NEW ONLINE BOOTCAMP!
Join Ilise Benun for a two week online workshop and learn how to position your creative services to attract the right interactive clients! Learn more & see Dates!FREE DESIGN TUTORIAL
FREELANCERS SPEAK ON THEIR BEST BUSINESS PRACTICES
As a creative professional, the key to running a successful business is to learn not only from “experts” in the industry, but also to hear from your peers about how they run their businesses and solve some of the same problems you have. So please join us for a free online preview of one session at the Creative Freelancer Conference to hear just that – a “from the trenches” session featuring 4 successful creatives who’ve been there, done that. PLUS - you'll get an $50 coupon towards registration at this year's Creative Freelancer Conference just for registering!
Date: Thursday, June 6
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Cost: FREE!
Sign Up Now - Space is Limited!
The Tools for Smart Pricing
From how to determine a client's budget, to how to control the money conversation, from how real creatives price projects and determine hourly rates, to how to handle retainers, this bundle has it all.Pricing Bundle: The Tools for Smart Pricing
Author Archives: Laurel Black
More on Ageism Beyond the Design World
Laurel Black follows up on the topic of ageism and the latest trend to never retire.... Continue reading
Posted in All Posts, Current Affairs, Inspiration Tagged ageism, old graphic designers, older designers, retirement Leave a comment
A Time Management System That Never Crashes
Laurel Black shares her paper-based time management system that prevents her from over-booking and never crashes. Continue reading
Posted in All Posts, Freelancers Union, Freelancing, Inspiration, Time Management, Work Life Balance Tagged time management 13 Comments
Crowdsourcing: Are Clients Getting Ripped Off?
Not only do some clients assume that $100 graphic doodads are equal in value to professional, strategic designs, they assume that those doodads will deliver the same results. If we professionals don't tell them the difference, how will they know? Continue reading
Posted in All Posts, Freelance Graphic & Web Design, Freelancers Union, Freelancing Tagged crowdsourcing 20 Comments
Is crowdsourcing good for some?
Laurel Black continues the conversation about crowdsourcing when a company's crowdsourced design is found to have been stolen! Continue reading
Crowdsourcing in My Face
A client who had hired me to create a logo stumbled onto a crowdsourcing site and sent me a very unhappy email. She appeared to think that I had way overcharged her. I responded with an explanation of crowdsourcing and was able to move it to a good outcome (after a lot of heartburn). Continue reading
Posted in Current Affairs, Featured, Freelance Graphic & Web Design, Freelancers Union, Freelancing Tagged crowdsourcing 8 Comments
How to get paid for volunteering (part 2)
In Part 1 last week, Laurel talked about how to choose which projects to do "pro bono" and how to do them in a professional manner. In part 2, she talks about how to train a non-profit to be a good client, and answers some questions from last week's commenters, such as, "How exactly do you invoice?" and "What kind of guidelines should be put in place?" Continue reading
How 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.... Continue reading
Too 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? Continue reading
Throwing Your Ego Under The Bus (part 4)
It’s your job to criticize the criticism, and your inner Analyzer will be more than happy to help you sort out the good, the bad and the dreck. Continue reading
Throwing Your Ego Under the Bus (Part 3)
I think of defensiveness as a form of deafness because it keeps me from hearing things I may need to know. The Protector is not always my friend. Continue reading
