Building a Buff Business

Want to get in shape? Consider hiring a coach as a personal trainer for your company

IF YOU’RE currently running a design firm — large or small — you’ve undoubtedly realized that there is a big difference between the work you do in your business and the work you do on your business. While many emerging designers believe the quality of their work alone will help them attract high-paying clients, seasoned professionals know business success is the product of quality design solutions and effective business processes.

Brand Building or Brand Breaking?

CAN YOU BE HEARD if you aren’t saying anything? The Town of Midland (Ontario, Canada) seems to think so. They’ve decided to run an open competition to create a new logo for the town.

As with most speculative design contests, information is limited, but I would suspect that the Town feels that a new logo will give them a new look and a new identity. Ultimately, they must believe that economic development will increase as a result of their shiny new mark. Why else would they go down this path?

Flexing Freelance Muscles

Even in tough times, freelancers can leverage their flexibility and low overhead to succeed

NOBODY said graphic design was a recession-proof business. Clients often cut their marketing budgets in times of economic crisis as they try to reduce expenditures to help weather the storm. As those budgets get trimmed, so too does the revenue of the design community as a whole. As some larger shops and internal departments reduce their staff, freelancing becomes a reality for more and more designers. Here’s how freelancers can not only survive but also thrive in difficult economic conditions.

Dollars and Sense

Don’t arbitrarily quote off the top of your head. Adopting a billing strategy makes more cents.

CONGRATULATIONS! That new prospect you’ve been chasing wants to work with you. They just have one final question: “How much will it cost?” Having an efficient estimating and billing procedure means you’ll be able to answer this question quickly and easily; it’s an essential practice to building a successful design business.

Growing Pains

When it is time to hire, plan and prepare for your expansion before you holler for help

AS A SMALL DESIGN BUSINESS OWNER, there is no better feeling than being busy. However, there may come a time when work begins to pile up and you are desperate for help and support beyond what your normal network of freelance resources can provide. In order to continue to grow, you need to hire. Now what?