logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2024
13m 13s

Engage More, Talk Less - The Key to A Th...

Mark Des Cotes
About this episode

Welcome back to another insightful episode of Resourceful Designer, where today's message is all about the art of engagement over trivial chatter. I'm your host, Mark Des Cotes, and in episode 341 we dive deep into the importance of engaging more and talking less. We explore how the wisdom of an elementary school teacher, who emphasizes understanding her students to truly elevate their learning, can be a powerful lesson for us as graphic designers in our own client interactions.

I'll share with you how critical it is to connect with clients on a level that goes beyond flaunting our design skills. We discuss why it's paramount to focus on bringing a client's vision to life, rather than overwhelming them with our technical prowess. In this episode, we'll delve into the pitfalls of design platforms like Fiverr, where lack of communication often leads to less-than-ideal results.

We also talk about the golden moments of design that come from a genuine exchange of ideas, the transition from transactional to transformational conversations, and the art of using strategic silence to uncover a client's real needs, adopting techniques used by great salespeople and interviewers like David Letterman.

So before you speed ahead to your next client meeting ready to showcase your portfolio, remember to pause and truly listen. The insights you gain may very well unlock the potential for your greatest design work yet. Stay tuned as we navigate together the journey of growing and running a successful design business with community, creativity, and a keen ear for our clients' stories.

Join the Resourceful Designer Community as we support each other in our goal to prosper, all this and more for just $15 a month.

Let's dive into the episode!

Up next
Jul 2024
The Two Sides Of A Solopreneur Designer - RD345
 I recently attended WordCamp Canada, a community gathering of WordPress enthusiasts, where I gave a presentation on the pitfalls of your About page. But that's not what today's episode is about. Instead, I want to discuss a fascinating concept I picked up from another presentati ... Show More
16m 19s
Jun 2024
Be Careful What You Ask: A Lesson in Getting Valuable Feedback - RD344
Welcome to another episode of Resourceful Designer. I'm your host, Mark, and today, I've got an interesting topic inspired by a friend’s podcast. You know, it's funny how ideas for podcast episodes can come from the most unexpected places. Sometimes, I meticulously plan out a top ... Show More
15m 44s
Jun 2024
Generational Clients, And how to Lose Them - RD343
In this episode of Resourceful Designer, I share a cautionary tale about losing generational clients and the critical lesson I've learned from my mistakes. Whether you're dealing with family-run businesses or companies with long-standing leadership, you'll discover the importance ... Show More
18m 51s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2024
90 Stop Selling if You Want to Sell Your Design Services – With Matt Essam
Join me in this episode of The Profitable Graphic Designer Podcast as I sit down with the insightful Matthew Essam, a seasoned designer who has a unique perspective on selling design services. In this conversation, we explore a refreshing approach to selling that goes beyond the ... Show More
44m 23s
Apr 2024
85\\ 4 Effective Ways to Manage Your Client’s Expectations Through a Design Project
Are you struggling to manage your client's expectations, unsure of how to build a solid relationship while navigating through a project? The challenge of maintaining trust and satisfaction can be daunting, especially in the realm of design. But fear not! In this episode, I sh ... Show More
13m 12s
Apr 2024
105 Transforming Leads into High-Quality Design Clients with Josh Hall
Every designer grapples with challenging clients—it's an inevitable part of the journey. We've all been there, facing clients who may not align with our vision or approach. But what defines a "bad" client? Is it the low-paying ones, the ones who seem to micromanage every ... Show More
1 h
Jun 2022
370 - 5 Pieces of Incredible Creative Advice that Lit Me On Fire with Zak Rosen of the Best Advice Show
Listen and Subscribe on Apple, Spotify and more: https://link.chtbl.com/creativepeptalk Support the show at patreon.com/creativepeptalk! TRANSCRIPT _________ SHOW NOTES Zak Rosen’s Podcast - The Best Advice Show Tom Froese’s Skillshare Class: “The Six Stages of Illustration: Lead ... Show More
47m 20s
Jul 2023
DESIGNCAST | ChatGPT Q&A | DGDC
Dive into the heart of the graphic design industry with our latest podcast episode! 🎨🎧 Join us as we explore some of the most thought-provoking and controversial questions, curated by the powerful AI language model, ChatGPT. 🤖💬 Discover the delicate balance between artistic e ... Show More
1 h
Mar 2024
78\\ The Design Process That Brings Meaningful Experiences for Your Clients With Marosi White
Are you curious about the behind-the-scenes of design projects? How does a design expert approach a new project from concept to completion? How does an interior designer juggle creativity with business savvy? Today, I had the pleasure of speaking with Marosi White, founder and pr ... Show More
37m 30s
May 2024
107 Revisions and Client Feedback Are Not a Bad Thing
In today’s episode of The Profitable Graphic Designer podcast, we're talking about design revisions. Throughout this episode, you'll learn how to embrace revisions as a natural part of the creative process, communicate effectively with clients to minimize misunderstanding ... Show More
22m 48s
Jan 2024
70\\ The Proven Marketing Methodology to Attract Ideal Clients to Your Design Services With Kate the Socialite
The most-asked question of someone new to running a design business is, "How can I attract my ideal client?" or "What is the most effective approach to attract a consistent stream of new clients?" If you don't want to miss the answers to these questions and more, tune in to t ... Show More
34m 25s
Oct 2022
385 - How to Reverse Engineer What Creative Goal to Focus On Next
Listen and Subscribe on Apple, Spotify and more: https://link.chtbl.com/creativepeptalk Support the show at patreon.com/creativepeptalk! TRANSCRIPT _________ SHOW NOTES Get the Creative Career Path e-Handbook by signing up to our newsletter! Hero on a Mission: The Power of Findin ... Show More
43m 22s
May 2024
106 When Design Clients Are MIA: Tips for Navigating Slow Seasons
No clients? No problem! Join me as I share invaluable insights and strategies for navigating those challenging times when clients seem to be nowhere in sight. In this episode, I'll guide you through practical steps to not just survive but thrive during these downtimes. You&#3 ... Show More
21m 7s