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Creative Context blends professional advice with a friendly, down-to-earth approach, making it a valuable resource for anyone navigating the complex relationship between clients and creative professionals. Through stories and practical tips, the podcast helps both sides understand each other’s perspectives and work toward more successful outcomes.
34 Episodes
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In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the nuances of collaboration versus competition in the creative industry. They share real-world experiences about agency partnerships, client transitions, and the importance of professionalism and confidence in navigating both collaborative and competitive situations. 📌 Topics Covered: Collaboration vs. competition, agency partnerships, client handoffs, professional transitions, managing s...
In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the importance of client retention and strategies for maximizing the lifetime value of creative business relationships. They discuss practical approaches to building trust, over-delivering, and leveraging communication to foster long-term partnerships. Client Retention Strategies and Lifetime Value (0:00) Impact of Losing a Major Client (6:30) Referrals and Communication (9:39) Strategic Video Co...
In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the complexities of hiring, onboarding, and managing teams in today’s creative and digital industries. They discuss evolving hiring practices, the impact of technology on skill development, and the legal and interpersonal realities of running a business. Video:https://youtu.be/fQmhPKqAyBg Scaling Onboarding (0:00) Accessibility of Editing Tools (1:09) General Onboarding Processes (45:36) C...
In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the challenges of managing last-minute client requests, rush jobs, and the importance of setting boundaries in creative projects. They share real-world experiences, discuss strategies for transparent communication, and emphasize the value of educating clients about the complexities of high-quality deliverables. Rush Jobs and Emergency Projects (0:00) Client Communication and Project Management (9...
In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the challenges of maintaining quality while growing a business sustainably. They share personal experiences of overextension, discuss strategies for responsible scaling, and explore the importance of pricing, client management, and avoiding burnout. Video Version https://youtu.be/_pWUEzSqDdY Maintaining Quality While Growing (0:00) Lessons Learned from Past Mistakes (4:22) Balancing Workload and...
In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the intricate world of creative work, exploring the time, research, and iterations required to produce high-quality content. They discuss the challenges of managing client expectations, the impact of technology on creative processes, and the importance of valuing the hidden aspects of professional creative services. Video Version: https://youtu.be/e5QDBO2XssY Dissecting the Time, Research, and It...
In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the challenges of maintaining creativity and inspiration in professional work. They explore personal strategies for overcoming creative blocks, managing client relationships, and maintaining a productive mindset. Video Version https://youtu.be/yZP6SvmJynw Creative Work Reality vs. Myths (0:00) Routines and Commitment (2:38) Impact of Environment and Music (5:35) Handling Client Challenges (18:3...
In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the concept of creative residue, exploring how unused ideas, footage, and design assets can be repurposed or recycled in creative industries. They discuss the ethical and legal considerations of reusing content, potential business opportunities, and the importance of organizing and valuing creative work that didn't make the final cut. Video Version https://youtu.be/eZ0nvT4j6a4 Creative Residue a...
In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the strategic importance of specializing in a specific industry and service offerings. They explore how niching down can lead to more targeted marketing, better team alignment, and potential business growth. Video Version: https://youtu.be/xIjZeiqRq28 Niching Down in the Construction Industry (0:00) The Benefits of Specialization (2:49) Team Dynamics and Specialization (7:55) The Role of Trade As...
In this episode of Creative Context, Douglas and Eric dive into the complicated question of whether or not to work with a former client again. Whether they left on good terms or ghosted you mid-project, the decision to rekindle a working relationship isn’t always straightforward. They share personal stories, explore red flags and green flags, and compare the decision-making process to personal relationships. From setting new terms to understanding why things fell apart, this episode helps cre...
This episode unpacks the real reasons marketing videos often fail to convert and outlines how to approach video strategy more effectively. Doug and Eric share insights from years of client work, DIY video experiences, and industry trends to highlight what separates high-performing videos from the rest. Video version: https://youtu.be/xy0aw4wO9NU Marketing videos often fall flat because they lack alignment between the message and the audience. If you don’t know who you’re talking to or what pr...
In this episode of Creative Context, we sit down with Eulalio Guevara, founder of Friends of Gardens, to explore the often-overlooked creative world of landscaping. From his roots in El Salvador to founding an eco-friendly landscaping company in Massachusetts, Eulalio shares how soil health, sustainability, and vision all come together to transform outdoor spaces. We dive into the constraints landscapers face—from weather and soil to town regulations and underground utilities—and how creativi...
Get to know the voices behind Creative Context. In this episode, Doug and Eric open up about their childhoods, how they found their way into creative work, and the pivotal life experiences that shaped their perspectives. From high school summers in Kennebunkport to snowboarding in Colorado and building careers in video production and design, it’s a wide-ranging, human conversation about identity, resilience, and growth. 📌 Key Phrases: Creative Context podcast, Doug Duvall Motif Media, Eric W...
In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the complexities of friends and family discounts in professional services. They explore the potential pitfalls of offering discounts, emphasizing the importance of maintaining value, setting clear pricing boundaries, and respecting professional relationships. Video Episode https://youtu.be/xtiKOGbtR4E 📌 Topics Covered: Friends and family discounts, pricing strategies, business negotiations, servic...
In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the challenges of referrals, client interactions, and the potential shift from service-based to product-based business models. They explore how positioning their creative businesses as distinct products can provide more value, clarity, and differentiation in the marketplace. Video version: https://youtu.be/N3xYBLZMeuk 📌 Topics Covered: referral challenges, business positioning, product vs se...
What separates the pros from the amateurs in creative work? In this episode of Creative Context, Doug and Eric dive into what defines a true professional—from mindset and reliability to emotional detachment and client communication. They share personal stories about early missteps, hard-earned lessons, and what finally made them feel like pros. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your approach, this conversation will resonate. Video Version: https://youtu.be/iKVHN0snZQY 🚀 Don’t forge...
In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the creative journey of Erik DiMauro, exploring his experiences as a creative director and freelance designer. The conversation spans topics from career development and creative challenges to the emerging role of AI in design and marketing. https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-dimauro-84842519/ https://www.fairmarkit.com/ Erik DiMauro's Career Journey and Early Experiences (0:00) Challenges in Freel...
In this episode of Creative Context, we explore the complex line between personal and professional relationships in creative work and business. As creatives, agency owners, and collaborators, how do you build meaningful connections without crossing boundaries that can backfire later? Douglas Duvall and Eric Wing share real stories about friendships with clients, emotional bank accounts, hiring challenges, and the risks that come with blurred lines in work relationships. They reflect on loyal...
In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the intricate world of creative processes across web development, marketing, and video production. They explore the importance of pre-production, the role of experience, the challenges of AI integration, and personal strategies for maintaining creativity and inspiration. Web Development Process Overview (0:00) Comparing Web Development to Video Production (4:48) Imposter Syndrome and the Value of...
In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the intricacies of working with subcontractors in creative industries. They explore the nuances of managing external talent, discussing communication strategies, payment considerations, and the balance between maintaining professional standards and allowing creative autonomy. Working with Subcontractors: Introduction and Initial Thoughts (0:00)Challenges and Considerations in Managing Subcontracto...
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