The Design Kids: inspiring the next generation of designers
It’s refreshing to meet someone who is professionally successful, Instagram famous, and down to earth. Frankie Ratford, founder of The Design Kids – an international program that helps 130,000 people graduate into design jobs – is that unicorn.
Frankie’s love of design began from an early age—she actually took her friends homework at secondary school in the UK, did the assignment herself and fell in love with design. After travelling around the globe for 2 years to figure out where she wanted to study, she put down roots in Melbourne only to fight itchy feet while she studied Graphic Design for four years.
Now, Frankie combines her passions for travel and design by working with budding artists from around the globe. “In universities they teach us the studio fit mentality where you work really hard and you have to get a job in a design studio,” Frankie said on the FormFiftyFive podcast. “Otherwise, you’re a loser. I think there are so many other possibilities within the design industry for different careers. That’s one of the things I’m trying to educate people about with The Design Kids.”
For 10 months a year, Frankie runs The Design Kids and organizes a remote 35-person team from the back of her van. As if that’s not enough, she also hosts design residences in her shack in Tasmania, Tassie Design Shack. So how does Frankie manage all of this madness at the same time? We sat down with her to learn more.
Hey Frankie! While you’re traveling the world, how do you keep yourself organized going from city to city?
The way I work is like coloring in. The outline is there, and it doesn’t matter how the inside gets done. It doesn’t have to get done in sections, it just has to be completed. I try and plan my life in months and years. The years make it easy. 2013 and 2014 was Australia, 2015 was New Zealand and USA, 2016 was USA and Canada, 2017 was Europe and 2018 is Asia and South America.
Once I’m physically there, I can do all my research on the ground; namely gathering up the entire graphic design industry to create a complete resource for that city for graduates wanting to work there – we do the hard work for them!
There’s three stages. First, we research before we get to the city. In the city there’s meetings and talks where I gather as much information as I can while I’m there. And finally, there’s the follow-up, which is interviews, uploading all the content onto thedesignkids.org, and getting into the city’s life. I’m always sort of doing three things at once.
You have an online community, but you’re also physically going to places. How do you think The Design Kids would have worked without the online aspect?
I’m quite an analog person. I don’t really like digital. I like Instagram, but I never spend a second longer than I need to on my computer. I think it’d be easy for me to do it offline. I go to a place, and then I’m really absorbed into the design community. But the global aspect of the project would be nearly impossible. I’d have to say to someone in New York, “Trust me, it’s in England, just get on a plane!”
Besides, Instagram is a major driver for us. Our hashtags are really good. Each trip has its own hashtag, and all of them start with The Design Kids. It’s a great way of us dividing our content within the Instagram space. It’s also a great way for us to make contacts with people from all over the world.
How do you find the designers that you work with? Is it through Instagram?
It’s a little bit of everything. There’s Instagram. And there’s just going to our meetings and saying, “Who else do I need to meet in this city?” If I meet someone really great and ask them for three recommendations, it’s easy to go from there and keep the standard high. But that’s one of the struggles, finding enough content at that level and not dropping our standards.
What does a successful, brilliant day look like for you?
First, I’d wake up in a hotel, rather than my van bed. Then I’d have a shower, which would be amazing. Nice poached eggs for breakfast. And then giving an hour-long talk at a school. The schools have been fantastic. My private messages on Instagram are just students saying, “Oh my god, this is so amazing! You changed my life!” It’s really cool.
After that, I’d do a three-hour workshop that’s based off all the points from the talk. I like to make sure that the room feels much better about graduating, and have a clearer view about what they want to do. We go through 20 job options, and I have them think about which is best suited for them.
Next, I’d have a studio visit. I never know how those are going to go. Ten percent of them are super stiff and polite. Maybe sixty percent are really lovely and friendly. Then the last thirty percent is tears and hugs and offers to stay in a spare room. And I never know when that’s going to happen!
I’m living on the road. My job is my life, and vice versa. When it’s more than a job, and it’s a connection with other humans, that’s the best kind of day.
Aside from your own connections, do you think that you’ve been inspiring other designers to make more global connections?
Yeah! There’s so many global connections, especially because of international conferences. That means the people that are really at the top are all meeting each other.
