Freelance By Design

Freelance By Design

By Alvalyn LundgrenBusinessEntrepreneurship
Download on the App Store

Freelance By Design episodes

  • Contracts, Spec Work, and the Friends & Family Plan

    Freelance creatives can often get stuck on smaller problems, odd requests, and indecision. To that end, I offer insights to questions listeners and readers have asked regarding working on spec (speculatively), contracts, legal business structures, and when your clients are family members or friends.

    25 min
  • Does Formal Design Education Matter?

    A young designer asked me if formal education makes a difference in becoming successful. Having earned a degree, and having taught part-time in a design program for 25 years in addition to my design work, I have some bias about this topic. I frame my response with my bias in mind. The designer who posed the question is not formally trained. Her question was if formal education makes a difference and not if it is necessary for success as a creativepreneur.

    16 min
  • Why the PRO Act Should Scare You

    Freelancers of all types should be concerned about pending labor legislation. The ABC test to determine independent contractor vs. employee status in California's independent contractor law is being pushed forward nationally in the forms of the PRO Act and the Worker Flexibility and Small Business Protection Act. I share what the ABC test is, why it should be a huge concern for you, what it's done in California, how it will affect your business and income if these bills pass, and what you can do about it.

    34 min
  • Things They Don't Teach You In Design School

    Talent, passion and a portfolio will get you through school, but you can't build a business on them. There's a gap between school and making a living. The gap exists even if you didn't attend design school. Now more than ever, freelancers need to get serious about business skills if they hope to attract clients, increase their profits, and support their lives through their creative work. Lack of knowledge is the problem Freelance Road Trip fixes. Part 1 of a 3-part series on filling the knowledge gap.

    23 min
  • For Better Results Add Pliability To Your Planning
    Things don't always go the way you planned, especially when it's more than just you involved. Clients and colleagues will surprise you. Responding well whether you're in the middle of favorable or unfavorable happenstances requires anticipating the possibilities. I share my experience preparing to be a guest on a popular podcast, and what I learned from it.
    12 min
  • Should Freelancers Work With Family and Friends?
    Friends and family should not be in your "ideal client" description. Why? Because all sorts of unexpected things happen that can suck your time, stress you out, and make you wish you'd never said "yes." In the episode I share what happened with one of my client/friend projects, and how you can avoid problems in any working relationship simply by implementing and following through on your own business policies. Avoid drama and resentments by keeping your professional boundaries intact.
    11 min
  • Better Clients Through Filtering
    Do you accept every client and project that comes your way? Have you ever worked with a client where things began well but soon went sideways? Every freelancer who's been in it for a few years has at least one story to tell. If you'd prefer not having stories to tell, start filtering out less desirable projects and clients so you can say yes to your best kinds of clients. In this episode I share my filters and non-negotiables for qualifying prospective clients, along with a few true stories. It's okay to say "no".
    17 min
  • Aesthetics, Your Clients, and You
    A book review and discussion of why aesthetics matter in business, commerce, communication, and branding. I describe the difference between aesthetic principles — the form (or visual) language — and the idea of personal or corporate style/aesthetic. And I explain why the work you create for your clients is valuable and your "job" as a creative pro is legit. The book: "Aesthetic Intelligence: How To Boost It and Use It in Business and Beyond" by Pauline Brown. Published by Harpers Business.
    22 min
  • How Setting Goals Helps You Succeed
    As a freelance creative, you get to design your own success. Your whole life relies on your ability to achieve your professional objectives, so success isn't optional. Setting significant goals is one of the most powerful things you can do to accelerate your business. Here are essential insights and a strategic approach to goal-setting that can help you ensure success and longevity.
    21 min
  • Don't Fall For This Scam
    Scammers are highly creative in who and how they target. No one is exempt. This creative project scam, in which the scammers pose as businesses or start-ups to target independent creatives, has been circulating in various forms for more than 15 years. I share my first experience with this scam, what I learned, and how to spot the scam so you don't take the bait.
    18 min

About Freelance By Design

From the publisher's feed

The intersection of inspired creativity and common business sense. We talk about everything you didn't learn in design school, but should have if you want to build a career and a life as an…