SMban
May 2007
In This Issue
Featured Article
 
CSE Spotlight
 

 
Name: Calvin Lee
Age: 38
Location: Los Angeles
Title: Principal/Creative Director
How did you get into this field, and self-employment as a whole?
I have always loved drawing since I was a kid. I wanted to do something creative as a career one day. I'm basically self-taught with some college education. I started at a small hispanic marketing firm for about a year and half before it went out of business. It was a great learning experience. I learned the ins and outs of running a design firm and a business.
My self-employment kind of happened by accident. Since I was now unemployed, a friend recommended me to a local design studio she was freelancing for but was leaving soon. They needed another designer to help out with work. I did a lot of work for them working from home. Eventually, I got my own clients from word of mouth with some promoting. I was kept pretty busy and never looked for another full-time job like I planned.


What is your typical day like?
I normally get up anywhere between 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Since I stay up pretty late working until around 1 a.m. I find working later into the night is more calm and quiet with less interruptions. After lunch and some errants. I start working on projects around 3:00 p.m. and work until 7:00 pm. After diner, work until 12 a.m. or 1 a.m. Then I take some time to relax and watch some television. I head off to bed around 3 a.m. or 4 a.m.
What aspect of creative self-employment do you struggle with most?
The lack of human contact and interaction.
 
Amen, brother! So what strategies do you use to combat the struggle?
I tried to get out as much as I can. I attend designer events. Meet up with friends and family for diner, movie or just hanging out. I also talk to many of my friends on-line through AIM chat.
How do you bring in the majority of your business?
The majority of my business is from word of mouth. Nothing better then from a built-in advertisement from a referral, friends or family. I also send out press releases to all media outlets and e-Newsletters. I've a few good referrals from posting on designer forums too.
Any cool projects you're working on?
I'm working on two websites. One is for a company that sells oil drilling equipment. The second is for a plant/flower nursery. I'm also working on some Movie/TV sell-sheets for MGM Studios. These are fun and rewarding projects.
 
Who or what inspires you?
Great clean simple design, the use of white space and shape inspires me. Experiencing life also inspired me. Having a balance between work and play helps to keep you fresh.
 
What website do you visit daily?
HOW Design Forum
 
Want to be featured next month? Email me!
kristen@creativelyselfemployed.com.
 
Greetings!
 
Packing up your life ain't no fun. But that's what I am busy with at the moment--moving into my first home. It is an exciting and exhausting experience. But what it definitely isn't is a time that I can be very creative. And I'm learning to be OK with that.
 
I'm in "minimum mode" right now; do the projects that I must, pack, eat, and sleep--that's it. All marketing initiatives are on hold. I haven't sent out a resume in days, which is completely off base for me. I haven't followed up with clients as often as usual. But you know what? Sometimes you have to go into minimum mode. Life has other demands, and no one says that work always has to be in first place.
 
So for now, I am living in a sea of cardboard boxes. My office is a mess. Things aren't put away. I'm not pushing to bring in new business. But I'm doing the minimum, and I know I will return at full force in time. (With, might I add, a super cute and colorful office!)
 
In the meantime, I encourage you to take time to sift through all the useful resources in this newsletter. I scour the Internet in hopes to bring you sites and tips you can use.
 
Whether you're in minimum mode or at full force with your creative endeavors, I wish you all the best with your creative journey!
 
All the Best,
 
 
12 Ways to Decompress After High Stress 
 
As creatives, it seems that our work lives often go in spurts. We're either bombarded with projects and under high stress or twiddling our thumbs praying for work to come in, bored out of our minds. Both situations can be stressful.
 
That is why I am loving Leo Babauto's tips on decompressing after the super busy times. Whether its self-massage, deep breathing or reading, he's got some tips that have worked well for him. And others are chiming in with their tips for decompressing. Read the article here.
 
 
 
 
FREE E-book: Web Designer's Success Guide
 
Web Designer's Success Guide is the definitive guide to starting your own freelance Web design business. The author, Kevin Airgid, grossed over $100,000 USD a year developing sites for various national level clients. Now you can learn the secrets to his successes!
 
You have to sign up for his newsletter, but it seems to be worth it! Find out more at his site.
 
 
Links You'll Like
Creatively Self-Employed? Talk About It!
You haven't stopped by the message board? Why the heck not? It's just a click away and you can connect with others just like yourself going through the same business ups and downs! Come visit the board!
 
 
CSE Resources
There are plenty of helpful tips in the growing collection of FREE articles here. Read them for yourself or post them on your blog and share them with others. Enjoy!
 
10 Stupid Mistakes Made by the Newly Self-Employed
Steve Pavlina has some great tips for the newly self-employed. In "10 Stupid Mistakes Made by the Newly Self-Employed," you can read about what to avoid if you're just starting out. 
 
101 Ways to Generate Leads and Get More Work
Freelance Switch has some fabulous resources, including this useful article that explores ways to garner more business--and bucks! Check out "101 Ideas to Get More Freelance Work and Generate New Client Leads."
 

I should be back in full swing by next week and will soon put out another newsletter with more great resources.
 
In the meantime, I hope you are well, enjoying the ups and downs that creative self-employment brings! If you have any tips, comments or just want to say hi, feel free to contact me at kristen@creativelyselfemployed.com.
 

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Creatively Self-Employed | 52 Rogers Ave. | 2nd Floor | Manasquan | NJ | 08736