When I went to Hey Studio in Barcelona, we basically had an Instagram-off where we compared connections. We were sharing inspiration, and people we thought the other designer would be interested in.
What has finding sponsors been like throughout this project?
I’d rather have a lot less, and a good fit, than tick the boxes and manage a lot of nightmares. Sponsorship, for me, is really secondary to the community. If I was a businessperson, I’d probably say, “This is how much money we need. This is how many sponsors. Let’s create something that we can sell to them.” But we go to a city and create a community, and we hire someone before we get a sponsor. That way we have something to work with them on. It’s a massive risk, but I don’t see it as one—I see it as what I’m doing anyway. I want to help those students, and then hopefully we find someone to partner with that city.
Feeling inspired by Frankie and The Design Kids?
For travel and life > @frankieratford
For all things design > @thedesignkids
Make global connections with Business Cards.
What happens when brilliant typography meets premium print? We’ve found 3 designers whose font-focused Business Cards are a sight to behold.
Telling stories through design is no easy feat. With an ever-growing collection of fonts at their disposal every day, designers have more tools than ever to communicate these stories in new and inventive ways. We’ve spoken with three designers who let stunning fonts do all the talking.
Funnel
Funnel is the brainchild of Indianapolis-based designer Eric Kass. After spending years working sun up to sun down as an in-house agency designer, Eric realized he wanted to spend more time treating his own brand with the same attention and passion as the ones he created for his clients. Taking inspiration from his vast collection of vintage printed materials with eclectic typography, Eric developed the Funnel brand identity with a custom logotype and no shortage of classic fonts. The typographic diversity showcases Eric’s attention to detail and respect for design heritage.
When Eric is working on a client’s project, he starts with telling the brand story by focusing on their unique elements. “I love visualizing the brand through a system of marks, fonts, colors, and elements that create a unique language to tell the brand story,” Eric tells us. “This creates the foundation for everything to come like stationery, website, interior design, and print collateral.”
For Eric’s personal branded identity, he opted for an eye-grabbing array of fonts and finishes. His Soft Touch Business Cards with Gold Foil brought the Funnel branding to a new level. “The unique typography and design coupled with the distinctive satin feel of the paper and raised metallic gold not only stops people in their tracks but starts a conversation,” Eric says.
Tell your brand story on Soft Touch Business Cards.
Nicholas Christowitz
Next stop: Berlin, where Nicholas Christowitz has been making a name for himself in the design scene. After growing up in Johannesburg, South Africa, Nicholas moved to Germany with the sole purpose of immersing himself in the art scene and becoming a better designer. He founded a design consultancy in 2014 and has been working with clients ever since.
His surroundings in the design-rich city of Berlin have kept him motivated to push himself as a creator. Along the way, Nicholas has accrued an impressive collection of beautiful fonts that he methodically searches through for each client’s project. “I have a bank of fonts and styles that I always revert back to when I start a project,” Nicholas tells us. “I usually just go with my gut until something clicks.”
Nicholas’ personal Luxe Business Cards are a classic example of letting fonts stand out on the paper. His information and a brief bio is broadcasted in Plantin font. “I fell in love with it after reading Monocle Magazine for years. It is simple, sophisticated, and fairly neutral,” Nicholas explains. Paired with his Luxe cards, his confident simplicity really shines: “The heavy cards let my clients know that I care about quality, texture, and perception.”
Let your fonts shine on Luxe Business Cards
BK + Co.
BK + Co. is a creative studio based in Richmond, VA. Founded by Bridgit Kreutzer, the studio collaborates with creative entrepreneurs to develop strong visual identities and communicate their unique stories. After studying design at Virginia Commonwealth University and at the renowned Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam, Bridgit’s passion for design led her to start a business on her own and was inspired and encouraged to do so by the creative community in Richmond. “Everyone here is forging new paths and supporting each other along the way,” Bridgit tells us.
Her work with her own design studio has proven to be a fulfilling endeavor. “It’s a privilege to work and collaborate with clients. Each project creates a different challenge, which helps me bring new things to the table.” To approach each project’s unique nature, Bridgit focuses on fonts first.
On a recent project for a massage therapist client, Bridgit was tasked with communicating tranquility, calm, and an organic connection to nature. The typography she chose was classic and clean, which complemented the simplistic iconography. She printed the designs onto Luxe Business Cards because the matte finish took well to the muted colors of the branding. “When I look at the cards, I feel at ease—like I can breathe,” Bridgit says. We love it when typography gives you all the feels.
