Day 17: A Bit About Working With Me

IMG_3644 If you've been looking at the perk of Design Credit over on my IndieGogo campaign, and wondering just what it's like to work with a freelance designer, well, let me explain it a bit! Or at least, explain the process I go through.

It all starts with a chat. Either we talk on the phone, or Skype, or we meet in person. This chat is free - I haven't started the "clock" yet. We talk about your project: what you're hoping to get created, what your inspirations are, what your timeline is, what your budget is. I make lots of notes and ask lots of questions.

Then usually a few days later, I give you an estimate. This is presented in the same sort of format as an invoice, but it's not an invoice. It comes via PDF in your email. It breaks down what I'll create for you and outlines the amount of money we've agreed upon exchanging. You accept this estimate and then my work begins.

(A note about asking for payment up front: every designer and businessperson works differently about payments. Up to this point in my business I haven't asked for payment up front but I think down the road that will change. And obviously the perks work differently... they're pre-paid.)

Charging by the hour is a bit tricky and there is no perfect formula; every designer figures out what works for them. Design is like other services like auto-mechanics or fashion design (and sometimes feels like a weird mix of the two). Nothing ever takes the same amount of time, but here are some general items and estimates of time (although of course it depends on the project):

  • Business card: 1 hour
  • Brochure: 6 hours
  • Logo from scratch: 10 hours
  • Vectorizing an existing logo: 1-2 hours
  • Facebook header image/profile image using your existing branding: 1 hour
  • Illustration: 2-4 hours

Revisions: this is the number of times we'll make changes. The higher the budget, the more revisions I can include. Designers put this in our estimates to avoid scope creep.

Basically, what I've learned from working in other people's businesses since I was 17 -- and from having a side hustle for the last two years -- is that customer service is key. I want to make sure you're happy! So these guidelines are just that: to guide us in making sure the exchange of service for money is fair and that we're both happy with the end result.

You can check out some of my work here in my portfolio, and view the IndieGogo campaign here to purchase some design time! And as always, if you have questions, hit me up at leahcnoble@gmail.com

Day 16: the point at which it's easy to slack off

Thoughts going through my head on my drive home today: "If I don't post something today, who will even notice?"

"I certainly can't just post random sentences."

"Well, but I was planning to write about the perks of the campaign this week, but that post isn't ready to go yet."

"Well, if I'm going to just post random sentences, I should at least link to the campaign."

And there you have it, folks. Day 16. The sloggy middle. The campaign total is at 51%. My energy for it is at about 20%! But, I'm in it. I may not have the posts up today that I wanted, but there is tomorrow. And the next day. And another twelve days beyond that.

The point, I guess? Don't give up. Do a little bit anyway. It's OK.

Day 15: Things I Know

IMG_3074_2It was a delightful long weekend. I took a break from thinking about or promoting the crowdfunding campaign, and indeed took a break from most things that take place on the Internet. (Except for Netflix, because that's where I stream my precious Downton Abbey from.) I spent time with my family, had a few meetings on Saturday, and also spent a lot of time either in bed or on the couch with Adam, napping or (I sound like a broken record but oh well) watching Downton.

And today, Easter Monday, I was off  but Adam had to work, so I got up when he did and then went out and met a friend for coffee. When I got home, I felt that familiar urge to "Do all the things!" Maybe you feel it too sometimes? It's a feeling I get often, especially when there is an open block of several hours. It's like my To-Do list comes alive and starts adding things to itself when I'm not looking, and I turn around and it has exploded.

Something Tiffany Han wrote in a recent Instagram post stuck with me today though, and helped me to both slow down and get a few things accomplished. She wrote: "I recently learned that the more I do, the more there is to do, and the more my body calls out for rest." And, whoa. That's so true. The more I get done, the more there seems to be to do.

Things I Know: It takes real courage to slow down. Because slowing down means admitting to myself that when I am in that "Do all the things!!" kinda-crazy mentality, that I believe I am only as worthy as what I get done. I'm so scared to only do a few things, even if it means I do them more peacefully and happily than if I tried to cram twenty things into an hour, because deep down I don't believe that I'm worth enough on my own, and that I must instead prove my worth to the world through a checklist of ticked-off items.

