As I’m winding down for the last two days of the 12 Days of Christmas, I thought it’d be great timing to share some of the best posts of the year. I know a lot of you find this blog through social media and other blogs so you may not have the opportunity to look through the past twelve months of content. No worries! This post is for you. 🙂

Let’s Talk Business: Prioritization

Guest Post: How to Make A Moodboard

The Twenty-Something Entrepreneur

On Giving Blogging Advice (Part 1)

Guest Post: 3 SEO Mistakes You’re Making

Summer Type Picks

Entrepreneurship & Friendships

Blogging 101: Engage More

Ask A Freelancer: Booking Clients

Let’s Talk Business: Scheduling & Prioritization

Do you have any favorite blog posts of your own? Share them below!

The post 12DOC: Best of Studio 404 2014 appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

Every time I get to share an Ask A Freelancer post, I get super excited. Today’s post is about a very important process in your freelancing career, and that’s building your network. As an owner of a creative strategy and branding firm, it’s vital to me that we have a network of people who can help us take on projects that we’re interested in. We have cinematographers, videographers, front-end/back-end developers, illustrators, and the list goes on and on of people who can help us execute successful projects for our clients. There comes a time in every freelancer’s life when they may have more work than they can handle or you may need more work. We often get overflow projects from other local firms just because we’ve focused on developing great relationships with people in our field. Wedding planners are excellent examples of those who have extensive networks as weddings can include everything from graphic designers to florists.

I’m excited to have the very lovely Melissa Alam, who was featured here with her boyfriend Joshua on Creative Couples last year. I’m also having Lisa Butler of Elembee on the blog for the first time. I’ve been a huge fan of Lisa’s blog and the way she’s empowered the blogging community with WordPress knowledge. Both ladies have showcased connecting with a vast network of other creatives which is why I chose them specifically for this post. I’m excited for what they have to say and I hope you find it helpful.

Why should freelancers have a network of others who provide different services?

Melissa: For future collaborations of course! I like to surround myself with talented and dedicated individuals who can offer services that my clients may potentially need in the future. For instance, I’ve used freelance friends who are illustrators, videographers, and graphic designers all for work that certain clients needed and which I couldn’t provide (or didn’t have the time to provide).

Why should freelancers have a network of others who provide different services?

Lisa: In the beginning, you want to try your hand at everything, but eventually you realize that’s not smart business. The more focused you can be in your offerings, the faster your skills and expertise will improve. You’ll get a much better result and be a lot happier in your work when you focus on what you love and do best and bring in others to help in the areas that aren’t your strength.

Plus, I think it’s just good karma. I try not to leave a potential client hanging — if I’m not a good fit for them, someone out there is. I like to think by helping other freelancers and clients find their perfect matches, I’m building up good karma for my own perfect clients.

What other type of businesses do you collaborate with?

Melissa: I’m always looking for new opportunities while also thinking outside of the box. Collaborating with local businesses to host unique and niche events is always a good idea, as well as teaming up with different PR, Marketing, and Event Planning professionals in my city. Building a strong network around you is a great way to build your reputation as well as get referral business!

What other type of businesses do you collaborate with?

Lisa: Currently, I have an ongoing relationship with one designer that I partner with on web development for most of her web design projects. My ideal work week is a mix of design and development — I like the balance of the creative and the logical. Last year, I partnered with more designers on development, but ultimately I found that an ongoing relationship works best for me. We’ve worked together long enough that we have our system down, and I can focus on the work itself. It’s important to find the right partnerships for your needs.

Do you use any tools to help you build your network?

Melissa: Mostly Twitter and Facebook on an everyday basis. Don’t be afraid to be involved in different groups around your city such as Levo League, different meetups, or even an intramural sports team. I also try to attend events in my city so that people can start putting a face to the name since I’m so active on social media. I’ve had people actually recognize my Twitter handle and then me before!

How did you develop relationships with potential contractors for your network?

Lisa: The designer I work with initially approached me to work on her site because of a comment I left on her blog (back when commenting was the main method of blog networking!). But really, relationships just developed over time — I’m not even sure I could pinpoint how I met half the people I know! Twitter has been huge for me — it’s a quick and easy way to start a conversation with someone. In-person events are also fantastic, I will never regret money spent to attend a conference where I can meet like-minded people.

Above all, don’t be afraid to reach out. Many of us are freelancers because we don’t mind life behind a computer screen, alone in our apartments. But we need each other. Go to events where you don’t know anyone. Say hello on Twitter to someone whose work you admire. The beauty of networking is you never know what could come out of one small interaction.

How do you deal with issues with contractors or others during collaborations?

Melissa: Good question! I haven’t dealt with anything extremely negative (fingers crossed) while dealing with contractors or collaborations, but some advice in situations like that is to be completely transparent from the beginning. Keep everyone in the loop and you’re less likely to have misunderstandings later on that could cause conflict. Also, make sure you pay people on time if you’re contracting! No one likes a late payment, so be timely with your correspondences, deliverables, and payments.

How often do you collaborate on client projects?

