September 15, 2009

What I learned on my summer vacation: Part 11

Filed under: Client Communication,Time Management — lidia @ 2:50 pm

Part of a series of post-Creative Freelancer Conference postings:

11. Define scope and client expectations at the beginning of a project

  1. Determine exactly what will be included in the project
  2. Define key contacts/roles in the project
  3. Set dates, milestones, deadlines (for both parties)
  4. Define how and when you will communicate between milestones, i.e. weekly status reports, weekly phone check-ins, etc.

Yes, we’ve all been here… the “simple” project that snowballs out of control, resulting in sleepless nights and working weekends. This advice, inspired by Michelle Goodman’s session, Dealing with Nightmare Clients, can help avoid that from happening.

Estimated taxes due today!

Filed under: Budget & Finances — Tags: , , — lidia @ 2:41 pm

Don’t forget! The third installment of estimated taxes are due today. For more information on filing estimated taxes, visit the IRS website, as well as your local state’s tax website.

September 14, 2009

What I learned on my summer vacation: Part 10

Filed under: Small Business,Time Management — Tags: , , — lidia @ 5:12 pm

Part of a series of post-Creative Freelancer Conference postings:

10. Break large projects into small chunks.

This advice was actually via a Twitterview of CFC speaker Dyana Valentine (@dyanavalentine) by HOW Magazine (@HOWBrand). My question to Dyana was how to manage a large project that seems overwhelming. Her advice was: “Break that sucker down. Map time available, chunk it up, match tasks to chunks. Ask for help if you need it.”

I thought this was fabulous advice — especially the part about asking for help, which can be hard when you’re an “I can do it all” kind of person. I’ve also applied her advice to my blogging, realizing that a short post each day is a more realistic goal than a lengthy post (and easier for readers too, I think). Thanks Dyana!

September 11, 2009

What I learned on my summer vacation: Part 9

Filed under: Small Business — Tags: , , — lidia @ 3:29 pm

Part of a series of post-Creative Freelancer Conference postings:

9. Tell potential clients about your work process:

  1. Initial consultation details (free? time limit?)
  2. Project types (we take on jobs of $xxxx size or larger)
  3. Fee structures (hourly, by the project)
  4. Communication preferences (email, in-person meetings).

Based on this advice (inspired by Michelle Goodman’s session, Dealing with Nightmare Clients), I’ve decided to add a “How We Work” page to my website. This will give new clients an opportunity to learn more about our work style before we meet in person—helping to determine “are we the right fit” in the beginning of the process.

September 10, 2009

What I learned on my summer vacation: Part 8

Filed under: Small Business — Tags: , , , — lidia @ 1:49 pm

Part of a series of post-Creative Freelancer Conference postings:

8. Polish up your presentation skills with strong content and confident delivery:

  1. Focus needs to be on the client: their issues, problems, situation
  2. Your capabilities should resonate with their issues: how can you solve their problem?
  3. Build/maintain steady client contact prior to presentation (phone calls, emails)
  4. Build an outline (3-5 bullet points): use active verbs, simple terms, short copy
  5. Rehearse: memorize the most important points, consider what questions may come up
  6. When presenting, engage the audience, be authentic: use humor or relate a story to the content

(Inspired by Darryl Salerno’s session, Effective Presentations for Creative Solopreneurs)

September 9, 2009

Neighborhood Networking in Avondale next week

Filed under: Networking — Tags: , , , — lidia @ 4:07 pm

neighborhood-networking-logo-no-tagNeighborhood Networking is ambling to Avondale next week!

Join us, along with our co-host Business by Referral (BBR) to meet and mingle with fellow businesses after work, as well as sample appetizers from Chief O’Neill’s. As an added bonus: there’s lots of free street parking nearby!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009 from 5:30-8:00 pm at Chief O’Neill’s Pub & Restaurant (3471 N Elston Ave., Chicago, IL 60618)

Register in advance online for $10 (or pay $12 at the door, please RSVP in advance).

Hosted by Lidia Varesco Design and Elizabeth (Lulu) Miranda of Mercury Organizing Professionals

What I learned on my summer vacation: Part 7

Filed under: Small Business — Tags: , , — lidia @ 3:32 pm
photo by eshm

photo by eshm

Part of a series of post-Creative Freelancer Conference postings:
7. Ask the right questions when meeting with a prospective client:
  1. Why did you choose me?
  2. Why are you looking to do [project] now?
  3. What are your goals and objectives?
  4. What is the problem? What hurts?
  5. Who is your target market?
  6. What is your role in the project?
  7. What is your timeline?
  8. What models are you using? Is this based on something you’ve used or seen in the past?
  9. Are you looking for strategy — or just execution?
  10. What research has been (or should be) done?
  11. Who are the key players in the decision-making process?

Interviewing a potential client will help determine if you are the right fit — as well as form a strong foundation for the project. I plan to append to my current Client Questionnaire with these great questions, inspired by Peleg Top’s session (The Essential Rules for Writing and Presenting Proposals).

September 8, 2009

What I learned on my summer vacation: Part 6

Filed under: Small Business — Tags: , , — lidia @ 5:55 pm
illustration by fragmented

illustration by fragmented

Part of a series of post-Creative Freelancer Conference postings:

6. Create a sales process and follow it:

  1. Hot lead calls you (a referral, or saw your marketing materials)
  2. Explore a fit (are we right for each other?)
  3. Present your process/thinking
  4. Talk money (what is their budget range?)
  5. Send a recap in writing (i.e. proposal)
  6. Get a signature (for both project cost and production schedule)
  7. Get started

(inspired by Peleg Top’s session The Essential Rules for Writing and Presenting Proposals)

September 4, 2009

What I learned on my summer vacation: Part 5

Filed under: Marketing & Promotion — Tags: , , , — lidia @ 8:00 am

677514537_b8ed333c43Part of a series of post-Creative Freelancer Conference postings:

5. Look for trends in your industry and target markets: what is the next direction? What is going away? (inspired by Petrula Vrontikis’ keynote session)

These days, I’m finding it’s not enough simply to stay current with software — staying on top of industry and marketing trends is crucial. Lately, I find myself reading and learning about social media marketing and SEO, in addition to keeping up with my design reading.

September 3, 2009

What I learned on my summer vacation: Part 4

Filed under: Marketing & Promotion — Tags: , , — lidia @ 8:00 am
PIna Zangaro binder from Office PDX

Pina Zangaro binder from Office PDX

Part of a series of post-Creative Freelancer Conference postings:

4. Make sure your portfolio is developing by working with a variety of projects/clients. (inspired by Petrula Vrontikis’ keynote session)

It’s easy to fall into a routine and just file away samples as they come in. Last year, I started writing a short description (as well as production notes) for every project before filing the samples. This year, I plan to expand on it by taking Peleg Top’s advice and creating a one-page “case study” for each — including a short description and nice image of the project. No more scrambling when sending samples or updating the website!

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