How to be a better designer?
The most basic advice will elevate you and your business above the market average. On the one hand, it is somehow sad, that basic advice is enough to outperform the competition, but on the other hand, it is good news for new designers who can make a living fast with just the basics.
The basics of being a good designer are not about design
The basics are:
- Deliver what you promise
- Deliver it on time
- Deliver it while being kind and respectful
On cheap freelancing platforms, people are not interested in delivering the best service they can; they are interested in getting the job completed as fast and as low effort as possible to make their cheap rates viable.
Some freelancers even miss deadlines and take days for revisions and answering client feedback.
Finally, the stress cheap freelancing platforms create results in bad language towards customers.
No wonder, why many cheap freelancers never climb up the ladder and remain on Fiverr, 99Design and Upwork forever.
Don’t get me wrong: It is alright to start on these platforms and find your first clients fast. And even on these platforms, the basic advice I’ve just given to you will increase your success and income. But who really wants to puke out dozens of 20-dollar-logos a day for the rest of his live?
Do the basics right, and invest in your education
If you deliver what you promise, deliver on time, and stay kind and respectful towards clients, you are on the right track. Add some willingness to improve steadily and invest an hour a day into your education as a designer and you’re on your way towards the top of the industry.
If you now add another hour a day to grow your social media and online presence, there is almost nothing that could stop you from being successful.
Invest in a new design book every month, try out Lynda courses, follow YouTube channels offering design tutorials, and read blogs (like this one) regularly. It was never easier to get a good education on your own terms and from home.
Armed with the basics and a long-term mindset you will not only make a living doing what you enjoy, you will have the potential to become rich doing it.