Should You Display Your Rates On Your Website? - RD361
Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a graphic design business
Release Date: 02/03/2026
Should You Display Your Rates On Your Website? - RD361
Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a graphic design business
Today I’m diving into a topic every freelancer faces at some point: should you publicly display your rates, or keep them private? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, so in this episode, I walk you through the pros and cons of each approach. I’ll share why some freelancers choose not to showcase their prices, like keeping flexibility and avoiding price anchoring, as well as the risks of turning away potential clients who assume your services are out of reach. We’ll also look at compromise options, like providing price ranges or starting prices, to give clients enough information...
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Working From Home Isn't For Everyone - RD360
Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a graphic design business
Hey there, welcome back to Resourceful Designer! Today I want to talk honestly about something many designers dream about: working from home. I’ve been running my design business from home for over 20 years, and while I love it, I want to strip away the Instagram glamour and talk about the realities, the good, the tough, and the unexpected. Working from home isn’t a magical solution. Yes, there’s flexibility, but it comes with the challenge of managing yourself, facing potential loneliness, blurring work-life boundaries, and handling every aspect of your business, from invoicing to...
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Big News!
Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a graphic design business
Hey there, my friend, Mark here with some big news. Resourceful Designer is now on YouTube. Yes, I know, technically, you’ve been able to listen to the podcast on YouTube for years. But that’s not what I’m talking about. I’ve created a brand new Resourceful Designer channel where I’ll be releasing weekly videos to help designers like you with the business side of freelancing. The same type of content you know and love from the podcast, but now in video format. And no, don’t worry, I’m still going to do the podcast. I’m just taking a break this week as I finish the YouTube...
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Staying Relevant as a Designer in an AI-Driven World - RD359
Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a graphic design business
Welcome to Resourceful Designer. I’m Mark, and today we’re talking about one of the biggest challenges designers are facing right now: staying relevant in a world where AI can generate logos, create websites, and even write flawless presentations in just minutes. I get it, it can feel like the ground is shifting beneath our feet. But here’s the truth: while AI might be able to deliver polished designs quickly, it still can’t replace what makes you, as a designer, truly valuable. In this episode, I’ll share why your clients aren’t just looking for beautiful mockups or perfect...
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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,...
info_outlineToday I’m diving into a topic every freelancer faces at some point: should you publicly display your rates, or keep them private? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, so in this episode, I walk you through the pros and cons of each approach.
I’ll share why some freelancers choose not to showcase their prices, like keeping flexibility and avoiding price anchoring, as well as the risks of turning away potential clients who assume your services are out of reach. We’ll also look at compromise options, like providing price ranges or starting prices, to give clients enough information without locking yourself in.
Ultimately, I want you to think about what works best for your business, communicate clearly with potential clients, and lower barriers so the right people can reach out to you. Let’s explore how to make smart decisions about your pricing strategy and client communication, so you can focus on what you do best: creating amazing design work.
Stay Creative!