Business operations: Creating the Work & Getting the Gigs

[Cwilk]

Business Tip of the Day:

Okay, so you're trying to figure out what to bill your client for making phone calls, faxing, emailing and other odd-end stuff for their project. My advice is don't bill them for these things.

These type of things should be a service for your regular clients. The little things you do, that have nothing to do with the design end, well, they keep your client happy. That's because you're not penny pinching them to death.

Always archive your files and be happy to email them for any client to a sign company or any other company they might need the file to go to.

By keeping your client happy with you, they won't go anywhere else.

Our firm actually has archives dating back to 1997. And we have gotten phone calls asking for something very old, but the client always uses us for their design work.

Another benefit is that you're not having to keep track of those monotonous 'little things' that aren't design related. They take up a lot of time.

[Cwilk]

Business Tip of the Day:

So you're pretty busy and you need to call a client back. I get very busy and don't usually have the time and because of that, I don't pay attention very well. Well, you should always make the time to call a client. It'll make them feel special because you've returned their call.

When you start talking to your client, let them know up front, "I have this much time to discuss your project." Once your time limit is discussed, it'll be out of the way. Another way to talk about a time limit is say you have an appointment at a specific time. This is an easy out to get off the phone and it'll keep your client's phone call limited.

Pay close attention to what your client is discussing with you or you'll waste more of your time. Put all of your other work out of your mind; it will make your conversation much easier to discuss the client's project. If it helps, clear your desk and put only information about the client's project where you can visually review it.

Have their project up on your monitor if you've already been working on something.

Once you've had your discussion, give the client a time period that you'll have their work to them. And stick to your deadline. If you miss your deadline too many times, your client may start looking for someone else.

[tommylogic]

Hey Christina.. speaking of time.. I just wanted to say thank yu for taking the time to post these helpful tips.. great idea & contributoin. Perhaps these would make a good section on the blog as well.
At any rate.. I'm swamped.. and still trying to post in the other threads too. Good Job & Thanks
-Thomas

[Cwilk]

Thanks Tommy.... What's nice is that this stuff works for me, but does it work for others? I'd really like to know how some of you do it differently.

[Toon]

Christina, nice topics but get some work done stop leaving it to the DH!

[Cwilk]

That's what he says. He gives me a bad time about my morning coffee break at the coffee shop next door.

....but if you can't slack off while working for yourself, what good is working for yourself.

[Cwilk]

Business Tip of the Day:

I was thinking about this the other day while checking out logos in LogoSauce. It seems that many of the logos look like others that have already been famous at one time or another. When you design a logo, make sure if the idea was inspired from another logo you saw, that you don't replicate the design exactly.

If a logo is similar to the one you want to copyright or a common icon, the Library of Congress (here in the U.S.) won't grant visual copyrights to you or your client when a copyright is applied for. Just because the words may be different, don't think that an icon or piece of art can stay the same as another logo. Make each logo design that you do, your own. Make it different enough to be able to get a copyright.

Here's why I say this.

Our company did a custom graphic for a client who was producing glassware for Red Rock Hotel and Casino in Vegas. The logo had a bare feet graphic that we actually created (not from clipart) and we put that icon and the name of the place "The Sand Bar" on the next line and "at Red Rock Hotel & Casino" below it.

What happened next was interesting. Red Rock Hotel requested through our client that we give them the original artwork of the logo because Red Rock Hotel wanted to use it on all their other items for sale. Well we had sent in for a copyright on that logo because we are the creators and we were declined. This was because the bare feet are too commonly used as a graphic (even with the name of the place) to be different or unique enough.

Basically the Red Rock Hotel had someone in-house recreate the logo directly from our artwork and they changed the fonts a little bit. Unfortunately we have no repercussion monetarily because the copyright fell through for us.

Thought this was a great business story to tell.

[strev]

One shotgun approach is to send out postcards to preselected postal routes or "postal walks" as they are called here (the post office supplies demographics so you can avoid sending postcards to residences). As it is unaddressed ad mail the cost is low–approx .15 cents per postcard. If you send out 500 postcards and get 2 clients it is worth it. PS. Make your postcard design break thru the clutter!

My second approach involves a three-phase marketing bltz.
1. Join a local chamber of commerce or similar organization to learn more about local businesses. The bigger the area they cover the bigger your target market will be. Joining will allow you to access databases which describe the types of businesses, valuable website info (if any), number of employees and most importantly, a contact name!
2. Design a kick-ass brochure that showcases your best work and doubles as a testament to your creativity. This should fit into a standard envelope. A compelling personalized letter (pre-formatted–just change the addressee name) addressed to the person in charge of marketing will inform them of your passion for design and committment to quality. Your envelope will have your logo (print these digitally or on a home printer) and you can run their addresss thru your home printer or onto adhesive label sheets.
3. Follow up with a phone call to enquire if they have received the brochure and if they are interested in developing any new marketing/advertising projects. You will inform them that you would welcome any opportunities as they may want to test you first. Research them and do your best.

This works!- all the best, strev

[tommylogic]

I send out 50 emails FREE and get 5 clients.. its all marketning

[strev]

Wish that would work for me:excl: