Spec Work Can Damage Your Business

Speculative work, or free pitching, 'spec' for short, is considered unethical among leading graphic design associations around the world.

Airey, David. DavidAirey (2007). Careers>Freelance>Graphic Design>Contracts

Ten Ways to Keep and Get Clients

Realistically, it will be impossible to keep every client due to any number of factors; the marketing director you've worked with for years leaves or another design firm offers a 'loss leader' project. While some scenarios are out of your control, many are not and taking a proactive stance can do wonders.

Schultz, Derald. Creative Latitude (2005). Careers>Freelance>Graphic Design

That Monster called Free Pitch

No matter what you call it, Spec Work, Free Pitch, etc the concept is the same. I'll get a handful of designers or studios to come up with a handful of concepts for my website, and the winner gets my business. Great concept? No! There are no winners here.

Burke, Miles. MilesBurke.com.au (2007). Careers>Freelance>Graphic Design>Contracts

Value of Value-Based Pricing: Should a Creative Professional Charge on an Hourly Basis, or a Project Basis? Here's the Answer

We creative professionals tend to be a right-brained bunch, harnessing our creative talents to create practical solutions for our clients. Creating pricing structures, estimates and invoices are not high on our enjoyment list. But we can avoid some common pitfalls and potentially unhappy clients by pricing our work based on project value rather than an hourly rate.

Stuart, Valarie Martin. Creative Latitude (2004). Careers>Freelance>Graphic Design>Estimating