Put your branding on Luxe paper
Work shouldn’t always be about work. Personal development and growing your skill set should be a top priority too. Here’s how setting clear career goals will energize your teams for the long run.
Let’s be honest. The glow of goal-setting wears off eventually. The gym doesn’t feel as fun, you skip a couple meditations, and you eat gluten… a couple of times. Daily.
But don’t worry––we’re here to make sure that you don’t back down on business goals, both for yourself and your team. Why? Because as a leader, you can inspire your employees to set milestones that keep them engaged throughout the year.
As Gallup noted in a recent opinion piece, “Employees used to expect to work for a boss. Now, they’re looking for a coach….Your employees want personal and professional development, immediately and for the future.”
While that seems like a big ask, we promise that you have what it takes. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be on your way to developing your employees to meet their career goals:
Learn from the lows
What lessons did your company learn from the previous year? If you’re not sure, it’s time to reflect on the past 365 days. To start this process, open your office’s calendar from the past year. Next, grab any interested employees, a timer, and a Notebook. Finally, give yourselves 10 minutes to write about the highs, lows, and lessons learned from each month.
After everyone has had time to reflect, schedule a meeting so everyone has a chance to share. (Always include someone from a different department!) This conversation will help them feel like an integral part in the company’s biggest moments.
As Dennis Sarkozy, Managing Director of BestMe, says, “The best managers help connect the dots between employee actions and the company’s results. Motivation has a limit; but helping employees shift the mindset around work from a ‘job they do’ to ‘a true application of unique talents and strengths’ can profoundly impact employee engagement.”
“The best managers help connect the dots between employee actions and the company’s results.”
Send satisfaction surveys
Getting anonymous feedback from your employees is one of the best ways to know where your company can improve. While it might be scary, the anonymity gives people the opportunity to say anything. For best results, include specific questions about every aspect of your business, from management style to the restaurant selection for Taco Tuesday.
Some of our favorite prompts include: “How could you feel more supported?” and “What skills do you want to develop?” These hypotheticals allow the recipient to dig into what motivates them and what they expect from the ideal employer.
Plan your path
Amazing companies motivate their employees by helping them understand how they want their job to progress. That’s why great managers give their team space to explore their career path.
This means bringing an employee into meetings that gives them a glimpse of how things operate at a higher level. This can easily be done by scheduling time to shadow a superior, or sit in on a meeting with another division.
Who knows? This move could totally shape an employee’s career trajectory.
Set objectives
Now that your team members know where they want to go, it’s time to decide how they’re going to get there. Each employee should have a set of objectives to achieve by the end of the year. Be sure the objectives are relevant to the employee’s goals and career paths. Include both achievable and stretch goals that will help each employee grow their skillset.
To kick-start the goal-setting process, have some of these guiding questions in your toolbelt:
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What do I want to accomplish?
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Why is this goal important?
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How will I know when this goal is accomplished?
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How realistic is it that I will achieve this goal?
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What can I do today?
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What can I do six weeks or months from now?
In order to reach these goals––and make your team closer––form accountability groups within each department. This will show that your employees care about each other’s successes. Then, have a quarterly meeting to discuss how you’re progressing.
But don’t forget—along the way, always promote a sense of camaraderie. Make sure you celebrate everyone’s wins, no matter how small!
About MOO Business Services
At MOO, we’ve been helping people make their mark in the world with amazing quality print products for over a decade. And as our customers have grown, so has our service offering. That’s why for bigger businesses—with 10+ employees—we now offer MOO Business Services. It’s MOO + benefits. MOO Business Services combines dedicated account management with an easy online ordering platform and expert design services. It’s a complete package for businesses to give you more brand control and consistency—while saving you time, stress, and money in the process.
Fill out the form here and a friendly Account Manager will reach out to you.
Communication with customers is key when growing a business. And that goes for connecting employees with each other too. Sprout Social knows this, and is on a mission to help brands make connections in a more organic way.
Sprout Social’s mission can understood by their motto: “open communication creates progress.” The company has developed social media solutions that drive conversations between customers and brands, as well as organizations and their employees. The Sprout team also serves as their own power users, employing their products to promote open communication with their customers and internal communications with their own team.
