Brian Crowder
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I am a Squarespace Freelancer”
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I earned a BS in Graphic Design, and worked in a couple of small agencies, then an in-house design department. Then, I adopted the Squarespace platform in 2012 for a personal project, and loved it. A year later, I had created about 10 new Squarespace sites for clients and became a Squarespace Specialist with a roster of happy clients who also were able to leverage the simplicity of Squarespace for their own growth.
How do you stand out in your field?
I have a background in graphic arts and customer care—according to my clients, the combination makes me fun to work with, and able to deliver on my clients' visions.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
I am wrapping up a fresh, new annual report for a local non-profit, and developing multiple sites for small service businesses—one in Florida, one in Pennsylvania.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
I enjoy consuming—hence, I like to make—work that communicates with a kind of simplicity. Not too visually bare to miss grabbing your attention, but enough to help you see a point more clearly. Some of my projects that achieve this might be this.
WE ALL HAVE MULTIPLE SKILLS OR WORK IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD FOCUS ON MORE?
I would like to make more websites for creatives. (Photographers, Filmmakers, Writers, Gamers, Content Creators, etc.)
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Self-promotion, selling and asking for referrals are all frustrating. I don't like asking for work.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Self-promotion—possibly a newsletter, or daily social posting to keep me and my work in the feed.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
10 years ago, I was close to going full-time freelance. I chose to take an office job instead, mostly for insurance and stability.
I would likely tell my younger self to deal with a little bit of instability in order to grow the thing that I love.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
I might like to learn more about outsourcing the things I'm not great at.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Squarespace website and identity design projects for creatives.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
I recently designed a logo for a client who was referred to me. She had an idea for what she wanted. I gave her an initial logo study, and a few rounds of revisions later it was done. At no point did she try to haggle on price, or go dark. She communicated clearly, in her way, and I was able to meet/exceed her needs while being paid fairly.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
A la carte: $70/hr.
Logo Study: $300 minimum
Squarespace Website: $750 minimum
Retainer: $1500/mo. minimum
WHO IS A CREATIVE THAT HAS HELPED YOU ELEVATE YOUR WORK?
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
I like getting an email that includes essential needs, preferred delivery date and a topline budget target.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Can't see it clearly? Delete your entire Inbox. Make one for yourself.
This member profile was originally published in March 2019.