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SOLO, a newsletter to help solopreneurs stand out

Terri Lonier

Are you looking to share your big ideas through visual thinking? The founder of the solopreneur movement helps you become a magnet for clients and opportunities through visual authority, personal branding, and frameworks. Delivered to your inbox every Tuesday morning. --- Coming soon: the Solo Business Canvas!

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Featured Post

When is empty space not empty?

Welcome to the many visual thinkers who joined us this week from around the web. We’re glad you’re here! Hey, Reader 👋 Have you ever seen photographs of art galleries from the 19th century? Exhibition at Somerset House, 1808by Thomas Rowlandson (1756–1827) and Augustus Charles Pugin (1762–1832) Startling, right? How can anyone actually see anything amid that visual noise? Fast-forward a few hundred years, and today we face a similarly crowded visual environment. Fortunately, we’ve learned...

about 22 hours ago • 4 min read
Word "Serif" set in serif typeface Garamond

I remember well the debut of the Macintosh and desktop publishing in the mid-1980s. It tore down the mystique of typesetting, allowing everyone to become a designer. The result was cringe-worthy, ransom-note typography as users mixed multiple fonts and sizes. Since then, millions have become more visually attuned to type. Even those new to design understand that the right typeface communicates an unspoken message. Understanding the nuances of type is important, so you can match the font with...

8 days ago • 3 min read

When I use the phrase “visual communication” with social media users, they often immediately think of single-panel illustrations that explain topics like productivity. These images are engaging and often humorous. They also can be difficult to execute well. In this week’s mini masterclass, I introduce three individuals who have mastered this important segment of visual communication. I call them “visual philosophers.” Like cartoons, but not Visual philosophers create illustrated snapshots of...

15 days ago • 4 min read

Welcome to the many visual thinkers who continue to join us this week from the item in the Recomendo newsletter, Louie Bacaj's newsletter, and other sources. We’re glad you’re here! When you’re ready to create a visual, do you get overwhelmed by a blank page? Are you unsure where to start? You’re not alone. Designers face this daily, yet they create stunning, organized layouts effortlessly. Their secret weapon? Grid systems. These hidden frameworks guide the placement of every element, making...

22 days ago • 4 min read

Welcome to the many visual thinkers who have joined us this week from the item in the Recomendo newsletter and other sources. We’re glad you’re here! Do you remember the shapes you loved as a kid? I do. When I was 6, my mom used to make me PB&J sandwiches. She’d cut them diagonally into triangles, and I remember secretly wishing for those soft, rounded rectangles instead. Turns out, my love for those smooth shapes never faded. Today, I’m still cutting my sandwiches with rounded edges. This...

29 days ago • 3 min read
image of my personal bookshelf, 5 shelves filled top to bottom

Yes, the image below is part of my living room bookshelf. It runs along one entire wall and is floor-to-ceiling, holding most (but not all) of the business books I’ve read and collected over the years. Among the volumes are the works of these 7 visual thinking heroes. Each has influenced my work and the larger conversation about visual communication. I share them to inspire and lead you to their books, YouTube playlists, and social media channels. [Note: I’ve linked their books to Amazon...

about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Text of GPT-4o with colored background

Yesterday, the internet buzzed with news of OpenAI’s latest GPT-4o (o for “omni”) release. It’s twice as fast, more powerful, and impressive in real-time user interactions. In the company’s Spring Update video stream, three employees showcased its abilities in facial recognition of emotions, instantaneous translation, and solving math equations from written inputs. The big news, however, is that OpenAI will roll out this new version to all users, including those on their free plan. Yes, you...

about 1 month ago • 4 min read
abstract image of looking into the front of a TV camera

Have you ever dreamed of being on national TV? Here’s what it’s like behind the scenes, so when your moment comes, you’ll be ready. It’s the moment you’ve been dreaming of. You’ve just finished 5 minutes on national TV. The host smiles, shakes your hand, and says, “Great job,” as you get up from your seat, floating on air. Here’s what comes before that moment. Laying the groundwork First, some context. In the early years of building my first company and promoting my Working Solo book series,...

about 2 months ago • 5 min read

Last week, I shared an alternative to copyright that can protect your work while allowing you to share it widely. It's called Creative Commons and it’s been a trusted option for over 20 years. Creative Commons is an important option if you want to share and profit from your intellectual property (IP). Today we dig deeper into details to keep your Visual IP protected, on your terms. Creative Commons or traditional copyright? When it comes to protecting and sharing your intellectual property,...

about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Copyright logo juxtaposed with Creative Commons logo

When you create an image or visual framework, how do you protect it as intellectual property (IP) when you share it? Imagine this: You’ve just created a new visual framework, image, or diagram that you think is the greatest thing since the Maslow Hierarchy triangle. You’re eager to share your creation, but you also want to make sure you’re rightfully credited as the creator. Above all, you’re determined to prevent anyone from using your work and building their reputation (or $$$) on your...

2 months ago • 5 min read
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