5 Free Non-Disclosure Agreements
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Non disclosure Agreements are something that comes up at some point in time. Especially, say you are outsourcing a part of a project to another freelancer or design agency. Over time – I have compiled the following samples that helped me create my own tailored NDA. Thanks to their authors.
If an download errors pop-up, please right-click and [...]
Freelancing From Home and Staying Productive
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If you have chosen to work from and not from an office, then you are probably faced with the same problems that I am, most notable is the problem of staying productive! More experienced freelancers have probably long tamed the beasts that tempt us when working from home…
how do you stay productive at home?
The [...]
Long Term Freelancing Success – Part 2 – Marketing
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Welcome to the second installment of this series – Marketing. You can view the other parts here: Long Term Freelancing Success.
Marketing is one of the key elements of any business and as a freelancer it should be a huge part of your strategy towards growth and success. So in this post I’m going to talk [...]
Does a successful freelancer have to be a good sales person?
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When starting out, when your down in the trenches fighting against the colossal agencies and your fellow freelancing kin, do you have to be a good sales person in order to secure projects?
Do you feel freelancers need to be sales orientated? Are you a good sales person?
The internet has given clients information at their [...]
General Rules For Doing Free Freelance Work
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Every now and then, hopefully not too often something may come along whether it is for family / friends / a charitable cause / a non-profit organisation etc where you make the decision to waive your normal fee for your services.
I have been in a few of these situations and I have learnt some hard [...]
Interview With Will Kay of OddKingdom – Becoming Your Brand
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When first starting out in any of the creative arts as a freelancer or sole designer; marketing is one of the biggest concerns. Getting clients, letting people know that you exist. Many of us started out and drudged through the first year or so through referrals, family and friends and exhausting every contact we have. [...]
Factors To Consider When Pricing For A Project
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One of the things I suffered from in the beginning when pricing clients is often forgetting to bill for all aspects of a project and thus half way through I was feeling cheated or clients were commenting on how remarkably low my prices where in comparison to other quotes they had received.
We all remember to [...]
Long Term Freelancing Success – Part 1 – Dedication
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Hi all, welcome to what I hope to be a series about some factors I think will be key to long term success..The first is to address your working discipline.
Read many interviews of freelancers and a common answer to ‘what do you love about being a freelancer?’ – one of the expected answers is the [...]
Competing Against The Agency – The Freelancer’s Epic Battle
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As a ‘noob’ to the freelance design industry in what I would consider a truly professional manner; I was somewhat naive as to how hard it would be to find clients. After the initial shock, I found myself confronted with one monumental competitor that seemed like Goliath; leaving me feeling like David (without his slingshot).. [...]
10 Ways To Score and Evaluate A Client
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My past two posts have covered how to deal with non-paying clients and clients who want to become the designer. Good clients do exists and for the most part form the majority of your clientele; in a book I read through the idea of evaluating your clients. Times are hard, sending christmas cards to the [...]
How To Deal with Non-Paying Clients
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At some point you will come face to face with the worst type of client. The client who despite numerous attempts on your behalf, is refusing to pay outstanding fees on a project.
As a business you will at some point have to go after a non-paying client, and as such should be prepared for the [...]
When Your Client Wants To Become The Designer
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Every now and then you receive a client who gets involved in your end of the deal, and is questioning / making firm suggestions about directions to take. This could be due to their eagerness, misunderstanding of professional boundaries or personality; but it needs to be addressed when they begin to intrude too much upon [...]
Your Quote is too high! – Charging/Negotiating for design work
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It is inevitable and if it hasn’t happened to yourself yet, it is not far round the corner especially in the economic times were in. Quite often, a potential client will challenge you on your pricing. i.e your rate per hour, total price etc
The first time it happened to us, we were hit with this [...]
Designing With Distractions
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“To choose art means to turn one’s back on the world, or at least on certain of its distractions.” Melvin Maddocks
Designing with distractions.
Maybe this doesn’t only apply to freelance designers and illustrators. I think it’s probably a conundrum that faces people in every walk of life, particularly as they progress through student years. The [...]
Creative Block – Beating It – Fresh ideas and inspiration
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So your self-promotion has worked and you have that all important new client. The project itself has scope for you to add some personal style or artistic flair to it as well. After the initial brainstorming, research and sketches you are nowhere – with nothing visual to guide yourself. Creative block!
We have various ways that [...]
What is the best 22″ 24″ 28″ 30″ graphic design photography monitor
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Whilst searching the web for a comprehensive resource to help me to decide what monitor to buy, I came across this great thread on the AnandTech Forums:
Best Monitor for Purpose
The thread is segmented into different purposes you may require monitors for. Here is the section related to Design:
Interviewed by Crazy Leaf Design Blog
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Hi all,
recently we had the opportunity to respond to some questions put forward by Alex from Crazy Leaf Design… you can read the interview here:
Interview between Crazy Leaf Design Blog and Acuity Designs
Freelance Contracts
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Hi all,
While surfing forums and the like found a great free contract resource , over at WDF.
This is a contract that I came up with several years ago, with the help of a lawyer [personal friend]. I didn’t want anything too technical or full of legal speak. Just wanted something simple, straightforward, that made sense [...]
7 Things To Consider When Starting As A Freelance Designer
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Many just pick up and go when entering the freelancing world, but to ensure things go smoothly for everybody involved, there are a few considerations. Setting up a small studio, office or dedicated work area within your household; keeping the font police off your heels, invoicing and paying correct taxes etc are vital. Being a [...]
5 Little Tips for Designers
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These are more focused on just getting into what we perceive as good habits, and its always best to egt into good habits from early on! Some of these are somewhat obvious, maybe even dumb but its easy to forget the simple things. Hope they help.
1) Ensure that your client is pleased with [...]
Do you need a design degree to freelance?
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How essential is a design degree to a designer?
Having gone through the process of formal education in graphic design and illustration (and paid the accompanying expenses) Many designers have often had to ask themselves the question: ‘was it worth it?’
The simple fact is that, with the evolution of the internet to a level where intellectual [...]
Factors To Consider When Pricing A Project – Part 2
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Hi all, this is a follow up to a post I made not long ago about factors that we often forget to factor in when we price projects. See that post here: Factors To Consider When Pricing For A Project
Excerpt:
We all remember to bill for the design work we do and the skills required [...]
Dec 31, 2009 | Categories: Commentary, Finance, Freelancing, Marketing | Tags: Finance, Freelance, invoice, pricing | 2 Comments »