Being a Starving Graphic Artist Sucks

Guest Blogging Invite for Artists in the Graphic Design Professional Group on LinkedIn

Hey guys,
I joined the GDPG (Graphic Design Professional Group on LinkedIn ) a couple of months ago and quickly discovered there are some designers on there with some pretty damn good insights, and I just thought extending a guest blogger invite would be a cool, cooperative way to get to know some of the contributors.

If you do or don't have a blog it doesn't matter, if you know what you're talking about in regards to graphic design, web design, color theory, fonts, layout, aesthetics, Photoshop or Illustrator techniques, advertising or printing, I'd love to hear from you! I'll be taking submissions until Wednesday, June 30th.

Here are a few parameters to keep in mind before you submit a post:

Length: Somewhere around 500-1000 words.

Audience: Designers of all skill levels; however, most of them are already in the field or just about to graduate from school.

Grammar & punctuation: I am not a grammar whiz so I definitely don't expect you to be. Your message, content and knowledge about design are a lot more important than your use of commas. I would however recommend you have someone else look at your post before you send it over - just to have another pair of eyes check it out.

Authorship credit: Always happy to do this for you. Please make sure that you include in your post: your name, company, title and URL. 

Send in your submissions or questions to: GDPG [at] beingastarvingartistsucks [dot] com

Notes:

• If you do have a blog I'd ask that you only submit original posts (not posts you've uploaded on your blog or somewhere else).
• I'll run a new entry every few weeks. If Irun your post I'll of course let you know when it's going to post, and I'll also set you up with a free eBook copy of one of the two books I've written ("Being a Starving Artist Sucks" or "Verbal Kung Fu for Freelancers") - your choice.
• If you have a pretty good blog following and would like me to write a guest post - drop me a line, let's talk!
• If you're not a member of GDPG, check it out - it's a good group.

Creative Freelancers: Start Getting More Clients from Your Web Site - Now

Hey guys, building on the BOGO sale I had at the end of last year...from Now Until the End of January, I've got a Terrific Offer for You...ONLY if You:

• Want some feedback from someone who can view your web site from your client's eyes.
• Aren't sure what to write about on your web site - you aren't sure what's important to your clients.
• Are a little confused on what would get your clients to actually pick up the phone and call you.
• Want to sound and look more professional on your web site.
• Would like to have your web site do a better job in getting your client.
• Have been wanting someone other than other designers to give you honest yet encouraging feedback.

Got You Interested?
Here's the Offer:
From now until the end of the month, if you purchase more than $20 (or US currency equivalent) in Being a Starving Artist Sucks products (includes ALL digital and printed products), I'll through in a Killer Web Site Effectiveness Review for free...nothing, zero, zip, nada.

You'll receive a one page personal review from me (no, not from a junior designer or entry-level marketing person, I'll do the review personally) that contains SPECIFIC, helpful and encouraging recommendations on how you can improve your site and have it attract more and better clients.

Not sure I am qualified to review your site?

Fair enough, but I'd recently been asked to provide and initial marketing synopsis / competitive analysis for a high-end creative agency here in Phoenix; their average client invests a minimum of $5k/project. Here's what their executives said after receiving their report, "We were quite impressed with your report and wanted to setup a meeting to continue our discussions and for you to meet our creative director."

How Can You Jump on This?
Whether you've bought your Being a Starving Artist Sucks from this web site, Amazon.com, iTunes or somewhere else, I'll ask you to send me the receipt number and the date of your purchase - pretty easy. Shoot it over to (jan2010offer[at]beingastarvingartistsucks.com) I'd like to ask you a little bit about what you've thought of the product(s) so far as well if that's cool.

You'll also want to send me the URL to the web site you'd like me to review - that's it guys, I wanted to keep this easy for freelancers that are serious about really making an impact in 2010 - are you one of them?

Small Print Garbage:

• Offer ends Feb 2nd, 2010. Midnight, MST.
  
  
• This offer cannot be combined with any other offer. 
  
  
• Once you've made your purchase you'll want to shoot me a quick email indicating you want to take advantage of the Killer Web Site Effectiveness Review.
  

BOGO Sale to Make 2010 the Best Year Ever for Your Freelancing Business

Hey guys, if you were looking to start the New Year off right and you're determined to make 2010 the best year for your freelancing business - I want to do my part to help you.

Between now and January 1st you can take advantage of my buy one, get one free sale, here's how it works:

• Purchase the BASAS or VKFU eBook and get the other one absolutely free.
• Purchase the Work Smarter NOT Harder Contract Package and receive both BASAS and VKFU eBooks for free.

Small Print Garbage:

• Offer ends January 2nd, 2010, MST.
  
  
• This offer cannot be combined with any other offer. 
  
  
• Once you've made your purchase you'll want to shoot me a quick email indicating you want to take advantage of the buy one, get one free sale.
  
  
• Read the books, and get ready to kick some arse in 2010!!!
  

Click here, or the Pantone chips to the right to get started.

Webdesigner Depot Turns One Today, Congrats!

Quick post here guys, just wanted to wish Walter over at WDD a warm congratulations for all of the hard work he's done in creating a world class online resource for creative professionals. He's hosting a contest where you can score some nice prizes, including free Being a Starving Artist Sucks and Verbal Kung Fu for Freelancers books just for commenting - be sure to get your name in.

PS - If you scroll through the comment section at the bottom of this post you'll see I've added a comment with a special link to pick up some great resources at a nice discount. Hint - I am around comment #200 and my gravitar is red (see if you can find me...)

PPS - If you aren't visiting/following WDD, you should :)

Have an iPhone? Score Some Great Graphic Design Resources - for Free

Hey guys,
If you've already picked up and enjoyed the "Being a Starving Artist Sucks" or "Verbal Kung Fu for Freelancers" on your iPhone, or you're thinking about it now, I've got an easy way you can score some free resources.

If you really did enjoy the book(s), and you're willing to share your feedback with other freelancers by writing a review on iTunes, I’ll set you up with the Work Smarter NOT Harder Package, or the From Zero to Graphic Design Hero MP3s for free – you’re choice. This is just my way of thanking you for taking time out of your day to help me out...I know writing reviews can be kind of tedious.

This offer's good for reviews posted today through the end of October, so if you liked either book - login to iTunes and start typing.

How to Get the Hook Up:

1. Email me at [email protected], Subject: iPhone Review Offer
2. Let me know which review you posted.
3. Indicate what country you're in (so I know where in iTunes to see your review).
4. As proof that you do have the books, tell me what is the first name of the person credited with getting the book on to the iPhone. Hint: you'll find this in the "Acknowledgements" chapter at the end - the name is the same for both books.
5. Finally, tell me which freebie you want me to set you up with :)

Make sure you follow all 5 steps. ONLY entries that follow all 5 of these steps will get the hook up.  

Fine Print Rubbish:

• 1 freebie per freelancer.
• Please write a review with some detail and substance, "This book kicks arse" or, "This book was good" aren't the type of reviews I'm looking for. No need to write a book, a few sentences about why you enjoyed the book and what it's done for you is just fine.
• Be honest and fair. It's true I am not hooking freelancers up for writing a negative review, but I do want people to be honest.

PS - Congrats to Jaz for winning the "Grand Prize Pack" off of Jacob Cass' Blog, "Just Creative Design" - enjoy the goodies Jaz, look forward to hearing how you enjoyed the books, audio files and contract package!