Grace Smith is a designer, self-proclaimed Apple fan-girl and Twitter addict based in Northern Ireland. Her design studio, Postscript5, specializes in Blog and User Interface design.  Grace works with individuals and companies based mainly in the UK and USA, on a diverse range of projects and enjoys collaborating with other designers and developers.

Grace is very active in the design community and can be found on Twitter, her design blog, and her Freelance resource aggregator—The Freelance Feed.

First, thanks Grace, being interviewed on the Freelance Show! Can you tell our readers about your background in design leading up to starting your studio, Postscript 5?

Thanks for asking me, I’m thrilled to be on The Freelance Show!

A passion for design and art is a huge part of who I am. I was an avid artist throughout my childhood and right through school. I actually remember creating sites using Geocities when I was a lot younger, so it’s been a long time since my first site, but I didn’t start designing ‘properly’ until my first year at University.

After I graduated with a Multimedia Design Degree in 2005 I started work as a graphic designer for a local print company. Concentrating so much on print work made me miss working online though, so after a year I started to freelance in my spare time and build up both my contacts and portfolio to the point where I could freelance full-time and create Postscript5, which has now been in existence for over 3 years.

Being a designer is just very natural and suits my sensibilities and passions. I can’t really think of being anything else!

Describe how blogging, social media and your personal projects impacted your design business? Have you noticed a direct impact resulting in new clients that you may not have otherwise had?

Writing and blogging is important and has become an integral part of my personal branding and also acts as a way for me to continually learn and explore new ideas, techniques and technologies.

I have noticed an increase in enquiries to Postscript5 since I started blogging early last year. It has essentially acted as a fantastic branding and promotional tool. I regularly get asked to take part in articles, interviews and features for other sites and blogs, which further helps to build my brand and introduce me to new audiences. For instance being featured in 40 Amazing Female Role Models for Web Designers and on various Twitter lists has landed me clients as recently as last week.

I don’t think any freelancer can overlook blogging and social media as ways to build both your brand name and credibility. It serves as cheap, invaluable marketing for your business if you approach it with the right focus.

My personal projects such as Theme Thursday and most recently The Freelance Feed are essential for me to experiment and work at my own pace as well as putting some of creative energy into projects that I work on independently.

What are some of your favorite apps (web or desktop) that you incorporate into your freelance business?

These are the apps that I use on a regular basis within my business:

Chrome

I recently switched from Safari to Chrome and so far it’s been excellent, although i do have to use Chromium to enable the plugins. It’s been an awful lot more stable than both Safari and Firefox, the fact it’s lightning quick also helps!

Coda

I’ve used both CSSEdit and Espresso but always come back to Coda. It integrates everything that I need; namely a code editor, CSS editor, preview pane, SSH Terminal, website management and an FTP client.

Google Apps

I run all my mail through Google Apps as a desktop app using Fluid, with all my accounts streaming into a single inbox and then filtered into their own labels to keep thing organised. Previously I used the native Mail app, however I switched to Google to better streamline my email process. Google Apps is essential to my business, especially Google Doc’s which is fantastic to use with clients and collaborators, to work on Specs, Scheduling and project specifics.

Curdbee

I was a Freshbooks user for several years but recently switched to Curdbee as I needed a simpler, more cost effective solution. Curdbee is an excellent service, offering the necessary functionality and features which suit my needs perfectly.

TaskPaper

After longing for a super simple, ‘get your stuff done’ to-do list app, I knew my search was over once I found TaskPaper. No bloated complex software, just a fast, simple app that makes sure I keep up to date with my tasks.

Noteable

I started using Noteable just a few weeks back and so far have been hugely impressed. It allows me to easily and efficiently get visual feedback from clients via a slick, intuitive interface. It’s by far the best method of getting feedback and signoff I’ve ever used.

Photoshop

I’ve been using it since the days of Photoshop 6 and can’t see myself usng any other app. It’s where every design I work on is created and polished.

What are some of the upcoming trends you are seeing in web and User Interface design? What trends do you see on the decline—or perhaps that have become too overused and abused?

With the development of CSS3 and HTML5 I think we are going to see designers and developers utilising these new features to add more unique and innovative ‘touches’ to their designs. A small number have already implemented some of the new techniques, and this will increase greatly over the year, in my prediction.

Like myself, more and more designers and developers are stepping into Mobile design, I would expect a marked increase in 2010 in mobile specific design.