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Another recent Instagram post by another friend of mine, Elizabeth Fein, encouraged people to share their expertise, instead of just their shoes or their brunch.

And as I read her words, I realized that I'm uncomfortable with the thought of doing that, because I unconsciously think I don't have any. Isn't that kinda messed up? I'm a thirty year old woman with many years of experience, and I don't have any expertise? So Elizabeth's post got me thinking about starting a blog series or something, about "Things I Know," perhaps written as if to myself ten years ago. And the first thing that popped into my head was "Things I know: time does not in fact stretch to accommodate all you plan." I mean, yes, you must have drive and goals, and tackle things and just "get er done," but an hour is an hour is an hour. Things take as long as they take. Recognizing that, for me, means being more realistic and ultimately more forgiving of myself. Which breeds peace and happiness.

***

Anyway, all of this is really just to say "HI!" and "I'm still here!" Ha...

I had big ideas and plans when I started the crowdfunding campaign fifteen days ago that I would come up with loads of content, that I would spend all my waking hours coming up with clever blog posts and partnerships to prove how amazing I am and worthy of funding. But then, life happens. Family dinners. Naps with my hubby. Walks in the fresh air. My day job. Doing groceries. Taking a shower. Et cetera... you have these things too, so you know: they are valuable. They are worthy. They are necessary.

A month is a month is a month. Things take as long as they take.

And now, I'm off to take a nap. And most likely watch some Downton Abbey.

xo Leah

Day 11: The Value of What I Do

IMG_4025  

Before I started writing this post, I almost talked myself out of writing it.

I thought, "Well, I better do some research first, get some statistics to really prove the value of graphic design. And that's definitely going to take forever. So maybe I just won't, because I'm kind of tired today."

Then I checked my email. Because I tend to do that when I'm procrastinating. And I got an email newsletter from New Zealand blogger Marianne Elliott, titled "The Bravest Thing I've Done This Year." In it, she says,

"I chose to back myself not because I was sure of myself, but despite the fact that I felt insecure, uncertain and afraid."

And it really struck me, because that's how I feel about this whole endeavour, this whole doing-a-crowdfunding-campaign-to-raise-the-money-to-take-a-business-coaching-program. I'm not doing it because I'm 100% totally certain of success. I'm doing it despite all the doubts and fears that come up for me every day about this being a crazy idea. I'm writing a blog post a day for it even though it's not easy, even though I don't really have the time, even though some evenings I'd rather not.

So then I decided, well, I can just speak from the heart about the value of graphic design! I don't need to show statistics about the return on the dollar of a logo, or a Facebook post, or clever website copy. Those statistics are important, yes. But it's not, deep down, the reason I do design. Or that I write. Or that I use social media.

I do it because it connects me with my readers, who are other human beings. And I love connecting with human beings.

I do it because images and graphics tell stories too.

I do it because "I Heart CB" is a declaration in bold black, white and red, powerful as any language.

I do it because cards are fun to send in the mail.

I do it because words are my passion and have been since I was a little kid.

I do it because it's just damn fun to dance and share videos of that.

I do it because I feel compelled to tell my truth, and to read the truths of others.

I do it because an identity for a company or a product, when done right, is a beautiful thing.

And all that I have learned through my years of experience blogging and designing is what I offer as a service. That is my value. And that is what you get, if you hire me for a project.

You can see my portfolio here on my website. And you can check out the Design Credit perks on my crowdfunding campaign here. And if you have any questions at all about working with me or about whether your project would be a good fit, just email me and we can talk it out: leahcnoble@gmail.com.

And, now this post is done! I could so easily have talked myself out of writing it. But I'm glad I didn't, because although it's different than what I had imagined I would write, it's also real, and written, and done.

Day 10: It's Business Time, the details

IMG_2811 You might be asking, "So, just what is "It's Business Time" all about, anyway?"

And, "Why is there an egg in that photo?"

(Well, the rest of this blog post will answer the first question. And the answer to the second question is, I've been "spring cleaning" old files on my computer and I found this one from a Pysanky workshop I took a couple of years ago with my mom. I thought it would be a neat, random illustration for this post, especially since Easter is just around the corner.)

