Finding the Niche in Readers

Writing has made me learn about myself so much. It has helped me see my interests in a new light. It is also interesting to see how others view me and what they find interesting. Writing on my site has exposed a whole new route, that I wasn’t sure was possible a few months ago. It’s truly amazing to find myself in you, my readers. I find more encouragement to be who I truly am and write what I am truly passionate about. Creating a blog and writing isn’t just about writing and what your readers want. It’s also about writing about what your readers see in you. Blogging is a social relationship in a tech medium. I find that I write because I have built relationships with you. I write because I know someone is going to feel or see the same way I do. Apart of me loves to give back to what has been giving so graciously to me.

Blogging is a social relationship in a tech medium.

I would define my writing as a mix between tech, fashion and design. This is a niche that kind of wraps itself in each other. Why not be a tech savy woman with style who designs full time? People who say that a blog just needs to be one niche isn’t looking at the full picture. That’s like saying human beings are only two dimensional. Human beings have so many more angles to us. To not show and represent the other ones is a waste. Sure, a niche for some people is good. Some people need a strong niche to stay on topic. But for me, I feel that I am expressing my voice, my opinions and passions. If blogging were just about one thing and one thing only, the internet would be a pretty boring place. People love to watch people. It’s something we’ve done since the dawn of time. Why do you think Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are so engaging? Because we can all watch each other, secretly. It’s entertaining, it’s secretive and engaging.

People love to watch people.

Finding my niche for blogging wasn’t truly in myself. It wasn’t writing down every thing I like and take interest in. It was seeing what my readers were saying about me. It was realizing that I had some valuable topics and knowledge in a certain area that I can write about. Because readers can help define a blog niche, means they will read and read often. Finding a niche with a couple of topics that intertwine each other is valuable and what every writer should try to find. Granted, this epiphany just occurred to me today. It’s taken me about two years to realize this. But it’s true, content isn’t within myself, it’s within my readers.

(Photos credited to: @zangaroo | @blueeyesbrenna | @pipta | @srslyliz)

You Can’t Put a Price on Creativity

There is a price to everything. We don’t negotiate with Apple on the price of iPhones or the latest Macbook Pro. We know we’re getting the best and for us that is worth every penny. I’d be willing to see how far people would pay to get an Apple product. Even with other products and services most people are willing to pay the cost for that service. Because they know the quality is good and they are getting exactly what they need. If this is so constant, then why do people believe that trying to jipp off a designer should be the same? If a client is contacting a high level designer who has a strong portfolio they should expect their prices to not be cheap, but reasonable. Design work is not cheap, because there is so much involved. It takes hours just to come up with a concept, on top of actually creating the design.

There is a price to everything. We don’t negotiate with Apple on the price of iPhones or the latest Macbook Pro.

When a client contacts a designer and tries to talk a designer down on their rate it’s extremely unprofessional and degrades the designer. The designer is quite aware of their rate, both competitively and also what they are personally worth. Clients do get what they pay for. Having a high level designer can be a little more expensive but have a strong portfolio. Which I believe is worth the investment. I have clients come to me saying they have gone through several designers for their logos. Mainly the reason is because they are finding cheap prices, but the quality or the originality is lacking. Clients who truly care about their product or company are willing to invest in their designers. These are what I call Long Term Clients, because they will build relationships and keep coming back.

Clients who truly care about their product or company are willing to invest in their designers.

Designers,

Go for clients who talk about money like it’s their last concern. Of course people want to save money, but people who are more concerned about things like your work and if you’re easy to work with, is more important. That is something you cannot put a price on. Good clients hire you, for you. Not just for your designs or your price. Your personality, your work and your work ethic is a complete package. Clients are not only paying for hours of work, but the experience you have. The client is drawn to you for a certain reason, because of something they liked. But what needs to be realized is that you are worth that price. Don’t take a client who is concerned about your rate or try to bargain with you. Those are usually clients who will have a lot of demands and end up not respecting you or your work. It’s a bad road and I have learned from experience to stand firm when they try that route. It’s better to wait it out for a client who will see your worth and pay you what you deserve.

Your personality, your work and your work ethic is a complete package.

Clients,

The more experience the designer has, the more quickly they will over come obstacles in the design and be able to problem solve. So much of design is having talent and a natural eye, that is something that is so extremely valuable. You cannot put a price on that. Nor can you put a price on someones creativity. Their rate is worth what they are asking. They have done research on what they are worth. Believe me when I say most of our rates are below what they should be. If you see a high level designer and want to inquire about their rates, please be professional. Expect to pay more, but expect better quality work and good communication. You’re paying not only for the design, but the designer as a whole. Their experience, their communication skills and their ability to send work on time. If their rate is too high, please back down graciously. Getting a nasty email is unprofessional and no one wants to end their day on that kind of note, plus reputation spreads.

Believe me when I say most of our rates are below what they should be.

I feel that most companies understand that designers are worth their salary. But for some reason it gets lost in the freelance aspect. I feel it’s just the nature of the beast. But designers need to stand their ground professionally and clients need to know what they are truly paying for. It’s so much more than a design, you’re taking a piece of someones creativity. It’s a heartbeat within a design.

(All images and illustration work in this post is designed by myself)

Exposing The Call

I’ve been doing some self exploration; of what I really want to do with my life and where I want to go. I have an incredible career in UI design which I won’t be giving up for anything. But at times it’s my career and not where my passion really resides. Of course I love design – and will always be a designer. But I am one of those people who cannot just do one thing. I have to be doing multiple things at a time; like projects, music, writing and photography.

Lately my attention has been drawn to designers starting tech startups. I have been intrigued on the shift from being a designer to becoming the CEO of a company. I will be having some interviews with designers with startups. There is so much potential in designers and not just in the creative side. I believe we all have to be somewhat business savy to have clients, outgoing to express creativity and the ability to sort information. We’re a rare breed and such people should not go unnoticed. I feel that the design/art fields have been overlooked and one of my goals is to make that change. Every human being is brillant and sophisticated. This is why I want to zone in on creatives who are starting companies. Because that to me, is quite the leap.

I want to write about what’s going on underneath the Tweets and Dribbble posts. Where the sweat and tears are falling onto. Exposing a side of designers and the tech industry that we haven’t seen before. Blazing past the politics and going to the core. Are you with me? Are you ready?

If you’re interested in being apart of this and want to be featured on my site with your startup, please feel free to contact me. I’ll respond as quickly as I can.