the freelance dating game: how to avoid the nasty break-up
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Sunday, August 22, 2010
Welcome2nd Web Design Day!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Thank You!Jason, Val, Geoff, and the entire Web Design Day Team
Sunday, August 22, 2010
http://bingo.joshsagermedia.com
Sunday, August 22, 2010
ScreenPrints!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Good to be back
Sunday, August 22, 2010
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P i t t s b u r g h We b D e s i g n D a yJ O S H S A G E R M E D I A
The Story of a Web ProjectProcess and Best P rac t ices
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Josh Sager@joshsagerJoshSagerMedia.com
Sunday, August 22, 2010
FreelanceDesign and Development
Sunday, August 22, 2010
How to avoid the nasty break-up
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Advice Part-time Freelancers
Sunday, August 22, 2010
First DateSunday, August 22, 2010
What was your first date?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
For the next 30 secondsintroduce yourself to someone you DON’T KNOW and tell them about your first date.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
GO!!!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Times Up
Sunday, August 22, 2010
On the Playground
Sunday, August 22, 2010
First Date Highlights
Lasted one recess
I got mad props from other kids
We held hands
I got a kiss on the cheek
I was unaware the relationship ended
I was totally confused
Sunday, August 22, 2010
My 1st Freelance Experience
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Band WebsiteSPLASH PAGE
Sunday, August 22, 2010
OMG
me, really?WOWthis is gonna be
AWESOME!!!
A Band Website
Sunday, August 22, 2010
“We can’t afford to pay you…”
Sunday, August 22, 2010
That’s okay I’m just psyched they thought of me.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
First Freelance Highlights
Phone calls from the band
Credit on the home page
It could potentially lead to other things
Great exposure, but no money
I was unaware when the project was over
I was totally confused
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Hmm…This sounds familiar
Sunday, August 22, 2010
1st Freelance ever
1st Date ever=
Sunday, August 22, 2010
We can learn a lot from our failed relationships
Sunday, August 22, 2010
What is a relationship?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
re·la·tion·ship[ri-ley-shuhn-ship] - noun
a state of connectedness between people
Sunday, August 22, 2010
5 Stages of a Relationship
Sunday, August 22, 2010
5 Stages of a Relationship
Romance / Attraction
Reality Sets in / Disappointment
Power Struggle
Commitment
Co-Creation / Stability
http://dating.lovetoknow.com/Five_Stages_in_a_Relationship
http://gcuc.ncf.ca/relate5.html
Sunday, August 22, 2010
5 Stages of Freelance
Inquiry
OMG What did I just do?
Scope Creep
Project bender / Just have to get through to…
Revisions
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Why Relationships Fail
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Why Relationships Fail
Avoidance
Burnout
Compatibility issues
Enthusiasm fades
Just say yes
Poor communication
http://www.singlescafe.net/why-relationships-fail.html
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Our goal today is to examine these stages and try to solve common problems in client relationships.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Before the Romance
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Meeting New People (clients)
Go to them
They come to you
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Sit around and wait…
My Courting Process
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Not very effectivewith clients or the ladies.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Potentially the WORST kind of lead generation.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
The people that CLAIM to be your friends and family.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
For Example
Sunday, August 22, 2010
What’s the worst kind of date?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
The Blind Date
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Where do the majority of blind dates come from?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
The people that CLAIM to be your friends and family.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Reasons for the Blind Date
They’re really nice
They’ve got a great personality
It’s not like you’re doing anything else
I was just trying to do you a favor
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Have you ever been thrown at a freelance project like this?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Blind Date Clients
I’ve got a buddy with a great idea to make lots of money on the internet
It’s going to be just like Facebook, but different
It’s not like you were doing anything anyway
Your mother-in-law meets a horse farmer in need of a website on the way home from work
Sunday, August 22, 2010
RED FLAG!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Not all BLIND DATE clients are bad
Sunday, August 22, 2010
but beware
Sunday, August 22, 2010
My Advice15 Lessons you’ll want to write down
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Advice #1Just because you can, does not mean you should
Sunday, August 22, 2010
How do you know?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Romance / Attraction Stage
STAGE 1Sunday, August 22, 2010
Client Consultations are really First DatesIt’s awkward
You’re feeling each other out
You’re not sure who’s paying for dinner
The entire time you’re trying to decide if this is moving on to a second date
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Don’t Be Charmed Too Easily
Potential is dangerous.
Remember Ryan Leaf? Full of potential, but now bags groceries.
Promises sound great but they don’t always come true.
Your perception is different from theirs. Calibrate expectations through communication, if you can.
