Scalability: Growing Up Slowly
A lot of us small business owners share the same desire. We want to grow our businesses. We want scalability. Here’s an example of what not to do.
Asking Clients for Referrals
Asking for referrals can feel uncomfortable. And there are no surefire, winning strategies. But here’s a suggestion: ask for referrals at least twice.
How to Reach a Goal in Under 25 Minutes
Finishing a task takes as long as you give it. How much time do you need? Less than you think.
Quality Control: Creativity’s Nerdy Friend
Quality control and creativity can be at odds. So when’s the best time to edit? It’s best to edit as you go and give yourself time for QC near the end.
Preventing Writer’s Block with Freewriting
Freewriting is a great tool to prevent writer’s block. Learn how consistent freewriting develops the habit of creativity (and beats writer’s block).
The Highs and Lows of Hiring Freelancers
Over the past couple of years, I’ve hired about twenty freelancers to help with website content creation, design and development. They’ve added expertise and additional resources when I’m juggling multiple projects. Hiring freelancers has worked out fairly well. Most freelancers have been good with a couple of all-stars (and one or two duds).
A Simple Business Plan Alternative
I don’t have numbers in front of me, but I’m guessing that most freelancers, entrepreneurs and small business owners don’t write a business plan before getting started. I certainly didn’t have a plan when I started freelancing. I didn’t write a proper business plan until I took my freelance design business from on-the-side to full-time.
Small Business Branding: Big Idea and Hedgehog Concept
If you’re like me, you might be a little uncomfortable defining yourself and declaring exactly what makes your business unique. That’s OK, it’s normal to have some difficulty paring down your brand. But here’s the good news: branding isn’t all about defining your current situation.
Fortune in the Feedback
Branding is a big, fuzzy topic. You can find endless definitions of branding with limitless examples of tactical branding exercises. Over the years I’ve tried to move away from the fuzziness. I’ve made an effort to condense my brand into a single document.
Productivity: Creating Your Day (Once a Week)
I’m not the most disciplined guy. Like a lot of people, I get motivated to be more productive but I don’t always follow through over the long-term. For whatever reason, I just don’t stick to a day-to-day routine. It doesn’t work for me. I feel like a rigid schedule kills my creativity.
Productivity Hacks: The 80-20 Rule in Action
The 80-20 rule states that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. You can use the 80-20 rule for inspiration and brainstorming ideas.
Website Development: Cloning, Skinning, and Using Templates
Working with templates is a good thing. Templates are a nice starting point for small projects. They’re best as a jumping off point into something new.
Freelancing: How to Work With Demanding Clients
One of the most frustrating experiences for a freelance designer is working with a micromanaging client. A lot of times, suggestions for design changes can be downright arbitrary. Whether or not a background hue is purple or periwinkle might not make any difference to the success of a design.
Starting and Marketing a New Small Business
Marketing is a big part of starting a new small business. Specialization is also important. Here’s advice I’d send back in time to my former self.
