It’s been a common refrain the past few months as I’ve done catch-up calls with my service provider friends. No matter if they’re running 7 figure agencies or working on their own as freelance project managers I’m hearing the same story. It’s getting harder to get work. Inquiries are far and few between. Proposals are […]
FOR DESIGNERS
How to ask for (and get!) great testimonials
How to get valuable testimonials and feedback from your clients.
The best products and services to run your online business
I get asked all the time about what tools and services I use to run my business. While I’ll often test out new services and products, I’m a firm believer in using well-supported software. I’d rather use the industry standard rather than a fly-by-night new app or software that may not be in business next […]
The Guac Metric – 7 ways to increase your revenue so you can always get the guac
Somethings are universal. Like Chipotle It doesn’t matter if you’re vegan, paleo or keto. It’s a place pretty much everyone can agree on (unless you’re intermittent fasting…) A few weeks ago, I was sharing some tacos with a friend who just launched her fitness studio and is struggling to make ends meet. As we unwrapped […]
Designing a cohesive marketing campaign
As a designer, one of the things I create often are materials for marketing funnels. (A marketing funnel is all the steps or stages your prospective client or user takes on their buyer journey through conversion). Recently I launched a new funnel for Elena Brower for her Essential Practice Cleanse. Want to follow along? You […]
New client red flags – how to avoid crazy projects
In several of the online designer groups I’m in, I see a lot of complaints about working with bad clients. Or complaints about how long they have to work with someone. Or asking for canned scripts for how to break up with clients. Why are so many people getting to that state of desperation? Why […]
Tips from a designer on building a creative business
I’ve officially made it 40 turns around the sun. So I made a list of 40 lessons I’ve learned running this business. May it help you with your own creative business. And I’d love to hear your rules of the road – feel free to hit reply and let me know what rules you live […]
How to avoid burnout – practical tips for creatives
Are you so over everything to do with your business? You think everyone else has it all figured out and you’re silently suffering. You’re “living the dream” of running your own business and you’re hating it. Maybe you’ve got plenty of clients and you’re making money – but you’re just not inspired anymore. Or maybe […]
In defense of running a service-based businesses
Sometimes it can feel as though everyone but you is making an app, an online course or building a membership site (and totally raking it in). Maybe you’re at a loss as to how you can create something like this for your business. Or maybe those options just aren’t the right fit for you. There […]
Lessons from 10 years of running a solo design business
10 years ago this week I flew the coop. I left my job as a software developer and started my own business. Not gonna lie, there’s been a LOT of ups and downs. And some things haven’t changed. I still work at home. I still work barefoot. And I still do my best work really […]
9 lessons in 9 years running a design business
I never thought when I started my business that I’d still be working for myself (and still loving what I do). I’m so honored to work with amazing clients and challenging projects that make a difference in this world. I’ve collected 9 tips from some of my hardest lessons – I’d love to hear from […]
What to do when you think you’re not good enough
I’ve been mentoring and talking with designers for the last few years – and when I survey my audience about what they struggle with most in their business, three answers pop up the most. The most common responses? the fear that they don’t know enough the fear that they’re not credible enough to promote (and […]
How do you get more design clients – especially if you’re just starting out?
I’ve been getting this question a lot lately in my one-on-one designer consultations. Maybe you’re new to design or maybe you started out like me – having worked for someone else for years, you’ve got no idea how to generate leads and get new clients. When you’re just starting out, everything about your business can […]
The art of the followup
Want to know why some designers are consistently busy and others can’t seem to get enough work? What’s the secret to a never-ending a stream of new clients and consistent cash flow? Explore the art of the follow-up. How many times have you gone into a store and not purchased anything. Did the clerk or […]
Before you leave that day job
Recently I’ve had a few folks write me about when is it the right time to leave the day job. When I started my business over a decade ago, I was terrified that I had no idea what I was doing. I’d been working at a small firm in DC that had its own office […]