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Step 4: Manage
Promotion, design, and production are not enough: you also have to gain the business savvy which we're going to share in this fourth step.
Thriving designers know how to manage their businesses, careers, and clients. Your designs may be based on creativity, but thriving is based on managing scarce resources like time and money.
You must manage your prospects so they become clients, and manage your clients so that they keep coming back. This requires managing your company so that you are in-demand and well-rewarded.
How we'll help you manage your success
We’ll provide you with all the articles, forms, contracts, proposals and templates you need to help you get and keep clients. We’ll show you how to thrive by developing:
- Business skills: You'll learn basic skills like setting up and running your business, invoicing, creating proposals, and preparing quotes are necessary to ensure a long, successful, highly-rewarding career. We'll share how to select partners (and employees) and the secrets of successful subcontracting.
- Time-saving tools: You'll have at your disposal the forms, contracts, invoices and proposal templates that you use regularly so that you can strike while the iron is hot with potential clients.
- Client management: Getting and keeping customers should be high on your priority list. Learn about the all-important initial client contact and following-up with clients. Marketers say that a client needs to see your name 7 to 10 times before they actually consider hiring you.
- Project management: A crucial key to thriving is ensuring all your projects are organized and on-time. You'll also learn how to work with other professionals, such as illustrators, photographers, printers and writers.
- Career management: Learn how to keep your career on track, your business thriving, and know when and how to expand — a necessity to ensure that you remain inspired, in-demand, and well-rewarded.
Enjoy immediate access to the following managing tips:
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Roger's "out of field" publications for designers to read
by Roger C. Parker, Looking Good in Print
Graphic design professionals should make it a point to read analyze publications intended for markets beyond the graphic design field. Familiarity with publications written for graphic design professionals is necessary, of course, in order to keep up with the latest design technology and trends. . . . READ ON >
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How to become more attractive to the right clients & prospects
by Roger C. Parker, Looking Good in Print
The most profitable way to market your graphic design services to clients involves becoming more attractive to them. When you are attractive, clients and prospects will come to you. This is far more preferable than trying to master ways to advertise, or "tease" clients into buying from you, or manipulating them into spending money with you. . . . READ ON >
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The client chase Part 2: What to do, and not do, when you meet a prospective client for the first time
by Roger C. Parker, 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 >
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The client chase Part 1: Preparing for your first meeting with a new client
by Roger C. Parker, 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 >
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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 >
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Is it time to give yourself a makeover?
by Roger C. Parker, Looking Good in Print
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 >
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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 >
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Is it time for a design makeover?
Perhaps you are in a situation where you've noticed that your design or production areas could use a makeover. There are many ways to revitalize and transform your skills. This is the second article in a 3-part article on deciding if a makeover is in order for you and your business. . . . READ ON >
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Starting the New Year right
by Roger C. Parker, Looking Good in Print
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 >
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Is it time for your graphic design business' makeover?
There's an old saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Well, when it comes to your marketing, you should never wait that long before revamping your marketing efforts. Let's examine how to determine if your company's message and look are out of date and in need of a revamp. Then, we'll examine some of the ways you can revamp your business. . . . READ ON >
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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 >
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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 >
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