Bookmark This Site Keep up with our Tips

Tip of the Day RSS Feed Fresh Freelance Design Tips Daily

Sponsor Program
Our tips are powerful. Our writers are experts. Our results are guaranteed.

Listen to our Radio Show
Hot topics for both consumers and webmarketers on WebmasterRadio.FM Every Wednesday, 4PM Eastern.

Q: How can I build my web development portfolio?

Freelance Design Frequently Asked Questions

What does it take to be a great freelance graphic designer?

What are the skill levels of beginning graphic designers?

What are some typical freelance graphic design jobs?

What is the artistic talent of a successful graphic designer?

How do I know what talents good freelance graphic designers should have?

What computer programs should a graphic designer know?

What should I be wary of when hiring a graphic designer?

How can I promote my business online?

What is print media design?

How can I increase my freelance print design work?

Should I use a placement agency to fill my print design needs?

What is an important aspect of good print design?

How can I take care of my print design clients' needs?

Is direct mail advertising obsolete?

How can I be a web developer?

What kind of software should I know to be a good web site developer?

How can I build my web development portfolio?

Should I have my website custom developed?

What is a challenge facing web developers today?

Where can I find other web developers?

How much does a web developer charge?

Will a web developer manage my website once its up?

What does an Art Director do?

Is there a community of art directors out there?

What is the difference between an Art Director and a Creative Director?

Can I afford an advertising team?

What should I put in a job description if I want to hire an advertising art director?

Where else can an art director work besides advertising?

What are the skills of a freelance creative director?

What else does a creative director need to know besides the technical aspects of a project?

What is the job description for a creative director?

What should I look for in an entry-level creative art director?

How can I get regular work as a freelance illustrator?

What should a freelance illustrator's home office have?

How can I jump-start my freelance illustration career?

How important is it to hire a graphic illustrator for my advertisements?

Will I need a storyboard artist for my commercial ad?

Are there artists who specialize in scientific drawings?

How can I protect my online illustration portfolio?

Are there other names for web designers?

How much should I get paid as a web designer?

Do web designers have to know HTML?

How can I be a better web designer?

How do I know if a web designer is right for my company?

What else can a web designer help me to do?

Can I do anything to assist the freelance web designer I am hiring?

Who owns the copyright to my website?

How well do copy editors need to know the language?

How much copy should be in an ad?

How can I improve my skills as a copy editor?

How important is meeting a deadline as a freelance copy editor?

Should I hire a web copy editor for my site?

What is the difference between a copy writer and a copy editor?

How important are headlines in the copy editing business?

What if I have a lot of copy to be edited but cannot afford two copy editors?

Do I need to update my website content?

What is the ACES?

What does a proofreader do?

What tools to proofreaders use?

How can I become a freelance proofreader?

Do I really need to hire a proofreader?

How do I keep track of my proofreading jobs?

What can I expect from a proofreader?

Which proofreading style should I use?

How should I pay my proofreader?

What do I need to know about taxes and freelance work?

When should I start a freelance career?

Where can I find freelancers?

What is the best way to build a good career as a freelance programmer?

What do I need to know about hiring a freelance designer?

Am I cut out for freelancing?

Why is it called "freelance" work?

What about health insurance for freelance workers?

How can I build my client base?

How many freelance jobs should I take at once?

What is electronic cold calling?

Can I get into freelance desktop publishing?

Will my proofreader edit as well?

How important are contracts in freelance work?

How much work should I put in my graphic arts portfolio?

Can I study graphic art in school?

How can I be a better graphic artist?

Any tips for logo design?

How do I keep my freelance graphic arts career going?

Where can I find a graphic artist?

How important are computer skills and print skills in graphic arts?

How can I make sure my graphic artist does what I need him/her to?

What else can I do with the designs my graphic artist has created?

How do I get started as a freelancer?

How can I shift from freelance to full-time?

Am I stuck working nine-to-five?

Can a job placement service help me find an employee?

Where can I find a temporary employee?

What can I do if I run out of freelance work through my regular clients?

When exactly do I have to pay my web design firm?

What can a graphic design firm do for my company?

Should I join a web design firm?

What's so important about a company logo?

What does my design style say about where I should apply for work?

Is there a book I can pick up for help with my freelance career?

How can I get more involved in my career as a graphic artist?

freelancing, ghost writing

What is the difference between a proofreader and a copywriter?

