11 Ways being a freelance graphic designer in Regina has made me a better businesswoman

Since starting my journey as a freelance graphic designer in Regina, Saskatchewan, I've had many experiences that have made me a better businessperson.

Here they are:

  1. I've come to the understanding that although website design is part of the branding puzzle, there's a whole lot of other Search Engine Optimization (SEO) that needs to be addressed for a business to be found through search engines like Google (mine included)!
  2. I've discovered that social media is free propaganda for any business, so use it to your advantage (loving Instagram)!
  3. I've found out that there's a HUGE, HUGE difference from payday at your desk job to a paycheque from an invoice that you sent a month ago.
  4. About that invoice sent a month ago...you need to look out for yourself and create a late interest fee that is disclosed in your initial contract.
  5. You need to set boundaries and be clear about them in your initial contract, as your time is more important than ever as a freelance graphic designer.
  6. That timelines matter, and in order to meet them, you need to be honest with yourself on how long a project will take and if you can complete it in a given time frame as there's always hiccups in projects.
  7. That your personal life matters too! What's the fun of working if you have no play time? Your family and friends are just as important as your work and you need to have a good balance between the two.
  8. That the best way to spend the money you make as a freelance graphic designer, is to put it back into your business through equipment, new skills and advertising.
  9. That you will ALWAYS have something else you need to do in your freelance graphic design business and to go to SLEEP!
  10. That it's important to continually learn and keep up with trends so that you can give your clients the best service and product possible.
  11. Pitfalls happen, and you need to be persistent, hold your head up high and keep giving it all you've got. This isn't a race, it's a journey.

You have to be addicted to being a freelance graphic designer in Regina, Saskatchewan, that's the only way you can succeed!