Lots of folks call me to find out how to get into blogging/social media. Sometimes they ask if I can help them design their blog, get it online, design them a header, make their current blank blog look pretty.
Um, no.
I can do it, but why torture me? I do it for myself and it takes twice as long as it should (I need to remedy this soon), so why would I charge anyone double the money when they can find a qualified blog/graphic designer to do it right (plus tech support)?
Here’s my tips on finding a blog/graphic designer:
1. Ask around. I don’t mean ask your friends for a designer recommendation when they don’t have a blog! Go look around online and find sites you like. Then look at the bottom of the page (usually) where the copyright and privacy info is. Often you’ll find names (and links) to their designer. Best way, hands down, to find someone who does good work.
2. Browse job boards. Browse eLance.com, Shelancers.com, Guru.com, and Craigslist and see what other people are hiring for. Consider posting a job on one of those sites. Your response is usually insane and the quality levels may vary, but you never know who you’ll meet.
3. Got any friends who design? Know a friend who has friends who design? I consider myself blessed to know several excellent designers personally. One friend I hope to work more closely with in the next few months. She’s fantastic! Raid your personal address book.
4. Write out what you need done and the price you’re willing to pay. This is called a creative brief. It helps to know what you are hiring done and it makes things clearer for the person you end up hiring. Hello, no one likes making attempts in the dark!
5. Consider payment methods. I think half down with second half payable upon completion is really fair and safe. That way, both of you can test each other out. I bill my own clients this way. They pay me halfway through the month. That way, we both find it easier to trust each other and work better together.
Any other thoughts? Let me know what you think!
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,..] realbrilliant.com is other interesting source of tips on this subject,..]
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