Category Archives: Business

Poor Clients: Who They Are, Why We Work for Them and How to Work with the Best People

As creative people, unless we are producing things for no financial reward, and especially those of us who work on an independent basis, attracting and winning clients and customers is effectively the most important aspect of the package of work we do (beyond the creative work itself).

25 Ways You are Failing at Promoting Yourself, Your Products and Your Work

Self promotion. Whether the words stir up enthusiastic excitement or deep-rooted repulsion inside you, there is no doubt of its importance to those of you for whom attracting clients and buyers is important.

21 Ways to Add Magic to Your Brand and Stand Out as a Creative

I like to talk about the importance of brand when it comes to presenting our products and services to our target market and the world.

It is vital that, in the current climate, where people are clambering over each other to be seen, independent creatives take deliberate action in modelling a clearly defined brand for themselves.

7 Crucial Things That Will Save You as an Independent Creative Over the Coming Years

As most of you will have noticed, the current economic climate isn’t particularly rosy when it comes to available work for us creatives.

Let me rephrase that. The current economic climate isn’t particularly rosy when it comes to available work for a large proportion of us creatives. There are many people out there who, for various reasons, still do earn a very good living from creative projects, and many who are doing better now than they ever have in the past.

19 Reasons Your Online Portfolio Gets Barely Any Visits

You are a wonderful artist and you have a great, clean portfolio site featuring lovely new art and pictures you’ve been creating. You’d like more people to see your work and to hopefully get some paid work too.

12 Things You Are Doing That Are Stopping You Getting Paid

As many of us are self-employed, freelancing and/or independent workers in some way or another, the requirement for getting paid in a timely manner is paramount to our very professional existence.

How Having Boundaries is the Secret to Being a Sought After Professional

This might seem like an odd suggestion, but having boundaries is a major secret to professionalism and coming across as such.

This means being someone who sticks to their own defined values, needs and policies and presents them to those they engage with (without coming across as aggressive).

Google+ Course for Freelancers Launches!

After several months in the making, I’m pleased to announce the launch of my ecourse for freelancers and small businesses!

‘The Freelancer’s Guide to Winning Incredible Clients through Google+ Mastery’

The step-by-step course, split into three ebooks, has already received a great amount of praise and already a number of great testimonials, which I’m very grateful for.

Tweet for 60 Days of Free Advertising!

*Winners Announced!*

Congratulations to 5 winners of the 60-days of free advertising, who tweeted and have now been chosen. You all receive 60 days of advertising on Red Lemon Club, Ape on the Moon and the RLC newsletter:

7 Ways to Turn Your Social Media Connections Into Paying Clients

So you’ve got a few thousand followers on Twitter and some connections on Google+ or Facebook. Where are the people who want to pay me for doing good work? Well, believe it or not, these potential ‘clients’ are out there using social networks, and they’re willing to pay good money for a job you can do well.

6 Basic Social Media 'No Nos' that are Stopping Freelancers from Winning Clients

We all know that there is plenty of value to be extracted out of social media platforms as a freelancing hero. If you get it just right, you can use social networks as a solid source of wonderful long-term clients. Google+ for example, is one platform that has a lot of potential for finding new connections to turn into clients.

18 Speedy Ways for Freelancers to Earn Extra Money that Actually Work

Wanna Get Rich Quick? Welcome to my most scammy-sounding article to date. But is it?

Getting ‘rich’, well maybe not immediately, but could there be some true-tested ways for freelancers like us to generate some cashflow over days instead of months, especially in tough times?

How to Inspire a Rock-Solid Following

I watched a very thought-provoking talk recently over at TED about how great leaders like Martin Luther King and Steve Jobs inspire action in people.

Although I was aware of the importance of defining purpose in what you do to keep you motivated, Simon Sinek revealed the importance of the need to define a belief or purpose as a key element of attracting a following in highly successful businesses, companies, projects and even movements.

RLC Talks to Illustrator Rod Hunt on Self Promotion (and more!)

Rod Hunt is a London based illustrator and artist who has built a reputation for retro-tinged illustrations and detailed character filled landscapes.

With UK and international clients spanning publishing, design, advertising & new media, he’s illustrated everything from book covers to advertising campaigns, installations and iPhone apps. He’s also the illustrator behind the bestselling Where’s Stig? books for the BBC’s hit TV show Top Gear.

19 Online Communities to Find Freelance Writing Jobs

There are many opportunities right now to earn money doing freelancing writing jobs, if anything to supplement the freelance work you are doing at the moment. I know how hard it is right at this moment to get regular clients and regular income, but if you have a knack with writing, you could make some nice earnings to fill in any gaps.

The 9 Elements of a Strong Business Model for Freelance Creatives

I’ve been reading some fascinating stuff about putting together business models for a new venture I’m working on. Through doing the research, I’ve realised that formulating a business model that applies to freelance creative professionals is just as important as a model for any other minor and major business organisation.

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