Everyone wants to be wanted.Sunday, August 22, 2010
Advice #2Ask lots of questions
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Client Questionnaire
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Most Important QuestionDo I trust them?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Warning Signs
Disorganized
Blows off scheduled meetings
Looking for a handout
Aggressive - calls or emails you constantly
Jumps the gun and disregards any of your processes or advice
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Advice #3Know why you’re doing the project
Sunday, August 22, 2010
It’s their deadline not yours
Sunday, August 22, 2010
One date does not mean that you’re married
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Freelance Isn’t Free
Less time with friends and family
Pulls you away from activities and hobbies
Lose sleep due to late nights
General life stuff is put on hold
Sunday, August 22, 2010
I’m Taking This Project Because
I believe in the project
It pays well
I like the kind of work
I trust the client
It excites me
It involves new technologies or techniques.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Advice #4Be prepared to walk away
Sunday, August 22, 2010
My quality of life doesn’t hinge on freelance
Sunday, August 22, 2010
It helps
Sunday, August 22, 2010
I don’t have to work on every project that comes my way
Sunday, August 22, 2010
There will be other projects
Sunday, August 22, 2010
If it’s not a good fit, don’t waffle, pass on it .
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Project Policy
Consultation meeting.
Analyze what they need, what I can do, and the amount of time it would take.
Is it worth my time, effort, or pulling myself away from other things?
If no, I decline the project.
If yes, I prepare an estimate.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Advice #5Don’t take a freelance job because you feel obligated
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Remember the blind date?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Obligation projects are on the fast track to BREAK-UP TOWN
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Advice #6Know the kinds of projects that best suit you
Sunday, August 22, 2010
I used to take any project that came my way
Sunday, August 22, 2010
I didn’t really consider the best projects for my skill sets
and time requirements
Sunday, August 22, 2010
All I heard was money… I’ll do it.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Similar to… A girl wants to
date me, AWESOME!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Not Good For
Development for long projects that take 4 - 6 months to complete
Managing large projects
Reinventing your business on the internet
Building a blog site for a business, then writing blogs for them
Projects that promise exposure in lieu of money, goods, or services
Sunday, August 22, 2010
I’m Great for
Prototyping
Being a code or design hero / ninja
Small projects
Building components, designs or animations
Not managing the entire project
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Advice #7Your portfolio should be what you want to do, not what you’ve done
Sunday, August 22, 2010
I totally struggle with this
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Nobody cares about every project you’ve done, they only
care about the next project you’ll do for them
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Build a portfolio of work you WANT to do
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Your portfolio suffers from taking just any project
Sunday, August 22, 2010
I try to be a little selective about the projects I take on
Sunday, August 22, 2010
What Matters to Me
Two way street of Trust
Client will deliver when they say they will
Pay on time
Enjoy working with them
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Create standards for yourself
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Stick to them!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Reality Sets in / Disappointment
STAGE 2Sunday, August 22, 2010
Reality Sets In: Dating
Hmm, our design tastes aren’t the same.
He chews loudly when he eats.
Really she honestly likes to watch Sex and the City. Honestly?
OMG can you please put the seat down when you’re done!?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Reality Sets In: Clients
Hmm, our design tastes aren’t the same.
Be creative and by that I’ll tell you what to do.
10 pounds of content in a 200px text box.
Comic Sans is not a fun font!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Advice #8Consider your needs
Sunday, August 22, 2010
You have needs too!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
What do you want out of this relationship?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
What I Want?
To use technologies and techniques I don’t normally get to play with
To work on cool projects
To earn some extra cash
To meet interesting people
To feel like a hero
To be proud of the work
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Advice #9Work your passions / interests into your projects
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Exploring new things is fun!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Look for opportunities to integrate interesting
technologies and techniques
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Math-based Interactions
15 minute code
DataViz
Programmatic / generative art
Math-based transitions and interactions
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Integrating your passions will get you through the rough patches
Sunday, August 22, 2010
You get what you want, they get comic sans.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Or something like that
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Power Struggle
STAGE 3Sunday, August 22, 2010
Who’s in Control?It’s a partnership
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Be UP FRONT About
Availability
Requirements for the project
Delivery dates
Threats for delivering on time
Your costs
Scope creep
What will be delivered
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Advice #10Communicate everything!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
“Assumptions are the termites of
relationships”. - Henry Winkler
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Really? Everything?Any request I get, I restate it
back to the client for confirmation.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
I’m Busy This WeekI push back about my availability. Sometimes I can’t start a project until a week or two from when I’m discussing the project with a client.
I book projects based on available blocks of time.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
I used to say, “Sure, I’ll get that by Tuesday,” then pray for a miracle of time to show up.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Late for DinnerLet clients know ahead of time if problems occur.
