Best Descotes Podcasts (2025)

1
The ROI of FREE - RD351 24:22

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2d ago24:22

24:22

Hey there, my design friend! Today on Resourceful Designer, I want to share a story about why I was genuinely happy that a client didn't pay their invoice. Sounds odd, right? But it all comes down to the power of client relationships—the foundation of any successful design business. I'm diving into how going above and beyond for your clients (even …

1
Facing Impostor Syndrome - RD350 30:19

9d ago30:19

30:19

Hey there, it's Mark from Resourceful Designer. Have you ever looked at your own design work and thought, "I'm not good enough to charge for this," or landed a big client and immediately worried that they'd soon figure out you're not as talented as they think? If that sounds familiar, you're definitely not alone. In fact, about 70% of creatives exp…

1
How to Generate More Word of Mouth Referrals - RD349 34:00

16d ago34:00

34:00

Hey fellow designers, welcome back to another episode of Resourceful Designer! I'm Mark Des Cotes, and today I'm diving into a topic that every design business thrives on: word of mouth referrals. Recently, I had a reminder of just how powerful this can be, a client from 25 years ago, whose logo I designed back in my print shop days, still refers p…

1
The Four Power Questions Every Designer Should Ask Clients - RD348 16:51

23d ago16:51

16:51

Hey there, my friends! Welcome back to another episode of Resourceful Designer. Today I want to share something that could really transform the way you approach client relationships and projects. Did you know there are four simple yet powerful questions you can ask your clients that could completely change the course of your design work? I'll be di…

51
Design Better by Doing Less - RD347 12:43

1M ago12:43

12:43

Today, I want to talk about something that might sound a little counterintuitive at first: how stepping away from your design business to enjoy hobbies—like playing guitar, gardening, fishing, or woodworking—can actually make you a far more successful designer. In fact, research shows that entrepreneurs with creative hobbies can see up to a 30% boo…

1
Why You Should Work for Someone Else Before Becoming a Freelancer - RD346 39:51

1M ago39:51

39:51

Freelancing feels like freedom, but the fastest route often runs through a paycheck first. In this episode, I show how working on a team accelerates your path to solo success—learning pricing, scope control, legally sound communication (yes, even email), and building the referral network and judgment you can't get alone. For full show notes of this…

1
The Two Sides Of A Solopreneur Designer - RD345 16:19

1+ y ago16:19

16:19

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 presentation on email marketing. Today's episode, titled "The Two Sides of a Solo…

1
Be Careful What You Ask: A Lesson in Getting Valuable Feedback - RD344 15:44

1+ y ago15:44

15:44

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 topic, but other times, like today, a random sentence can spark an idea. …

1
Generational Clients, And how to Lose Them - RD343 18:51

1+ y ago18:51

18:51

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 of building relationships with the next generation to ensure client l…

1
Redefining Your Introductory Hook To Capture Clients - RD342 24:02

1+ y ago24:02

24:02

In this episode of Resourceful Designer, I delve into the crucial aspect of redefining your introductory hook to capture clients effectively. I discuss the significance of crafting a compelling introduction on your website and other marketing materials that resonates with your target audience's "What's in it for me?" mindset. By analyzing examples …

1
Engage More, Talk Less - The Key to A Thriving Design Business - RD341 13:13

1+ y ago13:13

13:13

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 understandi…

1
Are Your Design Clients Time Or Money Minded - RD340 17:38

1+ y ago17:38

17:38

Welcome to episode 340 of Resourceful Designer. Today we're diving into an intriguing question: Are your design clients time or money minded? We'll unpack the significance of understanding whether your clients value their time over their money or vice versa. I'll share some personal anecdotes, like the time I decided to replace my wife's car backup…

1
Accepting Credit Card Payments - RD339 22:30

1+ y ago22:30

22:30

In this episode of Resourceful Designer, I delve into the topic of accepting credit card payments from clients. I received an email from Phil, thanking me for the podcast's impact on his transition from working for an employer to running his own business. Phil's client asked to pay by credit card, and he was unsure how to proceed. I share the simpl…

1
Handing Over Your Working Files: Yes or No - RD338 27:51

1+ y ago27:51

27:51

Have you ever been in a sticky situation where a client has asked for your working files? In this episode of Resourceful Designer, I delve deep into the topic of whether or not to hand over working files. Join me as I share personal experiences and insights to help you navigate this common dilemma in the design industry. From legal considerations t…

