Building a page that users will be directed to from an online ad or url may seem like an easy thing to accomplish, but there is more that goes into it than may appear. We must take into account several issues, most importantly keeping the attention of the user so that they don't make that click to move on to the competitor's site. In this episode we'll cover some tactics for not only keeping those potential clients on your site, but also converting them from leads to paying customers.

Keys to the Game:

New page in InDesign

Mac: Command Shift P

PC: Control Shift P

Rookie Mistake Tip:

While I always preach looking at others work and using the inspiration to make your work better, we must also be careful of parody. Getting ideas from others work is one thing, while straight up copying others work is quite another. We must still strive for new functionality and originality in our design, while "Keeping Up with the Jones'."

In the Bullpen:

Project 7

This Episode included music by:

Samiam

Taken from a topic on the Rookie Designer Forum, we'll discuss what it means to be a design professional, and when you have achieved the feat. Also is a discussion about how to steer a meeting with a client that seems to be going nowhere, to get the most productivity out of your time and your clients.

Keys to the Game:

Change color modes in InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop

Mac & PC: Hold Shift and click the color bar at the bottom of the Color Panel

The don'ts of customer service are a valuable thing to know to keep your business up and running and keep your clients happy and coming back for more. we'll cover some key mistakes that are made all the time so hopefully you can avoid them. we'll also discuss some strategy for making those wild dreams and goals come true for you.

Keys to the Game:

Document Setup in InDesign

Mac: Command Option P

PC: Control Alt P

Links from todays show:

Enter the contest!

Rookie Mistake Tip:

Don't lose sight of what is important and don't negotiate your goals. if you set out to do something in particular, try to keep yourself on the path that will lead you to successful completion of your goals.

In the Bullpen:

Layers TV podcast

This Episode included music by:

RootHub

This is an important topic, so we're going to cover it again, but organization in your work and life can go a long way to making sure that you achieve your goals and do so in a timely fashion. Not everyone is an org freak like me, but if you take anything away from this podcast, I think it can only help!

Keys to the Game:

Create Outlines in Illustrator and InDesign (oops, the key command uses the letter, not a zero!)

Mac: Command Shift O

PC: Control Shift O

Links from todays show:

Enter the contest!

Rookie Mistake Tip:

Don't be like me and try to say yes to everything! Know your limits and plan out your time effectively so you can give your all to the task at hand, and still allow for some relaxation time.

In the Bullpen:

blue vertigo

This Episode included music by:

Everyday Victory

Our good friend Paul Mycroft is back with some more tips for search engine optimization (SEO) and there's a web design twist to it this time. Also stay tuned for some mini topics to ponder on the subject of good vs. bad design, and noticing design all around you.

Keys to the Game:

Increase/decrease the size of type in Photoshop

Mac: Option + Shift + < or >

PC: Ctl + Shift + < or >

Links from todays show:

Speak Up - good vs. bad design

Paul Mycroft + Company - SEO

Rookie Mistake Tip:

Don't be afraid to ask anything, no matter if you're a student or a seasoned pro. Not asking and getting something wrong is way worse than asking what you think might be a stupid question. this is how we learn!

In the Bullpen:

designsnack

This Episode included music by:

Jets to Brazil

Try GoToMeeting for 45 days! Visit www.GoToMeeting.com/techpodcasts to start your free trial today.

We're flying free in this episode with discussion about the advantages of going to grad school, what makes a great workstation, not only in regards to your physical health, but also your mental health, as well as a bunch of well-overdue topics from the forum.

Keys to the Game:

Links from todays show:

Rookie Mistake Tip:

In the Bullpen:

This Episode included music by:

Rookie Designer's home has a new look and a lot of new features. In this episode I'll point out those improvements, and also share some of the best things I learned at Photoshop World 2007.

Keys to the Game:

Book Report from todays show:

Links from todays show:

Rookie Mistake Tip:

In the Bullpen:

Try GoToMeeting for 45 days! Visit www.GoToMeeting.com/podcast to start your free trial today.

With a little help from one of our audience members, we'll take a look at several different facets of design, and the careers that can come out of them. We'll also discuss some advantages we may have over other career paths, keys to knowing what job is right for you and when the right time to plan your future may be.

Keys to the Game:

Book Report from todays show:

Links from todays show:

Rookie Mistake Tip:

In the Bullpen:

This Episode included music by:

Building a killer site is one thing, but getting a whole mess of people to visit it is quite another. Inspired by a listener U-Share submission, well take a look into common misconceptions about SEO, and some tips for getting your site higher up in the search rankings.

Keys to the Game:

Links from todays show:

Rookie Mistake Tip:

In the Bullpen:

This Episode included music by:

Try GoToMeeting for 45 days! Visit www.GoToMeeting.com/podcast to start your free trial today.

Things have come a long way since the inception of the set top box, or TV. It used to be that you were forced to watch advertising in commercial breaks, but with the surge of TiVO and DVR users, advertisers must find new ways to get commercials in front of viewers. Today we'll take a look at this topic and how it may impact your career, or simply your TV viewing life.

Keys to the Game:

Links from todays show:

In the Bullpen:

This Episode included music by: