Teaching People What They Never Learned in University

Written by James - 37 Comments

Imagine going to University for say, about seven years. Imagine studying hard for more than 40 hours a week. Imagine trying to hold down a job while you do that just to make ends meet at the end of the month. Imagine fitting in friends, a social life family… You work hard, get exhausted, study [...]

Book Review: Don’t Make Me Think

Written by Harry - 23 Comments

“Don’t make me think.”
People often say that when asked to choose, but I’ve found this phrase to also apply to designing websites. The less a visitor has to think, the less he has to click. The easier a site is to navigate, the more likely that person will be to stay, read or buy.
Imagine my [...]

Should You Ask Potential Customers Their Budget?

Written by James - 83 Comments

Do you ask potential clients about their budget?
The question came to mind recently after I entered into discussion with someone interested in design. We exchanged some emails, shared thoughts and tossed around options. I liked the customer, the project was interesting, and the talks seemed to be going well.
Then I quoted her our standard rates.
The [...]

Which Theme Did You Choose?

Written by Harry - 42 Comments

Part of our job involves helping people choose the right theme for their goals and aspirations. Customers often already have an idea of which theme they’d like to use, but we often have to ask, “Why do you want to use this theme? Is there a reason that you’ve made this your choice?”
In other words, [...]

Twitterranting: On Ego Pedestals and Auto Following

Written by James - 74 Comments

If you have something important to say, do you say it? Or do you discuss it? Who do you talk about it with?
These questions came to mind recently as I watched people on Twitter use the social media tool as some personal soapbox to talk out at the world.
Note that I said talk out, not [...]

Putting the “Social” Back Into Social Networking

Written by Harry - 76 Comments

If you’re like me, you spend a lot of time at the computer. You also probably engage with others using one or more social networks, like Twitter or Facebook, or use social media methods to promote your products or services.
That’s networking, whether you realize it or not. You’re meeting new people day in and day [...]

Do You Feed Your Muse Well?

Written by James - 106 Comments

Writers are typically desperate to find inspiration. They seek creativity like a desert cries for rain. They quest for the perfect undiscovered angle, turning over ideas like a grub-hunter turns over stones.
I know this to be true, because my life is much like that – at least, half the time it is. I’m either overflowing [...]

Three Writing Tips from People Who Aren’t Writers

Written by James - 1 Comment

I have no clue who this guy is. No, really, it’s true. Alright, well, I know he emailed me to let me know I had a broken link in a post. And I know he was interested in what that link led to, which made me think well of him, so I emailed him back. [...]

The Unlimited Freelancer: Your Ultimate Freelancer Potential

Written by James - 28 Comments

I have a secret. I cheat.
A few years ago, I decided to become a freelancer. With a strong business background and plenty of skills, expertise and knowledge, I had exactly what it takes to make it. But I didn’t just make it. I wanted to make it big.
I got off to the right start. I [...]

Fiction Writing: Don’t Touch My Character!

Written by James - 15 Comments

Fiction writers care deeply about the characters they bring to life. They think up personalities, quirks and flaws, they romanticize the image, and then they allow the vision of their character to pour forth in words.
As writers, we all want characters that come alive on the pages. Characters make or break a story. Get them [...]

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