Larry Asher

Do you know that I coach other creative professionals? For 39 years, I have been running my graphic design business. In 2017 I took over a small accountability coaching group and community and have watched our members grow and thrive. We have 1 spot (ONE) available in our small (6-person) accountability coaching groups. These groups are for people who have been freelancing or running their own businesses for at least 3 years. If you are interested, DM me. REGISTRATION ENDS June 15th (Saturday). Small Accountability Coaching Groups: The 12-month term is $83 monthly ($996 per year), with payment plans and partial scholarships available. • You’re a creative professional ready to get better clients, work smarter, grow or streamline, and increase profitability. • You need a group of people to brainstorm with, a community of your peers. • You’ll meet monthly via Zoom with your 6- and 12-month goals to work on each month, collaborate as a mastermind group, discuss challenges, and receive feedback to support you in accomplishing your goal(s). • You’ll also be given access to our private, members-only Slack Community, free and paid webinars, live training and workshops, Boost Your Brand Sessions, Focus Sessions (co-working), Happy Hours, LinkedIn Group PLUS, and the monthly Group meeting video recordings. • Returning members get a discount after year one. I hope to hear from you! #accountabilitygroup #smallgroupcoaching #creativegroups #graphicdesigners #writers #photographers #illustrators #webdesigners #webdevelopers #socialmediamarketers #marketers #retouchers

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We all feel the need, the need for speed---> Ok, fellow UX nerds and Top Gunners, this one’s for you. But really, both right- and left-brainers need to heed the siren song of speed. Why? We’re all increasingly impatient. Our attention spans are compressing exponentially. We want what we want – especially in the digital landscape in which we all frolic – quicker and easier. One obvious way to deliver that is to fine-tune your website and app for fast loading times. Use techniques such as lazy loading, content delivery networks (CDNs), and optimized images to reduce loading times and improve overall performance. #ux #ui #webdesign #digitalagency #digitalmarketing #aimhigher More tips at: https://lnkd.in/enva2NVf

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***RECOMMENDATION ALERT*** Words are just as crucial as visuals when it comes to impactful design. Think of iconic taglines like “Just Do It” or “We’ll leave the light on for you." These weren't pulled out of thin air, nor were they the product of AI. They were crafted by creative minds. If you're looking for a creative genius to elevate your company, product, or service, I highly recommend Tom Caldecott with Caldecott Communications. His vast experience and strategic insights in both B2B and B2C sectors enable him to drive strong ROI and grab attention with his powerful use of language. Tom is not only skilled in copywriting, editing, scriptwriting, content creation, and demand generation, but he also excels in strategically placing those words to shine. Take your business to the next level by working with Tom and add him to your network, and for any project opportunities.

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This week, I am exploring creativity, AI, and how new technologies disrupt "creative" work. A few things I've been considering: 1. Creativity and creative work is iterative. A production-ready creative asset goes through many iterations before the public sees it. GenAI can improve the velocity of creative output by assisting with early iterations and ideas. This does not replace creatives who work in asset production but can certainly refine ideas before they go to production. 2. GenAI can provide people who aren't in traditionally creative roles with access to creative outputs that can help them visualize an idea, or organize a campaign etc. Lowering the barrier to creating means ideas can come from a broader range of stakeholders, generating more diversity in your creative ecosystem. Thoughts?

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Think of one thing you learned recently. Then, write a short post about it and share it with the rest of us. No matter how insignificant it may seem, that little nugget of knowledge could be super helpful to someone else. It’s the easiest way to create content that adds value to someone else’s career. Give it a try…