Lisa: Regularly! I almost always have a project with the designer I work with. Beyond that, I haven’t really been collaborating with others on client projects lately. I feel like I’ve settled into a groove with my own work and hers. Like I said before, it’s important to figure out what works best for you.

How has your network helped your business?

Melissa: My network is one of the biggest reasons why I am where I am right now! From friends on Facebook who see my work and ask to hire me, to the constant referrals I’m getting from friends of friends, I feel truly blessed to be receiving a stable amount of work. Don’t burn bridges and keep an open mind when creating your network. You never know when you’ll need that one connection you made months ago!

What advice would you give to freelancers who are thinking of building their own network?

Lisa: Broken record here, but don’t be afraid to reach out! To expand on that a bit more, also be respectful. People are nice — but also busy. No one wants to read a novel of your life story or play 20 questions. Make your requests short and sweet, and build relationships over time.

Connect with Melissa: Site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Connect with Lisa: Blog & Portfolio | Twitter | Blogkeeping Newsletter

The post Ask A Freelancer: Building A Network appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

Happy Thursday! As my last day of a hopeful 23 year-old, I’m so excited to have two of my favorite designers talking about client relationships. One of the best and sometimes terrifying things about being a freelancer is developing client relationships. Relationships are such a huge part of our lives which is why client relationships are no different. Some of my favorite projects are with my long-term clients who I’ve been working with for years. Getting an e-mail or a phone call for a new project can be the beginning of something amazing which is why I’m happy to have some questions answered on the subject.

Today, the lovely Kimberly of Her Name is Kim will be sharing some of her thoughts on client relationships. I’ve never heard anything but ravishing reviews from Kim’s clients about the work she does for their blogs and their brands. I’ll also be featuring some answers from Kory Woodard, who has been freelancing for two years now. Kory started her career during school so I really wanted to get her perspective on building client relationships while being a full-time student. Both ladies are fantastic designers who have a lot to offer and I’m excited to share their thoughts on client relationships.

What is the importance of good client relationships for your business?

Kimberly: Having a good client relationship is everything for your business. In our field, referrals, well at least for me, are my main source of income. I make sure I provide white glove service to all of my clients, so that when we’re done, they’ll sing my praises and also know what they should expect for any other service based business. Additionally you earn their trust, so should they need anything in the future, they’ll think of you first.

How important is it to you to have long-term client relationships?

Kory: It’s incredibly important to me to maintain a relationship with my clients. It means a lot to me that I create a positive experience and develop a meaningful relationship. As a young freelancer, there have been months where I’ve been lucky enough to rely on the income from my repeat clients. So it’s that much more important to my business to have those relationships.

What strategies do you use in building your client relationships?

Kimberly: I try and follow up with my clients even after the project is complete to make sure they are getting a return on their investment. I also like to offer my repeat clients a small discount should they need future services. I also prefer to educate my clients on design trends, offer website advice or suggestions that will increase their ROI beyond the design portion of the project. For instance I had a client whose blog I designed, and I noticed she had no email opt-in on her website to gain more subscribers. I suggested the importance of a great Call To Action and what it can do to generate more leads or more subscribers to her blog.

I also make sure my clients know how to use their websites before I sign out. I don’t want them to feel like I am just going to leave them high and dry so I make sure we walk through everything and they understand how everything functions. I also have a great deal of patience with my clients. I’ll admit, I can be a bit of a hand holder lol, but I love being able to make my clients feel at ease and comfortable with using their blogs or websites.

The most important strategy of all is have FUN! This is my passion and even though there are some clients I’ve never actually talked to on the phone, they can feel the fun through email lol. You can keep things professional but still have an amazing collaboration experience with your clients.

I don’t just design for my clients, I collaborate with them. It’s a team effort and I work with my clients to create something they will not only love, but serves the purpose of generating income for their business.

Have you dealt with a client relationship going bad? If so, what helped you deal with it?

Kory: Absolutely! Thankfully it’s just been a time or two, but that means I haven’t developed the best way to deal with it. However, when I have had to deal with it I try to take time to step back and see what exactly isn’t working, and why it’s not. In that instance, I saw that it just wasn’t going to work out, so I accepted that the project needed to end.

Why should freelancers focus on building client relationships?

Kimberly: Freelancers should focus on building client relationships because you’ll have repeat business from those clients and they are more likely to refer you to their colleagues and most importantly gain their trust. Doing business online can be difficult since you’re not interacting face to face, so it’s extremely important to gain your client’s trust.

Have you ever changed a process within your business to make it easier for you to develop client relationships?

Kimberly: Absolutely. I recently actually implemented the 60 day follow-up with my client. After I complete a website, blog or brand identity, I like to follow up to see how they are doing and how things are going for them or if they’ve ran into any snags. This creates a learning opportunity for both myself and my client to see what’s working and what isn’t. It’s also a great opportunity to gain additional business from the same client. I also implemented a new project management software to make my communication on projects with my clients seamless instead of just using plain old email to discuss projects.