We recently sat down and spoke with Sprout Social brand designer Melissa Flowers and brand communications manager Alicia Johnston to talk about best practices for employee advocacy and communication tips for growing businesses.
Organic advocacy
While Sprout Social has only been around since 2010, the company has already expanded to almost 500 people across 25 cities worldwide. Sprout’s initial offering, a social media management platform, helped the company grow to more than 20,000 customers, develop their Bambu employee advocacy platform, and recently acquire industry-leading social analytics provider Simply Measured.
The Sprout Social team also uses Bambu internally as a pillar of its team communications and employee advocacy strategy. Bambu allows content curators to provide both internal-only and shareable content, and each story includes suggested social media messages employees can use to share them on their personal social profiles. “There is no mandate here around employee advocacy,” Alicia said. “We think it’s best when people organically choose stories and news from the brand that are meaningful to them.”
Sprout’s team knows exactly how to use the platform for maximum employee engagement. Every day, the communications team curates company news, media mentions, and thought leadership pieces to share with the entire company. A network of contributors across departments—engineering, sales, HR and more—also submits content to provide greater insight into news across the organization. From day one, Sprout welcomes new hires through the Bambu platform. Each new hire is featured in an announcement post to help them feel like a part of the team.
Yet don’t be fooled: Sprout values in-person interactions just as much as virtual community-building. In fact, every new employee is given a two-week training at their Chicago office. “The onboarding isn’t just about software. It’s a chance to talk about Sprout’s philosophy and brand, as well as how we collaborate internally,” Alicia said. “Our motto is ‘Open communication creates progress.’ Onboarding is created with that philosophy baked in.”
Startup feel, big impact
Sprout’s management team understands that a strong sense of community will create loyalty amongst employees–and they put in the work to create that impact. For example, after their monthly all-hands meeting, the company opens it doors for people to bring their families and have dinner together. “It’s a great opportunity to connect with coworkers on a deeper, more personal level,” Alicia said.
The company also takes every opportunity to highlight their employees and community. These activities range from an Instagram series highlighting #NoTwoDays in the life of Team Sprout to giving quarterly Value Awards to team members who go above and beyond. They’ve also recognized Bambu’s most active users through “surprise and delight” moments—giving them exclusive swag to say thanks for sharing—and recognizing them in an internal campaign. “For example, we produced a poster series with photography and tips from our super-users,” Melissa said.
This campaign not only highlighted company community-builders, but also encouraged others to learn about new features and explore the tool. Talk about a win-win!
Getting employees onboard
Encouraging your staff to adopt a new technology can be difficult. Thankfully, the Sprout team has some pro tips to get their attention. “We’ve used MOO for a promotion campaign to encourage Bambu adoption internally,” Alicia said. “One of our designers created some beautiful ‘Take 5’ Postcards that encouraged employees to take five minutes to check Bambu for company news and updates. We paired them with five-minute hourglasses in Bambu’s distinctive shade of teal and left them on everyone’s desks—and mailed them to our remote team members.”
Using print products for an external promotion is a given. Yet within a company’s walls? That’s an innovative idea. “While we use plenty of tech tools to facilitate communication, I think it’s so important to have a physical takeaway and reminder of the brand,” Melissa said. “The ‘Take 5’ cards and hourglasses are still displayed on desks around the office.”
Since giving out print materials should be fun––not stressful––the Sprout team recently upgraded to MOO Business Services. This allows Sprout users to upload and reorder print materials like business cards, without needing to get multiple approvals. “It makes my life as a designer so much easier,” Melissa said. “I used to do all of the design edits by hand before ordering for everyone. A more automated process has made a world of a difference for me and our team.”
Top Takeaways
Sprout Social was recently voted one of the best companies to work for in Chicago, and their employees aren’t shy about sharing what they love about being part of Team Sprout. We asked Melissa and Alicia to reveal a few ingredients of their secret sauce for employee advocacy. Here’s what they said:
1) Make buy-in easy:
“Have consistent, honest communication around what you are doing and why it matters. Help people see their role in the bigger picture by emphasizing ideas from across the organization and celebrating wins as a team.”
