Welcome to Resourceful Designer! I'm Mark, and in this episode, I'm sharing practical advice for home-based graphic and web designers looking to make more money, without taking on more clients or raising your rates. I'll tell you a story about learning to let go, and how sometimes, we hang onto tools, subscriptions, and services in our business that quietly drain our bank accounts month after month.

I walk you through a step-by-step subscription audit, showing you how to identify essential expenses, cut out the things you don't need, and consolidate tools where possible. It's not about keeping up with trends or having the most impressive software stack; it's about running a profitable, sustainable business and making sure more of the money you earn actually stays in your pocket.

So, get ready to give yourself a raise by spending smarter, not harder. Let's dive in and uncover the hidden savings in your business!

Welcome to Resourceful Designer! I'm Mark, your host, and today, I want to share a powerful story that brilliantly illustrates how to handle price negotiations with grace while standing firm in your professional worth. Like many designers, I've encountered those budget conversations that can make your heart sink, the ones where a promising client comes in, but their budget just doesn't match the value you know you can deliver.

In this episode, I reflect on an invaluable lesson I learned from a fellow designer I met years ago in Montreal. He went from being the "affordable option" to becoming the designer that clients saw as an investment, not just a cost. I'll guide you through a practical email template that turns a rejection into an opportunity, educating your clients and setting the stage for future collaboration, all while maintaining your standards and building relationships, not burning bridges.

We'll explore how shifting your mindset from being everywhere and shouting the loudest about your services to positioning yourself as a valued, trusted advisor can radically transform the way clients perceive and treat you. I'll share concrete, actionable steps to help you build a professional response system for low-budget inquiries, foster goodwill in your network, and keep the door open to better clients in the future.

If you want to learn how to gracefully say "no" without compromising your worth, and even turn those "no's" into long-term opportunities, you'll love today's episode. Let's dive in and redefine how we handle low-budget clients, together.

Get the email template I talk about in this episode here

Welcome to Resourceful Designer! I'm Mark, and today I want to share something fascinating that can make a real difference in how you communicate with your design clients. Did you know that the pronoun you use, choosing "I" instead of "we", can actually impact whether or not a client hires you? Most of us, especially solopreneurs, try to sound bigger and more established by saying "we" when talking to clients, but research shows that using "I" instead creates a stronger emotional connection.

When I use "I" instead of "we," clients see me as more personally invested in their project, which boosts satisfaction and even sales. I'll give some practical tips on how to implement this, why it works, and how a simple change in wording can make your business stand out. Stick around for insights that could help you build more profitable and meaningful client relationships!

Hey there, design friends! Welcome to Resourceful Designer, your go-to podcast for running a successful design business. Today, I'm diving into one of the most nerve-wracking yet crucial decisions every designer faces: when and how to raise your prices. I know just how tough it can be; I've been there myself, wrestling with doubts and worries about how clients will react. In this episode, I'll walk you through 10 essential things you need to consider before raising your rates, so you can approach your pricing strategy with confidence and clarity. We'll talk about everything from understanding your market, checking for price resistance, and knowing your "why," to communicating your value and aligning your prices with your ideal clients. If you're unsure whether it's time to raise your prices or how to do it the right way, stick around, I've got you covered!

Welcome to Resourceful Designer! I'm Mark Des Cotes, and in today's episode, I'm diving into something that hits home for so many of us: networking as an introverted designer. Did you know that over 85% of designers are introverts? Yet, building a thriving design business still relies heavily on forging professional relationships, which can feel like a real challenge when you recharge by spending time alone.

I'll share my own journey from dreading networking events to actually enjoying them, and I'll bust the myth that being introverted means being shy or antisocial. Instead, I'll show you how introverts' natural tendencies, like deep listening, genuine relationship building, and thoughtful follow-ups, can actually be superpowers when it comes to networking.

Stick around as I walk you through my step-by-step strategies for attending events, making the most of online communities, and managing your energy, all while staying true to yourself. Whether you're gearing up for a conference or just want to build better connections online, I've got practical tips to help you grow your business, without the awkward small talk or forced self-promotion. Let's tap into your strengths and turn networking into a rewarding, authentic experience!

