The past few weeks have been nuts. NUTS, I say. But the nutty ones make you appreciate the smooth and creamy ones all the more. So I’m definitely not complaining.
On another note, I just read this article that answers the question: “Couldn’t anyone do what you do?” (Thanks Natalie.) If nothing else, reading this article will let non-web-types in on a little secret: This is the Worst Question to Ask a Web Designer or Developer. Unless you have some strange need to make an enemy in about two seconds flat.
You know, adhering to web standards really isn’t all about ranting. Maybe only two-thirds.
I cannot WAIT for Adobe Photoshop CS4 to come out. I never hopped on the CS3 train…just couldn’t get excited about it. But CS4’s 3D imaging capabilities look mind-blowing. Take a look at CreativeTechs’ sneak peek at some of the new developments in CS4…way cool. I wonder if the software will come bundled with its very own pair of 3D glasses.
I’d venture to guess that a lot of entrepreneurs ARE entrepreneurs because of a lack of finances. I was reading an article on when frugality isn’t enough by Trent Hamm, and it really clicked with me. Especially in this economy, the risks that are normally associated with being an entrepreneur are even greater than usual. But the benefits are so much larger than the risks.
To be honest, I’ve started several businesses in my short history on this earth. I was involved in one in particular that is laughable now, since I neither wear a lot of makeup nor enjoy selling things. At all. In fact, I was very squeamish about getting into the web industry. Why? Because design and coding are both things that I really enjoy doing. I was scared that I would have to start creating things that I hated just so they would sell. The “sell” word was especially detestable.
But now that I’m doing what I love to generate income for my family, those fears are all but gone. Sure, I’ve always got new things to worry about — holding our work up to professional standards even when no one is looking and it would be easier to fudge; taking marketing risks to get our services in front of a wider audience; working with family members (yep…it’s as hard as it sounds!) But there are several aspects of this venture that let me know that it will always succeed:
- I’m doing what I love. That’s become quite a cliche, but it’s absolutely true. I am motivated every morning to get up and get to work. In fact, sometimes it’s hard to turn myself off at night because work IS what I love to do. I have to figure out something else to help me unwind!
- I run a service-oriented business. Automatically, this gives me a unique place in the market. Why? Not because there is a lack of service businesses, surely. But because our studio has a different personality than any other studio. We are “us” and we are going to appeal to a different group of people than other studios appeal to. There’s room for everyone here.
- We have multiple streams of income. “Multiple streams of income” is such a buzzword, but there’s a reason for that. It’s important. We have several areas of service that we offer. We work on the side for larger companies that need to outsource. We have partners and affiliates that we recommend, and they recommend us. We serve in a wide variety of areas. People will always need the work that we do, and more specifically, they will need US to do it because we do it differently than anyone else.
- We don’t have any business debt. As a company, we are debt-free. As a family, we are working toward that. It means we have to start a little slower, yes. But we are balancing a lower risk with a higher comfort level. We’re happy with that.
- Our family does not completely rely on the studio to survive. At any given time, one of us is out making money in more traditional ways, at least until we are at a level where we can count on our income every month. The other one works at the studio full time. In the end, it means we are both working more hours every day, but it also provides a level of security until we can no longer afford NOT to take the leap.
I’m interested to hear what makes other people know they are going to succeed in their business. Because there is really something comforting about “just knowing” that you’re not going to fail.
Here’s an interesting post featuring designs that clients didn’t choose. I love hearing the reactions of other designers to their clients’ decisions. Because ultimately, the final outcome is the client’s decision. The most complicated thing about being a designer is educating your clients and coming up with solutions that work for everybody (most especially the users!). I’ve personally noticed several types of design mentalities:
- The “client is always right” mentality
The client pays, the designer does what they say…end of story. After all, give the people what they want, right? In a sense, yes. But designers should be more concerned about truly serving their clients — not just doing what they say. Often the thing that the client wants is not what they THINK they want.
- The “designer is always right” mentality
They’re the designer after all…they know what they’re talking about. They are highly educated in their field, it’s true. But the client has experience in their own field that the designer does not have. Their perspective is highly valuable if the end result is going to be effective for the market that they are trying to serve.
- The “we’re a team” mentality
Rah rah sis boom bah…designer plus client equals successful completion of goals. (I suggested that we use that cheer as our studio motto, but for some reason it wasn’t adopted. I’m hurt.) In an ideal scenario, the designer does what they do best (design) and the client does what they do best (make sure that their market is being served.) Everybody’s happy.
So the real trick is setting up those expectations in the beginning. Still figuring that one out, but I have noticed that it’s much easier to do in person than over the phone. When we can shake our clients’ hands and they can look into our eyes, it’s much easier for us to develop the trust needed to work well together.
