The Marketing Mix | official blog of the Marketing Mentor community

Join me in Boston for CFC

I hope you are planning to join me in Boston this June 21-22 for our 5th annual Creative Freelancer Conference. It's part of HOW Design Live -- 4 conferences in one short week to keep you inspired for the whole year!

The CFC speaker lineup is the best yet—with specialized sessions for both “Newbies” (N) and “Veterans” (V) to choose from.

Plus, if you register by March 30, you'll get $50 early bird discount. So don't put it off. Register here now.

Just take a look at the featured speakers/sessions:

• Options for Growth (N, V) -- Luke Mysse
• Positioning Yourself As If You Were Outside Looking In (V) -- David C. Baker, ReCourses, Inc.
• Planning for the First Year of Freelance (N)-- Shane Pearlman, CEO, Modern Tribe, Inc.
• Why a Bigger Business Isn't Always Better (N, V) -- Amy Abrams & Adelaide Lancaster, authors of The Big Enough Company
• Building Your Prospect List: Quality vs. Quantity (V)-- Allen Murabayashi, CEO, PhotoShelter.com
• Skillful Communication with Clients (N)-- Marcia Hoeck, Owner, Hoeck Associates
• Is Your Website Generating Business? (N,V)-- Mark O'Brien, Founder, Newfangled.com
• The Nuts and Bolts of Pricing and Negotiating (N, V) -- Sarah Durham, Principal, Big Duck
• Top Ten Tools to Save You Time (and Radically Streamline Your Business in the Cloud) (N,V) -- Patrick McNeil, Owner, Design Meltdown
• Making More Money (And Other Tax Problems) (N) -- Martin Kamenski, Rockstar CPA
• How to Create & Execute Your Marketing Plan (V) -- Ed Gandia, International Freelancers Academy
• Pitch Perfect (N) -- DyanaValentine.com

Plus, there’s even more:

Early morning Net-walking (my favorite!) , Morning Roundtables, a Pricing Panel (with Cameron Foote of Creative Business and others), and Happy Hour with (new) 5-Minute Presentations from any attendee who wants to present!

Get all the details on sessions and speakers here.

Of course, I’ll be there too as host, moderator and to close the conference with, “Your Post-CFC Action Plan.”

Who's already signed up? And who's got the Big Ticket?

Don’t miss the free annual pep talk – Thurs, Jan 12th @ 3pm ET

What are the only marketing tools creative pros need this year? Find out on Thursday, January 12th at 3:00 PM ET. 

This hour-long webcast is free and in it, I will not only outline the simple “to dos” that will keep your pipeline full and your Marketing Machine humming all year long, I will also give you the kick in the butt you may need to get those to dos done! 

One of the tools I’ll highlight is LinkedIn and you’ll learn how to use this social network to get new clients, get the most from the groups and which “apps” are best. 

Get your 2012 started right—sign up now (even if you won’t be free to listen live; you’ll get the recording afterward) - http://bit.ly/yLkRos

Do you need the Marketing Plan Bundle for 2012?

If you’ve previously bought the Marketing Plan + Calendar in the past, you might be wondering if you need the new 2012 Marketing Plan Bundle. I've already fielded this question from several creative professionals: 

“Do I need the new version -- especially if I didn't finish using the old one? Is the 2012 material different from previous years'?” 

The answer in short is: The 2012 Marketing Plan Bundle is different enough to make a difference!

Here’s what’s new for 2012:

1. The tasks have been simplified, especially in the eCalendar. To prevent overwhelm, there are fewer, more effective tasks. There’s no need to overcomplicate your marketing, and the 2012 Marketing Plan Bundle reflects that.
2. More emphasis on social media, especially how creative pros can reach quality prospects through LinkedIn. (Plus, we're offering a bonus article called “Getting Clients on LinkedIn.”)
3. All new tips and articles are placed throughout the 206-page Printed Journal, including advice on dealing with money, getting people to pay, to tell you their budgets, and more.

