Learn how to build your e-mail marketing list, choose time-tracking software, find new sources of inspiration and more with these articles from HOW and Marketing Mentor.

HELPFUL LINKS FOR FREELANCERS

BUSINESS: CLIENTS & PROSPECTS
BUSINESS: FREELANCING
BUSINESS: MARKETING & PRICING
BUSINESS: SELF PROMOTION
CREATIVITY

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BUSINESS: CLIENTS & PROSPECTS

Deflate the Tire-Kickers
Too many designers are tempted by the dangling carrot of a new project, investing valuable time in preliminary meetings, research and proposal-writing—only to receive from the prospect a brief “Thanks, but we’ll pass" (and sometimes not even that). Learning to vet these tire kickers in advance will save you time, money and lots of disappointment. Here's how.

Balancing Your Business
How many clients should you serve? In what categories? And where? Three consultants who work exclusively with creative firms offer advice to help you develop the ideal client mix for your business.

Will You Ignore the Stranger Next to You?
by Ilise Benun
The best way to get new clients is to always be expanding your network. This article will show you how -- because you never know where it will lead.

How (and Where) to Find Your Actual Prospects and Clients
by Ilise Benun
You may have an idea of what market you want to pursue, but if you don't know where to find lists of the actual contacts, you won't get far. This article tells you exactly where to find your clients.

10 Things You Need to Know About Your Prospects
by Ilise Benun
Your prospects are people just like you. So put yourself in their shoes and it will be clear how best to promote your freelance services. Here's what you need to know about your potential clients.

What to Do When a Prospective Client Doesn't Respond
by Ilise Benun
Five tried-and-true techniques to speed up the sales cycle.


BUSINESS: FREELANCING

Are You an Accidental Workaholic?
Ah, the joys of being a freelancer: You choose the projects you take on; you demand a fair market price for your work; and you've grown your business to the point where you don't worry about the word "downtime." What's the result of all this good news? You have no personal life. But there are steps you can take to set boundaries between work and life, so you can actually enjoy both. Here's how to achieve balance.

Freelancing Finesse
If you're a freelancer, positive behavior patterns can improve your workflow year-round and help you secure a steady income. Read about five productive practices shared by successful independent professionals and real-world stories of how they've been used to drive business.

Turn Slow Time Into Go-Time
Most freelance designers are used to ebb and flow in their work schedules. There's no guaranteed way for keeping work coming through your door, but you can take some steps to help make your downtime more productive. Learn how to turn slow time into go time.

Keeping the 'Self' in Self-Employed
You've hung out your own shingle, and spent the first month working in your pajamas (just because you could). And then, the realities of being available (and appropriately attired) when clients want a meeting sets in. Here's some advice from self-employed designers.


BUSINESS: MARKETING & PRICING

Crafting Your Marketing Plan
Some designers view marketing plans the same way teenagers view math problems: It's a good idea to write them out, but who really has the time? Who really has the patience? Here’s a five-step process for easily developing your marketing plan.

Building Your E-Mail List
by Ilise Benun
E-mail has become one of the simplest, cheapest ways to stay in touch with your clients and prospects. But how do you build your e-mailing list? Here are five ways to do it.

Designers’ Hourly Rates
Are you charging enough? What are other designers in your area getting for their work? HOW's recent hourly rate survey revealed some regional trends in what designers are charging. Learn how to set your hourly rates.

Time Equals Money
Let’s face it: You make money by selling your time. And if you’re not tracking that time and properly charging for it, you may be leaving money on the table. Numerous software developers have released programs to help designers manage and bill for their time; we’ll look at the top programs and help you decide which is right for you. Learn more about time-tracking software.

One-Page Marketing Plan Worksheet
by Ilise Benun
It may sound too good to be true, but just answer these 5 questions on a single page and you have a simple, ready-to-use marketing plan. Get started on your own easy marketing plan.

Mark Your Calendar
by Ilise Benun
This year-long Marketing To Do List – one for Rookies and one for Veteran freelancers – will keep you on track with your marketing so you have no excuse not to do it. Download this week-by-week marketing calendar.

How To Make Your Dream List A Reality
by Ilise Benun
Your Dream List – the prospects who need what you have and are so close to being ready to buy that they've already made the effort to contact you – is at your disposal. Here’s where.

What Exactly Are You Selling?
by Ilise Benun and Peleg Top
Are you cheating yourself by pricing by the hour? This article will explain exactly what you’re selling – and it’s not your time!

Online Marketing Tools for Creative Pros
by Ilise Benun
The pros and cons on the most recent new-fangled online marketing tools, including blogs, social networking and email marketing. Read more.

4 Strategies for Specializing
by Ilise Benun
Many creative freelancers resist specializing, but if you don't you're likely to be a blur in the mind of your market. This article offers 4 strategies for specializing.


BUSINESS: SELF PROMOTION

Building Buzz for Your Business
by Ilise Benun
Buzz is the latest buzz, but how do you do it? Here are a few ideas about how (and through whom) to spread the word about your creative business.

How to Make the Most of Your Business Card
by Ilise Benun
If networking is the most effective marketing activity – and it is – then your business card is your networking ticket. Here are a few tips to maximize yours.

Should You do a Blog or Email Marketing?
by Ilise Benun
Trying to choose between doing a blog or email marketing? Here are the pros and cons of both.

Can You Read Me?
by Ilise Benun
Email marketing is still the single most effective and least expensive marketing tool available to creative freelancers. Here’s how to do it right.

Can’t –Miss Marketing
by Ilise Benun
Three simple strategies for using email to reach out to prospects and clients without resorting to (or being accused of) spam.


CREATIVITY

Where Do You Find Your Best Inspiration?
Some people do it in the shower; others in the car. But no set standards make one thinking spot a better idea generator than another. The only common bond is that your spot must be a place where you feel at ease, where you can relax to a point at which you're able to put your challenges in proper perspective. Find out where top designers let their minds run wild.

Make This Month More Creative
Want to make this month your most creative? Our resident creative expert offers up a different exercise to complete each week. At the end of the month, see how differently you're seeing the world around you and your work. Learn ways to be more creative this month.

10 Ways to Get Inspired by the World Around You
Having trouble coming up with your next great idea? Creativity guru Sam Harrison encourages designers to quit looking inward and to explore the world around them for creative inspiration. Here, he offers 10 exercises to help you get started.

5 Steps to Find Inspiration When You Need It
Seems counterintuitive, but giving structure and process to your idea generation actually helps you develop, refine and act on your best concepts. Here’s a five-step strategy for better brainstorming.
http://www.howdesign.com/article/inspiration5steps/

Overcome Creativity's Greatest Foes: Fear, Time, Mistakes
Creativity expert Tom Monahan says designers are their own worst enemies when it comes to creativity. Why? We’re afraid, we’re time-crunched and we’re too self-critical. Here’s how to get beyond those creative blocks every day.
http://www.howdesign.com/article/creativityfoes/