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Boost Your Freelance Career with Strategic Pro Bono Work Are you caller to web design, development, writing, oregon immoderate originative tract and uncovering your portfolio a spot thin? In a marketplace flooded with seasoned professionals, newcomers often conflict to basal out. So, what’s your edge? Overcoming this archetypal hurdle mightiness look daunting, but there’s a strategy worthy considering. Consider offering your services connected a pro bono ground to physique a robust professional portfolio. Curious astir however this tin help? Here’s a concise usher connected leveraging pro bono projects to pull much paying gigs. 9 Things You Should Know About Freelancing Full-time 9 Things You Should Know About Freelancing Full-time For astir of us, freelancing full-time seems similar a imagination travel true. We get to beryllium our own... Read more Understanding Pro Bono Work Pro bono—essentially nonrecreational enactment done escaped of charge—serves a nationalist bully and, successful the freelance world, enhances a freelancer’s image. However, opinions connected pro bono enactment are sharply divided. While immoderate professionals knock it for undervaluing the industry, others advocator its benefits, particularly for newcomers. Those against pro bono reason that it leads to artists underselling themselves and becoming casual targets for clients looking for inexpensive labor. But alternatively than simply rejecting these offers, wherefore not crook them into opportunities? Use these experiences to physique your portfolio and credibility. The Challenges of Starting successful Freelancing Typically, high-paying projects are reserved for the experienced. No substance your accomplishment level, without a important online presence, breaking into the tract tin beryllium tough. Establishing an online presence is crucial. When I began my freelance penning vocation soon aft university, the deficiency of published enactment was a large barrier. My interruption came lone aft I completed a task for free, which led to referrals and much work. If you’re caller to the field, see initially lowering your rates—a strategy I ne'er thought I’d endorse. For example, if a task typically budgets astir $2000, you mightiness connection a 25-50% discount. For a single-day project, you could adjacent suggest to bash it for free. However, being the lowest bidder mightiness suggest little quality. Counter this by intelligibly communicating your situation: you’re offering a little complaint due to the fact that you’re gathering your presence, but you volition present top-notch results. Selecting Projects with Potential Not each task is worthy your time. Be selective and take projects that could pb to further opportunities. This is important for gathering a sustainable freelan...

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They don’t make’em like that anymore. I bet AI can’t. When I am asked about the role of AI in our creative process, especially when it comes to coming up with new ideas. My answer is always AI helps, but it doesn’t replace. Think of it like upgrading from using oxen to a modern tractor, it makes things faster, smoother, and more efficient. But at the end of the day, it’s still the farmer who knows when to plant, how to nurture, and what to harvest. It can speed up tasks, sort through ideas, and even offer new angles, but it’s still your experience, intuition, and creativity that lead to truly great ideas. Creatives don’t fall for it, AI is a tool that enhances what you do, not a substitute for the thinking, vision, and creativity that only a human can bring. At least until now. #ai #creative #creativity #ideas #innovation #humanintelegence

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Even if you know your Enneagram "type" but aren't sure how to use it, Emily Phillippi from Flourish Coaching can help. In part two of this convo on the #TheFuriousCurious #podcast, we dive into the Enneagram's ancient roots and its power in personal and team growth. Discover how to turn insights into action and improve your connections. 🎧 Listen below. Or wavve.link/FC/episodes #Enneagram #SelfDiscovery #PersonalGrowth #Relationships #FlourishCoaching #TheEnneagram #TeamBuilding #Coaching

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These physical objects being “crushed” does not define your creativity or your future as an artist, designer, or musician… Well, here we go again with a large portion of the creative community up in arms about a recent Apple ad for the new iPad. I’ve been hearing responses to a recent post on X like… — “Apple's image is built on connections with creative professionals. Those people have an intimate attachment to the tools of their craft. Symbols of meaning and fulfillment. Making an ad with this destruction is unprofessional and offensive on a different level.:)” Or… “I'm a designer. I had tons of crappy clients and this commercial is just plain sad. You must read the room of what's going on in the world right now. I get the message of "all in one" but using the crunch (or pressed) wasn't a nice approach. Destroying instruments where a lot of musicians appreciate is kinda sentimental. The musicians play their instruments because they feel joy and is the only thing they can afford. There is a crisis where we cannot buy the basics such food so probably won't have the $ to buy iPad. It's just tone deaf. Maybe 10+ years ago would've been another way to interpret but right now, 2024, nah. People are desperate and watching these commercials where they are pushing consumers to spend more on technology which are going to replace all art and creativity in a small device... not cool.” — Take things as you may, but… I find the symbolism of “destruction” to have been taken far too literally and rather perceive the visual concept of the ad to be about “compression and integration” through the process of “pressing and forming” so many creative tools into a single product. If this same visual concept were for an iPhone and the items being “crushed” were a fax machine, telephone, radio, keyboard, scanner, Rolodex, modem, monitor, encyclopedia, books, albums, etc. Would everyone have the same reaction? I don’t feel an iPad or any product will ever “replace all art and creativity”, but rather as a tool that may perhaps introduce more people to it. Technology will never stop for anything, and neither will human creativity.

