After a decade in the design/dev business, I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. Clients who embrace fresh ideas thrive, while those stuck in outdated habits hold themselves back. This isn’t just theory—it’s hard-earned insight straight from the trenches. If you’re a business owner or ambitious pro, it’s time to ditch what’s holding you back and double down on strategies that deliver results. By the way, some of this advice is non-negotiable. Protecting your data and staying relevant aren’t optional—they’re the foundation of everything else. Here’s what to focus on in 2025 and what to drop from your playbook in 2024.
Do it:
1. Stay curious and experimental. Try new tools, explore fresh ideas, and see what sticks. Canva for quick designs? Go for it. ChatGPT to brainstorm your next big move? Absolutely. It’s not about mastering everything; it’s about finding what clicks. Experimenting gives you insights into what works for you and your audience. Just know when it’s time to call in the experts to take it further. DIY is a great start, but collaboration brings bigger results.
2. Diversify revenue streams. Relying on one income source is risky. Add courses, memberships, digital products, or merch to your mix. Multiple streams mean more stability and better chances of hitting your goals. Explore creative ways to package what you know into offerings that attract different segments of your audience. Recurring revenue from memberships or subscription services can be a game-changer. When one stream slows, another can keep you afloat.
3. Put yourself out there. Hiding behind the scenes won’t cut it anymore. Attend events, post on social media, and share your work. Visibility builds trust and attracts opportunities. Networking isn’t just for sales; it’s for learning, growing, and connecting with like-minded people who can inspire or collaborate with you. Don’t wait for someone to find you—show up and let the world see what you’re about. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being present and consistent.
Ditch it:
1. Using the same password for everything. Your data is practically “for the streets” if you’re reusing passwords everywhere. Hackers are having a field day, and you’re the guest of honor. A single breach can lead to a domino effect, compromising your emails, banking, and even your business accounts. Invest in a password manager to create and store unique passwords for every site—it’s simpler than you think and infinitely safer. Protect yourself, your clients, and the reputation you’ve worked hard to build.
2. The “set it and forget it” mindset. Launching your website or brand isn’t the finish line; it’s step one. Maintenance, updates, and fresh ideas keep you secure, relevant and help you cut through noise in the marketplace. Forgetting this reality risks making your brand and business forgettable, or worse, irrelevant. Staying proactive isn’t just about marketing; it’s about showing your audience that you care enough to stay sharp. The product doesn’t sell itself—you do. DIY tools can help, but they’ll never replace the impact of working with experienced pros who elevate your work to a professional standard.
3. Prioritizing perfection over progress. Overthinking wastes time. Endless tweaking means missed opportunities. Perfect is nice, but done is profitable. Focus on executing and improving along the way. Feedback and results often give you more clarity than endless planning sessions ever will. A polished but incomplete idea is still an idea—a launched project is momentum. Progress beats perfection every time, so keep moving forward and refine as you grow.