1
Backing Up: It's Better To Be Safe Than Sorry - RD337 24:40

1+ y ago24:40

24:40

On this episode of Resourceful Designer, I delve into the critical topic of backups. Through two poignant real-life stories, I stress the importance of not solely relying on web hosts for backups. I share a scenario where a client's website was lost due to an overlooked credit card update and the absence of off-site backups. I emphasize the signifi…

1
Persistence Will Pay Off - RD336 10:07

1+ y ago10:07

10:07

Hey there, it's Mark, and in this episode, "Persistence Will Pay Off," I want to talk to you about the challenges of running a design business. Whether you're just starting out or have been in the industry for years, finding clients can be tough. I've been there myself, going through long stretches without new projects coming in and questioning if …

1
Presenting Your Designs To Clients: You're Doing It Wrong - RD335 19:40

1+ y ago19:40

19:40

In this episode of Resourceful Designer, I discuss a common mistake designers make when presenting their work to clients. Drawing from my own experience, I delve into the significance of presentation and its impact on a design business. Sharing insights from my college days to my current approach, I highlight the practice of presenting designs to c…

1
Sure, You Can Do It, But Should You? - RD334 26:19

2y ago26:19

26:19

In this episode of Resourceful Designer, I share my journey as an entrepreneur and the pivotal role delegation has played in shaping the success of my business. From initially shouldering every responsibility solo to embracing the power of collaboration, I delve into the transformative impact of outsourcing tasks beyond my expertise. By strategical…

1
2024 Design Trends by Freepik.com - RD333 32:39

2y ago32:39

32:39

Exploring Design Trends: A Dive into FreePik's 2024 Trend Report Click here to see the trend report: https://www.freepik.com/visual-trends-2024 Join me as I delve into Freepik.com's 2024 trend report, highlighting key design trends predicted for the year. Freepic.com, a platform known for offering high-quality design resources for free, reached out…

1
You Need A Thick Skin To Be A Designer - RD332 14:25

2y ago14:25

14:25

Welcome to this episode of Resourceful Designer, where I explore the topic of thick skin in the world of design. Reflecting on my 30+ years as a designer, I share the often unspoken truth about needing a resilient attitude to thrive in this industry. I draw from personal experiences, offering valuable insights on handling criticism, difficult clien…

1
6 Pricing Hacks To Land Hesitant Clients - RD331 31:34

2y ago31:34

31:34

Welcome to Resourceful Designer, the podcast where I explore the ins and outs of running a successful design business. In today's episode, titled "6 Pricing Hacks To Land Hesitant Clients," I share valuable strategies to influence clients into accepting pricing offers. I delve into 6 pricing hacks. From eliminating commas in large pricing to offeri…

1
Take Back Your Time With A Time Audit - RD330 32:05

2y ago32:05

32:05

Welcome to episode 330 of Resourceful Designer, where I explores the concept of reclaiming lost time through a "time audit." J Listen as I delve into the benefits of identifying and eliminating time-wasting activities to make room for more meaningful endeavors. In this episode, you'll discover practical strategies for optimizing your schedule, from…

1
A Look Back - A Look Ahead - 2023 Edition - RD329 29:04

2y ago29:04

29:04

A look back at 2023 and a look ahead to 2024. Thank you for your continued interest in what I do at Resourceful Designer. I appreciate you more than you know. Many great resources are available for learning and growing as a designer, and I'm humbled that you chose to spend a bit of your valuable time with me. I am continuing my annual tradition. Th…

1
Using Pitch Work To Grow Your Design Business - RD328 23:46

2y ago23:46

23:46

In this episode of Resourceful Designer, I explore the concept of pitch work as a powerful tool for growing your design business. I explain the difference between pitch work and spec work, detailing how pitch work involves presenting work to a client they didn't ask for, potentially for free or at a discount. Through personal experiences and anecdo…

1
10 Steps Toward Design Business Success - RD327 23:56

2y ago23:56

23:56

Welcome back to Resourceful Designer! In today's episode, titled "10 Steps Toward Design Business Success," I have an incredible lineup of tips and strategies to share with you. Whether you're just starting in the design industry or looking to take your established business to new heights, there are ten critical factors you need to consider. I will…