Blog

April 2015

How to Edit Photos Like a Pro

How to Edit Photos Like a Pro

The design of your website and the quality of your photography can make all the difference in a first impression of your blog or business. Think about your favorite blogs and brands for a moment; what is it about their websites and social media accounts that make them stand out and appear professional? Usually it’s in their design and photography, which is becoming increasingly important in today’s visual society. If you want to be taken seriously and be seen as a professional, design and photography can go a long way.

I’ve made an effort to help creative entrepreneurs and bloggers with design through offering the Adobe Illustrator e-course, but photography is another key aspect to the visual appearance of a brand. 

My No-Fuss Formula for Pricing My Services

My No-Fuss Formula for Pricing My Services

Pricing is time and time again one of the most difficult things to nail down as a business owner. You price too low and you aren’t able to make ends meet, but you price too high and you run the risk of scaring potential clients away. You’re faced with other tough questions as well, like will you charge per hour or per project? Will you require a down payment? Will you offer payment plans? Will you post your prices on your website or will you require visitors to inquire in order to receive a pricing guide?

Unlike many of my posts, this article isn’t a how-to; each business is different and should approach pricing carefully based on its goals, experience and clientele. Instead, I’m sharing my simple, straight-forward approach to pricing that’s allowed me to increase my prices, attract my ideal clients, and feel confident and content with what I’m charging. Although we might differ on a couple things, I hope these insights will help you be a little less intimidated by pricing your services. 

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How to Create a Brand Style Guide

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How to Create a Brand Style Guide

Between my sophomore and junior year of college, I interned at a marketing company in their design department. On the first day of my internship, I was shown to my temporary working space where the company’s brand style guide was waiting for me on my desk. It was a quick way for me to learn the design standards for the company’s brand, and it made it much easier for the designers and interns to stay on the same page and create a cohesive visual identity across all platforms and mediums. 

When I started at my first full-time graphic design position right out of college, I opened my inbox on my first day to find an online PDF of the company’s brand style guide. And again, it was a quick design reference that I returned to time and time again.

Why You Don't Need a College Degree to Run a Successful Creative Business

Why You Don't Need a College Degree to Run a Successful Creative Business

I came across an article on Inc.com last week that caught my attention: What College Degree Will Make You Rich? I was shocked to read that 32 percent of billionaires - among whom are Oprah, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg - don’t have a college degree. And if that isn’t surprising, maybe this next fact will be: Twice as many billionaires have degrees in the arts than those who have degrees in math and science. 

The article brought up some legitimate questions that I’ve been wrestling with. How relevant are college degrees today, especially among creative entrepreneurs? 

7 Books That Could Shape the Direction of Your Business (And a New Elle & Company Series!)

7 Books That Could Shape the Direction of Your Business (And a New Elle & Company Series!)

I can get carried away at Barnes and Noble, especially when it comes to books in the business section. A few weeks ago Jake and I walked in just to take a peek around after dinner out and left with 3 new items to add to our reading list. I believe that it’s important to be a student of your field, no matter how many years you’ve been in business or how much experience you have. So today I'm sharing a list of 7 business books that I've either read recently or hope to read in the future. Be sure to keep scrolling all the way down this post to learn about a new related Elle & Company feature!

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