00. Welcome
00. Assignment
What Worked and What Didn't
Write down a list of 3 things you've done for your business that did not bring the expected results and 3 things that worked and brought results.
Here's my real example.
What didn't work:
If you want to write more points, write more. For now, there's no need to analyze your results.
Here's my real example.
What didn't work:
- Planning a beautiful feed on Instagram
- Regular posting on Instagram
- Trying to manage stories with my face
- Identifying the target audience and creating products for them (my plant sets)
- Word of mouth, live acquaintances
- Pinterest overall and minimal advertising there
If you want to write more points, write more. For now, there's no need to analyze your results.
01. Starting Point and Understanding Yourself
Starting Point: Where Are We?
First, take a moment to assess what you currently have at your disposal. Take our "Starting Point A" test.
This assessment should have given you a clear idea of where you stand today:
We process the test results manually to provide personalized recommendations based on your answers.
It is just a summary of your current situation, but we dig deeper.
This assessment should have given you a clear idea of where you stand today:
- What tools and resources you have in your arsenal.
- What you’ve tried in your work.
- The skills and experience you possess.
- How you envision your future in design.
We process the test results manually to provide personalized recommendations based on your answers.
It is just a summary of your current situation, but we dig deeper.
Importance of Understanding Yourself Through these tools
Even if you feel like your starting point is zero, it’s crucial to take the test and the assignment. It’s not just about gauging your experience or skills; it's also about understanding yourself. This understanding will help you build a business system that feels right for you. The test also aids in clarifying what you really want and realistically can achieve—for instance, if you're a parent on parental leave.
Now go to 01. Assignment and take 1-2 hours and fill up the “All about me” (you will find it on the Excel file).
Now go to 01. Assignment and take 1-2 hours and fill up the “All about me” (you will find it on the Excel file).
02. Mindset
02.1 Assignment
Embracing Your Skills and Acknowledging Your Limits
Start by listing all the professional skills you possess. It might look something like this:
You might find it helpful to categorize these skills as I did.
Identifying Skills You Don’t Have
Next, make a list of skills you don’t have but think are important. For example:
Now, looking at the skills you don’t have, categorize them:
- Drawing: What kind of drawing? Which techniques? Do you prefer traditional methods or digital tools?
- Design: What specific areas? Web, graphic, fashion?
- Technical skills: Which software are you proficient in?
- Printing: Are you familiar with print production and technologies?
You might find it helpful to categorize these skills as I did.
Identifying Skills You Don’t Have
Next, make a list of skills you don’t have but think are important. For example:
- I can’t draw people.
- I don’t know how to edit videos or create reels.
- I haven’t mastered font creation or using certain design software like Figma.
Now, looking at the skills you don’t have, categorize them:
- Skills you're drawn to and are excited to learn.
- Skills you believe will be useful for achieving your goals.
- Skills that don’t interest you or align with your career path.
- "I don’t know how to make fonts, but exploring this could tap into a profitable market niche."
- "I’m curious about using AI in design—it seems exciting and beneficial for my business."
- "I can’t shoot great videos yet, but I’m really pulled towards learning this skill—even if it's not an immediate business need."
- "Figma? Not interested. I’m not a web designer and don’t plan to be one, so no need to stress over this tool."
02.2 Assignment
Analyzing Beliefs
- Objective beliefs are factual, like "I don’t have a formal art education."
- Subjective beliefs are based on personal judgment, like "I’m not a good enough designer."
Sharing My Experience
Here are some of the beliefs I had:
- "My work doesn’t deserve high payment" – Subjective
- "My style is too simple" – Subjective
- "I lack a formal art education" – Objective
- "I’m not worthy of big, high-paying projects" – Subjective
- "I have limited opportunities in my town" – Subjective
In psychology, it’s often suggested to replace negative beliefs with positive ones. Instead of saying "My work doesn’t deserve high payment," try affirming "My work is worthy of high payment." If this feels too difficult, start with more realistic changes. Think about what beliefs would help make you more comfortable in your work. This doesn’t work for me, but it doesn’t mean that it won’t work for you.
Now,
- Write down your own beliefs.
- Categorize them into subjective and objective.
- Cross out the subjective ones—they no longer exist for you.
- Analyze the objective beliefs and see what you can do about them.
- Consider what new, supportive beliefs could help make your work life better.
