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Business of design: Freelancers Guide to Business - Better clients, higher rates, more stable income

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Business of design: Freelancers Guide to Business - Better clients, higher rates, more stable income

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Full notes and links here: http://bracia.com/business-of-design

My goal for today: have you raise your rates, get better clients, and have more stable income.

For the past 9 years, I've worked as a freelancer, both as a side job, and full time. For the last 5 years, I've supported my family, on my income alone. In the last two years, I've increased my income by 50% each year.

I've learned a lot about freelancing, in that time, and it can be summed up in a few words.

"As a successful freelancer, you need to be first a business person, and second an artist".

The trouble arises when we as creative types just want to do our craft. As indicated by my title, that's only about 30% of what it takes. In order to be successful, you need to become an crafts-person with your business.

So today, I'm hoping to teach you how to bring the same care and attention to your business, as you do your craft.

Full notes and links here: http://bracia.com/business-of-design

My goal for today: have you raise your rates, get better clients, and have more stable income.

For the past 9 years, I've worked as a freelancer, both as a side job, and full time. For the last 5 years, I've supported my family, on my income alone. In the last two years, I've increased my income by 50% each year.

I've learned a lot about freelancing, in that time, and it can be summed up in a few words.

"As a successful freelancer, you need to be first a business person, and second an artist".

The trouble arises when we as creative types just want to do our craft. As indicated by my title, that's only about 30% of what it takes. In order to be successful, you need to become an crafts-person with your business.

So today, I'm hoping to teach you how to bring the same care and attention to your business, as you do your craft.

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Business of design: Freelancers Guide to Business - Better clients, higher rates, more stable income

  1. 1. Design Business of Design The Other 60% Business @benklocek http://bracia.com
  2. 2. “The goal should be to find enough good clients to support the business you enjoy”
  3. 3. Higher Rates Better Clients Stable Income
  4. 4. Before > Winning > Doing > After The Work
  5. 5. Think like a franchise
  6. 6. Before > Winning > Doing > After The Work
  7. 7. What do you actually do? flickr.com/photos/i-am-mclovin/3063381533/
  8. 8. Assets Aspirations & Values Market Realities
  9. 9. > Quality is #1 > Simple solutions will win > Create beauty PRINCIPLES > Dependability > Do right socially & environmentally > Always be learning
  10. 10. Positioning
  11. 11. Positioning
  12. 12. Be very specific { The more targeted, the easier to sell to. FOR WHOM? { {
  13. 13. Be very specific { The more targeted, the easier to sell to. Answer two questions FOR WHOM? { Do they know they need your services? Do they have the ability/willingness to pay? {
  14. 14. Be very specific { The more targeted, the easier to sell to. Answer two questions FOR WHOM? { Do they know they need your services? Do they have the ability/willingness to pay? Think long-term { Do I want this relationship? How will their projects support my brand?
  15. 15. ...but not them.
  16. 16. Remember, THEY care about THEMSELVES. ...their business goals. ...how they look. ...reaching their customers. ...saving time. ...saving money.
  17. 17. SOLVE They pay you because you THEIR PROBLEMS. flickr.com/photos/funkyah/285013348/
  18. 18. #1 way to Ask for referrals find leads
  19. 19. New 80% repeat Ask for referrals business Repeat
  20. 20. The Whole Marketing Plan bit.ly/bracia-biz-dev
  21. 21. Before > Winning > Doing > After The Work
  22. 22. We are all in sales. flickr.com/photos/postaletrice/3204779348/
  23. 23. Asking, “What is it worth to the client?” Value pricing
  24. 24. Value pricing solving problems goal oriented benefits, not cost/features be a business person, too the Experience
  25. 25. Strategy Intention > Action > Result
  26. 26. What’s the Business Goals Client Goals problem?
  27. 27. Creating STABLE INCOME
  28. 28. > Retainer contracts > Higher-value clients > Project minimums Creating STABLE INCOME
  29. 29. $$$ keeps it going flickr.com/photos/camdiluv/4441155157/
  30. 30. Living wage + Profit
  31. 31. On-boarding
  32. 32. New Clients First contact > Form letter
  33. 33. New Clients Details > Estimate > Proposal
  34. 34. Time Tracking
  35. 35. Good data is good business.
  36. 36. contract = work
  37. 37. Proposal
  38. 38. Before > Winning > Doing > After The Work
  39. 39. Get more done Set a schedule Batch Manage time Outsource
  40. 40. “Most designers are hired for their skills, and fired for their lack of project management skills”
  41. 41. Project Management =
  42. 42. Set expectations early Repeat-able Automation & documentation Handle scope creep Process
  43. 43. A Website Designed MILESTONES, INVOLVEMENT, IMPORTANCE & TIMELINE Cross Platform & Browser Testing Research Landing Page Artwork Coding Content Population Site Outline Wireframes Inner Page(s) Refinement Initial Meeting Artwork Validation Search Engine DESIGNER Submission Needs Site Map Assessment Content Outline Launch WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3 WEEK 4 WEEK 5 WEEK 6 WEEK 7 WEEK 8 CLIENT Needs Assessment Final Review Feedback Site Map Review Initial Meeting Site Content Site Outline Review Submission Inner Page(s) Wireframes Artwork Review Review Landing Page Artwork Review MILESTONES INVOLVEMENT IMPORTANCE PHASE Less Average Greater Initial Contact Planning Content Design Development Launch Milestone Occurrence More A Website Designed was created by John Furness of Simple Square. © 2011 - All rights reserved. bit.ly/a-website-designed
  44. 44. Before > Winning > Doing > After The Work
  45. 45. in style.
  46. 46. Good data is good business.
  47. 47. Networking is good business.
  48. 48. Do it again. bracia.com @benklocek More: bracia.com/business-of-design Share on:

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