2) Simplify sharing:
“Use Bambu to make staying up-to-date both fun and efficient. Providing employees with suggestions for their social posts helps remove one of the main barriers to advocacy—not knowing what or how to share. You want employees to get excited talking about their work, not afraid.”
3) Rewards and recognition:
“Recognize excellent employees across the board. We use a Slack channel to recognize promotions as well as above-and-beyond efforts from anyone on the team. We also use Bambu to share when employees are speaking at or organizing an event.”
Put simply, Sprout wants people to champion their brand and what it stands for. Their success illustrates the power of employee advocacy and a positive work culture.
What does your company do to reward its employees? Let us know in the comments, or tag us @MOO!
Tell your brand story with MOO Business Services
At MOO, we’ve been helping people make their mark in the world with amazing quality print products for over a decade. And as our customers have grown, so has our service offering. That’s why for bigger businesses—with 10+ employees—we now offer MOO Business Services. It’s MOO + benefits. MOO Business Services combines dedicated account management with an easy online ordering platform and expert design services. It’s a complete package for businesses to give you more brand control and consistency—while saving you time, stress, and money in the process.
Fill out the form here and a friendly Account Manager will reach out to you.
These pattern designers are turning their lush large-scale creations into pocket-portfolio-prints.
Patterns are everywhere – from the bold and abstract to the meticulous and monochrome – and we love ‘em! We were super excited when these 4 pattern designers crossed our path and couldn’t wait to share the awesome ways they’ve transferred their large-scale creations into small-scale collectable prints.
Pattern State
Pattern State is a surface design studio run by Sarah English. She specializes in the art direction of everything from fabric, to wallpaper, to apparel. Her distinct pattern styles draw on classic ink illustrations paired with splashes of color. After getting her MFA in Studio Art, Sarah had a 13-year career as a textile designer where she honed her skills applying patterns in the fashion industry. In the spring of 2017, Sarah shifted gears and went full time into Pattern State to focus on producing her own design work.
“When I’m on the hunt for a new idea, I love to travel,” Sarah tells us. “Even if it’s just getting out of town for the afternoon—the disruption in my usual surroundings allows inspiration to come to me.” When inspiration does come, Sarah thrives off the unpredictability of her creativity. “My patterns start with a drawing, and I don’t always know how they’re going to turn out. I love the discovery that happens every time I create a new print.”
When approaching new customers and potential collaborators, Sarah always has a pack of Business Cards handy. She printed Square Business Cards with Printfinity to highlight the range and depth of her pattern designs. “Printfinity is essential as a pattern designer, allowing me to showcase the broad aesthetic of my studio.” The Square Business Cards also serve as a mini print takeaway. “The square cards add a bit of cool factor. Who doesn’t want an extra dose of fun?”
Print your designs on Square Business Cards
Karen Lewis
Just outside of Leeds, UK, you’ll find Karen Lewis’ quaint textile design studio. After years of teaching, she decided to pursue a creative outlet so she can spend more time at home with her family. And it paid off—her studio currently designs quilting fabrics for renowned supplier Robert Kaufman in Los Angeles, which are printed on the Kona cotton solids range. She also hand-prints fabrics featuring her signature designs for crafters and quilters to purchase for their own projects To keep her customers engaged, Karen has a fabric of the month club where customers can subscribe to receive the latest pattern designs to try on new projects.
When developing patterns, Karen can’t seem to escape her inspiration. “I actually drive myself mad with seeing patterns and designs wherever I go,” she explains. “Whether it’s the prints my boots make when I walk my dog, or the shadows cast from trees—I’m always seeing patterns.” These inspirations translate into quirky and organic patterns that pair with an array of boldly colored fabrics.
When sending out each fabric order, Karen sends along a Business Card to show her customers snippets of new patterns she’s working on. Her latest batch features some new designs from her Robert Kaufman collection using Printfinity and a matte finish. “The matte finish almost feels like fabric. I think it’s reflective of my handmade products in that they look nice and crafty.”
Promote your designs with Printfinity
Sinéad Hanley
Sinéad Hanley is an illustrator and pattern designer based in Melbourne, Australia. After a career in the advertising industry, Sinéad set up her own creative business to develop a more diverse range of artistic outlets. Combining a love of design with abstract shape illustration, Sinéad’s patterns are full of life and a sense of wonder that keeps your eyes occupied.
