Text us your questions, and we'll address them in the show!In this episode of Earning by Design, I will tackle a common question from freelance designers: Should you charge the same as an in-house designer? Join me in this episode to discover the differences in expenses, responsibilities, and expertise that should justify higher rates for freelance designers. Learn why it's essential to value your skills appropriately and gain the confidence to set prices that reflect your true worth.&nb...

Text us your questions, and we'll address them in the show!In today’s episode, we’re diving into the critical reason why freelancers give up, as well as how to generate client referrals and recurring business, which are pivotal indicators of your business’s maturity. I’ll share my insights on how to cultivate relationships that not only last but also help propel your business forward through consistent income and client loyalty. If you feel your job isn’t delivering what you expected, an...

Text us your questions, and we'll address them in the show!Embarking on my own business adventure, I faced the classic conundrum many freelance designers encounter—choosing between the singular "I" or the collective "we" to describe my business and services. In this episode, I share the evolution of my brand, from the solo-run Elyse Designs to Principium Studio, and how this choice impacted not just branding but also client interactions. My personal journey underscores the importance of align...

Text us your questions, and we'll address them in the show!In this episode of Earning by Design, Lauren delves into crucial questions surrounding the graphic design industry's value and profitability. Joined by her husband and business partner Rodrigo, they explore strategies for graphic designers to enhance their market value and profit beyond basic design skills. From understanding the importance of experience and skill diversification to discussing the effectiveness of advertising for desi...

Text us your questions, and we'll address them in the show! In this episode, I had the opportunity to interview a seasoned designer with over 30 years of experience who has turned into a full-time graphic design educator. This educator is helping the next generation of graphic designers gain real-world experience as part of their high school curriculum. David shares wisdom for new and seasoned designers based on his extensive career. Connect with David: The Design Rescue Program:...

Niching is a very scary subject for many! But in this episode, I break down many different ways you can niche and 5 points you must think with before deciding on the niche you will choose. Key Highlights: The Power of Niching: Understand why defining your niche is crucial for effective marketing and attracting the right clients.Building Client Connections: Discover how niching helps create deeper, more meaningful relationships with your audience, enhancing client loyalty.Exploring Niches: A...

In this episode, we talked about the world of freelance design with Jacob Cass, the founder of Just Creative. Jacob, known for his profound impact on the graphic design community, shares his evolution from his first days as an amateur graphic designer to the founder of an award-winning branding and design studio. This episode is a treasure for freelancers to learn about the intricacies of brand building, the strategic use of SEO, AI and mastering digital platforms for business growth. More...

Instead of talking about going freelance, sometimes it is the right time to transition away from freelance into a full-time in-house or agency role. And for this topic, I brought on my friend Jamie Roberts from Rock That Creative Job, an experienced Creative Career Coach to guide you on this journey with actionable tips that will place you at an advantage in the hiring process. In this episode we dive into: How freelancers can effectively highlight their skills and readiness for full-time...

Let’s go through 10 different ways YOU can get clients into your graphic design business. Some are easier than others, but it is important to be doing many different actions until you get consistency into your business.  CONNECT WITH ME! Website: https://4thecreatives.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/4thecreatives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4thecreatives/

In this episode, I get into how to make your design business attractive to your ideal clients. Sometimes we think about our business only from our own perspective, but it is super important to reverse the roles and go at it from the perspective of who we want to attract. More Ways to Get Design Clients:  https://4thecreatives.com/more-clients CONNECT WITH ME! Website: https://4thecreatives.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/4thecreatives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4thecreatives/

Choosing the right pricing strategy for clients can be complex, given their varied needs. In this episode, I share insights and experiences to simplify this task, discussing different pricing models and when to apply the most challenging one. We'll cover the essentials of selecting a strategy that aligns with both your business goals and client expectations, aiming for mutual satisfaction. Join me to unlock the secrets to effective pricing, making it less daunting and more strategic. Free...

In this episode, we dive into the art of client acquisition for designers, a crucial yet challenging aspect of growing your design business. Join me as I switch roles, being interviewed by my business partner and husband, where we explore common pitfalls in attracting clients, effective strategies for using social media platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn, my personal approach to follow-ups after sending proposals, and successful client acquisition tactics I've observe Whether you're...

In this episode, I had the privilege of speaking with a very knowledgeable trademark small business attorney who shed a ton of light on some common legal questions I hear often from designers. Our conversation included: A detailed explanation of the key elements that should be included in every contract between a graphic designer and their client.A very good and simple explanation of what an LLC is compared to Sole Proprietorship and who should have which.How to avoid getting in trouble...

Today I am joined by The ColorFul Jess Langley, the Pricing Coach, to discuss how to set boundaries around the subject of pricing with clients so that you can feel more confident in those awkward pricing conversations. This episode includes: How to increase prices with current clients.How to feel confident saying no to a client.How to get over being a people pleaser.How to increase your own self-worth in order to charge higher prices. More about Jess: Jess Langley started her design and...

In this episode, we will be discussing the controversial subject of AI. This topic has been frequently requested by my audience. Although the answer isn't straightforward, today, I engage in an in-depth discussion on this matter with my tech-savvy husband and business partner, whose technological insight has been crucial to my business success. We address questions such as what actions governments are taking regarding AI, its impact on our business, the advantages of AI, and its future...

If you are considering leaving your job and are toying with the idea of having your own business, there is the right way to go about doing it and the wrong way. In this episode, I go into the wrong ways to transition, what you should do if you have no choice and no time to prepare in situations where you may have gotten fired, and the right way to do it if you have time to plan ahead. Learn some points to think with in the transitional phase between working in-house to going freelance to...

Learn how I transformed my freelance business to earn more by working less. I used to have tons of clients with very low paying projects, making me work night and day and on weekends to barely pay my expenses. I was at a point of extreme stress and burn out, working all the time for clients who were not paying very much. But I was able to adjust 2 main key points that helped me to reduce my work hours, take vacations and have less overwhelm.  Links...

Entrepreneurship and running a business is not always easy and the end goal can seem far away at times, but starting with bite size steps and winning at those can help to lead you to the ultimate end goal you are looking to achieve. In this episode, Growth Strategist and Designer, Darnell Brown, helps us break down how to take our creative ideas and put them into action.  More about our guest: Darnell Brown is an award-winning growth strategist, designer, and entrepreneur. He helps...

Learning how to market yourself as a graphic designer is a learning process and most creatives out of school don’t know anything but how to design. That’s why I wanted to discuss the topic of marketing with Sam Chlebowski who scaled Brighter Vision from 250 clients to over 5,000. So come join me as dive into agency marketing strategies applied to freelance graphic designers with Motion.io’s Sam Chlebowski. In this episode, we get into: Most Successful Way to Get ClientsHow to Start Getting...

Instagram can be an incredible platform for design business growth if it is used correctly. And that is why I wanted to bring on an Instagram expert, Brittany Worthington of The Social Britify where we talk about how to grow your business and get graphic design clients through Instagram. In this episode, we go deeper into: The Biggest Instagram MistakeHow to Attract the Right Instagram FollowersVital Instagram FoundationsInstagram Profile StrategyHow to Train the AlgorithmType of Content to...

Welcome to my new podcast for designers looking to making a career out of their creative skills! When creatives are getting started in their business, there are often many expectations of instant growth and making income right away. But that is usually not the case and there can be too many feelings of failure right out the gate. In this episode, I give you advice I wish I knew starting out so that I didn’t set my expectations too high only to get disappointed for the first few...