This is a repost from Seth Godin's blog—one of our favorite blogs. We keep it here for reference.

Most of us want to look good online, need a website, maybe even a logo. More and more individuals and organizations are discovering that they need to hire a professional.

It comes down to doing your homework. Be clear with yourself before you spend a nickel or a minute with a designer. This difficult internal conversation will save you endless frustration and heartache later.

Here are four postures to consider in working with a good (or great) designer:

I know what I want. Bring your vision. Bring in your folder of typefaces, images, copy. Be very, very specific. The more you paste it up and sketch it out, the more likely you'll get exactly what you were hoping for.
I'm not sure exactly, but I know what it rhymes with. Put together a scrapbook. Find examples from other industries. Do you want your website to look like one from Apple or a direct marketing diet book site? Don't tell the designer what to do, but be really clear what you want to remind people of. Originality isn't the primary goal of design, effectiveness is.
I'm not a designer, but I understand state change. Do you want this work to increase trust? Desire? Confidence? Urgency? Who's it for? What's it for? If you can be really clear about what the work is for, then hire someone you trust and give them the freedom to find a way to cause that change to happen.
I'll know it when I see it. Please don't do this unless you have a lot of money and a lot of time (and a very patient designer). This demand for telepathy is for amateurs.

These are some of the platforms/apps/people that help us create great events—from planning, to producing, to communicating, and more. Our toolbox of goodies you might say... We update it regularly.

Digital

Dropbox
The easiest way to organize any team and its communication assets. The apps for mobile and computer are so good. Selective sync is an option you have to master to give your computer a break.

Wunderlist
The best ‘to do list’ out there. With deadline and task-assigning options as well as file attaching. Mobile and web versions work super well.

WhatsApp
Don't think we could live without this messaging app... the web version is also amazing. File sharing, updating, coordinating during events, reaching people who hate and won't use email, the voice recording- we could go on and on.

Typeform
Pretty AND functional? Yes, please! We use Typeform to create surveys, sign up sheets and more. Just so good and a pleasure to use.

Squarespace
If you need a website that looks incredible, is easy to use and behaves beautifully, use Squarespace. We recommend it to everyone we work with.

Small Victories
So simple but effective. Take any Dropbox folder and turn it into a website hosted from Dropbox. Genius.

Bitly
The most amazing URL shortener and analysis tool out there. The best way to see who is clicking on which link and from where.

WhatFont
A cool extension for Chrome to help identify fonts being used on any website.

Skillshare
If you need to learn how to do anything – and yes, we mean ANYTHING – head over to here. Tutorials for every aspect of life.

Adobe Color
Create color schemes with the color wheel, browse thousands of color combinations, or upload an image to get a stunning color palette.

GO-JEK
For any Indonesia-based company, GO-JEK is a total lifesaver. Documents that need to be sent, printed orders that need to be picked up, stranded volunteers, snacks and food that need to be bought- all of this can be done through this magic app.

Shorthand
A paid platform to create beautiful stories using a beautifully simple story editor.

Rev
Ever looking for a service that will transcribe a conversation you recorded? Rev is a good, fast, and affordable resource.

Landbot
Add a conversation to your website. Landbot basically transforms websites into conversational experiences.

Really Good Emails
This 3,300+ handpicked collection is powered by community submissions and these guys' obsessive drive to find the best email examples out there.