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A girl after my own heart

Excellent, excellent rant on just the things I’ve been musing on as I’ve been preparing content for my design site as well as struggling with the details of a business plan. A must read, from another Aussie, even.

Let’s get credible!

July 7th, 2006 | Category: Commentary

3 comments to A girl after my own heart

  • Kandice
    July 11, 2006 at 3:06 pm

    I definitely need to print that article out! She also has touched on every subject I have come up against with working as a web designer in the “real world”. I’ve just started working with clients. The biggest hurdle is lack of knowledge and lack of respect for what I know works best. In particular the idea that web designing is easy as well as competing with the 16 year old that designs a good looking (but not standards-compliant) site makes me undercharge for my services. Oh and that is probably the worst thing I can do because it undervalues my expertise and the professionalism of the industry (not to mention that it frustrates me to no end). I can’t imagine a consultant or even a painter offering his or her services for $10/hr!…but that what I end up doing after hours and hours of free consultations, mock ups, changes, and added free features.

    Thanks for the article Elaine.

  • Elaine
    July 11, 2006 at 3:48 pm

    Yes, I’m getting educated myself in the dangers of undercharging and working for free. Something you said reminded me of a site that I saw the other day that I think you will appreciate:

    http://www.no-spec.com/

  • Kandice
    July 12, 2006 at 8:59 am

    No-Spec! Wow…that’s a concept that really needs to take hold in the web industry. Like the article and comments mention, many clients expect design mock ups and they have to look almost like the final product before committing to the project … and there is no guarantee that they will work with you. What insanity is that?…it’s like working for free.

    I have a trainer and we were talking about business. His business suffers from a similar expectation where people expect the trainer to magically transform them without considering that the transformation requires much of their input and effort (same with web design). What the trainer has discovered is an elite trainer (that is not much different than he) has clients pay for consulatations (typically in this industry consultations are free). What this establishes is that he is an expert. With payment comes an expectation of expertise. Then the elite trainer will ask for full (high) payment and a guarantee that in a given amount of time the client will achieve their goal or their money back. However the client must sign a commitment contract that they will do their part. It apparently works and works very well. The elite trainer is the highest paid fellow around and the clients stick with him.

    Anyhow, long story short…I think for us it’s a matter of learning how to value ourselves and stick to our guns (I’m a softie, ugh). Also maybe there is something in setting up a system where you establish yourself as the expert as that is what the client hired you for. You know best, not them.

    Anyhow, another long comment!