...said my friend when I was learning how to use Photoshop in his small studio back in 2009 in Auckland, New Zealand.
And he was right...
My first designs were so ugly that I flushed them down the toilet. (Above is an example)
But looking at it now, I’m glad I went through the ups and downs of learning how to become a graphic designer because I learned a lot. Watching my friend design and his approach to dealing with clients gave me confidence that one day, I might have a small studio like his and work on my own.
Fast forward almost 15 years, and I’m still into design, but I have realized that building things for myself instead of for clients is a way better approach.
I used to bleed to death.
The amount of stress I was going through was unbearable at times.
My eyes were strained.
My back was taking some serious pounding.
My hair fell out from too much stress.
And no matter how hard I worked, there was always more to do, so it made total sense that one day I’d burn out. And that’s exactly what happened, and it took almost three years to come back.
To recover, I took photography lessons and became a photographer, seeking peace in the woods, around lakes, mountains, and enjoying sunrises and sunsets.
So, the reason why I’m writing this short message is to let you know that there is another, in my opinion, much better way to earn a living than to be a slave to your clients endless demands. On top of that, risking losing interest in your passion.
Because let me tell you something, once you get into that turmoil, crafting designs as if you were on a production line, under the endless pressure to deliver, there will come a time when you’ll have to design images you would rather not.
And that, in my book, is a recipe for disaster.
Unhappiness.
Misery.
And struggle.
And who wants to go through that?
Nobody.
That’s why I would rather figure out another way to earn a buck or two and keep the design part, and everything I love about it, and package it up for grabs to those less fortunate.
For example...
As a graphic designer, you probably have bunch of resources you use all the time that other designers, or even non-designers, could benefit from. Or the things that you design could be turned into templates, book covers, Instagram story thumbnails and so on...
Speaking of thumbnails, how about starting a YouTube thumbnail template business, where you design a bunch of templates and offer them for sale in, let's say, health and fitness, gardening, automotive, health supplements, or whatever the industry… and then, if someone wants a specific, custom thumbnail, now because you've specialized in thumbnails, you can charge a great amount.
But anyway...
Something to think about.
Another thing, and that’s my favorite way to earn money, is by promoting subscription-based software, tools that pay recurring commissions.
What recurring commissions mean is that you get paid on a monthly basis for as long as someone is enjoying the software or the tool, and as far as I know, from my own experience of using design tools, funnel building software, keyword research tools, email marketing tools, and about a dozen more, I tend to stay with them for a very long time.
Take Glorify, for example.
I’ve used this tool since 2019 and have no desire to change it for any other tool. It has become my favorite design tool.
Or how about Systeme.io, which I’m such a big fan of… not only because they have everything you need to start and build a successful biz online and can start for free, but because it’s simple and easy to use.
And I like simple.
And so anyway… without making this message too long, I just wanted to remind you that if you don’t want to go the traditional route, slaving your ass off for clients you don't like and making them richer, you can build your own empire. And as time goes on and you have a strategy in place, you can reduce the time you spend working on it, enjoy more free time because you have automations in place, courses that you can sell, and tools you promote that bring you steady, reliable income.
Whereas working for clients, you can’t do that… or risk losing a significant chunk of your income.
Anyway… the good news is, you’re free to do whatever you want.
This message is meant to inform you of your possibilities, nothing else.
All the best, my friend.
Libor
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