As we get ready for the Creative Freelancer Conference in Chicago, August 27-29, we are simultaneously building a resource web site for freelancers that will live well beyond this first event. (BTW, early bird deadline was extended to July 31st. You can still get $60 off the registration.)

So even if you can’t make it to Chicago, take advantage of our research. Here’s what we found to help you build your business:

Articles about marketing and other business issues for freelancers here:
Helpful links for freelancers of all types here:

And be sure to check out our growing list of sponsors, which includes HOW Magazine, Lynda.com, FunctionFox.com, Freelancers Union, Artisan Talent, SalesKite.com, Freelance Switch, OddPodz.com, MyEmma.com, Graphic Artists Guild, The Creative Group and more to come.

Unless you’re interviewing with a teensy design studio, chances are good you’ll meet with more than one person. At the very least, you should know your interviewers’ names and titles before you show up. If the hiring manager doesn’t give you this information, simply ask for it: “I’d like to be well-prepared for our time together. Might I ask who I’ll be meeting with during the interview process?”

To really impress, though, it’s smart to know more about these people, and then tailor your message to them. Get their names and titles, and then visit the firm’s website to learn more about them. Google them — see if they’ve been written about in the design media, if they’ve won awards, if they’ve presented at industry events, if they’ve authored white papers. In a recent Career article for HOW, columnist Julie Sims recommends, too, that you target your conversation to whoever you’re meeting with. For example, you shouldn’t get super-detailed about your creative process if you’re meeting with a CEO, but you should be prepared to explain your thinking if you’re showing your book to a creative director.

Brockett’s first interview suit, worn with the sales tag tucked in the pocket.

Inspired by Chris Costello’s post.
I’m uncertain if sharing my career pitfalls with intimidating, unidentifiable readers is threatening or liberating (in the same way that launching my thesis document from the 9th floor of the design building was thrilling). But Chris, you’ve inspired me, so here goes:

Yearn to kern:
During the first day at a dream job, the creative manager introduced me to team members as Miss Home (rather than Miss Horne). The kerning on my resume was so poor that the “r” and the “n” fused together, generating for me a new last name. It was an embarrassing error to correct, for both of us.
(more…)

Time management is a big challenge for most creative freelancers. You want to slow down and enjoy the season (or life in general) but you’re afraid that if you appear “unavailable” to clients, you’ll lose them or if you don’t take every one that comes along, you’ll never get another one. What to do?

Here’s one suggestion from Tracey Watt, owner of Rave! Design just outside Toronto, where Tracey lives on a farm and sometimes takes time during the day to ride her horse. (more…)

I often find that designers, whether they’re business owners, freelancers or employees, get sort of freaked out by the idea of planning their business or career. It can be an overwhelming prospect: figuring out what you want from your work life (and life in general) and charting a course to get there.

But what if you approached it like a design project? Like, start with a project brief in which you write down your goal and plot out steps along the way. Then find the best creative direction that’ll achieve what you want.

That’s the basic premise of HOW’s current webinar series on professional development for designers. Jeni Herberger’s June session drew rave reviews from participants who appreciated her honesty and openness, as she encouraged folks to really think about what they want. Jeni’s next session is July 24, and it’s one that any designer won’t want to miss. Plus, we’ve sweetened the deal: Sign up, and you’ll get a nifty downloadable HOW Career Guide as a freebie.

It’s already 3rd quarter—do you know how close you are to your 2008
year-end goals.

What are your top 3 goals for 2008? Have they changed since January? Have you already reached them? Are you halfway there?

What? You can’t remember what your goals are? It’s true, that was a
whole six months ago, but here we are mid-year and there’s still plenty of time to get yourself on track with your marketing and reach your annual goals by the end of the year. (more…)

Interviews from the Edge, Epiphanies and Wake-up Calls that Beg You to Ask “How Did I Ever Make It Out Alive”.

I’m a little excited as I try to recall the most forgettable moments of my art career. It’s a bit like reminiscing late at night with friends and laughing over a few beers. Now that I work so much, I don’t have any more friends, so I’ll just share these gems with all of you.

I recall some very dark days searching for jobs and trying to make a living as a graphic designer. In light of current economic conditions, some of you may be having a difficult time finding full-time (or any-time) employment as a designer and will no doubt be discouraged; thinking you’re a no-talent wannabe. Well, I hope the following true accounts of my most depressing experiences might inspire you not to give up. Can you top these tales of woe? (more…)

When you present a proposal to a prospective client, include an addendum of testimonials from former clients and accompany the testimonials with samples/screengrabs of work you did for them. If you already have this type of content published on your website then great, you can repurpose it in your proposals.

Email past clients now and ask for a testimonial, then add them to your contract/proposal templates.

Have you ever considered teaching? Designers are natural educators, as we often inform clients about smart choices. Mentoring others can enhance your approach to design and give you broader skills. For me, teaching is the closest career choice to being a “perpetual student,” (my actual dream). I find that teaching and designing mutually inspire each other. (more…)

This is the how the world works, period. Never, ever burn a bridge. Keep in touch with past clients. Send them a “touching base” email thanking them again for the business, telling them you would be happy to work with them again because it was a great experience, and openly ask them for referrals. Send them holiday greetings. Watch their PR list and email them congratulations when you see they have made any interesting announcements. WOMM (Word of Mouth Marketing) is more important than ever because everyone is more sensitive to and savvy about traditional advertising. It is being lumped together with what I would consider to be viral marketing, as you can see here in wikipedia. Our friend Andy Sernovitz has written a book on the topic and has started a growing membership organization called WOMMA.

Set up a google press alert for both former and current client names now so you can learn when they are in the press…and then contact them when they are.

Email past clients now with specific questions that might lead to word of mouth business: “Do you have any business associates in need of a website refresh / new business cards / a marketing DVD of services? Below are some highlights of recent projects we have completed. Please feel free to pass along to any associates you feel might benefit from working with us. And here are some testimonials from some of my happy clients.”