I am also in the process of creating some sort of Thank You gift. I recently make an online purchase and a few days later, I got a thank you note in the mail from them thanking me for my purchase. It was simple but it was really thoughtful. I am in the process of going through all of my clients within the last 6 months and sending them all “Thank You” notes. It’s those small touches that really mean a lot.

I have a newsletter, but I am going to get better at sending them out more frequently. Most of my clients have subscribed to my email list, so I will provide them free tips to help get the most of their website or blog.

What is the most important key to building relationships for your potential clients?

Kory: The most important key is a couple – be honest, helpful, and patient. Many of the clients I work with are unsure of what they want at the beginning of the project, and some are even a little unsure of what to expect when working with a designer. So, aside from actually having a genuine interest in their success ( duh ) and helping them, it definitely helps the relationship to be honest with them on what they may need or even if you’re the best fit. Aside from that, be patient when you’re preparing to work with them as most people don’t know a lot about our business, and be helpful. If you realize you aren’t the best fit for them, don’t just step away. Give them the resources they need to get project done.

What tips would you offer to other freelancers on managing client relationships?

Kim: 

• Treat your clients like gold. Earn their trust and, listen, listen, LISTEN to them because it’s really not about you, it’s about them.
• Ask LOTS of questions because communication is KEY. It’s our jobs as designers to get what we need from our clients.
• Educate your clients. If something doesn’t work design wise, don’t use design jargon, show them why something doesn’t work.
• Create an easy and seamless process for your clients. If something isn’t working in your process try something new.
• Follow up with your clients. Go above and BEYOND. Don’t just do the job, do it how you would want it done for yourself.
• Have fun with your clients. Don’t make the process like it’s a trip to the dentist. Make it comfortable and easy!

 What advice do you have to offer on newer freelancers who want to build client relationships?

Kory: Probably the best advice I could give would have to be ‘be yourself’. Don’t pretend to be someone else or more professional than you feel as you chat with them. If you don’t know something, just be honest. It’s going to be obvious that you’re trying to be something you’re not, so just be yourself.

Thank you so much Kimberly and Kory for taking the time out to answer these questions and share your stories here.

Connect with Kimberly: Portfolio | Blog | Bloglovin | Facebook | Google+ | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

Connect with Kory: Portfolio | Blog | Dribbble | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

The post Ask A Freelancer: Client Relationships appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

Last month we talked about booking clients and today I wanted to follow up with how to manage those projects once you have them. One of the hardest things for most student freelancers to do is project management. If you’re never been in a position to properly manage projects, it’ll be mostly learning form experience.

I’ve gotten two wonderful ladies to talk about managing projects. The first one is Kia Perry of Girly + Inspired. I’ve been following Kia’s blog and seeing her work for quite a while. She is very open about her client process and sharing what she’s working on. I’m really excited to see what Kia has to share with us, especially since she’s working on Creative Girls ATL, an upcoming group focused on branding  workshops and social events in Atlanta.

The second lady is the wonderful Candace of Studio Meroe. With a focus in the fashion, beauty, and home decor, Candace’s specific niche made her a perfect person to get in touch with. Most of the designers I’ve featured here don’t have a niche so it’s great to hear from someone who has a specific target market. Candace does amazing work and I’m so glad to have her here.

What is your client onboarding process like?

Kia: Lately, I’ve been doing mostly logo designs so once a potential client inquires about my services I send them a little packet with the break-down of the logo design package, price, and details about the design process. Once they’ve had time to look over the information and they still want to move forward, I send them an invoice for the deposit, a Project Agreement, and a rough timeline. Once I’ve received everything and the timeline is approved by the client, we get the party started!

Now, this is definitely an evolving thing for me. I’m still learning what works and what doesn’t the more I deal with clients. I’m participating in an online workshop with Amanda Genther called Heart Your Clients where I’m learning how to make a fun, easy, and unique experience for my clients. So this on-boarding process may have some revisions within the next couple months.

What tools do you use that are imperative to your project management?

Candace: Right now I’m using Todoist, which is a free project management web application and Iphone app. They also just  released an amazing Gmail extension that replaces google tasks (think google tasks on steroids). It allows you to organize your To-Do lists by project. I have my list organized under the following labels: This Week, Projects, Meroe Blog, Meroe Shop, Admin, & Someday. That way I can prioritize my week, keep an eye on current + future projects , as well as continue to effectively run my blog, shop, and daily administrative tasks. The ‘Someday’ project is just a place where I can continue to dream and jot down random ideas that come to mind. I also have a Julia Kostreva planner & and notebook for days where I’m not near my computer.

How do you handle client correspondence during projects?

Kia: Right now, I mostly correspond with clients via email and telephone. I’ve tried using Podio, a project management platform, but my clients didn’t take to that very well. In the near future I plan on adding Google Hangouts to make the process more personal.

Do you ever work on multiple projects at once?

Candace: I find that if I work on more than 3 projects at once I’m pretty frazzled. When you frequently work on branding for clients you have to switch your entire mindset to sort of live in this world that you’ve created for them. So when you’re jumping back and forth between projects it’s like taking off a pair of shades and putting on new ones—you have to see everything through their lenses and it can take a bit of time to get your mind back into their aesthetic. I find it’s best if I try to work for long periods of time on one project or split projects by day. That way I can maintain maximum focus.

How do you keep your projects on time for deadlines?

Kia: In the beginning of the project, I create a timeline that is approved by the client. Each week represents a step in my design process, which is usually enough time for me to complete each step. Sometimes during the Revision phase of the process a project can run over, but for the most part I either finish early or right on time. My process is a collaborative effort between the client and I so it’s really about staying on top of the client and making sure they complete their tasks on time. If not, the deadline is pushed back and it will take longer for them to get their shiny new logo, but of course I try my best to not let that happen!

How do you handle unplanned interruptions in your projects?

Candace: I’ll be honest, I hate unplanned interruptions, but—such is life—they’re bound to happen! I’ve learned to build interruptions and extra time into my day. My days are rarely 100% jam-packed. I try to operate at 90% capacity, because there’s a good possibility I’ll need that extra 10% for a project  or errand I may have underestimated. When things go smoothly I  have some extra time for passion projects or an extra long lunch with friends.

What can clients do to help the project management process go smoothly?

Kia: When the client fills out that Questionnaire in the beginning it is uber important for them to fill it out THOROUGHLY because if they don’t it will make it harder for me to nail the design, and every designer’s goal, I feel, is to hit that nail on the head the first time. I like my clients to literally put down any and everything they ever thought about or that comes to mind for their design. Also, if the client is cooperative in completing tasks and turning in information on time, that always helps things run smoothly and stay on track!

Do you refer projects to other designers when you’re booked?

Candace: If the project seems like something I’d love to do, I’m upfront with the client and let them know what my current lead times are. I’ve had clients wait 3 months just to work with me. I used to be absolutely terrified to respond with bad news, but it’s best to be honest—rushing projects is never good for anyone. If the client can’t wait, I’m happy to refer them to other designer friends. I know a bit of html/css, and if time permits I do custom installs and code work, but if I’m booked I refer clients to developers as well (sidenote: I’m actually looking for more developers to add to my network).

What advice would you give to freelancers to help streamline their project management process?

Kia: Stay organized! If your clients are open to using project management platforms such as Basecamp or Podio, I suggest giving that a try because it lays everything out for you to see on one screen and puts everything in one place for it be easily accessible for both you and the client. If not, then make sure you’re creating a designated folders/labels in your mailbox and on your desktop for individual projects so client and project information is readily available.

What advice would you give to freelancers to help streamline their project management process?

Candace:

I guess the best advice I have is to ‘Work Smart’. Being effective is all about organization and cutting down on things that are hogging up your time and disrupting your workflow. A few tips that adhere to the ‘Work Smart’ philosophy:

• Create a weekly schedule based on all the different freelance hats you have to wear and set specific tasks for each day of the week. Need an example? Check out mine here.
• Set your Gmail to ‘Priority Inbox’ and star emails you need to respond to later or keep at the top of the pile.
• Check & respond to emails at specific times, not every 20 minutes. Try 10:30am & 3:30pm. Email is the #1 distraction and workflow killer.
• Block out big chunks of your day to focus on 1 task at a time. For me, 3-4 hours is good for each task.
• Creative genius can’t happen if your brain is foggy. Take small breaks and don’t feel guilty about it! Your brain does not work properly or creatively when you’re feeling burnt out. Respect the creative mind and let it rest!
• Outsource anything that makes you feel like you don’t have enough time in a day, even housework. Paying $80 for 4 hours of house cleaning so that you can complete $200-$300 worth of design work is just smart, not lazy. It’s money well spent if you’re making a profit.

Thank you so much to Kia and Candace for giving such amazing advice and sharing so many great resources!

Connect with Kia: Portfolio | Blog | Facebook | Google+ | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

Connect with Candace: Portfolio | Blog | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Pinterest | Twitter

The post Ask A Freelancer: Managing Projects appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

One of the things that I want to do with this series is start to talk about the processes of actually working. The next few months should feature some amazing people who want to get a bit in-depth about their work process, and if that person is you, get in touch!

We all want to work but how do we get work? I wanted to talk to two amazing designers about their work flow process. Tara Victoria of Tara Victoria is a part-time freelance designer and photographer. I was really excited to get her opinion because this isn’t her full-time gig (yet!). I know there are plenty of you who are still doing side-work and want to know about the client work process.

I’m also chatting with Liz Franco of Srsly Liz is a designer who is doing fantastic things. I’ve really enjoyed reading her blog over the past year and getting to know her. She has some great insight on how she books clients!

Do you book more local or online clients?

Tara: For me because I freelance part-time at the moment, I definitely book more local clients.

Do you book more local or online clients?

Liz: It’s interesting that you ask this because I noticed that recently the bulk of my clientele has been local. When I first began freelancing I was blogging a lot more and booked most of my clients via my blog. Now that I’ve established myself more as a designer and gotten my business “out there” to where friends and acquaintances know what I do, they are approaching me with design gig inquiries.

