Design and Prosper

More suggested boundaries to help ensure projects run smoothly in your graphic design business. This is part 3 of a 4 part series all about boundary setting in your design business. These boundaries will have you covered for frustrating situations that occur around client project management. Full show notes: 💌 https://designandprosper.co/design-business-boundaries-part-3-project-management/ Click...

Following on from episode 43—Design Business Boundaries Part 1 // New Client Relationships, these boundaries will have you covered for those tricky situations that arise around money and getting paid. Talking about money, talking about what our work is worth, and asking for prompt payment are amongst the hardest aspects of being a designer in business. Some of us have such a huge block with this t...

Boundaries are woven throughout our entire business, they exist to protect us and our clients at every touchpoint and during every process. If you have trouble setting clear boundaries, join us for this transformative series where we provide you with the key boundaries that we believe every design business needs to get out ahead of it and be in control of their business. Full show notes: 💌 https:...

One little red flag…you can work with that right? ⁣ ⁣ Nope—if ignored, that little baby can explode into many! Before you know it you'll have little red flags all over the place! ⁣ We've all been there, taking on a red-flag client and not listening to our intuition. Instead saying to ourselves "who am I to turn down work?"⁣ ⁣ But then, ultimately ending up resenting the work or the client, or wors...

Curious about the Academy? Imagine if you had a list of everything you would need to run a successful design business? In this episode we let you know, step by step what should be on that list! We've got a complete design business roadmap we want to share you (it's The Design & Prosper Academy by the way!) This episode is a little bit different because it's an expert from our free masterclass. Thi...

Pricing your work as a graphic or brand designer can feel super confusing! We love talking about pricing and helping designers understand their worth and the transformation value they have to offer. In this episode, we have a chat about the hourly rate vs value-based pricing conundrum that has got many graphic designers scratching their heads. The answer might surprise you :) Click for full show n...

Short on time? You may think shortcutting your design and client processes is saving you time and money, but what is it really costing you? There's a common thread we've noticed over our many years of running graphic design businesses and teaching design students. If you short cut process, you generally end up regretting it. We're all human, we all make mistakes, but if you have a strong framework...

Hey, hey! We are now also publishing our podcasts on our brand new youtube channel! 🤗 If you prefer the extra dimension of eye contact and smiles via a zoom recording, watch via this link below 👇👇 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGDykpmfKbWqnN7LiFPlYdA _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _    Are your client's needs constantly being put before your own? In this episode we chat about th...

Freelancer. It's the dirty word that we feel is undermining many graphic designers and creatives in business. Although the word freelancer may have good intentions (think: freedom and flexibility), it comes at a cost. We believe many designers are playing small by using the word freelancer—it prevents creative entrepreneurs from fully showing up with a CEO mindset, which we believe is crucial for...

There are many small and large acts of courage that are required from you every single day when you are in business as a graphic designer.  First things first, we want to celebrate the courage it took for you to start your graphic design business. Starting your own business would have to be one of the scariest things in the world to do and you did it! Or you are considering doing it! So, consider...

Have you ever considered that perfectionism may just be the kryptonite in your design business? Here's what perfectionism can do to you as a graphic designer AND as a business owner AND as a human: • It can rob you of your precious time. • It can take away the pleasure of life. • It can lead to utter exhaustion. • It can lead to feelings of 'I'm not good enough' which can lead to even more perfect...

Kris and Donna share tips for licensing fonts for branding and web projects.    Click here for full show notes, including our favourite places to purchase fonts and find font inspiration.   Confused about pricing your graphic design projects? Download our free pricing guide.    Follow us on Instagram  @designandprosper__

Production management can be quite the organisational beast for designers...liaising with printers, arranging print quotes for clients, dealing with payment, sending off projects to print (to name a few).    Here are our top tips for remaining in control of projects that require production:  Avoid quoting on production until after the design concept has been resolved AND keep it separate from the...

The Design & Prosper Academy is finally here!     Join us for a 12 week group learning experience created especially for graphic, brand and web designers in business.    In The Academy you'll have the blueprint for creating an in-demand brand design studio without the business fatigue, client problems and money worries.    For all the details and to sign up, head to: https://www.designandprosper.c...

"I finally got the courage to raise my prices and now my client has said they can't afford it. What do I do?"   It's the feedback every brand designer dreads.    In this episode, your graphic design business fairy godmothers, Kris and Donna, talk about what to do about it, and why it may be happening.   Click here for full show notes AND find your helpful scripts to use when clients say "You're to...

In this episode, we talk about tips for brand designers on how to structure a discovery call for maximum conversion.   You'll learn exactly what a discovery call is AND what a discovery call is not, plus our top tips on how to use them to nurture relationships and successfully convert leads.   Click here for full show notes.    THE DESIGN & PROSPER ACADEMY IS COMING SOON!! Click here to sign up to...

So many talented designers get caught up in swapping time for money and lack the confidence that our industry commands—as a result, we see designers constantly undercharging. At the end of the day, we are in business to make a profit. We want you to know your numbers and be empowered! Click here for full show notes.    OUR DESIGN FOR PROFIT PACK MONEY PACK IS HERE! Click here to purchase this game...

We love a good trend as much as the next designer.   Who doesn't love being seen as a thought leader?  As someone who is on-point...even ahead of the game?   But when is jumping on board a current trend a good idea—and, when can it potentially sabotage a brand?   Let's discuss graphic design trends!   Click here for full show notes.    Book your free 30 minute discovery call   Download our free Pr...

Your next design project lead may be just under your nose.   In this episode, Kris and Donna talk about why your existing clients could be your next best customer and how to encourage repeat work in your branding or web design studio.    Click here for full show notes.    Book your free 30 minute discovery call   Download our free Pricing Guide for Graphic Designers    Follow us on Instagram  @des...

Cashflow problems can be the trigger for a downward spiral in your graphic design business.   And, can also have a negative impact on your health and wellbeing.   By implementing some easy money strategies, you can take your power back, feel in control and understand your financial position. Your cash flow will be on the right track to becoming lush and thriving—and so will you, lovely designer!  ...

In a world where people are giving away logos for free, how can you position yourself as a high-end brand designer and get high prices for your work?   In this episode, we discuss the systems and strategies you need to have in your design process in order to position yourself as a design leader and charge high-end prices.   Click here for full show notes.    Book your free 30 minute discovery call...

In this episode, we are shining the spotlight onto YOUR happiness and discussing the joys and benefits of being your own graphic design business boss.    Let's celebrate the road you've travelled to this point—your courage, your passion, your flexibility and freedom and the choices you get to make on the daily.    You, beautiful designer, are an entrepreneur. Bravo!    Click here for full show not...

Happy clients = happy you. Repeat business, referrals to other like-minded businesses, with little to no dramas....what's not to love? Having happy clients is a win-win.   Apparently, it is 7 times harder to get a new client than it is to keep an existing client. We have no idea whether this figure is true or not, but we're gonna run with it. Because after several decades of creating high-end bran...

Having trouble with clients not paying your graphic design invoices? We've got the tips! There's nothing that's going to make you start hating on your graphic design business more than clients not paying. Sometimes our business finances require a delicate balance and when clients don't pay, it can push your graphic design business (and you) to the edge. In this episode: Kris shares when her client...

Have you thought about asking clients for more graphic design work?   Let's finish 2020 with a bang! We've got 10 ideas to bring in extra cash into your graphic design business right now.    An untapped resource that we have seen this time and time again is that our lovely designers are not contacting their current and past clients to offer them their services.   It is far more expensive and time-...