How to Succeed as a Remote Designer Michael Janda and Elize Todd discuss techniques that can help you succeed as a remote designer including: organizing your workweek in advance, setting a daily work schedule, using a Slack channel for clients, and the importance of video conferencing. Your clients must see…
You Need a Portfolio Clause // Michael Janda and Arcui Usoara discuss how you need a clause in the terms and conditions of your proposal/contract that says something along the lines of, “The designer retains the right to use the work product in their portfolio, website, social media channels, and…
How to Transition from Logo Design to Brand Strategy // Michael Janda and Jacob Cass discuss the ways that a designer can transition from logo design to brand strategy. This service offering will position you away from the Fiverr designers of the world and allow you to increase your value…
The Marriage Between Design and Marketing // Michael Janda and Tom Ross discuss how marketing and design contribute to one another and how combining the two disciplines can dramatically improve the reach of your business.
Run Business in 3-Month Increments // Businesses are run in 3-month increments. Any long term contracts should have a 3-month reassessment clause. When you look at your financials, you should consider things with a 3-month window. When you hire someone, you should consider it a 90 day trial. This video…
Will Robots Take Your Design Job? Michael Janda and Cassi Nicole // Low cost design solutions, pre-made templates, downloadable themes, Wix, Squarespace, oh my! There are a lot of ways for clients to solve their design needs for cheap. To combat this, there are two options for designers to retain…
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….