Yesterday, Kelly Anderson so kindly interviewed me to be featured on her website for women entrepreneurs, StartupPrincess.com. Kelly is one of those gals that you wish lived right next door (and if you live in Utah, she might!). She is so full of encouragement and passion, and when I have a sorry attitude about something, I always feel downright ashamed when I think of her optimistic outlook on life and business.
Kelly is also the founder of Touchpoint, the annual event for women entrepreneurs. This year, Touchpoint’s keynote speaker will be Heather Madder, and it promises to be a fantastic opportunity to set some goals, overcome limitations, and build relationships. Early-bird registration ends tomorrow…I SO wish I could go!
My clients are the absolute best people that I could dream of working with. A while back, I remembered some advice that I was given when we first started the studio — only work with people that you WANT to work with, even to the point of repelling other potential clients. Yes, I’ve broken the rule a few times. But my experiences with that only re-enforced my belief in The Rule. I’ve come up with a few characteristics that all of my current and ideal clients embody, and it has clarified my decision-making on so many occasions that I recommend it to any business owner, service-oriented or not.
My clients are passionate
My clients are not interested in get-rich-quick schemes. They are passionate about what they do and are highly motivated to work hard to achieve their dreams.
My clients are trust-worthy
Even if others in their field are manipulating and clawing their way up, my clients know that the cream always rises to the top. They are honest and have integrity in every situation.
My clients are good communicators
They are direct when they need to be, but they approach complex situations with a solution-focused attitude.
My clients are team-oriented
They realize that the designer-client relationship is a team effort. Their input and commitment to the project combined with their designer’s vision and experience will determine the successful attainment of their goals.
My clients need a designer
Yep, it sounds silly. But some people don’t need a designer. They THINK they need a designer, but what they really need is a coder. They want someone who will do exactly as they say, when they say it. They trust their own judgment more than their designer’s before the project even gets started. My clients need expert advice and creativity, and they get it.
Yesterday’s rant got me thinking about this exact thing, and it made me so thankful that we received this advice from the very beginning. It is easy to be demoralized in this profession if you are not picky about the types clients you choose to serve.
So I’m sure you’re wondering…what happened to those few “not ideal” clients that we took on? Well, I’ll tell you. We recommended them to someone else in our field who we thought would be a better fit. Seriously. Because they weren’t bad clients. They just weren’t ideal for us. And now we make it a point to work with the ones who are.
Here’s your mission: Go to 9rules. Look in the right-hand column. View their advertising button. Note that it says “We only accept advertising from companies with money.” Laugh and laugh and laugh some more. Because they’re serious.
Okay, so you’re wondering why I am laughing? Well. You should read my emails some time. I get things like “Hey, I love your website re-design! It is totally awesome! I am starting this company and we need a website. We don’t have any money, but when we make millions, we will totally let you have some.”
Thanks…
And, “Hey, we need a website by Friday. Our budget is $150. We want it to be super-cool with flash and stuff.”
Yep. Sure. And design is so EASY that I’ll just whip some up for you right now.
I hate to sound snarky, but after I received the 100th “I am poor but lovable, and I’ll be your friend forever” email, I started putting up a general price guide for our services. Do I have a sign on my back? Oh dang. I guess I did. It said “Works 12 hour days for free!” Dang, dang, dang.
But seriously. I don’t go to Wal-Mart (Yep, I am poor, too. That’s why I shop at Wal-Mart.) and say, “Hey, can you give me groceries for a month? I know I’m going to be a super-star web designer one day, and then you are going to be SO glad you did.”
I think there is a conception somewhere that we designers are making a TON of money. Well, some of us are to be sure. A lot of us are not. “Well how in the heck can you NOT make money when you charge $90 an hour?!” Please…calm down. Let’s talk rationally here.
Say I have a $90 per hour design/development rate (hypothetically speaking, of course). If I had a $90 an hour rate, that would mean I’m probably running a pretty small operation. The going rate is between $75 and $250.
Let’s also consider that half of my time is billable. That means 20 of my 40 working hours are directly billable to the client (which is pretty good for a startup.) That means that I’m actually making $45 an hour.
Then let’s consider that the company has bills. Overhead, if you want the fancy term. Computers, software, transportation, advertising, promotional materials, outsourcing, etc. etc. Let’s say you run a tight ship and are left over with $30 an hour.
But THEN consider how fast the web design/development world changes. Consider how you have to keep yourself educated and all of that fun stuff. You don’t really have 40 hours a week to work, then. You might use 5 or 10 hours to keep yourself in the loop of your craft.
So then half of the LEFTOVER hours are billable. Which leaves you with maybe $25 an hour when you are blessed enough to be booked solid. The other times you’re making less. And let’s also remember that design is HARD work. Contrary to popular belief, designers do not just slap some type and pictures on a page and be done with it. There is really an art to what we do.
And I love what we do. I really, really, really do. So I’m not complaining about the profession. I’m complaining about the PERCEPTION of the profession. How do we change that, I wonder?