03. Products
Criteria
Ready/Digital
Ready/Physical
Custom/Digital
Custom/Physical
Time Investment
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Customer Interaction
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Profitability
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Income Passivity
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Overall Hassle
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Creativity
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Business
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You are already done with the “All about me” table and Understand yourself better. Если нет, то советую заполнить до того как послушаешь блоки про скиллы и цели. Почему так? Потому что когда у тебя не было какой-то части информации, на тебе, скорее всего, были очки, у кого-то розовые, через которые ты видел все легко и просто, переоценивал свои возможности (это я говорю как раз в твою защиту, если ты не умел рисовать, и вдруг решил стать иллюстратором сразу же (потому что, например, flat style для тебя выглядел довольно просто) и рубить бабки, и у тебя абсолютно логично не вышло с первого, второго и третьего раза (мем), ты реально переоценил себя или необдуманно взвалил на себя “должен” и то что априори так не работает, а потом расстроился и еще хуже наругал. Так, теперь к тем, у кого-то черные очки — которые не давали тебе понять, что ты реально молодец и ты шел с девизом “я ничего не умею, у меня ничего не получится”. В общем, я хочу, чтобы ты пока еще со своей неясной картинкой заполнил таблицу, чтобы потом уже получив всю информацию понял, где ты свернул не туда и что тебе мешало. Когда заполнишь — переходи к видео про скиллы.”
04. Skills
04.1 Assignment
Professional Skills
Get back to 02.1 Assignment and copy Skills you listed before and describe them wider. You can add other professional skills.
Here’s some examples and questions that can help:
Evaluating Skills to Develop
Now, review the list and categorize the skills you lack into three groups (a skill can fit into more than one category):
1 — I want to learn this, it's genuinely intriguing and calls to my soul.
2 — I believe this will be highly beneficial in my work to achieve my goals.
3 — This isn't for me, I have no desire to engage in this.
For example:
Next, it's evident you should first enhance skills marked with both 1 and 2 — those that you enjoy and find useful for your work.
You can do the Assignment in our files or in your notebook.
Here’s some examples and questions that can help:
- Drawing (What kind? What technique? By hand or digital?)
- Design (What kind of design?)
- Technical skills (Which software can you operate?)
- Printing (Preparation for printing, printing technologies)
Evaluating Skills to Develop
Now, review the list and categorize the skills you lack into three groups (a skill can fit into more than one category):
1 — I want to learn this, it's genuinely intriguing and calls to my soul.
2 — I believe this will be highly beneficial in my work to achieve my goals.
3 — This isn't for me, I have no desire to engage in this.
For example:
- Making fonts — 2: It's not that it pulls me, but I've dabbled and even created one font. Handwritten fonts are marketable, and exploring this segment is of interest.
- Effectively using AI for work — 1 and 2: I'm very keen on this, and it will be beneficial for my business.
- Taking awesome photos and video editing - 1: I'm drawn to this, but I'm not convinced it'll be the financial breakthrough for my business. Hence, I wouldn't categorize it as a two.
- Working with Figma — 3: Honestly, I couldn't care less. I'm not a web designer, nor do I aspire to be one. I dread the thought of learning a new program. Just like how I used to wonder why some would design logos and business cards in Photoshop - I'm that person now, except with Illustrator. I refuse to entertain the idea of new software.
Next, it's evident you should first enhance skills marked with both 1 and 2 — those that you enjoy and find useful for your work.
You can do the Assignment in our files or in your notebook.
04.2 other skills
Other Skills
In addition to design skills, a designer/illustrator may need various non-design skills and qualities to succeed in freelancing. Let's break them down:
Entrepreneurial Skills
Understanding fundamental entrepreneurship concepts like business plan development, financial management, marketing, and sales is crucial.
Project Management
The ability to effectively manage projects, set deadlines, organize work processes, and ensure tasks are completed is essential for success.
Communication Skills
Good communication with clients and partners is key. This involves active listening, expressing thoughts and ideas clearly and understandably, and resolving conflicts effectively.
Self-Organization Skills
Working independently requires the ability to plan your time, set priorities, manage your motivation, and allocate resources efficiently.
Financial Literacy
Understanding basic financial principles such as budgeting, income and expense accounting, tax management, and financial planning is vital.
Sales and Presentation Skills
The ability to sell your services or products and effectively present your ideas and work to clients and partners can significantly enhance your success as a freelance designer or studio owner.
Marketing and Social Media Management (SMM)
Developing your own brand, content strategy, and social media presence is crucial in today's digital landscape.
Assessing Your Skills
It might seem like a lot to handle, right? Don't worry; you don’t need to master everything to get started. Let's analyze what you already possess and what you're missing.
