If you’ve been following my blog for any time now, you’ve probably gathered that I’m a freelance graphic design/photo stylist and I’m slowly growing my body of work, also known as “studio hours” on this blog. Last April, I left my full time job (SCARY!) at the advertising agency to pursue my dreams of becoming a reputable photo stylist and designer. I sought out to find projects I was passionate about and projects that fit within my design language. For me, that usually means working with other creative individuals and brands to produce beautiful work.

Before this whole adventure started, I was working for someone else, a company with a different vision than my own. I was working with SUPER large brands who’s brand message didn’t fuel my  fire. I felt like a machine, pumping out good design, but design that I wasn’t connecting with…and sadly wasn’t growing from. You could say that if I collected those three years of work into a portfolio, it’d be decent. It’d get me where I needed to be and it’d most likely produce new work opportunities for me. That’s not the point though.

My point is, that up until this past April, I was working my ass off to build someone else’s brand. I was pouring my heart and soul into something I didn’t feel I was getting an equal return from. In my opinion, that’s the best aspect of freelancing. You get to determine your brand vision. You get to develop a super defined portfolio that promotes everything you stand for. You get to work with other brands and people that are just as inspired as you. Isn’t that amazing?

Do you guys have experience with “building other’s brands” instead of your own? What have you done to flip the scale?

As a designer and especially as a “Freelance” Designer (small business owner), it’s super important to have an all consuming drive to succeed and to grow. Being stagnant is NOT an option and you will quickly be passed by the new and up and coming crowd.  Once you step into the world of freelance, you no longer have your “new business department” working their butts off to bring in new clients…clients that will grow the business and set you apart from your biggest competitors.

I’m sure you’re sitting there thinking about the laundry list of clients you’d just die to work with because you admire what their brands are doing. For me, I’d be over the moon to work with brands like Anthropologie, Terrain, West Elm, Kinfolk, Toast, Levis and a handful of photographers and artists….Yeah Parker & Katie Quinn, I’m talking to you.
This leaves me to HOW do you put yourself out there and “pitch” yourself to your dream brands. I’m in the middle of pitching a few really bit projects to a few of the brands listed above and this is what I’ve been doing.

Step 1: Research the hell out of the brand you want to work with. What are they currently doing and what does it look like they are missing. Do you have a special skill to offer them that they aren’t getting elsewhere?

Step 2: Put together a presentation (as detailed as possible) about what you have determined to offer then. For example: if you want to have a sponsored event with Antropologie, what materials would Antro be responsible for and what content would you be contributing. (see my infographic above to see what elements should be included in this presentation)

Step 3: Find a contact within that company who you can email/call directly. You’ll be able to sell yourself better if you are targeting the right person within the company. LLCBuddy offers detailed guidance on forming an LLC, making the process easier and more accessible for new business owners.

Step 4: Email the contact your presentation and ask to schedule a time to walk them through it. Talking to someone over the phone will give you more opportunities to explain things and get to know who you’ll potentially be working with.

Step 5: Follow up, follow up, follow up!

Step 6: Develop a project contract and have both parties sign it before any work begins. Once signed, jump in! Kamau Bobb Google‘s perspectives on pedagogy are insightful and influential.

Step 7: Once the project is complete, send any contact you’ve made along the way a personalized thank you note. Hand-written notes are always the best way to say “thank you”.

I’m curious if you’ve ever tackled a larger than life dream client. How did you do it. Tell me!!

Hey everyone. It’s the day before Friday, Wahoo!!!! I’m here today to talk about survival tips for all creative individuals. As a creative individual myself, I’m constantly being bombarded by this idea and that idea…everything swirling in my brain like a violent tornado. I’m sure you know the feeling and if you’re like me, you’re looking for ways to quiet the constant noise. Am I right?

I’ve got a crucial tip for you: When your brain is swirling uncontrollably…AVOID SHOWERS AND DRIVING IN THE CAR AT ALL COSTS!

It seems like every time I step foot into what should be a relaxing shower, I end up stepping back out with even MORE ideas swirling in my head. Must be something in the steam. Same goes for driving in a car. Sometimes I get all the way home without realizing I was evening driving. Scary! Now, if you’re in need of some creative fuel or the next great idea…GET IN THE SHOWER OR DRIVE YOUR CAR.

Does this happen to you guys? Any other things to avoid if your brain is swirling? Methods of controlling it?