Revamped for 2012, the Marketing Plan Bundle has everything you need to implement your marketing machine:

Part 1: The Start Anytime Marketing Plan + Calendar (206-page spiral-bound printed journal + interactive PDF) The Start Anytime plan, refreshed for 2012, provides more guidance on your marketing tasks and includes all new articles, tips, with Monthly Recaps to track your progress and an Annual Recap at the end of the year.

Part 2: The 2012 Marketing Plan eCalendar (digital file that syncs with your calendar software + 18-page guide) The digital eCalendar, completely revamped for 2012, focuses on the online marketing tasks that create the biggest impact. It syncs with your calendar software to provide regular marketing reminders inside your iCal, Outlook or Google Calendar – so you don’t forget what you’re supposed to be doing!

The 2012 Marketing Plan Bundle is available in Beginner or Advanced.

 

It’s coming any day now…

Ready to plan for 2012? Whether you’re a “Beginner” or “Advanced” marketer, we’ve got just the bundle for you!

Right now, we are putting the finishing touches on the Marketing Plan Bundle. Revamped for 2012, it includes everything you need to implement your marketing machine: 

• Part 1: The Start Anytime Marketing Plan + Calendar (206-page spiral-bound printed journal + interactive PDF) The Start Anytime plan, refreshed for 2012, provides more guidance on your marketing tasks and includes all new articles, tips, with Monthly Recaps to track your progress and an Annual Recap at the end of the year.

• Part 2: The 2012 Marketing Plan eCalendar (digital file that syncs with your calendar software + 18-page guide) The digital eCalendar, completely revamped for 2012, focuses on the online marketing tasks that create the biggest impact. It syncs with your calendar software to provide regular marketing reminders inside your iCal, Outlook or Google Calendar – so you don’t forget what you’re supposed to be doing!

As an added bonus, when you buy, you’ll get the article, How to Get Clients on LinkedIn. It’s specially geared towards showing creative pros how to use LinkedIn to get ideal clients.

Don’t buy yet… We’ll tell you when it’s ready!

 

What are you doing next week?

Next week is going to be a busy one! I’ll be starting a new online marketing course, helping you rev up your marketing machine for 2012, and focusing on alternatives to the RFP! Won’t you join me? Here’s what’s coming up: 

Monday, December 5th: Developing a Successful Online Marketing Plan. My new, 8-week online course is starting at HOW Design University. It has 4 lessons, all designed to teach you how to market your business completely online. It's done at your own pace, with a 1-hour interactive session for each of 4 lessons, with lots of personalized attention. Space is limited for this pilot program. Details and registration here.

Wednesday, December 7th, 7:00–8:00 p.m. ET: Rev up your Marketing Machine for 2012! This information-packed 60-minute webinar for the Editorial Freelancers Association outlines the simple tasks that will keep your project pipeline full for 2012 and your Marketing Machine humming all year long. Topics include choosing a target market; marketing tools that attract the best/highest-paying clients; how much time to spend on social media; the most effective tool for reaching prospects outside your geographic area; positioning yourself as an expert; and more! Info & sign up here.

Thursday, December 8th, 4:00 PM ET: Talking Turkey on RFPs with Sarah Durham of Big Duck 
Sick of RFPs? I’ll be joining Sarah Durham, principal of NY-based design firm, Big Duck, where she’ll share a new approach you can suggest to your prospects as an alternative to the RFP! Find out every detail of how her firm handles RFPs, stop wasting time applying for the wrong RFPs, and increase your chances of winning when you do respond. Details & sign up here.

 

Cyber Monday: $50 off today only

The top 4 "bundles" are on sale through CyberMonday. Use "Save50" for $50 off each one!   

Pricing Bundle
The Tools for Smart Pricing 

Reg. $99.Today only $49 with SAVE50 code.

Buy it here now.

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Proposal Bundle for Designers 
25 Resources for Project-Winning Proposalsincluding 11 actual samples

Reg. $99. Today only $49 with SAVE50 code.

Buy it here now.   

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Proposal Bundle for Copywriters
25 Resources for Project-Winning Proposalsincluding 11 actual samples

Reg. $99. Today only $49 with SAVE50 code.

Buy it here now.

