Instructional Design Q&A - 2022 Kickoff with Devlin Peck

TL;DR

Dive into branding, portfolios, freelancing, and learning needs with expert advice for instructional designers.

Transcript

hello my friends in this question and answer session we dive into everything from branding yourself as an instructional designer to landing freelance clients to building your portfolio website so we cover a lot of ground this recording or replay is from last week's live session where people submit questions and voted on the ones they wanted to see ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧘 Positioning yourself as a competent instructional designer is crucial for branding.
• 🌍 A flagship project showcasing your ability to solve real-world problems is essential in an instructional design portfolio.
• 😫 Freelancing offers freedom but requires setting boundaries and managing client expectations effectively.
• 💦 Utilize LinkedIn for networking and showcasing your work to potential clients.
• 👨‍💼 Balance business development with project work in freelancing to ensure a steady pipeline of leads.
• ❓ Consider specializing in a niche for better opportunities and differentiation in the market.
• 👤 Learning how to integrate content into the user's daily workflow can enhance the impact of instructional design.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do you brand yourself as an instructional designer when starting out?

Position yourself as a competent instructional designer by using language to showcase your past experience effectively.

Q: What are the must-haves in an instructional design portfolio?

A flagship project that demonstrates the ability to solve a real-world problem with instructional design is crucial to showcase your full skill set.

Q: Any advice for starting out as a freelance instructional designer?

Embrace the title and create a portfolio site to showcase your work, focus on deliverables, set clear boundaries, and avoid common pitfalls.

Q: How to gain instructional design experience once portfolios are complete?

Once your portfolio is complete, focus on applying for full-time roles to gain experience rather than internships or contracts, unless urgency dictates otherwise.

Q: Can one freelance part-time as an instructional designer alongside other work like adjunct college teaching?

It's realistic but challenging to balance freelance instructional design and other work due to the differing demands and potential earnings, making growth difficult.

Q: What strategies can be used to integrate learning into the user's daily workflow effectively?

Utilize email campaigns and automations to deliver learning content at the point of need, dripping content over time instead of all at once for better retention and impact.

Q: Is getting certified or completing courses crucial for instructional designers?

While certifications can demonstrate commitment to professional development, a strong portfolio with actual deliverables is more impactful for showcasing skills and landing roles.

Q: What are the pros and cons of freelancing versus full-time instructional design roles?

Freelancing offers freedom, income potential, and flexibility but can be stressful and require constant business development. Full-time roles provide stability but may limit income and flexibility.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Learn how to brand yourself as an instructional designer and position your past experience effectively.

• Create a flagship project in your portfolio that solves a real-world learning problem.

• Understand the dos and don'ts of starting out as a freelance instructional designer.