I think overall we’re going to see a continuation of some of the major trends of 2009, namely;

1. Huge Typography
2. Oversized footers
3. Modal boxes
4. Grids & Magazine Layouts, and
5. Hand drawn illustration

I would personally like to see an end to the overuse of cliched stock photography! I love it when a site uses rather quirky imagery rather than the obvious, even if it’s stock, it doesn’t have to be boring.

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far in your freelance design career? How did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge would have to be the fact I was quite shy. I’ve found though that freelancing has been a great way to build my confidence, force me to step outside of my comfort zone and push myself to become composed and confident when communicating with others to the point where I’m now completely at ease when speaking publicly, meeting new clients and in large groups, for example.

Now I actually teach IT & Design classes in a local development centre so it’s certainly paid off!

Lastly, what advice would you have for beginning freelancers—or those who are looking to grow their freelance business?

To any new freelancer it’s important to be prepared! Not just with the obvious such as your portfolio. Have a rock solid contract in place, create proposal and estimate templates, setup your email (including signature) and have reliable hardware and software.

Being thoroughly prepared, setting your rates and routine, knowing exactly how you will operate and what you will offer, will not only save you time but it will mean more billable time in the beginning. Instead of spending 2 hours in Photoshop and 22 hours trying to sort out your admin and finances!

For those looking to grow their business, it’s always difficult though there are some excellent resources available such as: 101 Ideas to Get More Freelance Work and Generate New Client Leads.

Personally I’ve found referrals have helped grow my business to a point where I now usually collaborate with other trusted freelancers on projects, which has allowed me to grow the business and take on larger projects without the expenses of physically employing someone. Plus I get to work with some awesome people!

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Thanks Grace, I really appre­ci­ate you tak­ing the time to share your story with the Free­lance Show!

Again, be sure to connect with Grace on Twitter, her design blog, and her Freelance resource aggregator—The Freelance Feed.

Brandon Cox is a Pastor, logo, identity and web designer and blogger (Life Here and There, Fuel Your Blogging, and Creative Cox) in northwest Arkansas.

He’s originally from Kentucky, but now lives in northwest Arkansas with his wife Angie (who blogs at The Sweet Life), his daughter and his little dog Beau, and is expecting a son in April of 2010. He also really loves sweet iced tea and Pixar movies!

Brandon is very active in the design community. You can connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, as well as Fuel Your Blogging on Twitter.

First off, thanks Brandon, for taking time out of your schedule for this interview! Can you tell our readers how you first got started in design and about your freelance design studio, eGrace Creative?

Sure thing. My brother is a web developer and writes applications in Coldfusion. Way back in 1998 he created a website for my church and installed Macromedia Homesite on my computer and showed me the very basics of managing the site, which was good old-fashioned static html. Soon after that, I bought a copy of Macromedia Studio, which of course has since been absorbed into the Adobe family, but I really began to love creating for the web.

Over time, other churches and friends would ask for my help in getting basic sites up. About three years ago, I met Wordpress for the first time and began dissecting the platform and some of the free themes that were available at the time and started developing my own themes. Because of increasing demand for commercial work, I launched eGrace Creative in January of 2008 and the rest is history.

Through eGrace, I focus mainly on logo and identity design and Wordpress theme development for businesses and nonprofits. Because of my many roles and because design is not my primary calling, I have to turn away work and be selective, which certainly has its advantages.

You recently switched from Windows to a Mac, correct? What has that experience been like for you and what prompted the switch?

Macs are just cool. I’d been wanting one for a couple of years, but had always opted for less-expensive PC’s so that I could get “more” for my money in terms of specifications. Never again. I realize now that Macs just make life easier. I open it and I’m typing. With my PC’s, I always had to wake up the hamsters inside and wait till they had the wheels turning fast enough for me to work.

What are some of your favorite apps (web or desktop) that you incorporate into your freelance business?

I used to be a big Dreamweaver fan for coding, but since getting my Mac, I’ve fallen in love with Coda. I use Illustrator for logo design and Fireworks for web design (I still think it’s better than Photoshop for this purpose). For productivity, I like the extremely basic Google Tasks. I handle all of my billing with Freshbooks and my budget with Mint.com. I’m a Wordpress junkie, not only for site development, but even for personal writing projects on my Mac. And I browse with Chrome (the dev version so I can utilize extensions).

