Toolbox: Featured Resources for Creative Professionals

Featured resources:

The Marketing Mentor Podcast Stream

Subscribe to hear almost 300 interviews and presentation recordings with Ilise Benun. Here are the top episodes from 2015.

subscribe via iTunes and via Libsyn -- and check out the HOW Design Live podcast, hosted by Ilise Benun too.

CreativeLive course: Command the Fees You Deserve

You'll learn how to identify quality prospects, deal with problem clients, structure your marketing to avoid the feast or famine cycle and get paid what you deserve.

learn more

Package pricing Q&A

Have you ever thought about "package" pricing -- where you package basic services at set prices? Here's an interview with someone who's done it very successfully.

In this presentation, from Ad Age's Small Agency Conference, Ilise Benun identifies 4 client red flags and offers common sense tips on how to work with challenging clients more productively. (More on problem clients in this Fast Company article, "How Freelancers Can Protect Themselves and Get Paid On Time")

watch video

Cheat sheet: Don't be ignored

Are you tired of being ignored by clients and prospects? Do you send message after message but never hear back?

download cheat sheet

Samples of email newsletters

Links to samples of email newsletters from creative firms and freelancers

view samples

Excellent LinkedIn Profile Examples

Here are links to excellent examples of LinkedIn Profiles for copywriters and content strategists, designers and illustrators and more.

See the examples

How to talk about what you do

One of the biggest mistakes new freelancers make is in how they describe what they do.

In this episode of Jake Jorgovan's, "The Creative Freelancer Show," Ilise Benun of Marketing Mentor teaches a framework for how to talk about what you do to potential clients. This is a framework that can be used online, at networking events or even in casual conversation.

listen to podcast

Elevator pitch worksheet: 3 things to emphasize

From Ilise Benun's HOW Design Live 2014 session, this "Elevator Pitch Worksheet" offers 3 variations on how to answer the question, "What do you do?" with a focus on who you help and how.

download worksheet

Hourly rate worksheet

Use this worksheet to calculate your hourly rate based on your overhead and expenses. You might be surprised!

download worksheet

List of trade associations & trade shows

This list of trade associations will help you choose your niche and find your target market. For more, check out the Pick a Niche Kit.

Battling big egos and unfair deadlines? You're not alone. (Based on Ilise Benun's "Problem Clients" presentation at the Ad Age's 2014 Small Agency Conference)