Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a graphic design business

Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a graphic design business

Offering resources to help streamline your home based graphic design and web design business so you can get back to what you do best… Designing!

Episodes

April 22, 2024 13 mins

Welcome back to another insightful episode of Resourceful Designer, where today's message is all about the art of engagement over trivial chatter. I'm your host, Mark Des Cotes, and in episode 341 we dive deep into the importance of engaging more and talking less. We explore how the wisdom of an elementary school teacher, who emphasizes understanding her students to truly elevate their learning, can be a p...

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Welcome to episode 340 of Resourceful Designer. Today we're diving into an intriguing question: Are your design clients time or money minded? We'll unpack the significance of understanding whether your clients value their time over their money or vice versa. I'll share some personal anecdotes, like the time I decided to replace my wife's car backup camera myself to save money, and on another occasion, when...

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March 18, 2024 22 mins

In this episode of Resourceful Designer, I delve into the topic of accepting credit card payments from clients. I received an email from Phil, thanking me for the podcast's impact on his transition from working for an employer to running his own business. Phil's client asked to pay by credit card, and he was unsure how to proceed. I share the simplicity and speed of credit card payments and elaborate on th...

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Have you ever been in a sticky situation where a client has asked for your working files?

In this episode of Resourceful Designer, I delve deep into the topic of whether or not to hand over working files.

Join me as I share personal experiences and insights to help you navigate this common dilemma in the design industry.

From leg...

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On this episode of Resourceful Designer, I delve into the critical topic of backups. Through two poignant real-life stories, I stress the importance of not solely relying on web hosts for backups.

I share a scenario where a client's website was lost due to an overlooked credit card update and the absence of off-site backups.

I emphasize the significance o...

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February 19, 2024 10 mins

Hey there, it's Mark, and in this episode, "Persistence Will Pay Off," I want to talk to you about the challenges of running a design business. Whether you're just starting out or have been in the industry for years, finding clients can be tough.

I've been there myself, going through long stretches without new projects coming in and questioning if my business was sustainable. But ...

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In this episode of Resourceful Designer, I discuss a common mistake designers make when presenting their work to clients.

Drawing from my own experience, I delve into the significance of presentation and its impact on a design business.

Sharing insights from my college days to my current approach, I highlight the practice of presenting designs to clients ...

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January 29, 2024 32 mins

Exploring Design Trends: A Dive into FreePik's 2024 Trend Report

Click here to see the trend report: https://www.freepik.com/visual-trends-2024

Join me as I delve into Freepik.com's 2024 trend report, highlighting key design trends predicted for the year. Freepic.com, a platform known for offering high-quality design resources for free, reached out to discuss its latest trend report, sparking my interest in exploring the upcoming t...

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Welcome to this episode of Resourceful Designer, where I explore the topic of thick skin in the world of design.

Reflecting on my 30+ years as a designer, I share the often unspoken truth about needing a resilient attitude to thrive in this industry.

I draw from personal experiences, offering valuable insights on handling criticism, difficult clients, and...

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Welcome to Resourceful Designer, the podcast where I explore the ins and outs of running a successful design business.

In today's episode, titled "6 Pricing Hacks To Land Hesitant Clients," I share valuable strategies to influence clients into accepting pricing offers.

I delve into 6 pricing hacks. From eliminating commas in large pricing to offering thre...

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Welcome to episode 330 of Resourceful Designer, where I explores the concept of reclaiming lost time through a "time audit." J

Listen as I delve into the benefits of identifying and eliminating time-wasting activities to make room for more meaningful endeavors.

In this episode, you'll discover practical strategies for optimizing your schedule, from settin...

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A look back at 2023 and a look ahead to 2024.

Thank you for your continued interest in what I do at Resourceful Designer. I appreciate you more than you know. Many great resources are available for learning and growing as a designer, and I’m humbled that you chose to spend a bit of your valuable time with me.

I am continuing my annual tradition. This last podcast episode of the year is my Look Back, Look Ahea...

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In this episode of Resourceful Designer, I explore the concept of pitch work as a powerful tool for growing your design business.

I explain the difference between pitch work and spec work, detailing how pitch work involves presenting work to a client they didn't ask for, potentially for free or at a discount. 

Through personal experiences and anecdotes, I...

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Welcome back to Resourceful Designer!

In today's episode, titled...

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Welcome to episode 326 of Resourceful Designer. In this episode, I highlight the importance of informing your clients about your full range of servi...

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Welcome back to another episode of Resourceful Designer!

In today...

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October 30, 2023 17 mins

Welcome to episode 324 of Resourceful Designer, titled "You Are An Expert." In today's episode, I share a personal story that taught him a valuable lesson abou...

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Welcome back to Resourceful Designer! In today's episode titled "The Most Important Question You Can Ask Your Design Client," I reveal a simple question that c...

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In this episode of Resourceful Designer, I delve into the world of modern marketing and share my insights from the influential book, Selling the Invisible: A ...

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