Issue #52
May 31, 2007

Welcome to Inside Freelance Design (IFD), your free, bi-weekly e-letter from American Writers & Artists Inc. Every other week, you can receive this special alert with secrets, tips, and insights from AWAI's graphic design pros to help you improve your skills and reach your goal of becoming a professional graphic designer in the fastest time possible.

IN THIS ISSUE:
  • What to Do When There’s Nothing to Do
  • Quick Tip: Why You Shouldn’t Buy Adobe CS3 … Right Now
  • EXTRA! EXTRA! News and Job Opportunities
What to Do When There’s Nothing to Do
by Will Newman

You’ve finally finished and sent off that big project. You’ve worked hard, and you’re ready to kick back and veg out for a while.

Resist the urge. Certainly, you’re entitled to a break. But it’s tempting to let a break grow and expand until it has taken over most or all of the time you should be working. So instead of earning money, you’re cruising the Net, canning peaches, or watching TV.

Okay. So maybe you don’t have any work waiting for you. What should you do, fake it? Well, that’s one of the things we’ll get to in a moment. For now, let’s look at a few – very important – activities to do when there’s nothing to do.

1. Go Client Hunting.

In Secrets of a Freelance Writer, Bob Bly advises that if you’re not doing something that makes you money directly, you should be doing something that will help you make money. “Promoting yourself” has to be at the very top of that agenda.

Use downtime to generate a list of your dream clients. Call them or research the Internet to find out key contact names. This might not be a group of people you feel comfortable contacting … yet. But by developing the list now, you’ll have information you can easily update and add to as you build your career.

In a similar vein, make a list of clients that are probably ready for your services right now. Research their contact information. People respond better when you contact them by name … even product managers.

2. Develop Your Portfolio and Self-Promo Package.

This is where “faking it” comes in. If you don’t have a very thick portfolio, work on putting one together that shows off your skills. Develop a stunning DM package for real or made-up products in a number of different niches (health, financial, etc.) in a number of different formats (magalog, #10 letter, etc.).

These are samples of what you can do, not “real” work – so label it as such. And work as hard on them as you would on a real assignment that pays $5,000 … because, some day, this work will pay off like that.

But don’t stop at developing a strong portfolio. Expand it into a compelling self-promotion package that includes an introductory letter, resume, list of clients (if you’ve had any), testimonials (if you have any), and your self-designed business card.

3. Master Photoshop, InDesign, or Other Software.

The worst possible time to master new software is when you’re working under a deadline. If you have a good instruction book in one hand and your mouse in the other, you can turn out some pretty good results. But, guaranteed, you won’t remember how you did it.

Take advantage of your downtime to perfect your software skills. And learning new software systematically can be fun … so it seems like you’re playing while you’re really working.

4. “Hose Out” Your Computer.

Use some of your “there’s nothing to do” time to do some needed computer system maintenance. Like de-fragmenting your hard drive. (See IFD Issue 51.) Or reorganizing files and folders into a logical order.

Keeping on top of this crucial aspect of being a computer owner can save you grief down the road by preventing a computer crash.

And while we’re on the subject of crashes, do not wait until you have some downtown to back up important files. It should be done on a regular schedule – preferably every day. Don’t rely on your memory, either. Invest in good, reliable software to do it automatically.

5. One More Suggestion ...

If the above recommendations don’t keep you busy during those times when it seems like there’s nothing to do, consider doing volunteer work. Pick an organization that does work you admire, and offer to do some design work for them ... free of charge.

You’ll not only be building your portfolio, you’ll also be improving the world around you.

* * * * * * * * Highly Recommended * * * * * * * *

Extra Income For Aspiring Graphic Designers

If you are looking for an ideal spare-time business – resume writing might be just the thing for you. It's a great way for you to earn extra income and also use your DM design skills. Like successful sales letters good resumes have clean and simple designs that guide the eye along important points to make the ultimate “sale.”

Learn more at: http://www.myresumebiz.com/sparetimebiz/

Quick Tip: Why You Shouldn’t Buy Adobe CS3 … Right Now
by Will Newman

The latest buzz in design software is the new Adobe Creative Suite 3.

The reviews for this version of the popular design and image manipulation software have been extremely positive. And when new software like this comes out, we tend to have a strong urge to buy it. After all, with reputable software publishers like Adobe, new is usually better.

But don’t buy it. At least not now.

While based on CS2, this software is, to a large extent, a complete remake of that previous version. Adobe delayed the release of CS3 several times to flush out any hidden bugs ... so that’s not the problem.

The problem is that many of the service bureaus your designs might be sent to might not yet have updated their own software. So, if you send an InDesign CS3 document to them, they might not be able to handle it. They’ll send it back, costing you and your client time and, ultimately, money.

If you are really itching to get CS3, have some patience and wait a few months. The applications in CS2 are powerful, and can do the work you need done until service bureaus and commercial printers have caught up with the new technology.

Word of advice: Hold off on upgrading to a brand-new version of any software – not just Adobe CS3 – until it’s been around a minimum of three months.

* * * * * * * * Advertisement * * * * * * * *

Increase Your Per-Project Fees Up To 50%

It's no secret that direct marketing copywriters earn higher-than-average salaries. By adding this valuable service to your graphic design business you can both increase your income and make your services more marketable.

Learn more: http://www.thewriterslife.com/addcopywriting/

EXTRA! EXTRA! News and Job Opportunities
  • GRAPHIC DESIGNER – Philadelphia Newspapers has an opening for a graphic designer to join their marketing team. You’ll design for both print and online, taking concepts from inception to a visually appealing product. You need to know at least one photo editing program, one drawing program, and one layout program. Send your information to jobs@phillynews.com.
  • GRAPHIC DESIGNER – ComponentOne, a vendor of Help Authoring Tools located in Pittsburgh, needs a graphic designer to develop designs for printed marketing materials, as well as their website. You must work well under pressure. Knowledge of Quark, InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Flash is required. Send your information to resumes@componentone.com.
  • GRAPHIC DESIGNER – MediMedia provides comprehensive marketing services to businesses within the medical community. They are looking for a graphic designer to join their team in Evanston, IL. You’ll design consumer publications and marketing materials. You should have at least three years of experience, plus knowledge of Quark, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Dreamweaver. Send your cover letter, resume, and work samples by mail to StayWell Custom Communications, Job# 483, 1603 Orrington Avenue, Suite 1200, Evanston, IL 60201.
COMING NEXT ISSUE:
  • Higher Postage Rates Can Boost Your Value as a Graphic Designer
  • Quick Tip: Changing a Full-Color Photo to Grayscale, Monotone, Duo-Tone, or Sepia
* ABOUT INSIDE FREELANCE DESIGN *

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