Dive into the archives.
- Pro Bono and Free Services: Is It Possible To Give Too Much?
Last Thursday I was taking part in a weekly discussion among designers called DCTH (Design Community Twitter Hours) and this question came up: When do you draw the line between pro-bono & just helping for free? A very interesting discussion followed and it got me thinking about my own experience with offering my design services pro bono or for free. In this post I want to share some of those experiences with you and how they have influenced my business approach as well as the impact this has had when I began applying it to my social media interaction.
- Don’t Let Your Bad Attitude Or Ethics Ruin It For The Rest Of Us!
The other night my wife and I went to our eldest daughter’s high school basketball game to cheer her on. We took our regular spot up at the top of the bleachers so we could lean back against the wall rather than slouching on the hard wood for the entire game. As we settled in, we noticed a few parents from the other team had the same idea and were setting up camp about 15 feet away. We commenced with the standard smile and nod acknowledgements and then turned our attention to the beginning of the contest. What transpired over the next hour inspired a range of emotions, from anger to frustration to disappointment. And I’m not talking about what happened on the court.
- 3 Keys To Attracting New Clients On Twitter
I was recently participating in a discussion among freelancers in a Google Wave regarding finding new clients on Twitter. I was surprised to hear that all of the other participants had not found a single new client or made any money through their efforts on the social network. The reason I was surprised is because my experience has been quite the opposite. I came to realize I might be the exception to the rule and I could possibly help other freelancers by sharing what I am finding to be some proven successful keys to marketing my services and finding new clients on Twitter.
- How I Turn My Favorite Procrastinations Into Inspirations
Let’s face it. We all have times that we just don’t feel motivated to do the things that we know have to eventually get done. Since my early days in elementary school I have always been quite skilled at putting things off until the last minute, then swooping in and completing them just in time for the deadline with the greatest of ease (and a little stress, sometimes.) As I grew older I honed this skill to a perfect science and actually found ways to thrive in the rush of last-minute madness.
But as a freelancer this methodology can be fatal. You never know when new projects might arise, or an “emergency” moves up a deadline and suddenly, if not prepared, you find yourself without enough hours in the remaining day to complete that which is required of you. So I have learned to do my best to always stay ahead as much as possible.
In an effort to encourage us all toward productive procrastination (instead of its evil twin) I have put together a few of my favorite workday disruptions and given ways to push them from diversion into the realm of inspiration. Hopefully they will give you some new, guilt-free ways to take a break from all that work so you can return with a fresh outlook, ready to roll again!
- FREELANCERS: Where Do You Draw The Line For What You’re Willing To Do?
Most of this blog post is in the video, so I won’t reiterate it too much here. I just wanted to hear from other freelancers what you are or are not willing to do in your line of work for a paycheck. Where do you draw the line morally, ethically or just plain and simply based on your experience and goals?
- DESIGNERS: Why I Promote and Support You Rather Than Compete Against You
In case you haven’t stopped by this blog lately, my last few posts here have been focused on promoting new, upcoming and/or lesser-known designers. It has been a wonderful experience getting to meet and interact with other designers that I’ve never known or heard of before, and the satisfaction of creating a forum to raise awareness of their work – and even their existence – has been priceless. It has truly been a joy and it has inspired me to continue finding ways to contribute to the expansion of the design community however I can.
Along the way, however, the inevitable question has come up: am I endangering my own freelance design business by promoting other designers who compete for the same clients? So after thinking about this I thought it would be an interesting post and possible discussion with others in the creative community. So here is what I’ve found.
- My Number One Key to Success as a Freelancer
In my wanderings around the internet and especially on social media channels, I have been privy to an abundance of very helpful articles and blogs providing a bevy of tips and tutorials and advice for freelancers. As a full-time freelance graphic and web designer myself, I have benefited from quite a few of these articles, discovering everything from software to accounting practices to pricing advice to freelance peers. As has been my practice from the time the internet became commonplace, I have been continuing my education and strengthening my skills and business thanks to the authors and research that is being offered.
In considering what I could offer to the plethora of knowledge as an experienced and reasonably successful freelancer, I realized that the most important contributor to my achievements has been my passion. My skills have been and continue to be acquired and honed along the way. My education – mostly self-taught – has no end and is driven by my desire for infinite increase in knowledge and understanding. My financial investment has been minimal, if almost non-existent.
But my passionate desire to make a living and provide for my family by doing what I love instead of pursuing something that gives me a nice paycheck with little or no personal satisfaction or fulfillment is the primary reason I am doing it today.
- Tips To Bridge The Gap Between Clients And Designers
It seems that one of the most difficult gaps to bridge is the language barrier between designers and clients. Yet I am certain that if one could build that bridge and birth a method of interpretation the two very different species could not only coexist peacefully but would unite in exuberant harmony and exultation. Designers would have a clear understanding of what their clients want, enabling them to produce spectacularly pleasing projects with efficiency and prowess. Clients would be confident that their designer caught the vision and would be ecstatic to discover that the completed design was even better than what they had dreamed.
As a freelance designer, this utopia is one I want to live in.
- My Secrets To Successful Client Relationships As A Freelance Designer
I have been thinking a lot lately about the various approaches I have to providing the best services I can for my very distinctly different design clients. I have seen a few really interesting and educational articles and blog posts recently that talk about the different types of clients, ways to keep clients from dictating your schedule, things to understand about clients before starting a project, and even 5 Rotten Things No One Else Has Told You About the Clients You’ll Work For. In my 10+ years as a freelance designer I have learned that although not every client is necessarily the nicest person, or the best communicator, or has what I consider to be the best design ideas, each one is ultimately a contributor to the existence of my freelance business. My clients enable me to do something I love, get paid a decent wage for it and enjoy the freedoms that come with being your own employer.
So I thought it might be helpful to share some of my own experiences and how I have learned to work with my clients to give them the best possible products and services I can. Perhaps you have had your own experiences and can share your personal solutions and guidelines so we all can learn and grow together.
- How I Disconnected From Social Media For A Day – And Survived!
A few days ago I realized that I had not taken a complete day off for over two months. A large project that originally was supposed to take four weeks had stretched out to over twice that, due to client changes and additions. This created a domino effect with my other projects, but it didn’t seem fair to delay other clients in order to please the one. So suddenly I found myself juggling quite a few projects at once and failing to find nearly enough sleep or time away from the computer. Add to the mix the recent building of the bkmacdaddy online social media presence using Twitter, Facebook and other accounts with daily updates and the icing on the cake of the new addition of this blog and the added responsibility of producing regular posts. What was I thinking?!?
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