What is a respectable freelance designer?
In the mist of Covid-19 (Corona Virus), we at JDS WebDesign are hoping everyone is safe, washing your hands frequently, sneezing and coughing in your elbow, and practicing social distancing. Over the next several weeks, we are planning on blogging about how to make your website more business friendly. We will have some tutorials on our favorite plugins and features, which will make your site more efficient.
So what does it mean to be a respectable freelance web designer? Is it important, in a business when you could create a product and after launch all forms of communications end. Why do you need or want to be respectable? In reality, how often is an existing client going to advocate for you on a new project? We (freelance) do existing in a dog eat dog world.
Respectable means according to wiki “regarded by society to be good, proper, or correct.” Why would you not want to be regarded as a good, proper and correct web designer. How a client conducts themselves after the project is completed, is totally out of your control. What are some ways to improve your respectability levels? Know your value. Everything needs to be in writing. Do not sweat the small things. Remember confidence builds over time.
Know your value
In a industry, where value is in the eye of the beholder. You have to establish your value. Years in the industry, does not constitute increase value. Many new freelance charge as much and in some cases more than more seasoned freelancer. Know your value. If you are working on a 40 hour project, and you quote $400 dollars. You are essentially saying that your value is $10 a hour. You might as well work at a fast food restaurant. If your hourly rate should be around $30 or $40 dollars an hour, then quote the project out at $1200 – $1600.
Do not spend time justifying your cost/pricing. Instead spend the time on what solutions are your going to create. Change the topic from it is going to be $1600, to we are going to solve your appointment schedule issues. Developing a social media package, which will allow visitors to come on a regular basis and share your new and fresh content. Establishing your organization as a leader in your industry, while using your personality to showcase the difference between you and your competitors.
Everything needs to be in writing
Contracts. Get everything in writing. Cancellations. Right of refusal. Payment amount and due time. Launch schedule. What is needed to get your job completed. When content is due? What happens if content is not sent? Have a wordsmith on staff to assist with content issues? Cost to have a wordsmith create content.
Never do anything on a handshake or verbal agreement. If something should change, then make sure you have a written agreement. Remember you are a business. Business have contract for everything.
Do not sweat the small things
While you are going to face small irrelevant issues on a daily basis. Do not sweat them. Make a decision. Live with your decision and move on. The other day, a friend of mine had to fire an in law. It was just not working out. Knowing the family was going to be upset, the loss of revenue was becoming an issue. Fire them!!! Let them know why it is not working out, if need be…be prepared to provide business reason to family members and move on.
Partnership is not working out. Let them go. Yes, it has been a long term relationship, but if the partnership is not allow you to grow and develop…then the relationship needs to be ended. It is all about growth.
Remember confidence builds over time
Finally, confidence is built over time. Time is a great thing. You will find more confidence with more projects. Keep working on getting better in your craft, and your confidence will continue to grow. However, do not allow confidence to become arrogance. Easy way to stay humble, is by offering to help fellow freelance.
Image courtesy of Georgia de Lotz.
JDS WebDesign is a Web Design and Brand Marketing Agency located in Marietta, Georgia. We create AWESOME on line presence for Start-ups and Influential People/Organizations. To learn more about us or how we can help you and your organization, you can contact us or schedule a meeting.
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