Freelancefolder

9 Easy Usability Improvements for Blogs

Posted August 28, 2008 in freelancenews

9 Easy Usability Improvements for Blogs
One of our primary goals as designers is to constantly improve the usability of our websites and blogs. Content, while very important, doesn’t help readers if they can’t easily get to it.

12 Things You Should Never Say to a Client

Posted August 27, 2008 in Business, Marketing

Most people in business will attest to having some clients that are completely awesome, and some clients that just plain stink. With the wide variety of people out there, it seems like this is a fact of life.

But is it?

The way that you talk with your clients can heavily influence their attitude and respect towards you. If you use the right language, and avoid talking yourself into a trap, it’s not too difficult to rid yourself of bad clients forever.

With that lofty goal in mind, here are 12 things you should never say to a client:
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What I Learned About Freelancing from Lucille Ball

Posted August 26, 2008 in Inspiration, Lifestyle

I have a confession to make. As a child, I grew up watching repeats of I Love Lucy.

One thing that I could count on every time I watched an episode is that I would end up laughing. Little did I know that I was also picking up on valuable truths that would serve me for a lifetime.

As a daffy and zany housewife, Lucille Ball’s character would seem to be the last place that a freelancer could find business tips. Well, if you’re thinking that, then you are wrong. Not only are there lessons to be learned from the I Love Lucy television series, there are also lessons to be learned from Lucille Ball’s life. Here are a few of them:
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Fight The Content Battle, What Happened To Writing For People?

Posted August 25, 2008 in freelancenews

Fight The Content Battle, What Happened To Writing For People?
One reason I was originally hesitant to start designing websites is the nature of “content” on the web. It is the misconception of clients that technology and the flexibility of content management systems allow “content” to come at any time.

9 Of The Best Ways To Present A Website To A Client

Posted August 25, 2008 in freelancenews

9 Of The Best Ways To Present A Website To A Client
The design phase of creating a website is fairly standard for most web designers however when it comes to presenting the mock up to a client before slicing / coding the design, some problems do arise.

20 Beautiful Dark Websites to get you Inspired

Posted August 25, 2008 in freelancenews

20 Beautiful Dark Websites to get you Inspired
Black and dark websites, when utilized properly, can have stunning outcomes. Often the dark background is mixed with subtle glows and gradients to produce even more brilliant results.

How To Provide Excellent Customer Service

Posted August 25, 2008 in freelancenews

How To Provide Excellent Customer Service
One thing that freelancers can offer over big design firms is personalized customer service. We should take pride in extent of support for our clients.

Open Thread: What’s Your Least Favorite Part of Freelancing?

Posted August 25, 2008 in Lifestyle, Open Thread

Okay, so we’re all freelancers here — let’s talk frankly. Freelancing may be one of the better things in life, but it sure isn’t perfect. In fact, some parts of freelancing just plain suck.

Come on, admit it. People asking you to work at all hours of the day? Collecting payment from clients? Dealing with someone who hires you and then forces you to do it their way? Keeping the books and filing taxes? Constantly trying to find new jobs and more work?

Miraculously accomplishing all of the above, while supporting your family, and still being treated with less respect than someone who has a job?

So, I pose the following question:

What’s your least favorite part of freelancing — and how do you deal with it?

7 Steps to Developing Originality in Your Design and Illustration Work

Posted August 24, 2008 in freelancenews

7 Steps to Developing Originality in Your Design and Illustration Work
Certainly we’re inspired by multiple sources, but ultimately it’s our synthesis of influence, discovery, passion, and process that determines the outcome of our work.