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How I grew my email list 6x by using content upgrades
I've watched my email newsletter list grow by 10-20 subscribers daily since the beginning of 2015. In this post, I investigate how this is possible despite my erratic posting schedule. In the end—it all comes down to content upgrades! Read the post and download the free list of 15 content upgrade ideas.
I Quit My Job: Here's My Plan for Passive Income
Big changes are coming my way this fall: I quit my job, and I'm relying on my passive income plan! Read the post to see where I plan to focus my energy, what I intend not to do a lot of (client work), and what my financial goals are.
My miracle morning
In comes Hal Elrod’s miracle morning. Here’s how it’s a game changer for productivity, happiness, and focus.
Everyone's Got to Start Somewhere
Everyone's got to start somewhere. You can't compare yourself to others who are months or years ahead of you.
The Importance of Design Reviews: Giving Criticism and Getting Feedback
If you're a designer, there's always room for you to improve. It doesn't matter if you work at an agency, if you work for yourself, or if you are somewhere in between; developing your skills and taste as a designer is important to maintain your value. Always be growing! Giving and getting feedback can be awkward or painful. Here are tips for giving and getting feedback on your creative work.
What's the point?
What’s the point of having a creative business? A side hustle? Pursuing your passions? Do you ever lose sight of why you do what you do?
Protect Your Time
Create with consistency by scheduling time and then protecting it. No one is going to guard your time like you will, and if you want to achieve your goals you have to set some boundaries.
No, I Haven’t Found My Passion Yet
I recently published a post that was titled "What it looks like when you've found your passion". Let me be clear, my creative world isn't bundled up into a neat little package. I want to be real with you guys. While I've certainly found several things that I consider myself very passionate about, my creative future is still very hazy to me.
Regarding experts
As long as we share valuable and real knowledge, we're contributing to the greater good of the community. We just have to remember that most people are in that fuzzy grey area and take it all with healthy skepticism. But that shouldn't stop us from learning and spreading knowledge when we can.
How to watermark your blog photos quickly, plus a Photoshop tutorial video
You worked hard to create your blog images. Do you really want someone stealing your hard work? It's a good idea to watermark your photos and images so that you will get credit for your images in the future.
Blog commenting isn’t dead: Optimize your communication with a branded photo
Always wanted to get your beautiful face to show up next to your comments, but never knew how? In a couple of easy steps, you’ll be rolling in no time.
Just Wing It
Put yourself out there. And if you're worried about perfectionism or appearing amateurish or whatever, just remember that your hard work pushes you in front of the crowd already. Plus, everyone else is just winging it.
Updated home office tour
I just moved: come see my new home office. Here's how my desk and area is set up, with budget-friendly furniture from IKEA. It's a perfect creative space!
Best Practices for Freelance Design Project Management
Here are a few productivity hacks, compiled by an efficiency nerd. My best advice for how to use time-tracking apps and project management apps, and how to organize your project files.
What Makes a Good Designer?
A designer is a scientifically artistic problem solver. What is a good designer to you?
Tips on How to Genuinely Grow Your Blog
My best tips for how to consistently create content, share your content, and make meaningful connections with bloggers and readers.
Straightforward Color Tips for Web and Blog Design
An easy to follow guide on how to use color in your blog and website designs, covering how and when to use color and focus on branding and clean design.
Increase Your Blog's Engagement on Twitter
In this post, I'll be talking about how to share your content on Twitter the right way, meaning more visibility, a higher chance of engagement (RT's, responses, clickthroughs), and getting the best outcome out of the smallest amount of work.
Home Workspace and Desk Tour - 2014
Early last week, I decided to rearrange parts of my apartment because I felt like a change of scenery would help with productivity. Whether or not that is just an old wives tale or not, I feel like it helped! I was inspired by a friend's recent desk tour post and wanted to share my new at-home work area. Enjoy!