If you’re new to web design and development, starting your own agency or are just getting to grips with freelancing – here are some handy tips to avoid mistakes on quoting for projects.
Keeping it Professional
I’ve worked as part of a team, I’ve worked with freelancers, contractors and I’ve managed a design and development studio. I’ve seen a lot of great things and a lot of mistakes that people (myself included) make over and over again.
Today I want to talk about being professional at work, with a few basic ideas to start you off being professional and keep you there.
Client Expectations: A Reality Check
I’ve got a friend who reminded me of this situation recently, now let me setup the story.
You’re a freelancer/agency/professional and you are good at your job. You’re busy, right? You’re really busy and you have clients and projects and schedules and proposals to write. If you’re good you should be busy, if the client wants to use you, you should be busy – that’s kind of the point.
Well, imagine this scenario and I’m sure many of you have been there, I know I have in the past. You spend weeks of back and forth with a client, getting their requirements right, getting every aspect of the project mapped out. The Project Specification is sorted, you’ve got enough to write a proposal and provide a quote. Great, well done!
Becoming a Mentor
I recently signed up to the Design Buddy scheme with The Arts University College in Bournemouth. This is where students gets a chance to be mentored with someone in their chosen(ish) industry.
I didn’t get this kind of opportunity while I was at University, so I jumped at the chance to lend a hand. Design Buddies, run by Neil Leonard, partners students with suitable mentors, assessing what skills the student will need to brush up on and what they need to know about venturing into the big wide world of “The Web”.
Being a Freelancer: A Year One Roundup
It’s been a whole year (well 13 months to be precise) since I left my full time job to follow my dream to become a full time freelance Web Designer. There have been ups and downs in my first year in business and I thought it would be helpful to share my experiences to help other budding freelance newbies.