Challenges in our industry today 

This will take a few minutes to read, please invest the time.  I know, I know you are very busy.  

It will only take a few minutes.

 

When I speak at events, I am often asked "How do I know if I am making what I should?" OR "I am not sure if I am making any money?" 

 

So, at first blush, one would think that the answer is only related to how to charge.  The answers are much more complex than just "how should I be charging?"

 

Other coaches talk about getting what you are worth.  The bigger questions are

• What are you really worth?

• What will the market bear?

• How do you measure your worth?

• How do you convey your worth to clients?

• Where are the clients & how do you get your fair share?

 

More questions that keep us all up at night are:

• How should you look at your business?

• What is important to you?

• Do you love what you do? & is that enough? 

• Is this turning into a hobby?

• How will you support yourself?

• Can you invest in yourself, if so, how much?

• How important is it to focus on the business end?

• Where are the clients that need your services & how do you find them? 

• Do you have the right tools? The right skills? The right resources?

• Are you talented enough? 

 

Where does one go for help? There are many places to find help. Let me offer one...I may not have all the answers, however, I know how to get them.  These workshops are a direct result of the questions we all have had about the business side of our industry.  

 

I know you are all committed to doing a great job for clients.  Committed to beautiful work.  But is your "backroom" as beautiful?

 

In order to grow, you have to invest your time & your money in your business.  Here is a list of ways to keep on top of things: 

• free webinars - invest your time

• ceu's seminars - invest your time & also your money

• workshops - invest your time & also your money

• coaching - invest your time & also your money

• hard work - invest your time

• hire help - invest your money

• research - invest your time

 

See what I mean? There are no secrets & no easy one-line answers. Just like good design, we all have to plan well, do the research, put in the time & do the work.  You also have to have a support team.  Without a solid foundation, your business will stall. 

 

Where is your support team?  Of course, the 1st group would include your family & friends.  Then the 2nd group includes a good bookkeeper &/or CPA, banker, contract lawyer & marketing firm.  3rd group should include an ongoing education plan & your coach or mentors as well.  And the last groups are vendors &, of course, clients.   

 

So, now, where do we start?  Let me help you sort through...

• the rules & regulations in California that keep our business whole

• the software application options & technology that run the business 

• how to manage numbers that we all hate but represent how we are doing

• Excellent documents to close business & purchase products for your clients  & more

 

I can help make sense of it all!

 

Over the years, designers have come to me for help

Now I am coming to you to offer my help

 

I ask myself why was my business thriving when others were not? The only answer I have is that I run it as a business first to make those hard business decisions daily with tools available to all of us. You can do it as well!

 

• I can not promise after one seminar, your phone will ring with that great, high paying client

• I can promise that when that great client comes along...

      -  you will be prepared to close the business

      -  be organized

      -  be ready

      -  and, more importantly, understand & improve your bottom line

 

My suggestion is that before you make a decision to ignore any workshop or educational offering that is not free, please think about investing in at least one & then make your decision.  I want you to thrive!   

See you soon,    Diane