April's Recent Articles

5 Business Purchases to Make Before the End of the Year

Dec 20, 2022

It’s the holiday season and you’re probably already feeling super-strapped for cash. However, now’s one of the best times of year to make business purchases. Why? Because holiday sal...

Is your location killing your freelance business?

May 09, 2018

One of the beautiful things about being a freelance designer is the freedom to live where you want, be it within walking distance of the ocean, near family, or three floors above the most awesome coff...

4 Effective responses to stop price haggling in its tracks

Sep 05, 2016

“Do you offer a new client discount?” “I’d love to work with you. If you can do my project for $X, I’ll start today.” As a creative, you’ve probably heard som...

How to position your creative business (and yourself) for success

Feb 01, 2016

When asked about their success, a lot of entrepreneurs respond with, “well, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.” Or, “I stumbled upon the opportunity and took...

My 10 freelance business goals + tips for setting yours

Jan 06, 2016

Your design business will DIE without solid goals, because without a goal in mind, you have no basis for where to begin or what path to take. So when I first started freelancing, I purchased Preston&#...

How to share bad news with a client and save the relationship

Dec 12, 2015

No matter how careful you are, if you’re in business long enough, you’re going to screw up. Bad. (Not the “my bad, I sent over the wrong revision.” The big “we just print...

12 Awesome apps for productivity and project management

Jul 13, 2015

For me as a creative entrepreneur, picking the right app can be a daunting task. First of all, I’m the only one person who’s already wearing 15 different hats, so carving out time to look...

Should you list your prices on your website? (Here’s what I do)

May 04, 2015

It’s a conundrum many of us creative entrepreneurs face: do I list pricing (or typical pricing) on my website or not? Some entrepreneurs swear by it; others refuse…and both make valid argu...

How to handle tough client conversations and save the relationship

Feb 25, 2015

Being a solopreneur is a lot of fun. You almost always get to make your own schedule, wear whatever you want, reject projects that aren’t a good fit, not drive during rush hour…it’s ...

How to negotiate with clients (or anyone) like a pro this year

Jan 16, 2015

Negotiations always give me the jitters. Am I proposing a fair deal? Am I about to get swindled? Should I look elsewhere? Am I going to lose this project? Is this client going to be more stress than t...

8 Quick tips to improve client relationships overnight

Dec 02, 2014

Y’know that guy – one of your peers who always seems to get the very best clients? He who: Never has a problem with late payments. Doesn’t have to haggle pricing on rush projects. Ma...

How to build a stellar portfolio to land your very first freelance gig

Nov 05, 2014

Deciding to jump into freelancing is an awesome, scary, exciting rush of emotions. Unless you have money set aside, you’re probably still working your “regular” job until things real...

How to stay motivated when solo business has got you in a rut

Aug 20, 2014

Ever have one of those days (weeks?) where you just can’t seem to get yourself motivated? And I mean REALLY unmotivated, like nothing — not even dusting to avoid work — can tear you ...

What kind of contract should I use for small or ongoing projects?

Jul 11, 2014

Have you ever struggled to write a contract for ongoing work? You’re not alone. One Millo reader commented: Love the article you posted today about freelance with a contract. I’m curious,...

How to find clients in a new city

Apr 11, 2014

If you’ve ever experienced the “joy” of moving* (especially if you’ve accumulated furniture), you know that not only are you learning the ropes in a new community personally, b...

Understanding freelancing insurance + do you need it?

Aug 23, 2013

The Freelancer’s Union recently announced the ability for members to purchase liability insurance. But as freelance designers, do we really need it? Truthfully, when I read the “hey, we’...

How to build a killer physical portfolio and win your next account

Mar 25, 2013

A picture is worth 1,000 words. Keep that in mind when you go to your next potential client meeting. You want to make a great first impression and win the account. While what you say and how you act a...

How to deal with high-maintenance clients (and not ruin the relationship!)

Feb 01, 2013

Have you ever had one of those clingy clients that calls daily? Twice daily? Sunday afternoon? Do you save their number in your phone just so you can press “ignore” when you see them calling (for ...

“We” vs “I” – the best pronoun for a freelance business

Oct 11, 2012

If you’re like me, once you started using your official business name, “we” vs “I” became a big issue. Which sounds better? Am I misrepresenting myself if I use we? What ...

How I went from losing my job to being a profitable freelancer in 18 months

Jul 23, 2012

If you would’ve told me when I got laid off I’d have a profitable freelance design business a mere 18 months later, I’d have laughed at your absurdity. Heck, I may have even snorted....

How to quote a design project – and win the account

Jun 01, 2012

Quoting a project isn’t easy – and knowing how to quote a design project well is even tougher. Part estimation, part research, and part historical evidence, a good design quote creates a fair...

Can you pitch your design business (well) in 15 seconds?

Mar 23, 2012

I’m a person you’ve never met. Maybe we just bumped into one another in line at the supermarket. Maybe we’re both regulars at the local coffee shop waiting for our morning latte. May...