Where do your clients find you?

Tara: Currently, most of my clients hear about me through word of mouth. It’s the usual heard-it-from-a-friend. A past client of mine, something they saw on Facebook or from a friend of a friend. I’m finding very quickly that this is one of the fastest ways to get more clients, especially if it’s through local, small businesses. A lot of business owners growing or starting smaller businesses seem to know each other if they’re in similar industries and want to help each other out. This has been really great to see happening!

How do you market yourself as a freelancer online?

Liz: I definitely leverage my blog as a platform to market my brand by sharing some of my design process, projects in progress or that I’ve launched, etc. I also use social media like Twitter and Pinterest to engage with other like-minded creatives and potential clients who fit my demographic of people I’d like to work with.

How do handle multiple client inquiries?

Tara:  The majority of the time, I handle multiple client inquiries on a first come – first serve basis. I find this is the most efficient and fair way of doing things. Normally, as long as you let them know that you have another client booked, they will be flexible to that timing. Usually it’s a matter of sending out estimates (sometimes more than one at a time) and finding out the deadlines or the scope of the project before booking. At times I can be really bad for taking on too many projects at once, which results in a lot of late nights, some stress and too much coffee haha! I typically find a good way to judge taking on multiple projects at a time is to find out the deadlines before you start overlapping things too much. If one client needs their project done for a launch date, or a grand opening ASAP, make those things a priority. Once you’ve sent out the proofs for that project and are waiting on feedback, spend that time working on another client project with a more flexible due date. It’s definitely a bit of a balancing act, but once you get the hang of what works best for you, it becomes second nature to prioritize and mark your calendar.

Do you pitch projects that you’d like to work on?

Liz: Yep! Just the other night my boyfriend (who is also my developer) and I went out to dinner to a new place in town; we discovered the restaurant didn’t have a website when we tried to look up the menu online before hopping in the car. When we got there we had the chance to chat with the owner who came by to introduce himself and we mentioned we were designers. Long story short, we talked about how we’d love to help him develop an online presence and he asked us for our contact info. It really is all about putting yourself out there.

Do you ever find the initial client on-boarding project stressful?

Tara: Usually, I find this part of a project really interesting as opposed to stressful. I think if you have a client package set up before you get to the initial stages, it makes it a lot easier on you and on the client. Knowing the right questions to ask to get the answers you need to start the project is crucial to a smooth process and a successful outcome. That being said, I think it depends on the client. I do find it stressful when some clients don’t know what they want or when they don’t know how to answer the questions you’ve asked. It’s all about knowing the right questions to ask to help lead them to the right answers. This can be stressful at times and it definitely takes practice.

What is the most effective way that you’ve found to help you book clients via e-mail?

Liz: I’ve found that its really important to be punctual with your replies. This is something I STILL struggle with because (like everyone else) my inbox can get scary pretty fast if I don’t stay organized. This is why Gmail’s multiple inboxes saves my life. I have separate inboxes for both potential + current clients and color-coded labels for each as well. As soon as I get a message I *file* it appropriately. I truly do recommend it.

What tips would you give to a client on booking a freelancer for a new project?

Tara: I would say some tips for a client would be to take a look at the freelancer’s portfolio or blog before you book them, just to get a feel for their style. If it looks totally opposite from what you’re wanting, maybe inquire as to if they’re open to doing what you’re looking for or if they strictly stick to a certain type of thing. Another thing would be to keep an open mind! Creativity and originality is so important when it comes to a successful outcome of a project – if you have a closed mind and aren’t open to new ideas the process can become a bit tricky.

Have a good idea of why you’re seeking out a freelancer in the first place. If it’s because you feel totally lost and have no idea how to start creating a brand for yourself, or if it’s because you want to take your business to the next level and are in need of a refresh, either is equally important, but it’s so important to know where you sit. Another thing that can help a ton is to think of a budget ahead of time. One of the hardest things to discuss (for some reason) is money, but everyone needs to get paid and things don’t get programmed or printed for free. If you figure this out ahead of time and communicate it to the designer, it can make things go a bit smoother and quicker in the long run because this lets the freelancer know what can/can’t be done – concept wise.

What tips would you give to a freelancer on new client acquisition?

Liz: 1> Be professional. 2> Know your worth. 3> Promote yourself. 4> Be nice.

Many thanks to both Tara & Liz for putting in the time to answer these questions!

Connect with Tara: Portfolio | Blog | Bloglovin | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Connect with Liz: Portfolio | Blog | Dribbble | Pinterest | Twitter | VSCO Grid

The post Ask A Freelancer: Booking Clients appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

It’s a new year and if your calendar looks anything like mine, you are juggling quite a few things. I’ve had a couple of unexpected events that have knocked me off course but thankfully I had my posts planned out and my projects have very detailed schedules. Still, even with the best of plans, it’s hard to juggle a social life, a full time job, a freelance career, and a new shop in the works. I reached out to two very fantastic ladies who are all about their business to talk about managing time.

