Spoiler alert: we don't think so! Why? You don't want to say goodbye to your lovely clients! There are much better ways to handle the final stage of a project that will keep the work flowing into your business for years to come. Full show notes: 💌 https://designandprosper.co/should-you-use-goodbye-packets-in-your-graphic-design-business/ Click to watch on youtube: 👀 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGDykpmfKbWqnN7LiFPlYdA Much love, Kris & Donna xo _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ https://www...
Feb 13, 2022•13 min
Finding your first clients can feel so hard. Do you feel like the usual ways don't work for you? In this episode, we share exactly what worked for us when we first started our graphic design businesses. A beautiful member of our community reached out to ask us to cover this topic. They asked: "How do I find my first clients? The usual ways that people say work, don't work for me 😩" This really pulled at our hearts because we remember all too well what it was like in the early days of establishi...
Feb 09, 2022•36 min
Do you ever have that feeling of being paralysed? Of knowing there's something you need to address, but instead of sitting down and dealing with it you're literally doing anything else? That paralysis is fear. We're going to help you get on top of it. Full show notes: 💌 https://designandprosper.co/when-fear-rears-its-ugly-head-in-your-design-business/ Click to watch on youtube: 👀 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGDykpmfKbWqnN7LiFPlYdA Much love, Kris & Donna xo _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _...
Jan 26, 2022•33 min
This week, we chatted in-depth with the beautiful Sarah Buckland, UK based sales coach and business mentor, about sales strategies and nailing those scary discovery calls. Full show notes: 💌 https://designandprosper.co/nailing-your-sales-discovery-calls/ Click to watch on youtube: 👀 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGDykpmfKbWqnN7LiFPlYdA Much love, Kris & Donna xo _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ https://www.designandprosper.co/theacademy ✨ We only open up our doors to our 12-week transforma...
Jan 14, 2022•42 min
In this oh-so-crazy time of year, we want you to take a moment to pause, reflect, and set a clear intention for the year to come. We know it's easy to rush a resolution with only a vague idea of what you want to make happen next year. But this is an opportunity you can't miss! It's important to embrace this in-between time to really celebrate yourself and create momentum and excitement for the year ahead. Let us show you how we do it! Full show notes: 💌 https://designandprosper.co/set-your-new-...
Dec 22, 2021•21 min
You may be thinking, how the heck do I take time off in my design business? Whether it's planned or unplanned, you're gonna want (or need!) a break from your design business. Let's get out ahead of this and make a plan to ensure you can take a break and feel REALLY good about it. We believe taking time off isn't a 'nice to do' thing, it's a 'must do' thing—it is an essential part of your business health and success. And we're not talking about half-hearted holidays where you have one toe in your...
Dec 15, 2021•29 min
We're sticklers for the one concept approach - but your clients expect multiple solutions, right? How do you convince your clients that one concept is enough? Get ready, there's a plot twist! Full show notes: 💌 https://designandprosper.co/how-to-convince-clients-one-concept-is-enough Click to watch on youtube: 👀 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGDykpmfKbWqnN7LiFPlYdA Much love, Kris & Donna xo _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ https://www.designandprosper.co/theacademy ✨ We only open up our d...
Dec 08, 2021•23 min
Oh no! You're scrolling social media, checking your emails or just happily out and about in the world and you see it. Your client has gone DIY with your design, and they've done it badly. It devalues their branding, reflects poorly on your business and it's just....well...it's butt-ugly. What are they thinking? And more importantly, what can you do? Full show notes: 💌 https://designandprosper.co/when-clients-go-diy-with-their-designs Click to watch on youtube: 👀 https://www.youtube.com/channel...
Nov 23, 2021•19 min
It's the feedback none of us want to hear - the client isn't happy with our design. What do you do now? First of all, don't panic, all is not lost! It's always disappointing when you've put your heart and soul into a project, but if you manage your emotions, you may find the solution is much simpler than you think. Often a small tweak or even just better communication will turn that no into a yes! And believe it or not, sometimes the client is right! The most important thing is to not take it pe...
Nov 18, 2021•21 min
Welcome to the fourth and final part of our boundary setting episodes, where we talk about creative process boundaries. Time to pop designers in the spot light, these powerful boundaries will help you stay on track with your creative process. Full show notes: 💌 https://designandprosper.co/design-business-boundaries-part-4-creative-process/ Click to watch on youtube: 👀 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGDykpmfKbWqnN7LiFPlYdA Much love, Kris & Donna xo _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ https://w...
