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.

1. Design
Business of Design
The Other 60%
Business @benklocek
http://bracia.com

2. “The goal should be to find enough good
clients to support the business you enjoy”

3. Higher Rates Better Clients Stable Income

4. Before > Winning > Doing > After The Work

5. Think like a franchise

6. Before > Winning > Doing > After The Work

7. What do you actually do?
flickr.com/photos/i-am-mclovin/3063381533/

8. Assets
Aspirations & Values
Market Realities

9. > Quality is #1
> Simple solutions will win
> Create beauty
PRINCIPLES
> Dependability
> Do right socially & environmentally
> Always be learning

10. Positioning

11. Positioning

12. Be very specific
{ The more targeted, the easier to sell to.
FOR WHOM? {
{

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. 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. ...but not them.

16. Remember, THEY care about THEMSELVES.
...their business goals.
...how they look.
...reaching their customers.
...saving time.
...saving money.

17. SOLVE
They pay you because you THEIR
PROBLEMS.
flickr.com/photos/funkyah/285013348/

18. #1 way to Ask for referrals
find leads

19. New
80%
repeat Ask for referrals
business
Repeat

20. The Whole Marketing Plan
bit.ly/bracia-biz-dev

21. Before > Winning > Doing > After The Work

22. We are all in sales.
flickr.com/photos/postaletrice/3204779348/

23. Asking, “What is it worth to the client?”
Value pricing

24. Value pricing
solving problems
goal oriented
benefits, not cost/features
be a business person, too
the Experience

25. Strategy
Intention > Action > Result

26. What’s the
Business Goals Client Goals
problem?

27. Creating
STABLE INCOME

28. > Retainer contracts
> Higher-value clients
> Project minimums
Creating
STABLE INCOME

29. $$$ keeps it going
flickr.com/photos/camdiluv/4441155157/

30. Living wage
+ Profit

31. On-boarding

32. New Clients
First contact > Form letter

33. New Clients
Details > Estimate > Proposal

34. Time Tracking

35. Good data
is good business.

36. contract = work

37. Proposal

38. Before > Winning > Doing > After The Work

39. Get more done
Set a schedule
Batch
Manage time
Outsource

40. “Most designers are hired for their skills, and
fired for their lack of project management skills”

41. Project Management
=

42. Set expectations early
Repeat-able
Automation & documentation
Handle scope creep
Process

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. Before > Winning > Doing > After The Work

45. in style.

46. Good data
is good business.

47. Networking
is good business.

48. Do it again.
bracia.com
@benklocek
More: bracia.com/business-of-design
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