Welcome back to Resourceful Designer! I'm Mark Des Cotes, and today I want to open up about five major mistakes that can seriously damage your design career; mistakes I've witnessed and, yes, even fallen into myself.

Through my own experiences, from the pitfalls of handshake agreements to the lessons I've learned the hard way, I'll give you practical advice to help you avoid these mistakes. My goal is to help you run a thriving, professional design business that not only creates beautiful work but is built to last. So, grab a pen and paper, get ready to reflect on your own business practices, and let's make sure you're setting yourself up for success!

Hey there, my design friend! Today on Resourceful Designer, I want to share a story about why I was genuinely happy that a client didn't pay their invoice. Sounds odd, right? But it all comes down to the power of client relationships—the foundation of any successful design business.

I'm diving into how going above and beyond for your clients (even working for free at times) can deliver incredible ROI, like solidifying long-term partnerships and generating referrals that keep your business thriving. I'll share specific examples from my own journey, how strategically offering free work surprised and delighted clients, and why sending a $0 invoice with a 100% discount can mean so much more than just giving your time away.

If you're curious about practical ways to invest in your relationships, and why generosity can be your best marketing strategy, you're in the right place. Let's talk about building trust, getting grateful emails, and having your name passed around as the go-to designer, all by understanding the true ROI of "free."

Hey there, it's Mark from Resourceful Designer. Have you ever looked at your own design work and thought, "I'm not good enough to charge for this," or landed a big client and immediately worried that they'd soon figure out you're not as talented as they think? If that sounds familiar, you're definitely not alone. In fact, about 70% of creatives experience what's known as impostor syndrome, a nagging feeling that your success is just luck and you don't really belong.

On today's episode, I'm digging deep into this all-too-common struggle for designers. Inspired by a recent conversation with a young designer who was feeling insecure about her abilities after a layoff, I realized just how important this topic is. So, I'm revisiting impostor syndrome, not just with my own thoughts, but with powerful quotes from artists, musicians, actors, and industry leaders who openly wrestle with these feelings. Trust me, if celebrities and industry giants feel this way, it's perfectly normal that you might too.

But this episode isn't just about relating; we'll also cover practical steps to combat those feelings, like documenting your wins, reframing your thoughts, and focusing on the value you bring to your clients. I want you to know: impostor syndrome is often a sign that you're pushing yourself and growing. You do belong here, and you have something unique to offer.

So if you've ever hesitated to show your portfolio, undercharged for your work, or felt like you're just waiting to be "found out," stick around. This is an episode of Resourceful Designer you won't want to miss. Let's dive in!

Hey fellow designers, welcome back to another episode of Resourceful Designer! I'm Mark Des Cotes, and today I'm diving into a topic that every design business thrives on: word of mouth referrals. Recently, I had a reminder of just how powerful this can be, a client from 25 years ago, whose logo I designed back in my print shop days, still refers people to me! That got me thinking about how important, yet overlooked, word of mouth marketing really is.

In this episode, I break down the five T's of word of mouth marketing: Talkers, Topics, Tools, Taking Part, and Tracking. These aren't just buzzwords, they're actionable strategies that can transform how you attract and retain clients, based on real experiences from my own business and proven industry tactics. I'll walk you through how to identify your talkers (those clients who love to recommend you), provide clients with memorable topics to share, set up the right tools to make referrals easy, get involved in the right communities, and actually track what's working.

Whether you're just getting started or want to supercharge your existing referral pipeline, I've got real-life stories, practical tips, and even a 30-day action plan to kickstart your word of mouth growth. So stick around, I promise you'll leave with ideas you can use right away to build stronger relationships, stand out, and get more of those golden referrals!

Hey there, my friends! Welcome back to another episode of Resourceful Designer. Today I want to share something that could really transform the way you approach client relationships and projects. Did you know there are four simple yet powerful questions you can ask your clients that could completely change the course of your design work? I'll be diving into exactly what those questions are, how I use them in my own business, sometimes even uncovering that what a client asks for isn't really what they need, and how you can use them to elevate your role from a basic service provider to a true strategic partner. So stick around as I break down each question, share some real-world stories, and give you practical tips to start implementing these power questions in your next client meeting. Let's get started!