Monday, October 27, 2008

Client and Project Management

Client Management

Managing Clients Expectations had these points...

"It’s up to you to put the phone to voice mail when your workday is at an end."

How to avoid promising too much, "...consider that every hour you give away is money your business is losing."

"let the client know that you’re giving extra time and why. You need to make it clear that this is a one-time occurrence and not something to be repeated, and let the client know that even when they get only what they contracted for, they are getting valuable service."

Some advice for specific types of clients can be found at 12 Breeds of Clients and How to Work With Them 

Pricing

To determine a rate, use the Freelance Switch Calculator which helps calculate costs / # of hours you can bill a year.

In the beginning, give a basic timeline and estimate to make sure that the client can afford and time permits the project.

For fixed pricing, you will need more paperwork than with hourly pricing. Start with a baseline based on time estimated. You can use milestones (defined by specific set of features) to break up projects. Estimate for additional time and only charge for time worked.

Hourly rate is preferred and should definitely be expected when working at site.

Can read more about Hourly vs Fixed Pricing at freelanceswitch.com

Requirements Document

Create a design brief that "...clearly outlines what the client wants..." and "If at any time the client changes a requirement or asks for extra work which is not in the requirements document, then the freelancer has every right to charge a secondary fee for any extra work required." - A recommendation from The Price is Right

scope creep - when the client intentionally or unintentionally trys to change the original requirements of a project

Costs

sick days

holidays

hours developing and managing a business

insurance

unpaid invoices

taxes

rent

travel

computers

furniture

equipment

telephone

fax

internet

software

insurance

legal fees

accountant

office supplies

advertising

association fees

Estimating a Timeframe

Break project into small pieces. If you are having difficulty determining time, then break down smaller. Cushion each piece with extra time to create an overall cushion.

Both you and the client should agree on a clearly defined outcome in order to avoid wasting your time and breaking deadline.

Communicate each step. That way you will be informed if you are headed in the wrong direction right away.

Design Brief

The following is from Shawn Crowley's Ultimate Design Brief

Title:

Format: (pdf, eps, psd)

Budget:

Schedule:

What are you providing the designer with: (high resolution photographs, diagrams, etc.)

Format: (printer formatting specs)

Message objectives: (Hierarchy of copy messages, treatment of headlines, body copy, visuals, product samples, call-to-action)

Where to look for inspiration: Give brief examples of style / overall look you want the item to achieve. What aspects of the product or branding can be used as a starting point for the design? What feelings or metaphors reflect the spirit of your product or company?

What not to do: Also give examples of what the design shouldn’t include and what styles to avoid. 

Project Management 

Establish a clearly defined outcome.

Set a deadline that includes time of day.

Create a timeline.

"detailed timelines have a tendency to fall apart after a week or two, so it should be clear that it’s a flexible timeline."

Step By Step

Only set a deadline for the next step (one that can be completed in a day or less). When you are done, send to the client to demonstrate accountability. Then set a new deadline for next step. Communicating each step "...can actually make the project take longer, but in the end you’ll have a better product and the client will be happier. This continual feedback loop is actually integral to a successful project, and building it into the process makes sense."

Overall Time Management

“...'too busy' doing client work - an excuse that guarantees both feet stay on the treadmill. But even one or two hours a week spent honing your highest-value skills can take you up a notch, allowing you to charge more (and work less)." - Freelance Switch discusses The Point of Being a Freelancer 

Outsourcing SEO

How To Efficiently Outsource SEO Campaigns

*The Best Places to Find Cheap Yet Reliable Outsourcing

Local SEO

7 Offline Local Search Link Building Tips for Small Businesses

Other Resources

How To Manage the Impossible Client

10 Questions You Should be Asking Your Client But Aren’t

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