How to deal with a needy client

When you get a new client, it’s like any new relationship.  Full of hope and promise.  Things usually start off strong with casual back and forth communication.  But as time goes on, you start to realize that your new client has emailed a dozen times in the last hour and calls you at 8pm on…

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Breaking your routine isn’t the end of the world

Life has a peculiar way of throwing curveballs at us, especially when we least expect them. For web designers, especially those who are self-employed, routine is the cornerstone of productivity. But what happens when the unexpected disrupts this routine? I often grapple with the idea that I’ve only succeeded if I fulfill a commitment. A…

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What to do when your client has a bad idea

One thing I can tell you after 16 years in business is that not everyone has a good sense of design.  Many people just have no idea where to start with page layouts or know what proper white space and color balance is.  A great client is one that is going to share their opinions…

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WebCami’s Toolbox: Freshbooks

During the first few years of my business, I would buy the newest version of Quickbooks Pro whenever I had to.  This was long before Quickbooks online came to be.  I always found it a pain in the ass to work with and hated how clunky it was.   Then, someone I met through networking here…

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The importance of a business newsletter

First, I will come clean and tell you I could improve at sending newsletters to my clients. I’m not structured with timing and haphazardly send them something twice or three times a year. I need to take advantage of a significant opportunity to cultivate ongoing business and to make myself an expert in the eyes…

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Should you offer hosting as a web designer?

I have to admit, until this year, this was a big N-O for me.  I have offered hosting in the past and found it to be extremely difficult.  Most of the time it was fine, but when something went wrong with a hosting company, I had clients calling me and assuming that I had control.  I…

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