Oct 25, 2021•31 min
More suggested boundaries to help ensure projects run smoothly in your graphic design business. This is part 3 of a 4 part series all about boundary setting in your design business. These boundaries will have you covered for frustrating situations that occur around client project management. Full show notes: 💌 https://designandprosper.co/design-business-boundaries-part-3-project-management/ Click to watch on youtube: 👀 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGDykpmfKbWqnN7LiFPlYdA Much love, Kris &a...
Oct 16, 2021•23 min
Following on from episode 43—Design Business Boundaries Part 1 // New Client Relationships, these boundaries will have you covered for those tricky situations that arise around money and getting paid. Talking about money, talking about what our work is worth, and asking for prompt payment are amongst the hardest aspects of being a designer in business. Some of us have such a huge block with this that it can cripple our businesses. Full show notes: 💌 https://designandprosper.co/design-business-b...
Oct 10, 2021•31 min
Boundaries are woven throughout our entire business, they exist to protect us and our clients at every touchpoint and during every process. If you have trouble setting clear boundaries, join us for this transformative series where we provide you with the key boundaries that we believe every design business needs to get out ahead of it and be in control of their business. Full show notes: 💌 https://www.designandprosper.co/design-business-boundaries-part-1-new-client-relationships Click to watch ...
Oct 03, 2021•18 min
One little red flag…you can work with that right? Nope—if ignored, that little baby can explode into many! Before you know it you’ll have little red flags all over the place! We’ve all been there, taking on a red-flag client and not listening to our intuition. Instead saying to ourselves “who am I to turn down work?” But then, ultimately ending up resenting the work or the client, or worse—yourself. Little red flags are a direct communicator to your gut! So listen up beautiful design...
Sep 24, 2021•20 min
Curious about the Academy? Imagine if you had a list of everything you would need to run a successful design business? In this episode we let you know, step by step what should be on that list! We’ve got a complete design business roadmap we want to share you (it's The Design & Prosper Academy by the way!) This episode is a little bit different because it's an expert from our free masterclass. This isn't the masterclass lesson content (we keep that special for masterclass attendees only!!) i...
Sep 13, 2021•41 min
Pricing your work as a graphic or brand designer can feel super confusing! We love talking about pricing and helping designers understand their worth and the transformation value they have to offer. In this episode, we have a chat about the hourly rate vs value-based pricing conundrum that has got many graphic designers scratching their heads. The answer might surprise you :) Click for full show notes: 🗒 https://www.designandprosper.co/should-designers-be-using-hourly-rate-pricing-or-value-base...
Sep 12, 2021•22 min
Short on time? You may think shortcutting your design and client processes is saving you time and money, but what is it really costing you? There’s a common thread we’ve noticed over our many years of running graphic design businesses and teaching design students. If you short cut process, you generally end up regretting it. We’re all human, we all make mistakes, but if you have a strong framework of reliable go-to systems underpinning your design business, the mistakes can be minimised. We love...
Aug 20, 2021•18 min
Hey, hey! We are now also publishing our podcasts on our brand new youtube channel! 🤗 If you prefer the extra dimension of eye contact and smiles via a zoom recording, watch via this link below 👇👇 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGDykpmfKbWqnN7LiFPlYdA _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Are your client's needs constantly being put before your own? In this episode we chat about the risks of 'people pleasing' and ask...so who's in charge anyway? You? or your Clients? If you are cons...
Aug 07, 2021•31 min
Freelancer. It's the dirty word that we feel is undermining many graphic designers and creatives in business. Although the word freelancer may have good intentions (think: freedom and flexibility), it comes at a cost. We believe many designers are playing small by using the word freelancer—it prevents creative entrepreneurs from fully showing up with a CEO mindset, which we believe is crucial for success in business. When you have a CEO mindset, you are more likely to: Set firm boundaries Implem...
Jun 30, 2021•19 min
There are many small and large acts of courage that are required from you every single day when you are in business as a graphic designer. First things first, we want to celebrate the courage it took for you to start your graphic design business. Starting your own business would have to be one of the scariest things in the world to do and you did it! Or you are considering doing it! So, consider this a love letter to you beautiful designer. A passion statement to let you know how courageous you ...
Jun 16, 2021•14 min
Have you ever considered that perfectionism may just be the kryptonite in your design business? Here's what perfectionism can do to you as a graphic designer AND as a business owner AND as a human: • It can rob you of your precious time. • It can take away the pleasure of life. • It can lead to utter exhaustion. • It can lead to feelings of ‘I'm not good enough’ which can lead to even more perfectionism (it’s an insidious cycle). Click here for full show notes, including a video where Brene Brow...
Jun 07, 2021•40 min
Kris and Donna share tips for licensing fonts for branding and web projects. Click here for full show notes, including our favourite places to purchase fonts and find font inspiration. Confused about pricing your graphic design projects? Download our free pricing guide. Follow us on Instagram @designandprosper__...
May 20, 2021•10 min
Production management can be quite the organisational beast for designers...liaising with printers, arranging print quotes for clients, dealing with payment, sending off projects to print (to name a few). Here are our top tips for remaining in control of projects that require production: Avoid quoting on production until after the design concept has been resolved AND keep it separate from the main design cost. Communicate extensively with the printer Every printer is different, so even if you ha...
May 12, 2021•12 min
The Design & Prosper Academy is finally here! Join us for a 12 week group learning experience created especially for graphic, brand and web designers in business. In The Academy you'll have the blueprint for creating an in-demand brand design studio without the business fatigue, client problems and money worries. For all the details and to sign up, head to: https://www.designandprosper.co/theacademy Doors close 7pm AEST May 13 2021 🤗 If you miss out on our founder's round, be sure to follow...
May 11, 2021•21 min
“I finally got the courage to raise my prices and now my client has said they can’t afford it. What do I do?” It's the feedback every brand designer dreads. In this episode, your graphic design business fairy godmothers, Kris and Donna, talk about what to do about it, and why it may be happening. Click here for full show notes AND find your helpful scripts to use when clients say "You're too expensive". FREE LIVE MASTERCLASS Take Your Brand Design Business From Struggling to In-Demand: How to ha...
Apr 30, 2021•22 min
In this episode, we talk about tips for brand designers on how to structure a discovery call for maximum conversion. You'll learn exactly what a discovery call is AND what a discovery call is not, plus our top tips on how to use them to nurture relationships and successfully convert leads. Click here for full show notes. THE DESIGN & PROSPER ACADEMY IS COMING SOON!! Click here to sign up to the waitlist for this 12 week group coaching experience for graphic and brand designers. Download our ...
Apr 27, 2021•28 min
So many talented designers get caught up in swapping time for money and lack the confidence that our industry commands—as a result, we see designers constantly undercharging. At the end of the day, we are in business to make a profit. We want you to know your numbers and be empowered! Click here for full show notes. OUR DESIGN FOR PROFIT PACK MONEY PACK IS HERE! Click here to purchase this game-changing resource for designers. Download our Free Pricing Guide for Brand and Graphic Designers Follo...
Apr 20, 2021•38 min
We love a good trend as much as the next designer. Who doesn't love being seen as a thought leader? As someone who is on-point...even ahead of the game? But when is jumping on board a current trend a good idea—and, when can it potentially sabotage a brand? Let's discuss graphic design trends! Click here for full show notes. Book your free 30 minute discovery call Download our free Pricing Guide for Graphic Designers Follow us on Instagram @designandprosper__...
Apr 09, 2021•25 min
Your next design project lead may be just under your nose. In this episode, Kris and Donna talk about why your existing clients could be your next best customer and how to encourage repeat work in your branding or web design studio. Click here for full show notes. Book your free 30 minute discovery call Download our free Pricing Guide for Graphic Designers Follow us on Instagram @designandprosper__...
Feb 26, 2021•32 min
Cashflow problems can be the trigger for a downward spiral in your graphic design business. And, can also have a negative impact on your health and wellbeing. By implementing some easy money strategies, you can take your power back, feel in control and understand your financial position. Your cash flow will be on the right track to becoming lush and thriving—and so will you, lovely designer! Click here for full show notes. Book your free 30 minute discovery call Download our free Pricing Guide f...
Feb 18, 2021•21 min