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Want to create branding work like this? Well you can! Sign up for "Experiencing Brands Through Interaction Design" https://lnkd.in/gBbpvh3e Course starts Thursday, June 6. SVA Continuing Education #svacontinued #branding #brandonline #onlinecourse #brand #brandstrategy #visualbranding #interactiondesign #digitalbranding #UX #UI #branddesign

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Remember when being smart was as good as having a big budget for a TV commercial? When having a great idea was more important than having a lot of cash to do that film? Great copy was a weapon of choice of many great creatives. One of my favorite commercials ever is this ad for Portland General Electric, featuring Frank Zappa. To me- It's a masterclass in minimalist storytelling, selling the idea of not buying. Here's the copy: "Portland General Electric offered to pay me to be in this commercial. I told them 'I refuse to sell your product.' They said, 'Great.' In fact, I said I would tell people to use less of it. And they said, 'Perfect.’”” Zappa's unique personality / character made the whole thing. His delivery is masterful and at the same time quite thought-provoking... I first stumbled upon this film in a book. Probably One Show, in 1992. Back then, we'd save lunch money to buy these books, as online archives like those we got today were only dreams. As a matter of fact- It took me years to actually see the film for the first time. I read it first, and saw it probably ten years later (Thank you, YouTube). It continues to inspire me, exactly as all those years ago, reminding me of the power of really good copy. And the possibilities- if only I were smarter. If you remember the agency who produced it, who wrote it, etc- don't be a stranger and please share :) #advertising #creativity #marketing #nostalgia #frankzappa #portlandgeneralelectric #advertisinghistory #classicads #advertisinginspiration

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In the creative industry (or any industry really), balancing mental health with tight deadlines is crucial. Here’s a favorite tool of mine, one I've both taught and applied personally—the "Balance Jar" exercise. It’s all about visualizing priorities. Think of your capacity as a jar. Start filling the jar with your 'big rocks'—these are your non-negotiables like health, family, and essential projects. Next, add in 'pebbles,' important yet not critical tasks, followed by 'sand,' which represents the smaller daily activities that fit around everything else. The takeaway? If you fill your jar with sand first, you'll never fit the rocks or pebbles. This exercise drives home the need to prioritize big-ticket items first. Limit yourself to 4-5 big rocks to keep from being swamped. Regularly reassessing these priorities isn’t just smart—it’s essential for not drowning in the chaos. Curious about your approach—how do you ensure your top priorities stay in focus amid the everyday distractions? Share your insights; I’m always looking to learn from others.

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Some of the #presentations me and my team #design are wild, While others, as conservative as #corporate, could get it. Why? Different target audiences cater to different tones of voice. When companies ask me to simplify complex topics for the masses, I tap into a universal appeal. I’d use imagery that goes from Usain Bolt to The Flesh. Pop culture references would be my bread and butter, It's not hard to crack tech jargon. Through the filter of everyday themes, the audience could relate to complex tech topics (like AI, for instance). But when I craft an #investor deck presentation, I’ll use authoritative visual language paired with copy that showcases the vision behind the company, the work process, and the team and leverages the jargon to demonstrate the know-how. Investors could relate to an offer emotionally but have no illusions: They won’t invest without getting a grasp on the facts and figures. Broad audience = Universal appeal Niche audience = Industry-sensitive appeal. #Storytelling strategy isn’t a one-size-fits-all prescription, It’s a tailor-made solution that adjusts itself to your business goals, not the other way around.

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I've been thinking a lot about what it means to be a "T-shaped marketer" these days. It's caused me to play around with #organizingskillsets in ways that speak to specific projects and job requirements. It's been an interesting thought experiment to #visualize a breakdown based on needs. I created the below for a freelance client inbound who needs #brandstrategy for a retail launch; they want to blend brand with #performancemarketing and #experiential execution. Thoughts on this? What would your "T" (or "V") look like in an ideal world? #freelance #opentowork #tshapedmarketer #thoughtexperiment

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ON STRATEGY I have noticed: 1. Making room and resources for the development of strategy is hard. And, mandatory. 2. The biggest wins come from the clearest and most basic strategies. 3. The opposite of clear strategy is prolonged pain and chaos, or a loss of meaning sinking towards purposelessness. 4. We win when we find one (one audience, one challenge, one opportunity, one goal). 5. Good strategy reads like “of course!” in hindsight. I also enjoyed this list from Rob who appears to enjoy sashimi:

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Gen AI can't do it all, but it's a good start. This is a great article for marketers, creatives, and product designers. https://lnkd.in/gKAFNdVu #generativeAI #genAI #artificialintelligence #modernmarketing

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How reliable are likes and shares as an engagement metric? I have heard a couple different ways of thinking on this topic. On one hand, some people either like everything or like nothing, so the actual numbers are not reliable. On the other hand, the all or nothing people will usually average themselves out and give you a decent baseline, and it is a good barometer for content testing. What do you think?

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