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PODCAST

Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a graphic design business

Wouldn"t it be nice if you could spend more time designing and less time worrying about your design business? Resourceful Designer offers tips, tricks and resources for freelancers in order to help streamline your graphic design and web design business so you can get back to what you do best… Designing! Let me know what topics you would like me to cover by emailing feedback@resourcefuldesigner.com

arts design

All Episodes

17:20

Give Yourself A Raise: Make More Money Without More...

Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a... ·

2025/12/16

Welcome to Resourceful Designer! I'm Mark, and in this episode, I'm sharing practical advice for home-based graphic and web designers looking to make more money, without taking on more clients or raising your rates. I'll tell you a story about learning to let go, and how sometimes, we hang onto tools, subscriptions, and services in our business that quietly drain our bank accounts month after month. I walk you through a step-by-step subscription audit, showing you how to identify essential

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19:54

How to Handle Low-Budget Clients with Grace - RD356

Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a... ·

2025/12/09

Welcome to Resourceful Designer! I'm Mark, your host, and today, I want to share a powerful story that brilliantly illustrates how to handle price negotiations with grace while standing firm in your professional worth. Like many designers, I've encountered those budget conversations that can make your heart sink, the ones where a promising client comes in, but their budget just doesn't match the value you know you can deliver. In this episode, I reflect on an invaluable lesson I learned from a

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07:46

Why Using "I" Instead of "We" Can Transform Your...

Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a... ·

2025/12/02

Welcome to Resourceful Designer! I'm Mark, and today I want to share something fascinating that can make a real difference in how you communicate with your design clients. Did you know that the pronoun you use, choosing "I" instead of "we", can actually impact whether or not a client hires you? Most of us, especially solopreneurs, try to sound bigger and more established by saying "we" when talking to clients, but research shows that using "I" instead creates a stronger emotional connection. When

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13:57

10 Things to Consider Before Raising Your Prices - RD354

Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a... ·

2025/11/25

Hey there, design friends! Welcome to Resourceful Designer, your go-to podcast for running a successful design business. Today, I'm diving into one of the most nerve-wracking yet crucial decisions every designer faces: when and how to raise your prices. I know just how tough it can be; I've been there myself, wrestling with doubts and worries about how clients will react. In this episode, I'll walk you through 10 essential things you need to consider before raising your rates, so you can approach

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27:05

Networking for Introverted Designers - RD353

Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a... ·

2025/11/18

Welcome to Resourceful Designer! I'm Mark Des Cotes, and in today's episode, I'm diving into something that hits home for so many of us: networking as an introverted designer. Did you know that over 85% of designers are introverts? Yet, building a thriving design business still relies heavily on forging professional relationships, which can feel like a real challenge when you recharge by spending time alone. I'll share my own journey from dreading networking events to actually enjoying them, and

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21:36

5 Mistakes That Can Damage Your Design Career - RD352

Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a... ·

2025/11/11

Welcome back to Resourceful Designer! I'm Mark Des Cotes, and today I want to open up about five major mistakes that can seriously damage your design career; mistakes I've witnessed and, yes, even fallen into myself. Through my own experiences, from the pitfalls of handshake agreements to the lessons I've learned the hard way, I'll give you practical advice to help you avoid these mistakes. My goal is to help you run a thriving, professional design business that not only creates beautiful work but

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24:22

The ROI of FREE - RD351

Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a... ·

2025/11/04

Hey there, my design friend! Today on Resourceful Designer, I want to share a story about why I was genuinely happy that a client didn't pay their invoice. Sounds odd, right? But it all comes down to the power of client relationships—the foundation of any successful design business. I'm diving into how going above and beyond for your clients (even working for free at times) can deliver incredible ROI, like solidifying long-term partnerships and generating referrals that keep your business

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30:19

Facing Impostor Syndrome - RD350

Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a... ·

2025/10/28

Hey there, it's Mark from Resourceful Designer. Have you ever looked at your own design work and thought, "I'm not good enough to charge for this," or landed a big client and immediately worried that they'd soon figure out you're not as talented as they think? If that sounds familiar, you're definitely not alone. In fact, about 70% of creatives experience what's known as impostor syndrome, a nagging feeling that your success is just luck and you don't really belong. On today's episode, I'm digging

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34:00

How to Generate More Word of Mouth Referrals - RD349

Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a... ·

2025/10/21

Hey fellow designers, welcome back to another episode of Resourceful Designer! I’m Mark Des Cotes, and today I’m diving into a topic that every design business thrives on: word of mouth referrals. Recently, I had a reminder of just how powerful this can be, a client from 25 years ago, whose logo I designed back in my print shop days, still refers people to me! That got me thinking about how important, yet overlooked, word of mouth marketing really is. In this episode, I break down the five T’s of

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16:51

The Four Power Questions Every Designer Should Ask...

Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a... ·

2025/10/14

Hey there, my friends! Welcome back to another episode of Resourceful Designer. Today I want to share something that could really transform the way you approach client relationships and projects. Did you know there are four simple yet powerful questions you can ask your clients that could completely change the course of your design work? I’ll be diving into exactly what those questions are, how I use them in my own business, sometimes even uncovering that what a client asks for isn’t really what

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12:43

Design Better by Doing Less - RD347

Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a... ·

2025/10/07

Today, I want to talk about something that might sound a little counterintuitive at first: how stepping away from your design business to enjoy hobbies—like playing guitar, gardening, fishing, or woodworking—can actually make you a far more successful designer. In fact, research shows that entrepreneurs with creative hobbies can see up to a 30% boost in business performance! If you’re finding yourself burned out or in a creative rut, stick around. This episode is all about how sometimes, the very

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39:51

Why You Should Work for Someone Else Before Becoming...

Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a... ·

2025/09/30

Freelancing feels like freedom, but the fastest route often runs through a paycheck first. In this episode, I show how working on a team accelerates your path to solo success—learning pricing, scope control, legally sound communication (yes, even email), and building the referral network and judgment you can’t get alone. For full show notes of this episode, please visit https://resourcefuldesigner.com/episode346

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16:19

The Two Sides Of A Solopreneur Designer - RD345

Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a... ·

2024/07/22

I recently attended WordCamp Canada, a community gathering of WordPress enthusiasts, where I gave a presentation on the pitfalls of your About page. But that's not what today's episode is about. Instead, I want to discuss a fascinating concept I picked up from another presentation on email marketing. Today's episode, titled "The Two Sides of a Solopreneur Designer," is inspired by the idea that, as solopreneurs, we wear two distinct hats: the CEO and the employee. Each role has its own

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15:44

Be Careful What You Ask: A Lesson in Getting Valuable...

Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a... ·

2024/06/17

Welcome to another episode of Resourceful Designer. I'm your host, Mark, and today, I've got an interesting topic inspired by a friend’s podcast. You know, it's funny how ideas for podcast episodes can come from the most unexpected places. Sometimes, I meticulously plan out a topic, but other times, like today, a random sentence can spark an idea. Today, we’re discussing the importance of asking specific questions, especially in our design businesses. This concept hit home for me through my TV show

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18:51

Generational Clients, And how to Lose Them - RD343

Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a... ·

2024/06/03

In this episode of Resourceful Designer, I share a cautionary tale about losing generational clients and the critical lesson I've learned from my mistakes. Whether you're dealing with family-run businesses or companies with long-standing leadership, you'll discover the importance of building relationships with the next generation to ensure client loyalty. Listen as I recount personal stories and offer valuable insights to help you avoid falling into the same trap. Don't miss this crucial episode

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24:02

Redefining Your Introductory Hook To Capture Clients...

Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a... ·

2024/05/27

In this episode of Resourceful Designer, I delve into the crucial aspect of redefining your introductory hook to capture clients effectively. I discuss the significance of crafting a compelling introduction on your website and other marketing materials that resonates with your target audience's "What's in it for me?" mindset. By analyzing examples of website hooks, I emphasize the importance of conveying the value you offer to potential clients right from the start. Join me as I explore the power

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13:13

Engage More, Talk Less - The Key to A Thriving Design...

Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a... ·

2024/04/22

Welcome back to another insightful episode of Resourceful Designer, where today's message is all about the art of engagement over trivial chatter. I'm your host, Mark Des Cotes, and in episode 341 we dive deep into the importance of engaging more and talking less. We explore how the wisdom of an elementary school teacher, who emphasizes understanding her students to truly elevate their learning, can be a powerful lesson for us as graphic designers in our own client interactions. I'll share with you

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17:38

Are Your Design Clients Time Or Money Minded - RD340

Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a... ·

2024/04/08

Welcome to episode 340 of Resourceful Designer. Today we're diving into an intriguing question: Are your design clients time or money minded? We'll unpack the significance of understanding whether your clients value their time over their money or vice versa. I'll share some personal anecdotes, like the time I decided to replace my wife's car backup camera myself to save money, and on another occasion, when purchasing a course on Facebook ads, valued my time more. We'll explore how this distinction

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22:30

Accepting Credit Card Payments - RD339

Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a... ·

2024/03/18

In this episode of Resourceful Designer, I delve into the topic of accepting credit card payments from clients. I received an email from Phil, thanking me for the podcast's impact on his transition from working for an employer to running his own business. Phil's client asked to pay by credit card, and he was unsure how to proceed. I share the simplicity and speed of credit card payments and elaborate on the various options available, from PayPal to Stripe and other accounting software. I discuss the

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27:51

Handing Over Your Working Files: Yes or No - RD338

Resourceful Designer: Strategies for running a... ·

2024/03/04

Have you ever been in a sticky situation where a client has asked for your working files? In this episode of Resourceful Designer, I delve deep into the topic of whether or not to hand over working files. Join me as I share personal experiences and insights to help you navigate this common dilemma in the design industry. From legal considerations to negotiating with clients, I offer practical advice to help you make informed decisions and protect your creative assets. Tune in to discover the nuances

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368 results

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