecky S. published by §Damian M. on 17th Feb, 2010 | 5 Comments in Business Development
Here are the next 6 signs you should walk away from a project. Take this advice and you’ll avoid projects and clients that will drag you down with them. For the first 4 signs read http://designerscouch.org/show_article/191/10-signs-you-should-walk-away-from-a-project-part-one.html.
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