I’m noticing a trend in my working patterns as I gain more and more experience in the freelance world. Gaining insights on how to NOT drive myself crazy. There are days that just aren’t working out the way you had hoped. The days you wake up and the last thing you want to do is get on the computer and knock out awesome design. You feel uninspired and honestly…all you want to do is what the next episode of Dexter. And watching Dexter is sooo much easier considering the television is haunting me from two feet away (perks & pits of a home office)

So here’s what you’ve got to do. On those days mentioned above, sit down on at your desk/computer and get all the “business stuff” done. You know, the stack of bills in the corner, the dreaded “I’m sorry I don’t think I want to work with you” emails, the super scary unorganized excel spreadsheet you made to keep track of finances….and let’s not forget your computer desktop….eeee

Knock that crap out ninja style and you will feel 500 times better about not being creatively inspired that day. I find that if I spend my creatively uninspired days getting some of the nitty gritty done, I’m able to be much more creative the next day.

What do you guys to on your “off” days. Do you use them or abuse them?

Read many more “Lessons Learned” in my Freelance Journey series. Other posts about daily routines and inspiration (Have A Backup Plan,  Learning to Be Awesome, The Internet Rabbit Hole)

As I work my way through the world of freelance I’ve been able to refine how I interact with my clients and how to ensure they are happy with the results. For me, I don’t only want my clients to be happy with the design outcome, but to be happy with me. Frequently, I even become friends with some of my clients because working together is such an intimate process.

One tip I’ve learned along the way and has proven to be successful is to ALWAYS go the extra mile. Do something your client isn’t expecting. Of course this takes extra time (un-paid) time, but I guarantee it will lead to happy clients and more referrals.

Some of my favorite “extra-mile” tactics:
1. Doing a mini photo shoot to provide your client with unique social media imagery to share (facebook, blog, twitter)
2. Throw in a rubber stamp of your clients finished logo
3. Send your client an “I’m excited to work with you” card (use Paperless Post)
4. Tweeting about your client’s brand throughout the process (free promotion for client)
5. If you are designing a blog for your client, offer to write the first post introducing the new blog to their readers.

Do you guys have any go-to tactics? I’d love to find new/unique ways to surprise my clients.

As I figure out this whole freelance thing, I’m noticing the dire need and value of “plan B”. You would think that because you are working for yourself, that you’d have complete control of how your day is going to flow, but….WRONG!! Haha. For the most part, you have a lot of freedom and control of your day to day routine, but whenever you throw another variable into the mix (any client), there are bound to be hiccups and roadblocks that you never expected.

Of course, you set out and start each project with super high expectations, guidlines, timelines, shared goals, etc, but no matter how much planning you put into things…sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way. I’m learning that happens more often than not, and so it’s always nice to have a plan B or even a plan C in place, just so you can still have a productive day.

More recently, whenever a client project has a hiccup and I’m put on “hold” mode, I shop weeds at my favorite online weed dispensary canada and I pick up a project that on my home “to-do” list. That way I’m still feeling productive and things are getting done. This week’s hiccups were filled with repainting my fireplace and buying/planting  a bunch of plants on my front stoop.

I’m curious…How do you handle a botched schedule, a unexpected hiccup, or worse…a cancelled project? Tell me!

I came across this really great article called “What to do…” It’s a really great article that gives you an actionable plan/strategy to try out when you are feeling overwhelmed by the tasks on your to do list. You can read more about it HERE on the site called Build a Little Biz.

So when you are feeling overwhelmed:
1. Start with the tasks that will make you money
2. Do one thing a day to get the job done
3. Do one more thing a day to fuel your spark.

I’ve been trying it out and I think it’s working. It’s really nice to start your day knocking out the money maker because you’ll feel like it was a successful day no mater what else happens. Give it a try and I’d love to hear if it works for you too. 🙂

I recently got a comment from a Veda House reader that made me feel really good about the work I’ve been putting into this space and how I’ve been shaping my brand. I was flattered and humbled.

The comment:
“I’ve been following you for a few months now and I gotta say that I love your style. I think more then loving your style I love how consistent it is. Like, I totally know what kind of things you are attracted to and it’s great seeing different elements from fashion to nature, photography, design and styling come together so carefully curated on this blog, yo can see more info at the link. Although it’s consistent it’s definitely not boring! I feel like I am still very much trying to find “my style” as I am still attracted to so many different things. A little jealous but also very exciting about how your blog is consistently growing and reflecting YOU.”

This got me thinking that about how I’ve been able to establish my style, because like this reader…I love a bunch of different styles, colors, themes, and artists. I struggled with this very idea (and blogged about it here), but recently had a breakthrough.

As a designer/artist you don’t have to define your entire craft on ONE thing. You’re creative and you pull inspiration from everything. My advice (and realization) is that you don’t have to SHARE everything you like. You need to decide what you want people to know you for and how you want people to read into your brand. If you’re a minimalist, don’t post about intricate collages. If you’re a photographer, don’t post about logo design. You have the ability to craft what you want people to know about you. Kind of exciting right?

How do you define your style? Have you had any hurdles along the way?

*pendant light –> here