Daniel J. Lewis

Internet entrepreneur, award-winning podcaster, podcast consultant, keynote speaker

Don’t know what you want? Your designer won’t, either

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Pretend you're a great painter. (You may be no more elaborate than unisexual stick figures, but work with me here!)

I come to you and ask for a masterpiece. Here's how our conversation might go.

Me: “Would you paint a masterpiece for me?”

You: “Sure! Masterpieces are my specialty. What would you like?”

Me: “I don't know, but I know that I want a masterpiece.”

You: “I'm good at judging character, so I think I know what you want.”

One week later.

You: “Here's a masterpiece for you, based on everything you like.”

Me: “I don't like it.”

You: “Why?”

Me: “I don't know. I just don't like it. Maybe the trees should be mauve.”

You: “Will you like it then?”

Me: “I don't know.”

You: “What would you like?”

Me: “I don't know.”

You: “Here's a new masterpiece, using more mauve.”

Me: “I don't like it.”

You: “Why?”

Me: “I don't know.”

And on, and on, and on.

As silly as this sounds, this happens a lot and we may be the guilty ones. This recently happened to me, and I'm pretty sure that's how my face looked.

If you don't like something, tell someone why. If you don't have a reason why you dislike it, then no one has a reason to fix it, except to make a new revision.

Maybe you're the artist. Then my suggestion when you meet this kind of person is to start taking mind-reading lessons now.

10 pros and cons of freelancing: gas and toilet paper

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I resigned from my full-time job in late-June, 2011. I've been a freelance web designer ever since then.

Freelancing has some wonderful and somewhat surprising benefits. But it has also revealed some quite unexpected disadvantages.

10 freelancing benefits

  1. Far less driving, thus less spent on gasoline.
  2. Work breaks now offer a pool for relaxation (seasonal).
  3. I can listen to whatever I want without wearing headphones.
  4. Nerf guns are allowed.
  5. No germ-infested lifeforms (AKA “coworkers) to get me sick. (I haven't caught a cold in almost a year!)
  6. I can control the lighting and temperature.
  7. Standard work attire is whatever I feel like wearing—or not wearing (but I do prefer to remain clothed while working).
  8. No one else is in the restroom with me, so that means no other toilet phone calls.
  9. Cooking fish is now acceptable.
  10. Far less shaving cream and and styling product necessary—I can go days without fixing my hair.

10 freelancing disadvantages

  1. It's too easy to sleep in without there being corporate punishment.
  2. We use a lot more toilet paper now.
  3. There's no one else to bring in free food (often called “potlocks”).
  4. No one on whom to play office pranks.
  5. I don't see daylight much.
  6. It doesn't pay to stay in bed all day, drink hot tea, and watch TV shows (AKA “sick time”).
  7. There aren't any people sitting around for occasional geeking out.
  8. My business casual attire now requires dusting.
  9. Fresh rain means I have to mow the grass before launching a website.
  10. No free food.

I paid someone else more than I paid myself

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In June, 2011, I gave my two-weeks notice at my full-time job. I trusted that God would continue to bless in the direction He seemed to be blessing, so I stepped out in faith with a time-limited savings account.

My last paycheck arrived in early July, and I made only $497.50 that first solo month. I knew that would happen, but I was still nervous.

Now, eight months later, I just mailed a check to someone for more money than I made in my first month.

I'm thrilled!

As a freelance web designer, I offer a referral fee to anyone who sends a new client my way—10% of the client's first project. Several of my friends, current clients, and fellow podcasting professionals know about this and refer people to me.

When I wrote the 10% referral check to one friend, I watched my account balance drop, and I was so happy because I knew that it represented a recent major success in my business.

My client is happy because they got a fantastic website (with responsive web design, too!). My friend is happy with a far check he barely had to work for, and I'm happy because I got to do what I love and pass on the blessing to others!

You're welcome to also partake in this joyous exchange! Just let me know whom you're referring and I'll let you know how things go and you can expect a check.