Anyway, here we go: the details of the program that I'm crowdfunding in order to take. (The campaign, by the way, hit 50% today!) This post will just be about what the program offers; I'll answer some Frequently Asked Questions in a later post (questions like, "why are you going off-island for this expertise?").

Who is offering it? Three very legit, very awesome entrepreneurs who live in the United States. Their names are: Tiffany Han, Michelle Ward, and Erin Cassidy.

Can I see a video about it? Yes, here.

How long will it take? 6 months.

When does it start? April 6th.

Will you have to travel? No. Lessons and coaching are delivered via the Internet, either through email, Skype, or online conferencing software. There is also a private Facebook group.

Is it an accredited program, like an MBA? No.

What do you get for your money? In a nutshell, I get structure, coaching and branding from the three women running the course, as well as the support of the nine other participants.

But to get real specific, here are all the goodies of the course, as written by Tiffany, Michelle and Erin:

  • A weekly email lesson (delivered on Mondays) designed to help you uncover, design, and articulate your dream business
  • A weekly group call (every Friday at 10am PST) with Tiffany and Michelle where we’ll give you personal feedback on your homework assignment and address any roadblocks or next steps
  • A private facebook group for ongoing support and community-building throughout the course
  • A private coaching session with Michelle (to occur from April-June) to get crystal clear on your meaningful business idea
  • A private session with Tiffany (to occur from July-Sept) to clarify and articulate your authentic business brand
  • A private website and visual brand orientation with Erin (to occur in September) to walk you through your new online home
  • A private call with Erin, Michelle, and Tiffany (to occur in September) to formalize your next steps and solidify your “out of the nest” action plan

You also get a full branding package that includes:

  • A custom type treatment logo design
  • Color palette and font family tailored to fit your brand’s style.
  • Style guide with all the details for your design.
  • Logo files in all the popular formats, so you’ll be set for web and print. PLUS editable AI and PSD files in case you need to make changes down the road.
  • A custom 3-page Squarespace website that includes:
    • A customized template design
    • Your first 3 pages set up and ready to go (complete with photos chosen to match your branding)
    • One contact form
    • A newsletter sign-up box
    • Mailchimp integration and customized mailchimp header
    • Social media buttons linked to your accounts
    • Free domain registration with an annual Squarespace account
    • One free year of hosting
    • Squarespace’s intuitive, easy-to-use content management system (CMS), Search Engine Optimization, and built-in website analytics
    • Training / instructions for making changes to your new website

And here is the Curriculum, again written by the three program leaders:

First: We start where you are and with what you already know and we’ll lay all of your Big Dreams on the table and start to make sense of how they fit into the big picture of your life and what you want for yourself.

Next: You’ll design your personalized Career Compass to serve as a guide in your biz journey and craft your first offer – and get your first guinea pig client! (Don’t worry! It will be fun!)

Simultaneously: While you’re learning All The Things from your guinea pig client, you’ll be developing your mission statement and putting all of the pieces together.

Then: We’ll move into branding your big vision – how do you talk about what you do so that your Ideal Client will listen?

While: At this point, Erin will be crafting your logo and you’ll be starting to write the copy for your new custom website.

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Sounds super rad, right? Well, I'm so excited about it! And I'll be sharing what I learn, as I go along through the program, so do stay tuned to this blog to learn with me. I'm also going to be working with a Business Counsellor at Business Cape Breton, as well, to work on creating a business plan as I go through the course.

The IndieGogo campaign is here if you haven't yet contributed and you'd like to, and as always, feel free to leave a comment! I love hearing from you.

xo Leah

Day 9: My first vlog ever

So I recorded my first vlog ever, yesterday evening! You get to see a bit of my home office in the background. I want to share more of my office here on the blog, in the next little while, too. The vlog is only 2 minutes long, as I needed to keep it short in order to make the upload time to YouTube nice and short.

Anyway, it was fun! I like vlogging and I'll do more of it for sure. I'm going with YouTube as the platform for now, though that may change that down the road...we'll see. I'd love to hear your thoughts! Did I talk too fast? LOL.

Here is the article where I got some of the stats I quote in the video.

And here is my IndieGogo Campaign, now on Day 9, and at 48%.