You can evaluate these skills using a similar approach as before:
1 — I can do this, I have experience.
2 — I don’t know how, but it will be useful to learn for work.
3 — I don’t know how, and I don’t need it (or don’t need it in the near future).
Reflect on your work experience, internships, training, and life experiences. Identify what you can do and what might be useful to you.
Entrepreneurial Skills
Understanding fundamental entrepreneurship concepts like business plan development, financial management, marketing, and sales is crucial.
Project Management
The ability to effectively manage projects, set deadlines, organize work processes, and ensure tasks are completed is essential for success.
Communication Skills
Good communication with clients and partners is key. This involves active listening, expressing thoughts and ideas clearly and understandably, and resolving conflicts effectively.
Self-Organization Skills
Working independently requires the ability to plan your time, set priorities, manage your motivation, and allocate resources efficiently.
Financial Literacy
Understanding basic financial principles such as budgeting, income and expense accounting, tax management, and financial planning is vital.
Sales and Presentation Skills
The ability to sell your services or products and effectively present your ideas and work to clients and partners can significantly enhance your success as a freelance designer or studio owner.
Marketing and Social Media Management (SMM)
Developing your own brand, content strategy, and social media presence is crucial in today's digital landscape.
Assessing Your Skills
It might seem like a lot to handle, right? Don't worry; you don’t need to master everything to get started. Let's analyze what you already possess and what you're missing.
You can evaluate these skills using a similar approach as before:
1 — I can do this, I have experience.
2 — I don’t know how, but it will be useful to learn for work.
3 — I don’t know how, and I don’t need it (or don’t need it in the near future).
Reflect on your work experience, internships, training, and life experiences. Identify what you can do and what might be useful to you.
05. Goals
05.1 Assignment
Identifying What's Missing for Long-Term Goals
Comparing Wants and Can-Dos
Now we're about to bridge the gap between our desires and our current capabilities.
At this point, you should have two lists:
Granted, it's immense and daunting. In the next section, we'll guide you on how to tame this list and begin conquering this mission.
Now we're about to bridge the gap between our desires and our current capabilities.
At this point, you should have two lists:
- Your Ideal Business in Five Years: A vision of your perfect enterprise half a decade from now.
- Design and Non-Design Skills:
- Skills you already possess.
- Skills you wish to acquire.
- Which skills seem necessary for your ideal business?
- Highlight the skills you lack but consider crucial for realizing your long-term goal. These may include specific design skills (like mastery of certain software or techniques) or non-design skills (such as project management or sales expertise).
Granted, it's immense and daunting. In the next section, we'll guide you on how to tame this list and begin conquering this mission.
05.2 Assignment
Short-Term Goals (Year/Six Months)
Five years is a long way off. We can't predict where the world will be in five years. Thus, we suggest crafting a more realistic plan with concrete tasks for the coming year or six months—your choice. Then break this "intermediate" plan into smaller monthly or even weekly tasks.
Skills
Here, conclusions from the previous part will aid us:
Business
Here's a list of tasks that can be incorporated into your plan regardless of the business type you intend to pursue. Tasks are prioritized from most crucial to less so:
Onward!
Skills
Here, conclusions from the previous part will aid us:
- Prioritizing Gaps: Rank the gaps in skills by priority and significance for your business. Determine which should be filled first within the upcoming year.
- Developing a Skill Development Plan: For each skill gap, identify ways to fill it. This might include educational courses, training, mentorship, or hands-on experience. Our primary ally here is practical experience—most skills can be honed this way. Invest time in formal learning only for skills you can't self-teach, or if you really yearn for structured learning, which is always fantastic.
- Action and Plan Adherence: Begin to methodically master the required skills, adhering to your development plan. Continuously assess your progress and adjust the plan if needed.
- Support and Feedback: Engage with colleagues, mentors, or a community for support and feedback on your skill development process. It will help keep you motivated and on track.
Business
Here's a list of tasks that can be incorporated into your plan regardless of the business type you intend to pursue. Tasks are prioritized from most crucial to less so:
- Develop a product/service line. Our products to assist with this:
- Analyze your target audience (TA).
- Decide where to sell your services (marketplaces, your website, physical stores, Instagram).
- Set prices for your products/services that you want to earn and that your TA is willing to pay.
- Register your business or ensure that it's not necessary.
- Learn about the taxes a freelancer must pay and the tax declarations to submit.
- Create your website/portfolio, if needed.
- Register social media accounts and devise a content plan.
Onward!
Setting up your seller profile