I first set up WordPress on my website 4 years ago. Since then it has been a long journey trying to post once a week whilst learning all I can about web publishing. Things haven't always gone smoothly. So, for the record, here are some of my greatest gaffes: 1. Not creating the whole … [Read more...]
My idiot’s guide to keyword research
So what is keyword research? "Keyword research is a practice used by Search Engine Optimization professionals to find and research actual search terms people enter into search engines when conducting a search". Good old Wikipedia! But, I used to think, what has that got to do with me? I'm a … [Read more...]
How to get freelance graphic design jobs
One thing I am often asked by designers – old and new alike – is: "how do you get work" or "how do you get clients". Here are the principles and practices that I have used and found successful over the years. Put most of your effort into developing your own site Building and maintaining … [Read more...]
How to win traffic and influence markets
How to Win Friends and Influence People is one of the bestselling self-help books ever published. Written by Dale Carnegie in 1937, it has sold 15 million copies. "[Dale Carnegie] changed my life" Warren Buffett, one of the world's wealthiest people and most generous philanthropist of all … [Read more...]
How to publicize your blog posts
The job isn't over when a blogger publishes a blog post. Indeed, for some it has only just begun. Many bloggers will try to maximize the exposure for each post through submitting the post to various social media sites. I will be talking about social media a lot but before that there are also a … [Read more...]
8 books that have helped me run a design business
I recently sent a newsletter to the subscribers who had downloaded my free How to Market Yourself Online ebook asking a simple question: "What would you like me to write about for you?". The answers that came back were many and varied but one I address here. We're all hungry for knowledge and … [Read more...]
Designers, how to avoid client disasters!
There is a game in this industry: the trade off between graphic designer and client. I have heard this expression in large design agencies many times: "this would be a great job if it wasn't for clients!" I disagree, I think it's a great job period. If you don't like your clients, get out of the … [Read more...]
Teach yourself graphic design
This article comes with a warning: easily offended graphic designers please do not read on! Graphic design is not rocket science, nor does it depend on artistic talent – it just takes a lot of practice. Some designers love to say that graphic design is a God-given talent that only a select few … [Read more...]
What you need to be a freelance graphic designer
I wasn't always a freelance graphic designer. I used to teach English to Brazilian businessmen but that's another story. I started by working for newspapers and magazines so my background is in print. By a mixture of application and good fortune I taught myself how to create usable, aesthetic, … [Read more...]
10 things I wish I had known about web designing 10 years ago
10 years ago I had a big problem. I was a print designer but I loved the web and desperately wanted to work with it. I wanted a software package that would let me mess around with drag-and-drop functionality and when I was ready I could click "GO" and miraculously produce perfect code. I was … [Read more...]
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