How to Make $3,400 While on Vacation

This last weekend I turned 34. Amidst vacationing on the beach, reading some great books and contemplating future hip replacements, I also kept in touch with potential clients via my phone.
They’d write me and I’d respond with ultra-classy emails such as: “I’m sorry for the short response, but I’m away on vacation until Sunday. I’d [...]

Branding for people who aren’t toilet paper

When I buy toilet paper, I don’t look for the best packaging or logo. I grab the gigantic 6,000-roll pack and call it a day. Toilet paper all ends up in the same place and performs a function that obviates the need for great design and swell packaging.
When I buy staples, I don’t check to [...]

How to put together a portfolio when you’ve never had clients

One catch-22 that hits us freelancers in the face in the early early days is that we have to have portfolios, even if we’ve never had a client. Of course if you’ve never had a client you couldn’t possibly have a portfolio. Bummer.
What to do? Fake it.
Seriously, just make one up. Your potential clients are [...]

Two Things I Depend on For Freelance Commissions

I’m sure some of my subscribers will read this one and unsubscribe immediately because this is no uncharted territory. In fact, if you get anything out of this post at all you’ve maybe had a long life of drinking bleach.
But then again, some of the people who stop by here are struggling to get more [...]