They’re more willing to work with you if they know there’s a problem. Have you ever been really late for dinner
but didn’t say anything? I bet it didn’t go all that well.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
UpdatesEveryone loves them. Check in every few days and give a
progress report. They’ll love you for it. Even if there is no “real” progress there’s usually something you need to follow up on anyway.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Be HonestIt really is the best policy. If you don’t come
through, come clean. You might get a second chance.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Stick to your policesIf you have a workflow STICK TO IT. Yes there are
times for flexibility but trust your process and stick to it.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
That goes double for your estimate
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Advice #11Know your value
Sunday, August 22, 2010
How do you know what to charge for a project?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Pricing ModelTime + Materials = My Estimate
Sunday, August 22, 2010
I provide value-based estimates
Sunday, August 22, 2010
4 Animations = $200
instead of
4 hours of work = $200
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Be confident in what you’re charging
Sunday, August 22, 2010
I used to take 20% - 30% off the top of estimates because I was afraid I’d lose the project
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Please Refer to Prior Advice
#3 Know why you’re doing the project
#4 Be prepared to walk away
Sunday, August 22, 2010
My PhilosophyToo Expensive? Good! I’m too busy anyway.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
I get less work, but paid more, and the
clients are much better.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Undercut Projects
Projects end poorly
Clients don’t return
Services aren’t valued
Requests get more ridiculous
Work isn’t worth putting in my portfolio
I just want it to be over
Sunday, August 22, 2010
ConfidenceGirls like it and so do clients
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Be Confident, Not an Ass-clown
You’ll find clients respect you for sticking to your guns.
People will pay or even overpay for things they need right now.
Eight dollars for a Beer at a Pirates game? Yep, I’ve done that.
Don’t abuse this, be fair and your clients will return.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
So how do I figure out my estimate?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Estimate Considerations
Set-up and admin
Research / development
Additional equipment / materials / assets
Re-factoring and revisions
Delivery
Sunday, August 22, 2010
All of these things factor into my estimate
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Sometimes I’m wrong
Sunday, August 22, 2010
But I track EVERYTHING so I can compare my estimate to what
actually happened.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Commitment
STAGE 4Sunday, August 22, 2010
I’ve got the project!Now I have to come through
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Do I have time for this?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Advice #12Manage your time
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Time ManagementTake time to learn what works for you
Sunday, August 22, 2010
My Techniques
Block out time in hours
Running project list
Horizontal to-do lists
Prioritize no more than 5 items at a time
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Block Out TimeI schedule projects based on availability
Sunday, August 22, 2010
ListsNo more than5 items in myfocus at a time
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Horizontal ListsGlobal view of what I need to do
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Above AllStay balanced. There are other things besides work. I try to
budget 5 - 10 hrs max per week. But I’m also flexible.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Advice #13Document EVERYTHING
Sunday, August 22, 2010
SketchbookCreative weapon of choice
Sunday, August 22, 2010
What I Track
Client communications
Times
Deliverables
Requests
Discoveries
Errors
Doodles
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Times
Sunday, August 22, 2010
ProblemSolve
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Flow Charting
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Log Other Ideas
Sunday, August 22, 2010
It’s totally worth it
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Scope Creep KillerIt’s the best! Recalling details makes you
sound smart AND can sometimes help you win scope creep battles. Remember, don’t be an Ass-clown.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
At the end of every project I do a “Lessons Learned”
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Ask MyselfWould I do this project again?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Co-Creation / Stability
STAGE 5Sunday, August 22, 2010
Advice #14 Be patient with revisions and make
them as quickly as possible
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Revisions SuckIt’s not that you did something wrong. It just time to
shore-up the details and finish the project strong.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
GET-R-DONEJust get them done
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Benefits
You get paid!
It’s over!
It’s not hanging over your head!
Less of a chance of more revisions!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Revisions Are Like BunniesThey multiply
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Revisions are NOT…HEY can do this
entire thing over?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
You have to manage it
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Advice #15Don’t listen to me
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Everybody has to find their own way
Sunday, August 22, 2010
I learn the most when I get knocked on my ASS
Sunday, August 22, 2010
And so will you!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
In Review
Sunday, August 22, 2010
My Advice
1. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should
2. Ask lots of questions
3. Know why you’re doing the project
4. Be prepared to walk away
5. Don’t take a freelance job because you feel obligated
Sunday, August 22, 2010
My Advice
6. Know the kinds of projects that best suit you
7. Your portfolio should be what you want to do not what you’ve done
8. Consider your needs
9. Work your passions / interests into your projects
10. Communicate everything
Sunday, August 22, 2010
My Advice
11. Know your value
12. Manage your time
13. Document everything
14. Be patient with revisions and make them as quickly as possible
15. Don’t listen to me
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Questions?Comments, thoughts, or reactions?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
How’d I do?@joshsagerJoshSagerMedia.comjoshsagermedia@gmail.com
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Thank YouI appreciate your time
Sunday, August 22, 2010
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