Google Analytics 4 and Using Plan Instead of Should
Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a graphic design business
Release Date: 03/06/2023
What Getting Tattooed Taught Me About Graphic Design - RD358
Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a graphic design business
Welcome back to Resourceful Designer! I’m Mark, and today I want to share a unique perspective I’ve gained as both a graphic designer and someone with a growing collection of tattoos. I got my first tattoo at 53, thanks to my talented daughter who became a tattoo artist, and now, at 56, I have six pieces inked on my body, each with a story. In this episode, I’ll talk about how the permanence of tattoos has made me reflect on the power we have as designers: in our world, designs aren’t set in stone like tattoos are. We have the flexibility to tweak, evolve, and improve our work, even...
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Give Yourself A Raise: Make More Money Without More Clients - RD357
Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a graphic design business
Welcome to Resourceful Designer! I’m Mark, and in this episode, I’m sharing practical advice for home-based graphic and web designers looking to make more money, without taking on more clients or raising your rates. I’ll tell you a story about learning to let go, and how sometimes, we hang onto tools, subscriptions, and services in our business that quietly drain our bank accounts month after month. I walk you through a step-by-step subscription audit, showing you how to identify essential expenses, cut out the things you don’t need, and consolidate tools where possible. It’s not...
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How to Handle Low-Budget Clients with Grace - RD356
Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a graphic design business
Welcome to Resourceful Designer! I'm Mark, your host, and today, I want to share a powerful story that brilliantly illustrates how to handle price negotiations with grace while standing firm in your professional worth. Like many designers, I’ve encountered those budget conversations that can make your heart sink, the ones where a promising client comes in, but their budget just doesn’t match the value you know you can deliver. In this episode, I reflect on an invaluable lesson I learned from a fellow designer I met years ago in Montreal. He went from being the “affordable option” to...
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Why Using "I" Instead of "We" Can Transform Your Design Business - RD355
Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a graphic design business
Welcome to Resourceful Designer! I’m Mark, and today I want to share something fascinating that can make a real difference in how you communicate with your design clients. Did you know that the pronoun you use, choosing “I” instead of “we”, can actually impact whether or not a client hires you? Most of us, especially solopreneurs, try to sound bigger and more established by saying “we” when talking to clients, but research shows that using “I” instead creates a stronger emotional connection. When I use “I” instead of “we,” clients see me as more personally invested...
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10 Things to Consider Before Raising Your Prices - RD354
Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a graphic design business
Hey there, design friends! Welcome to Resourceful Designer, your go-to podcast for running a successful design business. Today, I’m diving into one of the most nerve-wracking yet crucial decisions every designer faces: when and how to raise your prices. I know just how tough it can be; I’ve been there myself, wrestling with doubts and worries about how clients will react. In this episode, I’ll walk you through 10 essential things you need to consider before raising your rates, so you can approach your pricing strategy with confidence and clarity. We’ll talk about everything from...
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Networking for Introverted Designers - RD353
Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a graphic design business
Welcome to Resourceful Designer! I’m Mark Des Cotes, and in today’s episode, I’m diving into something that hits home for so many of us: networking as an introverted designer. Did you know that over 85% of designers are introverts? Yet, building a thriving design business still relies heavily on forging professional relationships, which can feel like a real challenge when you recharge by spending time alone. I’ll share my own journey from dreading networking events to actually enjoying them, and I’ll bust the myth that being introverted means being shy or antisocial. Instead,...
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5 Mistakes That Can Damage Your Design Career - RD352
Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a graphic design business
Welcome back to Resourceful Designer! I’m Mark Des Cotes, and today I want to open up about five major mistakes that can seriously damage your design career; mistakes I’ve witnessed and, yes, even fallen into myself. Through my own experiences, from the pitfalls of handshake agreements to the lessons I’ve learned the hard way, I’ll give you practical advice to help you avoid these mistakes. My goal is to help you run a thriving, professional design business that not only creates beautiful work but is built to last. So, grab a pen and paper, get ready to reflect on your own...
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The ROI of FREE - RD351
Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a graphic design business
Hey there, my design friend! Today on Resourceful Designer, I want to share a story about why I was genuinely happy that a client didn’t pay their invoice. Sounds odd, right? But it all comes down to the power of client relationships—the foundation of any successful design business. I’m diving into how going above and beyond for your clients (even working for free at times) can deliver incredible ROI, like solidifying long-term partnerships and generating referrals that keep your business thriving. I’ll share specific examples from my own journey, how strategically offering free work...
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Facing Impostor Syndrome - RD350
Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a graphic design business
Hey there, it’s Mark from Resourceful Designer. Have you ever looked at your own design work and thought, "I’m not good enough to charge for this," or landed a big client and immediately worried that they’d soon figure out you’re not as talented as they think? If that sounds familiar, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, about 70% of creatives experience what’s known as impostor syndrome, a nagging feeling that your success is just luck and you don’t really belong. On today’s episode, I’m digging deep into this all-too-common struggle for designers. Inspired by a recent...
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How to Generate More Word of Mouth Referrals - RD349
Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a graphic design business
Hey fellow designers, welcome back to another episode of Resourceful Designer! I’m Mark Des Cotes, and today I’m diving into a topic that every design business thrives on: word of mouth referrals. Recently, I had a reminder of just how powerful this can be, a client from 25 years ago, whose logo I designed back in my print shop days, still refers people to me! That got me thinking about how important, yet overlooked, word of mouth marketing really is. In this episode, I break down the five T’s of word of mouth marketing: Talkers, Topics, Tools, Taking Part, and Tracking. These aren’t...
info_outlineThis isn't a standard episode of Resourceful Designer. Instead, I want to share two tips with you.
Tip #1
Set up your Google Analytics 4 account ASAP. Google is turning on Universal Analytics on July 1st, 2023. Google has said the data collected in your UA account will not be migrated to your GA4 account. Unless you want to start again from zero, you need to set up your GA4 account now and start collecting data while you still have access to your UA information.
Listen to the podcast episode to learn more.
Tip #2
Never tell a client that you "Should" something. "I should be able to start your project next week, " or "I should have something to show you by Friday." etc.
Instead, tell them you "plan." – "I plan to start your project next week." or "I plan on having something to show you by Friday."
Saying "Should" instills doubt. It tells the client you are unsure of your abilities. Using "plan" instills confidence while not guaranteeing anything in case you cannot fulfill what you say.
Using "plan" instead of "will" is also a good idea for the same reason. Planning on doing something but not succeeding is forgivable. Saying you will do something and not following through harms your reputation.
Semantics can go a long way in helping you become a better business person.