You might know Kate Baird but she is the owner and designer of Katelynn Brooke Designs. I’m always impressed with Kate’s wonderful branding projects. She uses a clean style and her projects are very Hamptons-chic, think C. Wonder.

Shanice of Shanice Cameron Design, formerly Modern Mint Designs, is a web designer focused on creating beautiful spaces for women. She posts amazing blog tips on her blog, much like the one featured yesterday. She loves to help people achieve their business goals and it’s what I adore about her. So let’s talk about managing time and how these ladies make it happen!

What does your typical work day look like?

Kate:  Honestly, at the end of 2013 I was doing really well with having a weekly structure, and so far in January I’ve had trouble getting back into it. Ideally, I wake up around 7:00 and have coffee and mentally prepare for my day, and then start working at 8:00. The first two hours of my day are usually the most productive, so ideally I’m only glancing at my email and then diving into a project. From 11 to 2 I usually do a combination of email, working out, eating lunch, walk the dog, etc. Then from 2 to 5 I’m back to working on client projects, and then I generally spend the last hour of my work day addressing emails. I try really hard to be done working at 6, but sometimes that doesn’t happen

What does your typical work day look like?

Shanice: I recently rearranged my schedule so that I work on specific things on certain days. I got this amazing scheduling idea from my business coach.

I do marketing on Mondays and Wednesdays. I work on client projects and/or my own projects on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I use Fridays to finish up work from earlier in the week. Of course this can vary quite a bit, and I rearrange things as needed. But it really helps me to focus on specific areas of my business each day, and it keeps things interesting!

I typically work Monday – Friday from 7:30am – 8pm. That may seem like a long workday, but I take at least a small break every two hours.

From 7:30 – 8:00am, I’ll take about 30 minutes to respond to any time sensitive emails and those that just need quick responses. Around 9:00am, I’ll get to work on my task for the day.

If it’s a Monday or a Wednesday (marketing days), I’ll write content for my blog, create content for my email subscribers, and engage with my target audience on social networking sites. If it’s a Tuesday or Thursday, I work on client work and/or my own projects.

During the day, I focus on each task for about two hours. I usually take a lunch break around 1:00pm – 2:00pm. I’ll stop to cook and eat dinner from 4:00pm – 6:00pm. Then I’ll get back to work around 6:00pm and work until 8:00pm.

What is the biggest challenge you find in managing your time?

Kate: Definitely getting distracted. It’s so easy to get sucked into email and social media, when really my time could be spent better elsewhere. But really, I mostly distract myself with all the tasks that need to be accomplished. I really struggle with putting the to-do lists away so that I can focus on just one thing.

How much time do you feel you spend designing on a daily basis?

Shanice: It can vary a lot depending on how many projects I have going on. I estimate that I spend on average about 15-20 hours a week designing.

That’s one thing that surprised me about freelancing! I expected to be designing virtually all day, every day. However, a lot of my time is spent marketing and handling administrative tasks like invoicing and correspondence.

What tools do you use to help manage your schedule?

Kate: I think the better questions is what tools haven’t I tried?  Since I struggle so much with time management, it feels like I’ve tried everything.  Right now i’m using a combination of my Day Designer and Todoist.  My Day Designer sits open in front of me all day and has an hourly scheduler and a written to-do list.  I use Todoist to help me keep track of tasks on individual projects.  I’ve also started using Basecamp in the last 4 months, and it’s been good for helping me really buckle down and work on what needs to be worked on.

Do you have any techniques that you have found to be helpful in managing your project schedules?

Shanice: On a micro level, Google Calendar alerts are very helpful! I don’t know where I would be without them.

Before I begin a new design project, I break it into smaller segments (e.g. discovery, mockup, development, and delivery). I outline the project schedule and setup deadlines for each segment.

I setup four (4) alerts for each segment – two alerts before each segment is scheduled to begin and two alerts as the segment deadline approaches. This really helps me keep track of everything since the alerts show up on my phone and iPad. The Google Calendar alerts are especially helpful when my personal life gets hectic

On a macro level, spreadsheets work really well. I can easily keep track of multiple projects at a time when I can see which segments I’ve completed for each project and which segments I need to start.

How do you deal with unplanned interruptions in your projects?

Kate: Generally my clients are pretty understanding, and I purposely set up my work to be not very deadline oriented, which can be a good thing and a bad thing. I guess I am just constantly assessing and prioritizing my tasks, and constantly reshuffling that list of what’s next. I’ve come to expect the unexpected, so even when I don’t plan for interruptions, I’m usually quick to figure out the best course of action from there. It takes practice!

How do you balance your social life versus your work life?

Shanice: I’ll be honest and say that I’m still working on finding a balance! It can get tough trying to make time for my social life. Luckily, my husband is a professor, so he has a flexible schedule. We take our breaks together when he works from home. We also have date night at least once a week. We’ll hang out with friends once every couple weeks.

