Learning to say NO (to bad freelance projects)

All Posts, Web Design

Learning to say NOThe word “NO” may be one of those forbidden words in the vocabulary of most freelance designers.  We may be used to hearing it from time to time from prospective clients or recruiters, but actually saying “no” to someone is something we seldom do.  Why is that? For me, I’ll say it’s because deep down I’m in business to help people.  It’s not all about the money – though the money is a factor. Really it is about helping people understand why they need my services, and how I can make their dreams come true.  Essentially fulfilling a worthy need.  This comes with strings that may be harmful to that blissful and wonderful life we know as a freelancer though. Let me explain why.

There are a growing number of design freelancers out there either straddling the line of full time or part time work, and the main dream is to one day only work for self. In working for self, there are some preconceptions about how tasks and work will be from day to day. This may include getting up a bit later in the morning, watching the news, going to the gym, hours or work, quick snack for lunch, then more hours or work into the wee hours of the night. Sprinkle in some emails, phone calls, social media engagement, and research; and that would complete a typical day.

Here’s where things can go wrong. When you’re currently juggling a few projects and a new prospect is eager to work with you and ready to pay – but their project isn’t really within your scope of work or expertise.  Obviously you want to take the job because you’re thinking of the money and maybe some bills it would pay, or new iPad you’ve been craving.  I won’t call it greed, but you accept the job. Things seem to be ok at first, but after a few days or weeks the project takes a turn for the worst.  The client is very needy or lacks feedback you need to continue.  Their requests are over your head and out of your know-how. You’ve spent entirely too much time contemplating how to do or what to do. And my favorite, you’re now running behind on your other projects that are completely within your realm of service.

By now you’re thinking, “I shouldn’t have taken this assignment.” Hence, you should have said “NO.”  I’m here to tell you its quite ok to just say no to a project. The level of stress you endure when taking these non-essential gigs can start to ruin your ideal day of work. You remember that blissful feeling you had when you first starting reading this and reflected on your perfect day? Well that’s what keeps you doing what you do.

Here are some tips for saying “no” and being polite about it:

Increase your prices: Provided that you don’t have your prices listed on your website or posted service, you can accept a project, sub-contract it to a known associate that you trust, and still make a little money while retaining a new client.

Delay the project start date: Chances are that client may be looking to get started yesterday. (which is already a bad sign) Explain to them your current workload and defer to a date in 30-60 days. If they’re still interested you can contact them back.  This also works when current projects are about to expire and you’ve got nothing else lined up.

Admit to your limits: This is a bold step here but can be accepted as a humble gesture. Explaining to the client that their project is out of your scope of work and that you wouldn’t want to accept it without full confidence in what you’ll be able to produce in the end.

Offer a recommendation to another freelancer: This may seem like your passing them off, but if you can explain to them softly why they will understand. Especially if the recommended person is an associate of yours that you can make a warm introduction to this client. Now their project can be done with confidence, your associate will be happy with the referral, and you can keep your day bright and shiny.

Bottom line is that you have to respect people when they come to you for work, and also respect your existing clientele to ensure adequate service is kept for them.  One common complain I hear with people I’ve met is that their current or past designer doesn’t seem care about them.  Either by not responding to emails, phone calls, missed deadlines, and more. Word of mouth is so powerful and a kind word goes far; while a bad word goes even further and impacts a lot deeper.  As a freelance designer, we’re a dime a dozen. What sets us apart is our reputation, keep this in mind with the projects you do take and the ones you probably shouldn’t.

As always, your thoughts are appreciated. Please leave a comment and let me know if you agree or have different views.

New Years Resolutions of a Designer

New Years Resolutions of a Designer

All Posts, Web Design

Happy New YearWe’ve all been there.  Ball drops in Time Square, and a few hours later we’re promising to change certain parts of our lives.  Well as a designer, we have new years ambitions too. I’ve comprised a short list of some key ones we should all take a bit more seriously for 2011 and plan to accomplish as the weeks and months start.

1) Utilize a contract with all customers. This should be a no brainer, but I can personally tell you times where I’ve skipped it because I had “good vibes” about a prospective client turned nightmare. Not only does a contract protect you as a designer, but also your clients.  Everyone understand their rights and ownership to data and content. Among all else, it should prevent any legal activity should a situation escalate those heights.

2) Hit the books. You know you’ve reached your comfort zone when you can’t remember the last time you read a book about your trade or a known trade leader.  New techniques, programs, and such are coming out just about every week.  If you’re not “in the know” you could be missing out on ways to make your life easier, more prosperous, and save some headaches.

3) Socialize. If you’re still a one man show, and haven’t met anyone else outside of your neighbor and cousins to bounce ideas off of, you’re missing out.  Most other designers I’ve met happen to be the best support group I could ever ask for.  In terms of knowledge, experience, and collective though processes all at your disposal and for FREE.  All that’s required is that you pitch in and help whenever they need it.  Great friendships can be birthed out of socializing too.  Not just online, but offline too.

4) Marketing your best assets. If you’re  a web designer and your the best in your area at Joomla or WordPress, you need to get the word out around your community that you’re the authority on these.  Graphic design logo’s are your thing and no one else holds a candle in your local market? Well it means nothing if people can’t find you.  And even worse if those that do can’t refer people to your website when you don’t have one.  Get out there to networking events, trades hows, and even your local media outlets. You’d be surprised if you showed up and proved yourself.

5) Update your portfolio. Sure this sounds redundant, but I bet you slap your head when you think of the last time you really made some sensible changes to your dossier.  It’s mainly because we get busy.  Going from one project to the next, or juggling multiple projects along with life, we tend to place our own work on the shelf for “a later time.”  That time never comes unless you make time for it. So schedule in a weekend to update your website, media kit, business card, email signature, brochure, whatever. What good is it to new prospect clients to hear you talk about your excellent work and you can’t show your newest work.

6) Get feedback. Your doomed to repeat past mistakes if you never learn from them.  And who better to tell you, than your current clients. Poll them, email them,  or survey them.  Get them to tell you how they feel/felt about your services.  Take what they say and look at it from an outsider perspective.  Maybe get a colleague to weigh in. Also look back a year from now at some of your work and gauge that against what you are doing now. There should be notable differences and sizable improvements.  Time, technicality, price, value, etc.

7) Execute. You’ve got plan, you’ve got goals, you’ve got great ideas all floating around in your head. Put them on paper, put a time stamp and date them on when they should be completed.  Sometimes we’re our own biggest enemies when it comes to our advancements.  No more procrastinating on those good ideas, even if they don’t all lead to the heights as a Facebook.  You’ll never know if you don’t execute those ideas.

Have some other resolutions you’ve come up with? I’d love to hear them and discuss further. Comment back and lets here some of those ideas. Happy New Year everyone!