Sinéad grew up where the city ended and nature began—and that access to wildlife inspires her artistic output. “I find inspiration in waking up to the Magpie warble song, the shape of a garden leaf, and getting outdoors as often as possible,” she tells us. Her passion for off-the-grid excursions makes its way into her work—her latest surface pattern design designs are inspired by a trip to ancestral lands in Western Australia that are millions of years old.
When she’s not off the grid, Sinéad’s hard at work promoting her pattern work. She recently printed some Super Business Cards with Soft Touch finish. “They make the perfect first impression and the Soft Touch gives an extra dimension when you hand them out.” With Printfinity, Sinéad can showcase the breadth of her artwork with clients. “I love seeing which patterns people choose! Sometimes people want one of each, which means I’ll be needing to reprint very soon!”
Give your patterns a soft touch with Super
Sophie Artinian
French artist Sophie Artinian has been making abstract oil paintings since 2015. Her work focuses on atmospheric layers of oil paints which are superimposed on the canvas to create unpredictable patterns. Her work draws inspiration from the beauty of the landscape of the French countryside and the beautiful lighting from sunsets and sunrises.
Her recent oil painting work is a big departure from her previous career as a children’s illustrator—giving up a whimsical drawing style for more abstract impressionism. “I wanted to explore an entirely new way of creating,” Sophie tells us, “which is how I started working with oil paints.” Sophie produced her first body of abstract paintings in 2015. And now, she’s exhibiting her work in contemporary art fairs all over France.
When traveling to art shows, Sophie is sure to keep a set of MOO cards on hand. Using Printfinity, Sophie printed a pack of Rounded Corner Business Cards with details of patterns from her different paintings on the back side to showcase her range. “I love having a small portfolio with me at all times,” Sophie says. “It’s great to offer people a few different pattern options to take and see which cards people choose depending on their taste.”
Round out your portfolio with Rounded Corners
Your one-person business is really taking off, and you’re super busy. Is it time to hire someone? If you recognize these scenarios, the answer’s yes…
1. You’ve taken business calls at the same time as answering business emails
You’ve discovered a higher-level form of multi-tasking you like to call “The Frantic Octopus”. We salute you! But remember, however efficient you are you’re only human. Your new employee can help you juggle everything – and more – without losing focus or compromising on your levels of service and speed.
2. Customers are emailing you to ask when you’re going to release your next products
Demand is a beautiful thing, although it may not feel like it when you have orders pouring in and requests for yet more items to be added to your store. It’s good news though – all those requests are going to turn into sales from repeat customers which will help pay your new employee’s wages.
3. You’ve worked til 2am more than 3 times this month
A good night’s sleep isn’t a luxury, it’s a basic human need. You can manage lots of late nights in the short term, but over time it will take its toll on both you and your business if you’re not getting enough rest. Get an extra pair of hands on board and then get your head on that pillow at 9pm with a milky drink.
4. People act surprised when you tell them you’re the only staff member
If your business seems bigger than it is, turn that perception into a reality! You’ve built something with real credibility. Capitalize on it by hiring an employee to help you grow even more.
5. If you were your own employee, you’d demand a holiday
It’s a short hop from great work ethic to burning the candle at both ends. Try imagining a friend or loved one running your company instead of you. Are they overworked? Do they have time to themselves? Would you want them to have more time to relax?
6. You’re connected to your inbox like it’s part of your body
Even your time off doesn’t really feel like time off, because you’re always waiting for the next ‘ping’ from your smartphone. Sound familiar? A survey by Sage found that 26% of entrepreneurs check their email 36 times per hour. Yes: Per. Hour.
Trouble relaxing and switching off is a sure sign you need another trusted pair of hands to hold the fort sometimes.
7. The post office staff wonder where you are if you don’t turn up every day
If you spend a lot of time doing business chores like wrapping parcels or mailing out orders, weigh up how easy it would be to train someone else to do it. If over 50% of your work could be easily done by someone else, it’s time to delegate. Then you’ll be free to focus on higher-level tasks like marketing and budgeting (although you may still want to pick up the sticky tape sometimes).