This probably isn’t a good thing, but I’m notorious for multitasking and maximizing my time as much as possible. I’ll use my headphones to talk to a friend on the phone while I’m cooking. If I have errands to run, I’ll schedule lunch with a friend on the same day in the same area. When running a business, scheduling and practical planning are essential.

Many thanks to both Kate and Shanice for being so open and helpful regarding managing time!

Connect with Kate: Portfolio | Blog | Dribbble | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter 

Connect with Shanice: Portfolio | Blog | Shop | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter

The post Ask A Freelancer: On Time Management appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

As the last month of the year, December may be a hard month for those who are self-employed. It’s not always easy! If your December looks anything like mine, every weekend is packed with social events, including some weekdays. Your time is limited. You have gift spreadsheets and card address books all over the place. You also may wake up with enough glitter in your hair to make you feel like you left a Ke$ha concert. The end of the year holidays are not easy to navigate.

This month, I’m teaming up with my blog friend, Anna of The Deming Place (now North Four Design), to talk the holidays out. Anna is a fantastic designer from Saint Paul who is getting things done. She has a stationery shop which already features some amazing holiday cards. Anna has a really great minimal aesthetic with a very busy schedule as  she finishes the graphic design post-baccalaureate program at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. I hope we can assist some of your FAQs about running a business during the holidays.

Do you experience more or less work during the end of year holidays?

In the past few years, I’ve learned that I have a lot more work during the end of the year, which is why I after missing my deadline, I knew I would have to wait until 2014 to launch the shop.

If you’re experiencing a holiday surge, how do you handle the excess work?

Anna: I’ll be completely honest and say that I am not having a surge in work right now – at least paying work, that is. Now that I’m back in school (I’m in a post-baccalaureate graphic design program), I’ve purposefully controlled outside work so I can focus on my assignments. But I guess I technically have a surge in homework right now since it’s the end of the semester! Managing school, work and outside projects is definitely tough, and I certainly don’t have it all figured out. For now, I (attempt to) stay organized with excessive planning – usually by looking at everything I need to accomplish two to four weeks in advance and then make long to-do lists. And because there are so many events and unexpected obligations that come up during the holidays, I force myself to review and revise my lists every single day. Otherwise I forget everything!

What are ways to avoid distractions during the holidays?

Make a plan and stick to it. The biggest distraction for me during the holidays is social events. Perhaps because it’s the holidays, it seems people want you around a lot more and I get a lot of last-minute invites. If I haven’t gotten an invitation a couple of weeks in advance, I usually decline. I have an extremely tight schedule so it’s important for me to respect my time. I want to focus on getting things done and spending time with the people who are closest to me.

Is it hard to keep your focus on work during the holidays?

Anna: Definitely. There are parities to look forward to, presents to shop for and one million baked goods that need to be eaten. I’m taking a vacation after Christmas, so I’m keeping that break in mind when I feel like procrastinating. If I get everything done before my vacation, I won’t feel a single twinge of guilt for not brining my commuter along. At least that’s what I’m telling myself right now.

How do you organize your work load during the holidays?

I usually start by deadline. I’m a big fan of visualizations so it’s important for me to utilize tools like Evernote and Asana to keep myself in check. We have some end-of-year projects that really cannot be held back any longer. It’s my priority to finish all of my client work prior to divulging too deep into the other work. It’s difficult because I have work that stretches out until the end of the year and another project starting right in January. Right now, I’m just writing down all of the things that are priorities and getting them all done as quickly as possible. When you have business partner, it’s important to keep each other in check and share the workload.

What are some ways you organize your social media during the holidays?

Anna: Umm, I could be way better about organizing social media, so I don’t think I’m one to provide advice on this front. When it comes to my social media, I’m on a “do-it-when-I-have-time” schedule right now, which I’m actually fine with. Everyone is so busy during this time of year, that I think it’s ok to let the social media slip a bit. However, I am making it a goal to be on a more regular schedule in the New Year. And I think this is going to include (again) tons of planning ahead, and probably a spreadsheet or two.

Do you set goals for your business at the end of the year for the upcoming year?

Yes I do! We just accomplished one of our biggest goals from last year this morning and it was amazing. It only took 12 months? But it’s important to me to have something to work towards. Next year, a lot of my time will be spent focusing on the shop and doing more branding work. I think any business owner should have goals to work towards. Even if you don’t meet them, it’s just important to have guidelines for your year. Running a business aimlessly isn’t good.

What are ways that other freelancers can prepare for the upcoming year?

Anna: What works for me is to use the New Year as an excuse to start thinking really big and make huge goals for myself. Once I land on one or two ideas that I am crazy excited about, I start breaking them down into smaller steps so they actually seem manageable and attainable. Having one or two big ideas to work toward each year allows me to focus my work in a major way. If I don’t think a project is helping move toward my goals, it makes it easier to pass and then take on other work that helps me get to where I want to be.

Thank you so much Anna for helping me out in chatting about the holidays!