How can I get started as a freelance writer in my community?

How can I feel like I fit in as a freelancer?

What's the best way to stay fresh in my freelancing field?

How can I find a reputable freelance agency to do business with?

How can I optimize my Web illustrations?

How does a Web developer keep his or her pages looking fresh?

How do I get started as a freelancer?

What should be in my freelance portfolio?

How can I stand out from the competition?

Am I a freelancer or a contractor?

How can I create an effective electronic portfolio?

What if an employer wants something I haven't done yet?

How can I reach prospective clients in faraway places?

How much should I charge?

Should I work for free when I'm just getting started?

What is a brand manager?

What information will I gather as a brand manager?

What's the best approach to the human side of brand management?

Is there a creative side to brand management?

What is "brand disconnect"?

How do I name a product?

What can I do to make a new product launch successful?

What are some ideas for reviving a tired brand?

What is the role of emotions in branding?

What is the difference between a copy editor and a proofreader?

What are the skills I need as a copy editor?

How can I get started as a freelancer?

What should go in my freelance editing portfolio?

What is a style sheet?

How can I find organizations that might hire me?

What people skills do I need as a freelance copy editor?

What is technical editing?

What does a fact checker do?

What does a content writer do?

What do I need to know about Search Engine Optimization?

What are some first steps in understanding how copywriters work?

How can I learn more about my target audience?

What are some characteristics of great headlines?

What kind of language should I use in copywriting?

Do I need a proofreader?

Should my copy be more logical or more emotional?

What needs to be in my portfolio as a copywriter?

What skills do I need to be a creative director?

What do freelance creative directors do?

What does a freelance art director do?

How can I generate ideas for a client's project?

What do I do with the ideas generated in a brainstorming session?

How can I gain the business knowledge needed to advance as an advertising manager?

I'm not a designer. How can I judge a person's design portfolio?

What programs do I need to know as an art director?

Which is more important, design or copy?

What if I find I don't enjoy marketing my design skills?

What should I look for in an agency?

What kinds of graphic design agencies are there?

What's the best way to hire a graphic designer?

What kinds of jobs are there in graphic design?

I'm doing fine as a freelancer. Why would I want to work with an agency?

Will I have to pass a test to work at an agency?

What is it like to work for an agency?

My agency is offering training courses. Are they worth it?

What do I need to know to design a good logo?

What are some very basic principles of Web design?

What are three questions I need to answer before designing an ad?

What are the design challenges in an annual report?

What happens after I design a logo?

How can I design an effective catalog?

What do I need to know to design good packaging?

What are 'integrated media'?

What do I need to do to design good video?

What should go in my contract for freelance design work?

How can I make sure I get paid for my work?

What should a mockup accomplish?

Should I bother the client while I'm working on a job?

Should I get a partner for my graphic design business?

Should I give my work away?

How can I bring up the subject of price with a new client?

How can I decide how much to charge?

What if I need help to get a freelance job done?

What do production artists do?

What does a production artist need to know about type?

What is proofing?

What is preflighting and why do I need to know about it?

What do I need to know to do revisions?

What is a press check and how do I do it?

What is Quark and do I need to learn it?

Do I need to learn Adobe Illustrator?

Do I need to learn Photoshop?

How can I find good Web design jobs?

What if a client just wants a small, cheap site?

What graphics formats work on the Web?

What do I need to know about my audience?

What is "user experience" and what do I need to know about it?

What are some guidelines for effective Web navigation?

How can I design pages that work on any browser?

What can I do to make my sites more accessible to disabled people?

My client wants me to design ads for the Web. What works?

Should I bring a freelance designer onto my work site?

How can I be sure a distant freelancer is doing my job?

The kid next door can use Photoshop. Why should I pay a pro?

What do I need to know before I hire a freelancer?

What should be in a freelance design contract?

How often should I check in with a freelancer?

My freelancer wants a testimonial, but I don't want to give one. What can I do?

How can I prevent problems with freelance payments?

What if I want to a freelancer to fill a permanent opening?

When would I want to train a freelancer?

How can I get more involved in my career as a graphic artist?

freelancing, ghost writing

How can I get started as a freelance writer in my community?

What's the best way to stay fresh in my freelancing field?

How can I find a reputable freelance agency to do business with?