As many readers may know, you are the Editor of Fuel Your Blogging and run a couple of your own blogs and occasionally guest post on others. What got you interested in blogging and how has blogging impacted your design business?

I began blogging personally way back in 2004 and then expanded to multiple blogs about two years ago. I really don’t blog for the money (directly) but rather for the increased influence. For me, blogging is both an art form and a matter of personal branding and brand expansion. It’s an outlet for ideas and one of the more addictive sides is the connection factor.

Blogging has definitely expanded my business connections, probably at least double. As a matter of fact, many of my business relationships have formed not only via blogging, but through Twitter and Facebook. I’ve never really “sold” my services in this way, it’s just that you build relationships with people and they see you as a knowledgeable person on the subject of design.

As readers who follow you also know, you are a Pastor in addition to designer and blogger. How long have you been in the Ministry and how do you manage the sometimes-challenging work-life balance of your responsibilities there, with your design business and your family.

I’ve been a Pastor since I was 19 years old, serving my first church in 1997 (I’m spilling my age, aren’t I?) I’ve been in my current position just over four years.

Balancing my various responsibilities is the single greatest challenge I face, especially since they all overlap to some degree. I joke that my favorite productivity tip is outsourcing my sleep. Actually, I made a decision when I began doing design work that I would never let design or blogging out-prioritize ministry, but I’ve watched growth happen in my ministry role that is the direct result of my other roles.

It also helps that design and blogging are my hobby, which everybody in ministry needs to have anyway. In ministry, you can’t always control results or people, but I can go home on Sunday night and use css and html to make something happen and see the results on the page — it’s a therapeutic and financially beneficial hobby to have.

There is a tremendous advantage sometimes being a designer with friends in ministry, just as there are advantages to being a Pastor with lots of friends in the design world.

Lastly, what advice would you have for beginning freelancers—or those who are looking to grow their freelance business?

I think every beginning freelancer needs a multi-pronged approach to growing your business. Build your skills even if it means tearing apart old stuff to see how it works. Make connections and get involved in the larger design community. And always work on personal projects that give you a nice outlet from the frustrations of working to please clients.

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Thanks Brandon, I really appre­ci­ate you tak­ing the time to share your story with the Free­lance Show!

Again, be sure to connect with Brandon on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, as well as Fuel Your Blogging on Twitter.

Brian Hoff is a self-employed graphic designer living in Philadelphia and known to many in the design industry as the founder of the popular design blog, The Design Cubicle.

Brian has over 8 years of print, web and logo design experience. His specialties include working in the fields of identity (logo design), print design, web design & development and branding. Brian typically works with a wide range of clients designing, developing and providing creative direction for small to medium-sized businesses. His portfolio ranges from, but not limited to, logos, brochures, websites, business cards, stationery (letterheads, envelopes, etc) and more.

Brian is very active in the design community, both online and locally and you can find him on Twitter @behoff.

First of all, thanks Brian, for taking the time to be interviewed on the Freelance Show! How long have you been a full-time independent designer? Describe your path to self-employment.

Only in the past year I have run my own full-time independent business. Prior to working towards self-employment, I was a software trainer at Apple while working towards establishing my own design business after the hours of my 9 to 5 job at Apple. I would come home, eat dinner, blog (a major part of my marketing), and work on client’s logos and websites. Although with my hectic schedule I was only able to work with 2–3 clients at that time.

As my blog, The Design Cubicle, grew more popular I began receiving an increasing amount of work inquiries—more than I was able to handle. It came down to a decision for me: either pass up work or quit my 9-to-5 job at Apple, so here I am!

Although I was a bit nervous about making the jump into full time independency and leaving a steady position with Apple for 3+ years, I couldn’t be happier with my decision. With more time focused on my work and marketing I am able to pick up more work than I had initially expected and hope to continue it in the long run, and eventually expand my business.

So tell us what inspired you to start
The Design Cubicle?

As an avid reader of many other design blogs (I subscribe to over 300 blogs), I felt that I too had something to offer to the design community. A place to share my passion, experience, inspiration and perspective, as well as a place where people could interact and ask questions.

The name ‘The Design Cubicle’ was inspired from, and sort of a pun off the “behind the cubicle” design jobs. One area that I particularly try to stray away from while running an independent business is the ‘independence’ aspect. Working alone can be lonely and the benefits of working with others, or “behind a cubicle” in an office is that you get to interact with others and learn—something that I wanted my blog to portray: a place to learn, share and inspire. You can read more about it here.
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As of this interview, it has been just over one year ago since you first launched The Design Cubicle (Oct. 11, 2008). Compare your design business prior to TDC launch with your design business now. How has it changed?