8. You’ve missed a meeting with a supplier because you had to process orders
It’s not that it’s more important, it’s just more urgent. Steven Covey, author of the legendary Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, categorized tasks according to their importance and urgency. Naturally, things with both those things take priority – like orders for example. But you need time to handle the non-urgent things like business strategy and supplier relationships too. If urgent-and-important things like orders are overtaking your important-not-urgent things on a regular basis, you definitely need some help to restore the balance.
Welcome your new hire with their very own set of Luxe Business cards! Go on, they deserve it.
Ready to take your passion for photography to the next level? If you dream of 5pm so you can head out with your camera in hand, you’re already on your to way to turning your photography hobby into a business.
Find your niche
It takes many photographers some time to really find their specialism, and so some take a very wide range of jobs initially. In fact, it can help your cause to specialize – it will help you define a niche that will indicate to your customers whether you’re the right person for them.
Whether you’re a landscape photographer, a fashion photographer or a wedding photographer, your specialty can define your business.
Choose a specific type of photography and build your business around it. By showing your preference or skill towards a particular type of work, you’ll attract the right clients to further your career in the right direction.
Create an online portfolio to market your work
For photographers, a successful online portfolio will become your most powerful marketing tool. It shapes your professional story and exposes your work to countless potential clients worldwide who are looking for someone just like you.
In fact, a recent poll of 250 executive-level advertising and marketing people revealed that 63% of the decision to hire you for a photography job is influenced by your portfolio. That’s why your portfolio needs to speak for you. It should highlight your strongest work, showcase your skills and communicate your artistic voice. Your online photography portfolio is usually the first point of contact between you and your next job, so it’s important that it says all the right things.
Feature your best work, highlight your area of focus and be sure to update your portfolio whenever you have new work.
Find clients and photography jobs
In a perfect world, you would create amazing work and that would bring clients to your door. In reality, you need to make an effort to get your business seen by potential clients.
Try searching job boards and classifieds for photography jobs and list your business on relevant job boards. From sites like Upwork, Get Photography Jobs and People Per Hour to your local classified and Craigslist, the internet is full of great resources.
Work on growing your social media presence – according to Vision Critical, 43% of social media users have purchased a product after sharing or favoriting it. Social media influences a customer to go from seeing to sharing to shopping. And that includes hiring a photographer for the next big campaign.
Collaborating with other creative professionals can be a great way to share your work with a new audience. Find makeup artists, stylists and fashion designers in your city (or do a digital exchange) and see what you can create together. The winning combination is often artists who work in different, complementary styles or mediums, but have a similar fan or client base.
Did you know that 84% of consumers trust the recommendations of others over any other kind of marketing? Keep growing your business by asking your current clients to provide you with referrals or reviews that you can share on your portfolio or your social media channels.
Create offline branded marketing materials
A large part of your work as a photographer will happen via computers and smartphones, including your marketing tactics. From social media and email marketing strategies to SEO and paid digital ads, you have endless online methods for generating leads. But there is still real power in word-of-mouth marketing and meeting people face-to-face.
Go to events stocked with Business Cards. It might seem like an old-fashioned form of marketing but Business Cards are the most effective direct marketing tool and are a great way to make an impression. You never know how long that card will kick around their wallet, and re-emerge just when they’re hiring.
With a small budget, you can also send prints of your work directly to editors, clients, and art directors. Find publications and editors who are looking for submissions and send promotional copies of your work in the mail. Make sure you’ve included your contact information and a link to your online portfolio so that they can see more examples. You can get ahead of the competition by using both print and digital mediums.
As a photographer, odds are that you already have an aesthetic that informs your work. It should be felt in every area of your business, including your marketing materials. Keep this in mind when designing Business Cards, Flyers, and Postcards for your business.
Remember, you’re running a business
Set yourself up for success by creating an invoice system to track your sales, revenue and overdue payments. It might not sound like the most interesting subject, but invoicing promptly and correctly is what ensures you get paid, and that’s pretty important. Consider using online accounting software – like FreshBooks or QuickBooks – to keep your books balanced and organized.
Start by setting your prices – take into consideration your costs, your desired profit, as well as the photography market where you’re working. This simple formula will help you establish your prices while ensuring you cover all your overheads costs.
By setting up your business from the start, you’ll be able to spend more time on what matters most – your photography.