|
|
 |
Business Acumen
In order to thrive, you need to master a few essential business skills.
We will cover the skills necessary to ensure that your business functions smoothly. Everything from naming your business, setting up your home office, to client acquisition and retention.
We introduce you to the tools you need to thrive
We’ll provide you with all the checklists, forms, invoices, pricing guides, proposals, and worksheets you need to thrive. We'll help you acquire and retain clients, and keep your company on the forefront of everyone's mind by:
- Setting up and running your business: We'll teach you the necessary steps to correctly set up your business and then run it as efficiently as possible.
- Client management: You'll learn the necessary skills for client acquisition and retention. Learn how to deal with all types of clients (yes, even those "impossible" ones). I'm including what you need from when you first make contact, to quoting the job, and to ultimately winning your client.
- Career management: We'll help you set realistic goals, direct your path, and help you get what you want out of your design career.
- Money management: Use our forms, invoices, proposals, and pricing guides to fairly price your work. Find out the easy way of keeping track of the money coming in and be up-to-date on your pricing strategies.
- Working with others: You will be working with other professionals. In this section, you'll learn how to work in collaboration with copywriters, illustrators, photographers, printers and other designers.
Enjoy immediate access to the following resources:
|
The Client Chase Part 2: What To Do, and Not Do, When You Meet a Prospective Client for the First Time
Roger C. Parker, author of Looking Good in Print
Like a first date, the first time you meet, or talk to, a prospective client, both you and your prospect are sizing each other up. Ideally, both you and your prospect are interested in exploring whether or not there's a spark, or a chemistry, that can lead to more than just a "one-time sale." . . . READ ON >
|
The Client Chase Part 1: Preparing for Your First Meeting with a New Client
Roger C. Parker, author of Looking Good in Print
Graphic design success involves more than just talent and technical prowess. Success is all about clients; choosing the right ones and getting fairly paid for your efforts. Selection is crucial. The wrong clients can dissipate your profits, waste your time, and undermine your confidence. . . . READ ON >
|
Strategies for getting paid on time — everytime
When working for others, you get paid every two weeks. It doesn't matter if you finish a job or not. You are guaranteed a paycheck. The biggest hassle I had when I started freelancing was getting paid. The responsibility of whether I did or not was solely on me. It's all about expectations… Set your price, agree on a payment schedule, and stick to it! . . . READ ON >
|
Is it time to give yourself a makeover?
Roger C. Parker, www.publishedandprofitable.com
Graphic design firms are frequently called upon to give their client's a new visual identity. But, what happens when design firms need to update their own image? How can design firms recognize when they image needs an overhaul? To get an idea of the issues involved, we interviewed 2 executives from a NH firm that had changed its name, rebranded, and repositioned their company. . . . READ ON >
|
Do your business practices need a makeover?
Perhaps you are in a situation where you've noticed that your business could use a makeover. There are many ways to revitalize and transform your graphic design business. To this end, I've created a 3-part article on deciding if you need a makeover for all your needs. . . . READ ON >
|
Starting the New Year Right
Roger C. Parker, www.publishedandprofitable.com
Here's an opportunity to evaluate the success of your promo efforts of the current year, as well as take a fresh look at your competition and your market's ever-changing needs. It's time to start planning how you can promote your practice to greater profitability during the coming year. . . . READ ON >
|
|
How to deal with unhappy clients
As in your personal life, you just can't make everyone happy. Now matter how hard you try, you will one day have to deal with an angry customer. This is the flip side of the sales coin. Dealing with unhappy clients will require some finessing, smarts, some PR, and people skills. . . . READ ON >
|
Surviving business slumps — relatively unscathed!
Inevitably, there will be times when business is slower. Factors affecting this can be upcoming holidays, vacations, seasonal changes, or some unforeseen event. How you handle this time speaks volumes of your success in business. Here are strategies for overcoming and making the most of down times and getting ready for the upturn in business. . . . READ ON >
|
Laying out your office for maximum productivity
Your home office can be as basic or extravagant as you want it to be. The way you lay out your office will determine how productive you will be. The key is to customize it and tailor it to the way you work. Your office has to be laid out in such a fashion that everything is at your fingertips and you can concentrate on your work and not on ruffling through papers looking for something or having to walk across the office to your printer. It must be accessible, a place you enjoy and feel comfortable, but it must also enable you to be efficient. . . . READ ON >
|
What to avoid when naming your business
Have you ever experienced the following: upon hearing a business name, you ask yourself "why on earth did they call it that?" Naming your business can be a little overwhelming. Let's see those things that you should avoid when making this important decision. . . . READ ON >
|
|
|
|
|
Sample Content
About this Site