My business would be no where close to where it is today without TDC. Clients discover and read my articles and become more interested in working with me. It builds a level of trust to an otherwise ‘faceless’ internet, while also allowing my business, blog and services to be more visible in the search engines.

Before TDC, most of my work came via word of mouth. Talking with people, other people talking about my services, networking events, etc. With the rise and popularity of TDC, 99% of my work comes from all over the world because of my site—and I am extremely grateful for this, as well as a bit surprised by the results.

Although the majority of my work comes because of my blog, I still makes time to stay true to my roots and network in person. I attend as many local and larger-scaled design conferences/meet ups, as well as active in many organizations such as AIGA Philadelphia. Also, when meeting new people try to sneak in a bit or two about what I do.

Being a designer puts you in a great position because we are in a field where everyone needs our services. It’s just a matter of letting people know what you do and leaving a small impact on them enough to remember you.
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Other than design software, what tools
of the trade do you use (invoicing,
CRM, project management, etc)?

Rather than listing all the software and tools I use to ‘get things done’ on here, my personal site, www.brianhoff.net/about.html has a full listing of all the invoicing, CRM, project managment tools I use.
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How do you manage your design projects, writing for The Design Cubicle and social networking? Any time management tips you’d like to share?

Actually, I have no idea… it just gets done… somehow. Running your own business is a lot of work. It’s a full time job, and by full time I mean it doesn’t stop. I am always answering emails, responding to comments, working on projects, writing new posts, sending out proposals, etc.

The best tip I can share for getting everything done is you have to have passion for what you do, without it you will get burned out. Also, I am also a very organized person and try to stay on top of things and not procrastinate.

Lastly, what advice do you have for designers who are just starting to freelance or who are looking to grow their freelance business?

Passion and interpersonal skills are a must. Without a passion you will not be motivated to maintain a business and without strong interpersonal skills it’s hard to grow your business. All build trust with your clients and those you meet… the rest will follow.

Growing your own freelance business takes time and patience. It’s not going to happen overnight. Starting off with a steady day job and slowing growing your own business at night is a great way to start.

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Thanks Brian, I really appreciate you taking the time to share your story with the Freelance Show!

You can find more information about Brain Hoff at The Design Cubicle, view more of his portfolio at his business website, BrianHoff.net and connect with him on Twitter.
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Jeff Fisher, a 30+ year design industry veteran, is the author of The Savvy Designer’s Guide to Success: Ideas and tactics for a killer career and Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands. He is currently writing the book LogoType, about typography in identity design, with a scheduled release of late 2010.

He has received over 600 design awards and his work has been published in more than 100 books on identity design, self-promotion and the marketing of small businesses. He often makes presentations at design conferences, speaks to student audiences at universities and design school, and conducts workshops for business organizations. In recent years, Jeff has judged numerous competitions, including American Advertising & Design 25, the Logopond Awards, The Create Awards, and the Summit Creative Awards.

In January, he was named one of design industry publication Graphic Design USA’s “People to Watch in 2009.” In 2008, Jeff Fisher LogoMotives was recognized as one of the top 100 U.S. home-based businesses by the web presence StartupNation.

First of all, thanks for taking the time out to participate in the interview. I know you are certainly a busy man, between designing, authoring books, writing magazine articles, blogging, speaking, judging and everything else you do! You’ve certainly been an inspiration to a lot of designers, myself included.

Neil, it’s a real pleasure to be asked to be a part of the Freelance Show—especially having met you at the first Creative Freelancer Conference in 2008.
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Can you compare starting out as a designer when you began versus starting out as a designer today. What advantages do new designers have today? What challenges do they have that you didn’t?

I started school to become a graphic designer in 1974. It was a different world. For most, all aspects of design were literally much more hands-on than today. I have the X-Acto™ knife blade scars, from hand-cutting various films and output type, all over my fingers to prove that point. My schooling included learning a great deal about the printing process, designing typography, specing type, preparing final art for reproduction and any other processes necessary to take a project from concept to the final desired result.

