Getting More Work

> Since I run my own business, I do lots of reading to educate myself on how to improve the way I do things. Freelance Switch has been a great resource for me. I really enjoy getting their daily blog links. One that came yesterday, by Susan Johnston, gives 110 ideas on getting more work. I read through them, and was pleased to find that I already do several of them, such as asking for testimonials (click the links on my client list to see some that I've gotten); I send out a monthly email newsletter; and I always send out at least one holiday promotion each year, as well as do several other things from their list.

> There are lots of other great ideas in their blog article, even specific ideas depending on whether you are a writer, programmer, designer, illustrator, etc. I got some good ideas about working with local businesses since all my work seems to be non-local.

> And it's good to be reminded that even though I'm doing good things to promote myself, there's always more that can be done.

Inspired By...Bakerella

[ I follow several blogs on a regular basis. Here's another one that inspires me. Hope you enjoy it too ].

> I have come to love valentine's day. No, I've never been one of those ladies who gets showered with gifts that are somehow intended to prove love and affection, and that's not why I love valentines day anyway. It's because there are some really delicious goodies for women who love decadent sweets! And if I get a box of yummy chocolates, no one expects me to share! 

> I've always had a sweet-tooth. Some people keep a stash of goodies so they always have something on hand...I would love to have a stash, I just can't seem to keep one!

> I'm not even sure how I came across this blog because I don't really spend that much time in the kitchen, (I enjoy baking, but just the easy stuff: cookies, cake, nothing really worth photographing!) but this blogs is definitely one of my favorites. Bakerella (how much do you love the name?) was created by Angie Dudley, a baker from Atlanta, GA. (wish I had known about her when I lived there!) She writes regular posts on her blog, showing off her amazing creations. Everything is delicious, from the photography, the creativity, the writing—and her personality is absolutely charming. The best part, she includes step by step photo-laden instructions on how to make everything! 

> If any of you is inspired to try any of these creations and needs a taste-tester, just let me know, I'm there!

(photo from the Bakerella.com blog)

Simple Creativity

> When I was in grade school, I LOVED when the "BookMobile" came! When I mentioned this to a friend years ago, he had a good laugh because he knew I didn't care about reading (I've since discovered that I just needed to find things I enjoyed reading, now I LOVE to read!) But at the time, he asked what I possibly liked about having a rolling library come, since I didn't like to read. Well, without fail, I would look for one of the "Harold and the Purple Crayon" books (by Crockett Johnson). I loved those books!

> The thing I still love about those books is that they represent creativity in its simplest form. A great concept, illustrated in the most simple but direct way of communicating that concept. A little boy who goes on adventures based on what his own crayon draws—and it's illustrated with line art, using flat colors. Imagination and execution. It inspired me then, without really understanding why; and simple solutions based on great concepts are still the things I'm inspired by the most. 

Inspired By...

[ I follow several blogs on a regular basis. There's something about each of them that inspires me. I decided to start sharing them with you, along with what I love most about them. Maybe they will become your regular faves too ].

> I've been struggling with migraines for the past several days. Usually I can power through and keep going, but after a long run, I get weary and I start dragging more. I was feeling a little better yesterday, but didn't realize how much til my husband got home, and I shared some recent good news: "One of my clients told me that if I want to purchase new fonts for their projects, that they would approve them and include it in my budget!" He laughed and told me he could tell I was feeling better.

> Doesn't he know that getting new fonts, especially when I get to choose them, but someone else pays for them ALWAYS makes things better??

> Yes, fonts inspire me. Which is why I love the idea of this blog. Each day, designer/illustrator Jessica Hische, features a different block cap letter. And she also shares the html code that allows people to use her designed letters on their own blogs. Nice!

Keep in Touch

> This week I'm working a couple of projects for a client—designing feature articles for a scrapbook magazine. Over the past 6 months, they've become one of my more regular clients, which honestly, is a real blessing in a business climate where work from more regular sources has been decreasing. I was thinking about this the other day, and about how my relationship with them started.

> In 1991, I got a job working for WordPerfect (remember them?) I started out as a production designer, then moved up to a position where I was working on designing international fonts. What does this have to do with scrapbooking, or magazine design? Not much (except one little detail that became the key to years worth of work). We were a small team, so we became pretty good friends. When WordPerfect and Novell merged, we were all laid off. My team leader went to work with a start-up magazine, and was with the company as it grew and expanded into related markets. And we stayed in touch.

> Several years later, I got a call from this friend after he received the holiday promotion I sent to him, and a handful of contacts, trying to drum up more work. He was in a senior creative position, and hired me to do a couple of freelance projects. Those projects turned into regular work that doubled my income for the next 3 years. Unfortunately, internal corporate changes took all the freelance design work back to their in-house creative team. I continued to send my monthly email newsletters, and annual holiday promotions, hoping to break in again.

> About a year ago, my monthly email newsletter was returned, saying my friend was no longer with the company (I still don't know where he went or what happened—gotta work on that!) Luckily, I was able to find out who had taken his position, and because of the work I had previously done for the company, I had a foot in the door. The rest was up to me—using my creativity, skills, and work ethic to show them what I could offer. I've been able to do several projects for them in the past several months, and hopefully am building a new business relationship that will provide me with continued work in the future. But it all started with a co-worker, in a less-than-creative job.

> The point? Keep in touch. You never know which relationships are going to one day turn into something really rewarding.

Turn it Up!

> Do you listen to music when you work? Does it help you think? Does it make you more productive? Or does it hamper your creativity or your thinking?

> I took lots of art and drawing classes in college, but I specifically remember one day in a head/face-drawing class. It was an informal setting—we drew from a live model, and while we usually concentrated on what we were doing, we could chat, or take short breaks to get up and walk around. Someone had brought in some music, and we were all enjoying it. The professor, who usually sat and drew along with us, was discussing that music was distracting from the thinking process. He argued that while you're listening, you often hum or sing along (either out loud or in your own mind), and that your brain is using it's power of recall to do that. So if your brain is multi-tasking—thinking of lyrics or a melody, as well as trying to come up with a creative concept, or concentrating on your project—your capacity to be creative, or effective is reduced.

> On one hand, I agree that he's on to something. But on the other hand, I know from years of experience, that music has often been helpful to my creative process. At times, listening to my favorite music makes creative thinking more effortless. And time passes by more quickly when I'm burdened with repetitive production tasks. Now, if I'm writing, or working on a proposal, I typically turn off the music, I find it distracting. But creativity? Music turns it up a notch for me. What about you?

May your Goals Become Reality

> There's a quotation that says (basically): "Written goals have a way of transforming thinking. Turning can't into cans; dreams into plans; and plans into reality." I like the message. It emphasizes the fact that you have the ability to change your own reality, but it requires effort on your part.

> At this time of year, people start to think about the coming year, and about "resolutions" they will make on New Years Day. I've never been a big believer of making resolutions...but goals are a different thing. I found an article that does a good job of summing up how I feel.

> As you may know, each year, I design and create a promotional gift that I send out as a thank you to clients, vendors, friends and supporters of my business. This year, I designed 2 notepads because people make goals and/or resolutions around this time of year, so I'm giving them a place to jot down their ideas and notes, and another place to write down their goals and the steps they need to take to achieve them.

> I chose to not include my name or logo on them—but of course one is "maralee-green", and with typography as the main design element, they visually "say" they're a holiday wish from me.