Wednesday Wisdoms

A one-on-one phone call goes a long way on a human-to-human level. So old-fashioned these days, but that is one of the best options we have to connect and get the answers we need. (Best kept business secret)

Bring the client’s BRANDING into your bidding approach as much as possible. Do your RESEARCH, ask the questions, as the ultimate purpose of receiving the job is to achieve your client’s branding goals. 

As clear as the changes in our business are, our attitude can still be the make-or-break factor in how we handle this. I’ve been through it a few times in my career, and some prosper well with a fresh, youthful, open-minded approach. The true artist in each of us has to lead the way!

The creative call is the time to give your technical examples of how you will be bringing this project to life. It may seem like the time to listen, but it’s really the time to talk. 

A creative call when you are up for a job can be nerve-wracking. Here’s the simple secret sauce to warming up the business call: ask them more of a personal question about the weather, something on their wall, their geographical location, etc. Asking a question can break the ice. Show curiosity with human interest because people generally want to share. Two-way human conversations will open all those business doors.

Treatment Final Edit Checklist:

1. SPELLING and GRAMMAR mistakes are more damaging than you may think. 
2. Use every opportunity to use SPECIFIC words/concepts relating to this client and project in particular. 
3. CONSISTENCY of the organized structure through similar placement, layouts, titles, fonts, etc., to make it easy for them to follow. 

The winning ticket goal for every professional image maker is being known and celebrated for a style that’s unmistakably yours. That’s the magic that draws clients in and keeps the work flowing—it’s the reason they choose you, again and again.

How do you not waste any precious time with your portfolio reviews?

1. Tell the reviewer your review purpose.

2. Prep your questions and topics. 

3. Be open to hearing, listen instead of talking. 

4. Review your website + IG instead of a prepared PDF. 

5. Move through your site swiftly because we don’t have that much bandwidth for review after review. 

It’s time to shake things up and try new ways, don’t settle, and don’t get too comfortable. Explore, gravitate towards what you don’t even know yet, and lead the way. Mix up your creative world and see where you land. If you ever needed to “TEST,” it is NOW.