Illustrators Interactive Website Design Articles
What Are You Reading?
Here are a few of the books that I’ve plowed through since early December. Before you gasp at the length of the list (particularly since it includes a massive Stephen King title), remember that I did take a two-week vacation at the end of last year.
Mon, 27 Jun 2011 11:59:40 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsQuick Tip: Old-Fashioned Invoice Tracking
Whenever my check comes in, I staple the check stubs or EFT confirmation emails onto the paper invoices. It’s my sanity check and paper backup of every invoice I’ve ever submitted. At the end of the year, I stuff them into a large envelope and toss them i
Tue, 14 Jun 2011 11:12:06 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsHave You Rated Your Clients Yet?
The Client Scorecard from Freelancers Union allows you to rate companies—good and bad—as well as check out potential clients before accepting a gig. creativefreelancerblog.com/designers/have-you-rated-your-clients-yet/">Continue readi
Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:20:15 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsNon-stop networking on Day 2 of CFC
one of the treats we have in store is that all CFC attendees get to also attend the beginning of the HOW Design Conference, which includes The Networking Reception, The Opening Keynote and the Opening Reception (more networking!). crea
Thu, 26 May 2011 14:30:32 GMT | Tagged: Illustrators…and on June 24 at CFC…
I am counting down…and one month from today (June 24) is Day 2 of the Creative Freelancer Conference in Chicago. Here’s what we’ll be doing… After a good night’s sleep, a bunch of us will get up bright and early …
Tue, 24 May 2011 12:40:43 GMT | Tagged: Illustrators…more on June 24 at CFC
After Breakfast Roundtables, we'll break into 2 tracks for the morning -- a request from last year's attendees. In the Beginner Track, Intro to Marketing for Freelancers (that's my session on how to create a basic Marketing Machine), followed by Basic
Wed, 25 May 2011 12:46:45 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsWill you be there on June 23?
Exactly one month from today -- on June 23 -- we will kick off the 4th Annual Creative Freelancer Conference in Chicago. Here's what we have in store on Day 1. creativefreelancerblog.com/designers/cfc-countdown-1-month-away/">Continue
Mon, 23 May 2011 10:53:45 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsHow to Get “Paid” for Volunteering (part 1)
There are two things to consider in choosing how to volunteer. One, of course, is to pick a cause that reflects your personal values. The other consideration is strategic.... creativefreelancerblog.com/designers/how-to-get-%e2%80%9cpa
Fri, 20 May 2011 12:15:30 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsMarketing Monday: Competitors = Referral sources?
So here's the question for Marketing Monday: which of your so-called "competitors" could you see differently and develop a mutually beneficial relationship with? creativefreelancerblog.com/designers/marketing-monday-competitors-referr
Mon, 16 May 2011 12:20:10 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsBryn's first week as a freelancer
Last Monday, May 2, Bryn Mooth embarked on a journey as a freelance writer (Writes4food.com), after a 20-year career in publishing (as the editor of HOW Magazine). One week later, I interviewed her to see what the first week was …
Wed, 11 May 2011 13:35:19 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsTips for “Old Designers”
A recent blog post from Laurel Black, Too Old To Be A Designer, generated an avalanche of comments which clearly struck a nerve. Amongst the comments were lots of tips and suggestions. Here are a few from Laurel's round up of the comments:
Mon, 09 May 2011 13:05:21 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsDoes your business have signs of new growth?
As I walked around my Chicago neighborhood on a warm May day, I saw many signs of new growth in the trees. After a long snowy winter it was a welcome sight. Spring had finally arrived and with it, new … creativefreelancerblog.com
Tue, 10 May 2011 14:56:15 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsLove Letter to Freshbooks
I hope this isn’t too forward, but I am in love with you. You make my heart flutter. You bring me so much joy, save me hours of aggravation, and allow me to be organized. You have smoothed my once rocky relationship with money, and you’ve made running my
Fri, 06 May 2011 12:33:06 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsDay Care: Investing In My Business
There’s this strange belief that because I’m physically at home, my child should be with me, an idea that no one would ever even consider if I worked in an offsite office. creativefreelancerblog.com/designers/day-care-investing-in-my-b
Wed, 04 May 2011 13:42:57 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsAgeism forcing you into freelancing?
More than any other age group, older workers have remained unemployed for ninety-nine weeks or more, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, and one in every three seniors earn less than $22,000 a year, according to the National Council on Aging. You’d
Thu, 05 May 2011 13:05:18 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsWhat is web-only marketing?
what exactly is "web-only" marketing? Is it never meeting them in person? Is it never talking to your client on the phone? What do you think? creativefreelancerblog.com/designers/what-is-web-only-marketing/">Continue reading
Tue, 03 May 2011 14:30:27 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsWill Jasmine make it to CFC?
