The Motherland of Value with Michael Janda and Cassi Nicole // Clients often come to a creative person to help solve an assumed problem in their business. They want a new website, more sales, a new brand. But is that their real problem? Every designer’s goal should be to grow…
Getting Started on Social Media with Michael Janda with Arcui Usoara // Many people feel like they have to have their whole strategy figured out before they start a social media campaign. On the contrary, you just need to get started. Start sharing. Don’t worry about engagement. Don’t worry about…
You Need a Rush Fee Clause. Michael Janda with G’day Frank // Whether you use it or not, your contract should include a “rush fee clause.” A rush fee clause will empower you to push back on a client who has an unnecessary rush project…or to charge more money if…
Retainers and Buckets of Hours // Traditional retainers are difficult to manage and require the right type of client if they are going to work. An alternative solution for clients who want a discounted rate by providing you with guaranteed work is to engage in a “bucket of hours” relationship….
How to Earn Passive Income as a Designer // Michael Janda and Jacob Cass discuss ways for designers to earn passive income, to smooth out the income rollercoaster caused by project by project engagements.
Over the past couple months both Tom Ross and Michael Janda have been sharing their thoughts and strategies on Instagram about niching in your business. In this video clip they both discuss their perspective and approach to finding a niche for your business and how it affects your marketing.
Managing Stress & Worry // This simple technique has helped me one million times during my creative career. It is easy to get burdened with stress and worry. Clients are frustrated. Deadlines are looming. Employees haven’t fulfilled assignments. Cashflow is tight. All of these worries can pile up and create…
Line-item Price Breakdowns. Michael Janda with G’Day Frank // Giving you client a proposal with line-items broken down by deliverable is giving them a menu of items they can pick apart to reduce the price to a budget they are comfortable with. But giving them line-items broken down based on…
When a Client Wants to Pay with Trade, Michael Janda and Cassi Nicole. // How to handle a client who wants to pay with a trade of services. // Clients offer to trade all kinds of crazy things for design services. I once had a client offer my agency a…
Focus on Your Strengths, Michael Janda and Cassi Nicole. // It seems we breed self-judgement, comparison, and insecurity right from the first day in design school. “Ok, everybody put your designs on the wall for the rest of the class to see and critique. Now, go out into the world…
