Design Domination

#103 Find out how graphic designers should respond when clients can't afford you, or they say it's over their budget or you're too expensive. Also learn why this happens in the first place and 4 things not to do when they say this.

#102 Whether you're looking for freelance design work or contract work or a part-time or full-time job as a designer, find out how to respond to a job ad the right way. This will help you stand out and get the best chance of getting a new client or a new job.

#101 Some designers prefer subcontracting for design agencies or other designers, while others prefer having their own clients. One may be a better fit for you based on your personality and goals. Find out 9 differences between them and what to expect.

#100 Confused by Alt-text for images for document and web accessibility? Find out which images need Alt-text, how to write good Alt-text, how long it should be and how to add it to web and InDesign images. Also find out lots of Alt-text tips.

#99 When you design for print and the web, if you only export your layout files to low- and high-resolution PDFs, you're not providing a better user experience and a higher value to clients. Learn how to make PDF and print documents more user friendly.

#98 Many graphic designers avoid using InDesign's automated table of contents feature. But there are several problems with creating a table of contents manually. Find out 6 reasons designers should use InDesign's automated table of contents feature.

#97 Do you think tracking time on a project is tedious, will distract you or and make you race against the clock? Find out 5 reasons graphic designers and web designers should track time and how it will help your creative business.

#96 Excessive design and text edits from clients can be frustrating and a time suck for graphic designers. They can derail a project and make it less profitable. Find out 9 ways to reduce client revisions and have a happier client relationship.

#95 Find out why client testimonials are important for freelancers and creative businesses, how to get good testimonials from clients, where to put them and how to get a competitive edge over other designers.

#94 If you rely on automated web accessibility tools, you're doing it wrong. A site could pass an automated checker and be filled with major accessibility errors. Find out 12 issues automated web accessibility checkers can't detect.

#93 Learn how to price design work and how to use some types of pricing strategically, so you can have a more profitable freelance creative business and get more respect as a designer. Also find out some pricing pitfalls to avoid.

#92 Many designers who think they're creating accessible InDesign files and PDFs really aren't. Other designers, who are looking for help with document accessibility, don't understand the process. Find out 9 InDesign accessibility mistakes and how to fix them.

#91 Have you ever sent off a design proof only to have the client not like it and ask for a bunch of design changes? Find out what to do when a client doesn't like your designs.

#90 Do you have trouble charging more for your work? Does the sales process make you nervous or feel sleazy? Do you need more confidence when talking to prospects? Nick Gulic talks about his sales process and selling by helping.

#89 Are you making any of these common creative business mistakes that most freelance designers make? Find out if you're making any of these 11 mistakes that hurt your freelancing business and how to fix them.

#88 Many designers rely on Acrobat's accessibility checker to determine whether their PDF files are accessible or not. But that checker has limitations and can give false positives. Find out some things to look for and how to ensure your documents are accessible. 

#87 An inspiring story of how Lisa Prince Fishler, a creative with a cause, went from having a photography business to starting a nonprofit based on her passion for saving shelter animals, how they are making a difference and how you can help.

#86 Does putting pricing on your website help or hurt creative freelancers when it comes to getting new design clients? Find out the pros and cons to help you decide if you should put pricing on your website.

#85 Situations may arise when designers work with a client that make you feel like you're on two different sides. But the client is not the enemy. Find out how to deal more effectively with situations that make you feel like you're on two different sides.

#84 If you send messages to prospects that are all about you and your services, you're turning them off. Stop spamming prospects and seeing what sticks. Learn the right way to reach out to prospects and how to send cold emails that will help you get noticed.

#83 Do you unknowingly take on liability with privacy policies? Find out your responsibility with website policies, common mistakes web designers and developers make and how to make recurring revenue in this chat with Donata and Hans from Termageddon.

#82 Many graphic designers undervalue their expertise and their work. You might undercut or reduce your pricing to win new work and clients. But if you don't value your work, no one else will! Stop wondering about your worth and break away from these "but's."

#81 Many solopreneurs who are designers call themselves freelancers when they really aren't. They're doing much more than what a freelancer does. In many cases, the word can actually hold you back. Find out why I think "freelancer" is the other F word.

#80 Are you a small fish in a big pond, or a big fish in a small pond? If you're a small fish in a big pond, you need clarity, so you can be a bigger fish in a smaller pond and get the right clients and the right design work.

#79 In this episode, I talk about reviewing our goals, celebrating our wins and refocusing ourselves and our businesses for the next year. Reflect, refocus, recharge.