So I've been freelancing out of necessity. Not to say I don't love the perks and freedom, but it's been challenge so far. Honestly tho, this year, with my lows being at their lowest, has been the best year ever. I'm finally getting the concept of NO
Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:45:29 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsThink full-time is secure?
Being full-time may feel secure, but the fact is, you are totally dependent one client. As a freelancer, however, you can have as many clients as you choose, making you less vulnerable. (Unless, as a freelancer you also only have one or two clients.)
Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:27:58 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsToo old to be a designer?
The design profession seems to have a youth bias that is not working in my favor. Do you have thoughts about this? What strategies have you identified for being able to work as long as you want to? creativefreelancerblog.com/designers/
Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:06:20 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsLaurel Black is coming back to CFC
Designer, Laurel Black, will be coming back to CFC too. Last year at CFC, Laurel gained a better of view of what she wants in her business. She said: "I will never be an agency. I would like to work with other people but I don’t want to manage people … I
Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:41:00 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsQuitting your job before CFC?
We don’t advocate quitting your full-time job to attend the Creative Freelancer Conference, but each year, we meet people who do. Megan Coleman is freelance web designer who quit her full-time job a week before the very first CFC in 2008.
Tue, 26 Apr 2011 13:42:32 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsBlog feeling like a slog?
I often see clients follow this pattern: get excited about the idea of blogging, work with me to set up a blog, add to it regularly at first, then quickly peter out to posting very rarely or never. Here are a few tricks to help you stay on top of your blo
Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:46:26 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsHow to deal with PITA (pain in the…) clients
In the latest episode of The Freelance Radio Show, Von Glitschka and friends take on PITA (Pain in the A**) clients and share their strategies for how to deal with them. Do you decline work when you realize the client may want lots of extra time? Has it
Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:30:04 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsMarketing Monday — April 19, 2011
"If you think it’s time to niche but you don’t know what the first step is, start gathering a list of prospects. Even if you don’t do anything with it for a year, collect email at least and maybe phone and address. Throw them into a spreadsheet and let th
Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:15:46 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsWhen In Doubt, Just Ask
It never fails: my services are never more in demand than right before I leave town for a trip. Since I have a lot of travel planned for April, I shouldn’t have been surprised to be flooded with requests. creativefreelancerblog.com/des
Fri, 15 Apr 2011 12:59:46 GMT | Tagged: Illustrators24/7 Creative: Creativity Is Not About Art
Creativity is not—nor has it ever been—about art. Creativity is about the basics of life, the forces that drive us and the solution of problems found blocking our progress. To reference our pre-historic story; if the environment is too harsh—find shelter.
Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:55:13 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsGetting married + running your business
This post was inspired by “Tying Loose Ends Before Tying the Knot” Deidre Rienzo’s post on the Marketing Mix blog last year. Preparing for a wedding can be a full-time job. If you’re like most creatives, you’ll be spending a …
Tue, 12 Apr 2011 12:36:24 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsHow Are You Managing Your Money?
In April 14 DesignCast, How to Manage Your Money, special guest, Galia Gichon, of Down to Earth Finance (and speaker at Creative Galia GichonFreelancer Conference 2010). will answer questions about the numbers you need to know, controlling your money habi
Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:55:53 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsMoney Monday — April 11, 2011
Make today "Money Monday." And if you're not sure what to start with today, take a look at what invoices need to be sent out and, especially, which clients have outstanding invoices. It may be time to give them a little nudge, probably not your favorite
Mon, 11 Apr 2011 13:25:24 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsDoing your taxes this weekend?
Just in case you're doing your taxes this weekend, here's a round up of hints and tips for creative freelancers. creativefreelancerblog.com/designers/doing-your-taxes-this-weekend/">Continue reading
Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:15:59 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsChasing Security: freelancing vs. 9-5?
For my money, a well-promoted freelance business is a far more secure place to ride out tough times. If one of your clients cuts back, finds someone else, or goes bust, others can carry you through. Sure, you may have to step up your marketing efforts to
Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:35:38 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsWhat Kind of Money Person Are You?
When you want to see money changes in your life, there is no question that some of your habits have to change. I know this from working with thousands of people these last nine years. However, it helps to know … creativefreelan
Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:02:45 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsMarketing Monday – Marketing Works!
I am just looking over the registration list for the Creative Freelancer Conference and am blown away by the response so far! We've exceeded our goals and already have almost as many people signed up as actually attended last year! So clearly something'
Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:31:11 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsWhat is the future of freelancing?
The Future of Freelancing is the topic of my intro session at CFC this year (BTW: early bird deadline is tomorrow, April 1) and I could use your help preparing it. So tell me: Does the future of freelancing look bright to you or dark? And what are you doi
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 13:40:26 GMT | Tagged: IllustratorsWhere’s the room for feelings?
I’m a sensitive person who probably feels too much instead of too little. I think a lot of creatives are. And in our work, we often try to create a feeling through our design, writing, photography—we aim to create a feel with our creative work.
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:35:13 GMT | Tagged: Illustrators
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