“We’ve completely rewritten our proposals based on the wonderful proposal bundle. We’ve sent out at least 10—and they’ve all been accepted!”– Amy Graver, Elements Design 

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It's Who You Know
The Ultimate Networking Kit 

Reg. $99. Today only $49 with SAVE50 code.

Buy it here now.

 

Learn how Big Duck NYC handles RFPs – December 8th

Should you or shouldn't you respond to the RFP (Request for Proposal) you just received? How do you decide? Sometimes it's like playing the lottery: you come up with a number and hope you guessed right.

More often than not, you waste your time and never find out why you didn't win or who did. 

If any of this sounds familiar, join me and Sarah Durham, principal of NY-based design firm, Big Duck, to find out how her firm handles RFPs. 

You'll learn:

• How and when it makes sense to respond
• How to increase your chances of winning when you do respond
• What to know about nonprofits and RFPs
• A new approach you can suggest to your prospects as an alternative to the RFP

*Register by this Wednesday, November 23rd, and save $10!

Talking Turkey on RFPs with Sarah Durham of Big Duck
Thursday, December 8, 2011
4:00 PM ET

 

Want to Reboot in NYC this weekend?

Join me this weekend in NYC for Reboot, Retool, Refuel, a two-day conference, hosted by the Graphic Artists Guild, on the new hybrid world of illustration, visual design, and technology. It’s not too late to save on admission. The early-bird deadline has been extended until Thursday!

I’ll be speaking on Sunday at 4:10PM on How to Control the Money Conversation with Clients.

Reboot, Retool, Refuel
Saturday & Sunday, September, 24th-25th, 2011 (Networking starts Friday night!) Pratt Manhattan, 144 West 14th Street, New York, NY

Established industry leaders will show you in sharp, clear focus the vast range of tools, tactics and business strategies that are available to you.

• Discover different ways to upgrade your skills
• Market yourself and get the work you want
• Learn about contracts and copyrights to protect your creative assets
• Charge rates that allow you to make a good living doing the work you love to do

See the sessions here.

Register here (at the early-bird price through Thursday).

International Freelancers Day: Sept. 23rd, 2011

September 23rd is International Freelancers Day! This FREE, online conference for solo professionals will feature 17 speakers, including some past and future Creative Freelancer Conference speakers:

• 6PM: Dyana Valentine, Pitch Perfect™: Never Be a Deer in Headlights Again!
• 3PM: Joe D'Agnese and Denise Kiernan, The 30-Day Freelance Money Challenge: 5 Money Management Steps Every Freelancer Should Know & Do in the Next 30 Days
• 11AM: Shane Pearlman,What Should I Charge?

Check out all the sessions here.

Sign up here: www.internationalfreelancersday.com/

How did Von Glitschka price for Nike? 9/15 @ 4PM

If you didn't make it to the Creative Freelancer Conference 2011, or if you did but didn't get to ask questions after Von Glitschka's session, Becoming a Hired Gun -- it was one of the top-rated sessions! -- join me on Sept. 15 at 4 PM Eastern, when this veteran freelance illustrative designer will re-present the highlights.

He'll focus on how to develop your portfolio and build working relationships with larger firms as an independent creative. You'll hear:

 How Von priced a project for Nike
 What to show (and what not to show) in your portfolio
 How and where to share your work

But that's not all. After a short presentation, we'll go behind the scenes in a Q&A where I will ask the questions everyone wants answers to, such as, "How exactly do you get the work you really want?"

Here's what creative freelancers said about Von's presentation at CFC:

"It was a great combination of quality, relevant content and great execution."

"I feel like he inspired me to go beyond just the work I do for my clients and put all of my work and what I love to do, out there for others to see."

"Von's was a good combination of practical advice for getting the work you want, as well as inspirational, and his presentation, visually, was a lot of fun!"

About the Presenter:
Von Glitschka has worked in the creative industry for more than 23 years. He currently heads up Glitschka Studios, a multidisciplinary creative group that works on illustrative design projects with ad agencies, medium to large design firms and in-house corporate art departments. His work has been appeared in Communication Arts, Print, HOW, Graphis and more.

Sign up here.