At the height of the 2008 economic crisis, when the eye of the storm had centered on the design industry, President and CEO of Donghia and Bergamo Crans Baldwin decided to create a blog that would offer ideas to help designers to thrive in a climate of change and challenge.
"It was clear that this industry was starting to crater when my friends’ phones stopped ringing and their jobs dried up,” said Crans. With a background in marketing, Crans realized he could help designers generate more business. “I realized that no one had ever trained designers on how to market themselves," he said.
Crans began by presenting at public design events. He spoke in 31 cities to audiences ranging from 20-300. At the receptions following the presentation, people would often ask that he put his ideas on a blog so they could continue to follow his ideas. With a little help from Blogging for Dumbies, Crans decided to take the plunge and ‘A Glass is Half Full’ was born.
The blog posts offer a plethora of ideas to help designers increase exposure to potential clients—and stay optimistic. For example, he suggested designers donate a design consultation to an auction or fundraiser for a school, church or other charity where people had money to hire a designer. Another idea was to host a tea party at a client’s newly completed home with the idea that the client’s friends would keep you in mind for their home(s).
Even though the economy is improving, Crans has no intention of putting an end to blogging. He says he's gotten as much out of it as he's given.
Check out ‘A Glass Half Full’ and let us know what you learned!
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