Better: The Brand Designer Podcast

This week Jen and Esther chat about life updates (Jen’s recent move and Esther’s travels) and business updates (how things are going and what we’re working on). We also review how Q1 went for Sereth and Hello June, and what’s in the pipeline for Q2 and beyond.Links Mentioned:Emma Fabros (Jen’s Engagement specialist - tell her I sent you!)Special thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsiteOur Resources PagePodcast InstagramSupport us on PatreonOur podcast disclaimer can be found by visiting:www.betterbranddesigner.com/disclaimer

Jose is a Venezuelan born self-thought web developer & wellness enthusiast. After 7 years working in all sorts of different non-fulfilling corporate jobs he discovered his passion for coding and the limitless possibilities that it offers. His expertise lies within front-end web developing, and the main languages in his tech stack are JavaScript, and of course HTML and CSS. In this episode, Esther interviews Jose about the designer-developer relationship, his experience developing the Better Podcast website with Esther and Jen, and how overcoming the fear of failing is the key for effective coding and problem solving.Guest Information:Guest Name: Jose RoaGuest Business Name: J.Roa DevGuest Website: jroadev.comGuest Instagram: @dev.jroaInbox Questions:What are some of the key differences between web designer and web developer? When do you hire a web designer and when do you need to bring on a developer? And what would you call someone who designs websites in site builders like Squarespace, WIX, Wordpress, etc.? — Jez Towner CampbellHow do you want my files to be set up when I hand them over to you? I work in Figma, but is that what other developers use? I also know a developer, who can start developing without me being done — is that something that is common? – Simonka ČellarovaCan you hire a developer for specific dev tasks? For example: a section you can’t seem to code or figure out yourself. How would you go about reaching out for something like this? — Alex McGinnessWhen the project is over, what are monthly, annual tasks one should keep up with to keep the site running smoothly? I would love to sell "maintenance plans to clients". – Simonka ČellarovaHow do you market yourself as a web dev for other designers? — Gloria NovelloSpecial thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsiteOur Resources PagePodcast InstagramSupport us on PatreonOur podcast disclaimer can be found by visiting: www.betterbranddesigner.com/disclaimer

When it comes to creative work such as brand design and website design, it is important to keep in mind the end user's perspective. After all, they are the ones who will be interacting with the final product. In this episode, Esther shares some tips for taking customers' and clients' points of view and needs into consideration to create the best result for them. We do this by researching, using customer-centric language, considering user experience, and testing your designs by cross-checking how the audience will see them. Because at the end of the day, the designs are not about us as designers, trends, or what we like - it’s about moving the needle for our clients, telling a story, and making something worth remembering (call back to S7 E6!)Special thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsiteOur Resources PagePodcast InstagramSupport us on Patreon

This week Jen chats with Jen Wagner, a type designer - and the conversation was incredible. We went totally off-script and talked through some really personal things. Jen shares her story and recent experience with burnout, we chat about culture shifts we’re noticing in the independent designer industry, and then we talk through how to get started in font design and what that looks like for Jen W. and her business.Guest Information:Guest Name: Jen WagnerGuest Business Name: Jen Wagner Co.Guest Website: Jen Wagner Co. websiteGuest Instagram: @jenwagner.coLinks Mentioned:Jen Wagner Co. websiteGimlet StudiosFree Font Pairing GuideFontselfGlyphsLearning Type Design by Charles NixIngrid from Penguin DesigningMaria Bowler - Writer & Creative CoachSpecial thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsiteOur Resources PagePodcast InstagramSupport us on PatreonOur podcast disclaimer can be found by visiting:www.betterbranddesigner.com/disclaimer

As we build our businesses, we find that we’re constantly monitoring and evaluating our models, as well as taking into account the lessons we learn along the way in order to expand into the higher levels of success and growth we desire. In this episode we’re talking about two very separate things that work closely together: Boundaries and Expansion. We’ve found that you FIRST need boundaries in order to step into a space where you can THEN expand and grow. We talk about how we prune and cull our business models and activities and watch them bloom.Inbox Question:“What are the biggest red flags when a client is inquiring about a project? What are the most important lessons the designer has learned when working with clients?” — Kristy Lee UedaSpecial thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsiteOur Resources PagePodcast InstagramSupport us on PatreonOur podcast disclaimer can be found by visiting: www.betterbranddesigner.com/disclaimer

