“[Kickass] Design is Good Business.”

— (Joe &) Thomas Watson Jr.

Ten Tips for Contractors - Things I Wish someone Told Me

1. Always add value.
   • Play to your strengths. Admit your limits.
   • Offer photography, color, logos, copywriting etc.
   • Learn new tricks where you can (become more marketable).
   • Don't take on projects if you think they're over your head.
   • Article: Dude I'm Just a Designer...
2. Be the expert with no ego. People love that guy.
   • Know what you're talking about but speak in the client's language.
   • Offer improvements on what the client wants.
   • Choose your buzzwords carefully: maybe "best practices", "structural integrity", "visual hierarchy" – but never "push the envelope", "shift the paradym", or "walk the talk" (www.bullshitbingo.net)
   • Learn to dig through client-speak. Never accept meaningless words: "edgy", "clean", "hip", "colorful"....dig deeper to understand what the client really wants.
   • Know how to push back gently but also when to lay the smack down. Know how to train a client but don't accept bad client behavior.
3. Assess clients' needs. Learn to read clients to give them what they really need.
   • Some clients just need a small, quick, or cheap project. If you take it on, give them what they need.
   • Consider alternatives for various levels of clientelle - use what's available (Wordpress, flickr, other contractors).
   • Don't force-feed functionality or technology the client doesn't need.
   • Feel free to say no. Collect a network of other contractors to hand off undesirable work.
4. Be overly thorough with due diligence before starting work. It'll save you headaches later.
   • Spend an hour or so with the client fleshing out scope, technology, functionality, design direction, brand requirements, asset management, etc.
   • Have a preset list of questions (a questionairre can help) ready to engage the client and make them think of what they're asking
   • This process will establish you as the hired expert throughout the process
5. Stick to the scope. Make few exceptions for "scope creep".
   • Deliver a Statement of Work/Scope before beginning work.
   • Get signoff on the SOW along with or before your bid. They operate together. Err on the side of detail.
   • Projects grow. Be ready to go over-budget BUT know when to ask for more money for "Author's Alterations".
   • "There is no charge for awesomeness." —Kung Fu Panda
   • Keep the client up to date on how the project is going. Consider beginning each call with a project status update, so they understand the effect their comments/suggestions will have.
   • Know when to admit fault: If something takes longer than you anticipated because you screwed up, tell the client you're eating the costs. Integrity looks good on you. Just don't be a bumbling idiot.
6. Don't get too attached.
   • Part of being a "professional" designer is staying objective and undertanding that you're rarely (if ever) going to get something right the first time.
   • Remember that no matter how talented you are, you're still providing a service which is only as valuable as the enthusiasm of your client-advocate.
   • Design is ephemeral. Don't take it personally when your design becomes irrelavent.
   • Article: "Coping with Obsolescence"
7. Have a backup plan. Additional resources can save your ass. Hired guns; heavy hitters; brain-trust.
   • Make friends. You can't do it all and you don't want to. Know when to get someone else involved.
   • Offer a fair rate, and handle the client. You'll find good help.
8. Avoid communication errors.
   • Define their requirements and avoid jargon.
   • Explain the process. Explain the deliverables. And definitely explain what's expected of the client and when.
   • Talk to their level. Talk to their needs.
   • Understand all technical requirements and expectations.
   • Article: Avoiding Communication errors
9. Don't work for free.
   • Your craft is worth something. Respect yourself and don't undercut yourself or your competition.
   • Friends and family will always ask for a favor. Ask for one back.
   • "I can't pay you much now but this will lead to more money later." You WILL hear this line. DON'T FALL FOR IT! This is a mooching CraigsList scammer looking to screw you.
   • People who get something for free will continue to expect a handout. Establishing a professional minimum forces them to understand the effort involved.
   • Ask for a partial payment up front as a good fait gesture.
   • Break the project up into deliverables.
   • At the very least, ask for a case of beer. BuyMaxABeer.com,   WrenchForBeer.com
10. Become a project manager. Seek written approvals at critical stages. Invoice upon final approval.
    • Hold the client accountable to THEIR deadlines and deliverables.
    • Ask to have one primary point of contact, to limit your involment in the "committee" mentalilty.
    • Keep track of your hours, at least so you know how to bid the next project.
    • Consider using a project schedule with deliverable dates for all involved. Then remind them as their deadlines are approach.
    • Add line-items in the schedule for CLIENT responsibilities and be clear what you need and when. Every project is held up by the client but the blame and ultimately the burden will land upon YOUR shoulders. Suck it up.
    • Consider tools to make your life easier. It'll make you look like a pro too. basecampHQ.com,   getSignoff.com,   googleCalendar,   FreelanceSwitch.com

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