Connect with Anna: Blog | Shop | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

The post Ask A Freelancer: On Holidays appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

The month of November is all about reflecting on gratitude and enjoying each other which is why I reached out to very fabulous ladies to discuss support as a freelancer. Working on your own for the first time can be pretty tough. Sometimes your family doesn’t always agree with your choice of leaving a stable income. Sometimes your friends don’t understand why you can’t go out on a Saturday night because you have a Monday deadline. Not everyone who visits your blog is engaging with you and it can be frustrating. Jen Serafini is a graphic designer and art director who writes an amazing blog. I’ve been a fan of hers for quite some time. Like myself, Jen does work a 9-5 and she also does freelance work on the side. I wanted her perspective because I know it’s not easy having a full plate all of the time and finding support can be pretty hard.

We also have Alicia Carvalho, who is an amazing graphic designer who was born in Africa and is currently residing in Vancouver. Alicia’s work has been featured on The Dieline which I think is qualification enough for this feature. Alicia is very connected with design bloggers and she engages often. I wanted to get her perspective, as someone who doesn’t live in the US, to share some thoughts on building and giving support. These ladies are amazing so I’m sure you’ll find what they have to say interesting and hopefully helpful.

How do you build online support for your lifestyle as a freelancer?

Jen: I’ve gotten great feedback and support over the past year by sharing my journey, good or bad through my blog. It’s a great outlet and has allowed people in similar situations to connect and support me throughout the process.

How do you build offline support for your lifestyle as a freelancer?

Alicia: I feel like this is one area I am still working on figuring out. Social media is an awesome and powerful tool, allowing you to connect and stay in touch with a ton of people just as awesome as you, but it definitely is not the same as actually hanging out with REAL people in REAL life.

I get cabin fever quite easily and get restless about being at home all day. A friend of mine has recently left her full time position and we’ve been having weekly library-dates, giving us a chance to get out of our home to work and be social at the same time.

I am a huge introvert and get super anxious about networking events, however there are a few regular creative events and workshops I make a priority to attend. It is so important to not get stuck in your little work-at-home bubble. I try to go out as much as possible to get inspired and up to date on what the creative community around me is doing.

I recently did a collaboration with the awesome photo stylist behind the blog The Artful Desperado (see the project here) and it was a super refreshing experience. I had gotten so used to working “for clients” and working “by myself” I forgot how awesome and inspiring it is to actually work “with someone” on a project. Needless to say I have decided to make personal projects and collaborations a priority for myself in the next year.

I often hear from other freelancers that they find hardships in connecting with other freelancers. Have you ever felt this pressure?

Jen: I’ve learned to not let myself feel pressured to connect with everyone out there, but rather establish some key, close relationships where I feel comfortable sharing ideas, asking for advice and vice versa. It’s about quality, not quantity 🙂

Have you ever experienced frustration for the lack of support of your career as a freelancer?

Alicia: I guess so. Less so now. Or maybe I’ve just gotten used to it. There’s always been a few family members that question what it is you are doing with your life, but I’ve gotten pretty good at ignoring them (ha!).

I think every freelancer comes across a few situations where you explain to someone what it is you actually do – you’d be surprised at how many people don’t know what a graphic designer actually does – and they still assume you sit around in your pjs all day and doodle. Or there’s always that random friend who wants you to just “whip up a quick logo” tomorrow. I don’t think I let those kind of situations get to me that much anymore. It’s annoying and frustrating, but I guess you get used to it, and attempt to educate them.

What advice would you give a new freelancer on how to support other freelancers?

Jen: Always be willing to share your experience with one another. People feel empowered when they know they are supported by a community. It’s about working together, not against one another.

What are some ways you support other freelancers?

Alicia: I think I’ve done a pretty good job at surrounding myself with fellow freelancer and small business owners. I don’t mean to sound all fuck-corporations (cause yes, I do go to Starbucks every so often) but I do try to support the locals. Some of my favourite restaurants are independently owned, I love attending craft fairs for holiday shopping (and yay, etsy!!) and I am always happy to give someone a twitter shout out or friendly review.

Is supporting others a necessity as a freelancer?

Jen: I think it’s important to always have an open mind and be willing to support others when you can. Your work and livelihood should always come first, but when you feel like you’re at a good point in your career to support others and act as mentor, it can be very helpful to a younger designer or someone new to the field.

Do you feel support is necessary as a freelancer?

Alicia: I don’t think it is necessary, you’ll survive without, but it is so very helpful. Being a freelancer is not easy; it’s emotionally draining and mentally and physically exhausting. Having someone there to support you through your little client breakdown or printing disaster is always helpful.

I think in the beginning it’s easy to get overly emotionally involved, which clouds up your rational thinking. It’s so important to take a step back and look at things objectively. I think having my boyfriend around for the first year to mentally support me and be that voice of reasoning allowed me to grow much faster as a designer and business person.

Thank you so much to Jen and Alicia for taking the time out and being amazing by being a part of this series!

Connect with Jen: Blog | Portfolio | Twitter | Instagram

Connect with Alicia: Blog | Portfolio | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

The post Ask A Freelancer: On Support appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.