Anyone ever been afraid of looking at their books? This week Jen pulled back the curtain on her business expenses. She goes over what the last few years of running Hello June have looked like financially, trends she’s noticed, goals she’s had, mistakes she’s made, and things she’s doing now to help her business stay lean and profitable.Links Mentioned:Profit FirstGusto - payroll & taxesAdobe - pretend to cancel and they’ll give you a discountQuickbooks OnlineTonic Site Shop - Showit TemplatesInbox Question:"As a freelancer what are the options for self-employed insurance and plans for retirement savings? How do you approach retirement savings and health insurance when you’re a full time freelancer?” - Miroslava RuthSpecial thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsiteOur Resources PagePodcast InstagramSupport us on PatreonOur podcast disclaimer can be found by visiting:www.betterbranddesigner.com/disclaimer

We’ve been taught to think that being multi-passionate means we’re not good at any one thing, lack focus, and are easily distracted. BUT THAT’S JUST NOT TRUE. Being multi-passionate means you’re curious, interesting, driven to learn, excited about life & being creative. In this episode we talk about what it means to be multi-passionate, how to celebrate and honor you many creative ideas, how to identify the type of multi-passionate you are, and how to do it all - in the best way that works for you.We discuss 4 models which are written in the book “How to be Everything” by Emilie Wapnie:The Group Hug approach: This is about having one multifaceted job or business that involves wearing many different hats.The Slash approach: This model involves having 2 or more part-time jobs going at the same time or move between on a regular basis.The Einstein approach: Here you have one full-time job or business, but it leaves you time and energy to pursue other passions on the side.The Phoenix approach: You work in a single industry for months or years, then to change career in a new industry.Links Mentioned:The Multi-Passionate Phenomenon via The Business & Financial Times“Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert“How to be Everything” by Emilie WapnieInbox Question:“How do you stop comparing yourself? I love the work I create but I always strive to be better. Sometimes I get imposter syndrome along the way.” — Julianna PorterSpecial thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsiteOur Resources PagePodcast InstagramSupport us on PatreonOur podcast disclaimer can be found by visiting:www.betterbranddesigner.com/disclaimer

As designers, it is our job to deliver designs to our clients that are unique, ground-breaking, and ultimately: worth remembering. We are bombarded with brands, website, ads, day in and day out. But how many of those brands stick out to you? Very few! As you’re designing, it’s important to keep that in mind and work towards being the brand that sticks out. In this episode Esther talks about her 4 step fool-proof way to ensure she’s delivering brands that are each unique in their own way:Start with StrategyTell a StoryBreak the MoldBe Unique (Don’t Copy)Inbox Question:"What are your thoughts about implementing personality types into branding?” - Lovella JGSpecial thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsiteOur Resources PagePodcast InstagramSupport us on PatreonOur podcast disclaimer can be found by visiting:www.betterbranddesigner.com/disclaimer

Today Adrienne Johnston joins Jen to talk all about how she generates 5+ leads per week WITHOUT doing active content marketing! This was such an interesting and insightful conversation all about using the power of simple, effortless SEO shifts to start capturing leads that may not have been aware of you.Guest Information:Guest Name: Adrienne JohnstonGuest Business Name: Adrienne JohnstonGuest Website: https://adriennejohnston.com/Guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adriennebjohnston/Links Mentioned:Free Resources from AdrienneSix-Figure Presentation Designer CourseLive Virtual RetreatFree Masterclass: How to Build a Six-Figure Design BusinessStupid Simple SEO CourseSem RushUbersuggestAhrefs.comHelp A Reporter Out (HARO)Inbox Question:"Always curious about graduating to bigger clients who can take on more ambitious projects and not living off small projects that feel “good enough” for the client.” - Jackie AntreasianSpecial thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsiteOur Resources PagePodcast InstagramSupport us on PatreonOur podcast disclaimer can be found by visiting:www.betterbranddesigner.com/disclaimer

If you guys are as curious as we were about adding design intensives into your offer suite, this episode is the one-stop-shop guide you’ve been looking for! We go through who intensives work best for, the pros and cons of offering them, and best practices for pitching and selling them to clients. We also go through some of the mistakes we’ve made when offering intensives - and what we’ve learned along the way.Special thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsiteOur Resources PagePodcast InstagramSupport us on PatreonOur podcast disclaimer can be found by visiting:www.betterbranddesigner.com/disclaimer