Business operations: Creating the Work & Getting the Gigs

[Cwilk]

Please post various information on running your business, how you get clients, creative process....etc.

I'll be posting information later.

[tommylogic]

Very cool.. I will be posting here soon as well :) Thank You Cwilk.

[tommylogic]

Well I figure I might as well jump right into this one.

Does anyone "manage" websites?
I know a lot of my friends are primarily artists, they create the content collect the check and go on their way.

I am including a file for a site that I recently did for someone. It is their Google Analytics accross the last two days. A lot of my clients are businesses. They are designing a web space in order to enhance their advertising, generate more clients..

They have NEVER done a web campaign in their life. They are construction companies, Hair salons, whatever.. not web experts. So as a service to them I include a campaign (I actually started doing it out of typical artistic narcisism). I wanted to see how my work was performing. So I marketed that as a service that most other companies don't offer. I help them campaign their site, show them how to do it, make adjustments to the site based on immediate responses and campaign again.

This positions their site as well as it is going to do per their market sector. The fact that I take the time to do it and I show that I care about their success is somehting they tell their friends about. They will no doubt be excited and want to show off their site.. and nothing provides better advertising than a happy customer excited abou their new toy.. and their friend's inate need to keep up with the Jones'

If you look at this particular data.. you will see two marketing campaigns (done to illustrate a point). The first is direct eMail. Emails to people looking for their services as they are listed in public information (they are asking for this service). Therefore we call this Direct Marketing.

The Day 2 is a synthesized "Buzz"... This is information spread throughout a community of "Common industry specialists". This is Indirect Marketing. These people all though they are not likely to puchase from this company are visiting the site (giving it hits) and are going to tell their friends about it who "may" purchase at a later date...

Anyhow.. take a look. I would LOVE to hear how others are using their knowledge to assist their clients or improve their business.

[flashwiz]

Hi guys...

I will contribute something to here later on.... little busy this morning to be honest....

[Cwilk]

This link is for a PDF of a bid we did for a website. I changed the name of the client, so you'll see the word 'company' in those spots. This is not a standard looking quote for a project, but the format gets us website projects because the client can visually see what we are quoting them for.

We did in fact get the project quoted in the PDF, so you'll be able to see what our terms were and how much we made. I wouldn't normally do this, but I don't have a problem sharing either.

Enjoy!

http://www.sabredesign.net/designfor...eQuotePage.pdf

[tommylogic]

Well thats an excellent idea.. mapping the layout and breaking it into identifiable phases for the client. Good since they often have no idea of what the production cycle is like.

I imagine that saves you a lot of time and energy explaining it.

Cool.. thank you for sharing that here.

[Cwilk]

Here's a great design/print quote tip:

When you get a project to bid on for design, make sure you find out the quantity that they want to print also and include it in your bid.

Now when you do the quote, make sure your print prices are low enough so you can mark the print costs up about 30%. This means you really have to have a great relationship with a print company so your print quote is lower than a quote your client can get on the internet. With great printing costs, you can bid your design quote a tad bit lower than another company will.

Chances are, if your portfolio is strong enough, you'll get the job and keep the client around (as long as your print costs are great). Just be careful not to undercut the design cost too much.

[Cwilk]

A Business Operation Tip of the Day:


On Printing: Be sure to get all monies up front from your client for printing a project before it goes to the printer. Especially if the project is for a new client.

That doesn't mean depositing the client's check into your bank account that day and then sending the project to the printer. You should make sure the check is good, or you'll be stuck paying for a project that you might not be able to afford.

If you have a PayPal account, it's better to get paid this way, but make sure their account is 'Verified'. If a new client wants to pay with a credit card, steer them into paying you through PayPal.

[tommylogic]

Ahhh yes... verified funds. Also, of note.. if you do accept Visa and Mastercard.. be sure to verify funds and batch your receipts nightly. It is all too easy in this day in age for a digruntled or dishonest client to "dispute charges".

Make sure your client inspects the work and signs off on a project when you are completed with a particular phase.. If you have the client approve the work, then issue charge.. you will have greater protection.

I have had experience in the past where a client disputes the charges AFTER he receives the final project. If you make it a practice to "pay as you go" you wil avoid this scandalous activity.. no matter who the client is... this will establish "standard business practice" and safeguard you and your company.

[Cwilk]

Business Tip of the Day:

Sometimes you probably feel like just laying into a difficult client and yelling at them. Don't do it! This client may be the one pushing your creativity to a higher level. Use the experience to polish your work. View it as a puzzle rather than a headache.

With that kind of attitude, the client will become easier to work with and you'll be able to continue to work with them on another level (and believe it or not, they'll respect you more for it.)

If a client is too impossible, weigh the positives and negatives:

Has this client brought you other clients? If they have, don't dump them. You could ruin your relationship with the others.
Does the client pay on time? If not, definitely consider getting rid of them. But do it in a civilized way.
Is the money you make from this client good pay? If not, you may want to reconsider doing work for them.
Is the design work you do for them, something you enjoy? If not, try to make it more creative. Talk with the client about changing something to turn it into a more exciting project for yourself. Unfortunately some clients won't budge.

There are so many things to consider when you get frustrated or just plain tired of a client, but don't be hasty by losing your cool.