The Freelance Show is a blog covering all aspects of starting and growing a successful freelance business. Running a freelance business can be a challenge for creative types. From how to price services to how to get clients, there are lots of questions that go uncovered in design school. The Freelance Show strives to be the resource that can help answer those questions and walk you through the business and marketing aspects you need to be successful.
In addition to the business and marketing aspects of freelancing, there are many mindset issues that are also important to success. How do you handle procrastination? Do you have a routine that gets each day off to a great start? Does the idea of networking or cold-calling make you want to move to some uninhabited island? Do you accept some ideas as fact simply because of how you were brought up? There are some powerful topics that need to be addressed in order to become successful in business (and in life too!).
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Who is it for?
Graphic designers, web designers, writers, photographers, illustrators—any creative professional who wants to escape the 9–5 and build the freelance business of their dreams. Chances are if you are sitting there reading this, then the Freelance Show is for you!
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Who is this guy?
Hi, my name is Neil Brown. I am a freelance graphic designer and web designer with over 12 years experience as Creative Director in the publishing industry. I love design and I enjoy teaching and mentoring others. Throughout my career in design, I enjoyed hiring and mentoring designers just out of college and helping them learn the ropes. I also teach Graphic Design at a local community college and am on the advisory board for the Graphic Design program. So the Freelance Show is a natural progression for me—a way I can contribute to the design community and help others along their path to living the freelance lifestyle.
Even though I freelanced throughout my entire career while working as a Creative Director, I had lots of questions about running a design business. I learned by doing, which means making errors and learning by mistake. I’ve always had a passion to read every book, magazine article and blog post I could on freelancing, marketing and business. I also learned to look objectively at my own processes, strengths and weaknesses in an ongoing quest to grow my business.
You can also learn more about me and view some of my snazzy work on my freelance website, Brown Advertising, LLC.
On a personal note, I enjoy spending time with my wife and two young daughters, which is one of reasons I am so passionate about freelancing. It’s the business that allows me to work from home and have the flexibility to spend time with my family and do the things I enjoy.
I hope you enjoy the blog and contribute your views by commenting on my blog posts.
Sincerely,
Neil Brown
Founder, the Freelance Show
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So what’s the deal with the cartoon guy?
I guess he’s my alter ego—just better dressed and he doesn’t have to worry about his hairline receding. Plus he reminds me it’s OK to not always take myself too seriously and have some fun with what you love!
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Are sweater vests still in fashion?
I dunno. Really. Why are you asking me that anyway? Don’t you have some freelance projects to attend to?
