Networking

I’m not really a fan of face-to-face networking, I find myself saying the wrong thing and ending up feeling silly and unprofessional. I guess that’s because I’m one of these "wear your heart on your sleeve" kinds of people. My business coach says it’s ok for me to come across as a bit of a loony, people expect if from a creative!!

I am however a fan of networking online, especially Facebook. Facebook has been not only great for my business but also great for me socially. I’m an active member of a few online Facebook groups of fellow graphic designers, and I can whole-heartedly say I have found some great friends. Working for myself in a home based studio can get a little lonely especially when I only have the cat to bounce ideas off, and he doesn’t really say much.

I have only recently been trying to get into LinkedIn. To me it feels a little like Facebook, but for grown-ups!! I have to be on my best behavior and try not to sound like a loony.

Occasionally I get to do “within client networking”, I have a few clients that I have bought together that I thought would be of mutual benefit for both. For example my very lovely client Rachel (whom I have been working with for about 4 years now) moved from Canberra to Tasmania, to open up a café and gift shop in beautiful Mt Field National Park. And another of my very lovely clients – Helen from Pilli Pala hand makes jewelry and homeware – made from Tasmanian oak that I thought would be perfect for the gift shop at Rachel’s Café, they are now working on an exclusive range together.

So anyway, if you ever meet me at a networking event, please be gentle with me, I’m not a loony, I’m…. an artist!!! 

use a professional...

Can you afford not to use a qualified graphic designer??
I will give you an example… what's more important to you... how many flyers you hand out? or how many sales you make? You could send out 10,000 flyers that look cheap and unprofessional and get NO orders!!… OR you could send out 1000 flyers, designed by a professional graphic designer, that look fab and get you 10 or more orders (and/or leads) See the difference?? Its all about image and good design that is pleasing to the eye and conveys a message quickly and efficiently! 
Can your business afford not to use a qualified graphic designer?

I'm a fully trained graphic designer, completed an Advanced Diploma in Advertising and Graphic Design in 2002 from Adelaide's DMIT. I have over 10 years industry experience, including work with some large national companies as their in-house graphic designer... so basically, Ive done my time and know my stuff! :)