Detours can be useful for preparation, refining, and strengthening skills, perceptions and insights – all which increase our ability to support and stand up under the “weight” of our destinies. If we’re not strong enough to carry something, we will be overwhelmed by it.
As an independent creative, prospecting is a practical and necessary business activity that needs focused attention to. It requires work to maintain a pipeline of
When I first learned about the power of change orders it changed everything in my workflow. When I implemented the practice, I actually began looking
Having a different sort of spirit when pitching to prospective clients can prove to be the difference for your creative brand and business. What do
One thing that’s great about flying solo as a freelancer is all the freedom you have in who you work with, where, when and how
Risk. It’s a small word with big impact. Taking risks involves change and the unknown. We’re not all that comfortable with either concept. I was
As I write this article I’m in the middle of a contract negotiation involving copyright and licensing of one of my character designs. I worked with
How are you able to live out your values by freelancing? Give that some thought for a moment. If you came into freelancing from a “day
Have you made resolutions for the new year? What do you want to accomplish? What do you want to change? Where do you see yourself
If you’re an independent creative professional, you probably already have a website showcasing your amazing portfolio. Portfolios are a necessary component of any freelancer’s website,
One fact about playing baseball: To advance to the next base, you need to leave the one you’re on. Baseball forces you to advance to
Building a business requires connection with people: prospective clients, colleagues, mentors, customers, and sometimes even family members. When we connect, we share information, ideas and
If you know me well, you know that baseball is my favorite sport, and I often employ baseball analogies to explain concepts to students and
Did you know that your creative business thrives because of how you do business and not because of the quality of your work or your
Creative freelancers invest time and effort carefully crafting brands for their clients. In regard to their own brands, they often come up short. Creatives should
I’m a sole proprietor working with businesses and organizations, and so, like you, I had some concern about how the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs
Let’s begin with the premise that design, illustration and photography are service professions, and that being a professional means you’re in business. You’re making a
Every business needs regularly-scheduled tune-ups. Just like with automobile maintenance, tune-ups keep things running smoothly. They’re most effective in maintaining performance when they’re done regularly.
It is the responsibility of design professionals, teachers and school administrators to value the next generation of designers so that the profession is respected, appreciated and thrives. Unpaid internships won’t accomplish that.
Do you feel like you’re stuck in a rut with your pricing? Do you want to charge more per hour or per project, but for
Ownership is simply the idea that something belongs to someone. In the case of your freelance business, you own it. It belongs to you. You
Setting and maintaining boundaries will help you avoid relationships and circumstances that are potentially harmful.
Being a designer is perceived by many as a fun job. Designers get to work with colors, shapes and amazing computer programs and be creative
Whether online or in hand, your portfolio is the primary means of landing a job or finding clients. Art school graduates have focused on developing