While in college, the computer lab was some unknown campus location where self-proclaimed computer geeks went late at night to do their homework. I couldn’t have even imagined using a personal computer for the purpose of creating my design work. In fact, I worked as a professional designer for about 13 years before my first The Macintosh IIsi appeared on my desk. The transition from totally hands-on design to computer-generated output was a bit of a challenge.

I can remember when the latest and greatest technology was a new-fangled piece of office equipment called a fax machine. Faxing rough sketches of designs to a client was a really big deal.

Even in the early 1990’s there were some with access to a computer who thought the equipment made them a “designer.” I do think it was a bit easier then for those with actual design education or training to prove the value of their time and talents.

The Internet had a major impact on my career. My first web presence went life in the fall of 1998. I naively created the site as a personal portfolio for a potentially local clientele. It was a major shock to begin getting work from across the U.S. and foreign countries.

All that said; designers today have such incredible advantages—many taken for granted on a daily basis. The access to information and research via the Web and other technologies is almost unlimited. Communication with clients, vendors, mentors and peers is light years away from when I first moved to Portland in 1980. The advances in computer and software technology are a huge advantage to the designer starting a career today.

There are challenges. With the personal computer came many individuals calling themselves “designers” because they had a PC and some design programs. So many individuals fail to realize that such equipment is just a tool that is used most successfully by those with the appropriate education, talent, experience and abilities. Plugging in a newly purchased computer is not going to make someone a design professional.

I appreciate the current design education programs that don’t permit the use of a computer in the first year or so of one’s schooling. The students learn the principles of design in the old-school manner, prior to translating their design concepts to a digital format.

When I was in high school, few people even knew of a profession referred to as “graphic design.” Until I saw Milton Glaser’s book “Graphic Design” in 1974 at my hometown’s public library, I had only occasionally heard of a career path in a somewhat obscure field known as “commercial art.” The huge number of students in graphic design education programs around the world will present a challenge to any design graduate as they begin their initial job search upon finishing school. A design graduate with a kick-ass portfolio, the ability to write more than just a complete sentence, a great understanding of business and the ability to effectively market and promote themselves is going to have the advantage over most of their peers.

I have come across a number of recent design school grads that seem to think they are the hottest thing ever to hit the design profession. I always tell graduating students that when the door of their school smacks them on the rear-end, as they head out into the big, bad world, their true design education will begin. It’s then time to set aside ego, evaluate the reality of the current design market, become a sponge in soaking up every bit of information one can, and do the best job possible for any client or employer.

Getting a job, or finding independent design work, is a huge challenge these days. I’m disturbed by the number of newbie designers these days who seem to think the only option for possible work is to take on “spec” project assignments, or participate in so-called “contests,” in attempting to establish a reputation in the industry. The only thing worse than a potential client who does not value the efforts of a professional graphic designer, is a designer who doesn’t appreciate the value of their own time and work.

A much more effective use of a new designer’s time, energy and talent is offering to do work for a non-profit cause in which they have a personal interest, interact with potential clients involved with the organization, establish a portfolio of “real world” work, and take the time to educate all along the was as to the value of professional design work.

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Correct me if I’m wrong, but you didn’t start specializing in logo and identity design until several years into your career. What was it that made you decide to specialize and how did your business improve because of it?

Logo design has always been an interest. As far back as junior high school I enjoyed playing with letterforms and graphic elements; combining them into what were my early crude attempts at creating logos. While in college I had the opportunity to create a number of logo designs for businesses, organizations and publications. I was quickly hooked on such design efforts.

However, starting out as a professional designer in 1978, for some odd reason I felt a designer needed to take on any and all projects that came one’s way. It was certainly a way to make a living. So, I spent a good 17 or 18 years designing publications, advertising, direct mail pieces, brochures, packaging and whatever any client needed—whether I liked it or not. The logo design and branding projects were always the most enjoyable challenges.

About 1996 I was being to experience some real career burn-out. I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue as a designer; although I didn’t have a clue what else I might do career-wise. In a discussion with my sister, the owner of an advertising and public relations firm, I brought up the issue. She looked at me like I was a complete idiot and said, “Why aren’t you doing what you enjoy the most?” My blank stare prompted her to add, “Logo design.”

It was one of those “I should have had a V-8, slap yourself in the forehead” moments. I simply hadn’t given myself permission to focus and specialize on the most pleasurable aspect of my work. Once I did so, I had completely renewed energy and enthusiasm for promoting myself as Jeff Fisher LogoMotives and seeking the project work of greatest interest to me. The work, and reputation as an identity designer, so followed.

