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
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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
