Let’s play 20 questions! Designers, you’ll definitely want to listen to this episode if you are interested in running a successful design business. Even if you’re not a designer but want to hear more of the backstory of my business and my tips for things like going full time in your business, what to focus on early on in your business, what my workflow was like with clients when I first started, and so much more… you’ll wanna tune in!
This episode is part one of me answering YOUR questions all about building a successful, booked out design business. In my waitlist survey for my new program Booked Out Designer, there was a spot to “ask me anything”, and you guys sent some really good questions! Not only did I use those for what I’m including in the course, but I’m also talking through 20 questions you guys sent in about my design business specifically. Let’s dive in!
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I’m answering 3 out of the 10 questions in part one here! To hear all of the questions and answers, tune in to the full episode and make sure to listen to part 2 as well!
1. If you were starting over again, what would you do differently in your design business? What would you avoid/ skip entirely?
This question was also asked as, “What is something you would do differently if you had to re-start your biz all over again?” If I was starting over again trying to build a successful design business, I’d probably use MY NAME instead of trying to make up a name for my business.
I’m still glad I did it that way then because it all worked out in the end, but it would have been nice not to have to change everything later on.
I also would have invested sooner in education for designers. I didn’t invest in any courses, masterminds, or anything like that for a long time, and I think things would have moved quicker had I bought a really good course or coaching session sooner.
I did consume a lot of free education, which I recommend as well! But I was very much “on my own” for a long time.
Another thing is I would start building relationships with other designers and business owners sooner. Again, I was very much in my own little box for longer than I think is good! I would also have started showing my face on Instagram stories sooner! I waited for way too long to do that!
2. How did you decide to focus on websites?
When I first started my business, I did everything. I did brochures, billboards, social media management, Facebook ads, email marketing, branding, websites, etc. You name it and I was offering it.
I don’t regret offering a lot early on because it helped me figure out what I liked, at one point I literally thought I’d run a social media management company.
Somewhat quickly though, I started eliminating what wasn’t selling and things I didn’t love. I realized I didn’t love social media management because I was struggling to get results for clients as a contractor who wasn’t in their business day in and day out.
Before websites, I actually focused on branding mostly and did some sites with the branding, and I loved that for a while.
Once I discovered Showit and decided to go all-in on websites I became a better designer and had more fun creating my successful design business!
3. What is your BEST advice for new web designers in the business?
While building a successful design business, find education from other designers! Whether you invest in something like the course I’ve created or just listen to free content and read books. Learn as much as you can and remember that the learning never stops.
Do what you need to do to be confident in yourself as a designer. Maybe it’s more discovery calls under your belt, or more practice and really studying design so that you can be better at it. Whatever it is, get confident!
Make sure to tune in to the full episode to hear the rest of the questions in part one of this Q&A on creating a successful design business! I hope this episode and blog post encourages you to keep going and building your dream design business. If you are interested in a deeper dive into running an in-demand business, check out my course Booked Out Designer! This course is where I pull back the curtain on everything – from real, recorded meetings with my clients to the exact details of the system I use to collect content from a client before a project – and give you access to it all!
Episodes Mentioned:
Episode #1 | My Story: Quitting My 8-5 And Tripling My Income With An Online Business
Episode #104 | How To Take Your Design Business From Burnt Out To Booked Out With Dream Clients
Episode #106 | 20 Questions About Building A Successful, Booked Out Design Business – Part Two!
Episode #54 | How To Deal With A Difficult Or Angry Client
Episode #55 | How To Prevent Difficult Client Situations
Listen to the full episode to hear all 10 questions and answers about how I build my successful design business. Scroll to episode #105 wherever you listen to podcasts or click the buttons below to listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify now!