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As you know, pricing design services can sometimes be a struggle, especially for those just starting out. What advice do you have for freelancers? Do you recommend pricing flat-fee or hourly?

In most cases, when a designer is questioning whether they are charging enough for their efforts, the question has already been answered by the doubt being experienced or expressed. It’s time to raise the rates. There’s certainly nothing wrong with asking others in your local area—from both the design and client side—about going design rates. However, with Internet capabilities, no designer needs to limit themselves with local billing rates or a local clientele.

In the course of my own career, each time I’ve raised my rates I gotten more, rather than less, work. To many potential clients there is a perception that if something costs more, it must be better. In my case, I’d prefer to execute one identity project for $5000, than slave doing 100 logos at $50 for the same amount of money. Not every client is going to be the one that pays thousands of dollars for design — you have to seek out that type of business. No designer needs to settle for the $50 a logo client—or even worse, “spec” projects.

With my smaller start-up clients I almost always charge a flat-fee for the project effort. I’ve done such projects for so long I’m seldom short-changing myself in estimating the jobs. However, when I’m doing a project for a large corporation, or a business with multiple levels of (lack of) approval, I bill the client hourly. Such efforts are always going to take much, much more time—most of it unnecessary. I’m most likely going to earn every cent estimated. The most valuable, and most limited, commodity I have as an independent businessperson is time, and I need to be compensated adequately for my investment in hours.

Years ago, at a HOW Design Conference, I was asked to share my business mantra. My response was: “Work less; charge more.” I think it’s a way of thinking that more designers should adopt.

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How do you manage all of your commitments and projects? You have to be a master at time management. Please share your secrets!

I’d like to think that I just don’t take on more projects and commitments than I can handle. That’s not always the case, However, I do try to not complicate my life.  I attempt to maintain a good work/life balance. I often tell presentation audiences “I work to live; rather than living to work.”

I only have client contact Monday through Thursday. Years ago, each summer I would inform my clients about my “summer offices hours” of Monday-Thursday; 8 AM to 5 PM. Following the Labor Day holiday in September I would change my hours to a more normal five-day work week. About a decade ago I adopted the four day “office hours” permanently. That allows me to have each Friday to do as I please.  Fridays are often spent doing marketing, networking, writing and taking care of business-related tasks. It’s been a great time management tool for me.

I do realize that I’m lucky to be able to just take on the projects that really interest me. Doing so allows me greater flexibility in the scheduling of what I do on a daily basis.  For me, it’s also been very helpful to literally put any work needed for myself on my project calendar like work for any other client. Work I need to do for myself is just as important as any client job.
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How has social media impacted your business? Has is become a direct source of work with clients contacting you through various social media channels? Or is it more an indirect result of expanding and building your brand?

For over a decade I’ve been involved in online design and business forums. The initial desire was to overcome some of the isolation from being a one-person, home-based business. Much of the interaction of the forums and newsgroups was really social networking in an earlier form.

I came to social networking through seeking alternative methods to get the word out about my book, Identity Crisis! Many of the social networking sites allowed for publishing written and visual content—perfect for promoting a graphic design book. It didn’t take long to see the added value in promoting speaking engagements, driving traffic to my business web presence, driving readers to my blogs and more. Social networking efforts have certainly assisted in creating a greater presence for the Jeff Fisher LogoMotives brand—AND it has resulted in many new clients. Twitter has become an especially effective and valuable marketing tool. By the way, on Twitter I’m @LogoMotives.

An article I wrote about this topic, “Self-Promotion the Social Way,” was published in the October 2009 issue of HOW Magazine and is posted on the publication’s website. (http://bit.ly/131Lvx)
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Last question for you, Jeff…
If you had just one piece of advice to give a beginning freelancer today, what would it be?

I would recommend that all independent designers—or all designers for that matter—always trust their “gut instinct.”  That little voice we all have within ourselves is most often our best business advisor. If our “gut” is telling us that a project prospect might be the future client-from-hell, a business partnership may not be in our best interest, or a potential vendor may be a slimeball; there’s usually a legitimate reason for the feeling.
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Thanks Jeff, I really appreciate the interview and I know it will be a help to readers of the Freelance Show!

You can find more information about Jeff Fisher LogoMotives, and find links to Jeff’s blogs, at http://www.jfisherlogomotives.com.
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