As
a new freelancer, there is nothing scarier then starting your first
project. This article will take a closer look at the steps you should
follow when in charge of a project. Hopefully, if you are aware
of what the process should be, you won't be as concerned about getting
things right. Since I am assuming that this is your first client,
return business is essential to growing your business. Follow the
below steps from start to finish and you should have a happy client
and a check in your hands.
1.
TRACK TIME It
is important to track your time when you are working on a project.
Start logging time as soon as you start to give your attention to
a project. Place a time log into a new docket and write onto this
log start and finish times along with other detailed information
every time you work on this project. Take
a look at a good time log at Figure I. FIGURE
I. For
several reasons, it is important to use the time log accurately.
First and foremost, your client might expect you to break down your
hours for him so they are aware of where their money is going. Secondly,
in order to increase your productivity, examining where your time
is being spent is essential. After freelancing for a while you will
be able to figure out how much to bid on projects easily from experience. 2.
OPEN UP A DOCKET A
docket is a huge envelope or sleeve to keep all papers together.
Nothing looks worse than going to a meeting with a client and forgetting
essential paperwork. In order to escape this possibility, I suggest
using a docket for each individual project. I
recommend using a black marker to distinguish this project from
other projects. I have always named my project's computer files
and dockets by the company's name and then follow this with consecutive
numbers. So for example, XYZCompany001 would be XYZ Company's first
project. 3.
NEW CUSTOMER? If
this client is working with you for the first time you should start
an information sheet on him or her. You might not think that this
is important, but if this client ends up being a dead beat, you
will be glad to have his or her address and phone number. After
you have completed this form, place it in your docket. 4.
SCHEDULE STAGES OF A JOB Start
every job with a piece of paper. List steps that need to be involved
in order finish production. Otherwise, you might get stuck with
having to go backwards three steps in order to go forwards again.
Sometimes stages of a project will need to be reworked because you
didn't take the time to write down your game plan. Try not to let
this happen to you. 5.
CONTRACT Protect
yourself against problem clients by writing a contract. Make sure
to have your client sign and send back the contract before starting
the project. You can find generic contracts for your business on
the Internet. Here are some places to find contracts to customize
for your own business: Manage
Jobs Software
Digital Contracts Online
Smart
Agreements
Contract Swipe File
Law.net
Legal Documents Online
Sample
Freelance Contract
6. ORGANIZE YOUR THOUGHTS A
great way to begin your project is to plan out how the web site
is going to be organized. A mind map is one way to do this. You
can do this by taking a blank piece of paper and placing your pen
onto the middle of your page. Write down a word or two that matches
the subject of your previous notes. Branch out with lines to related
topics. Take a look at Figure II as an example. FIGURE
II. Your
mind map is now similar to a Flow Chart. Make sure that all navigational
routes have been mapped out. If possible, have someone else take
a look at your Flow Chart to see if you have missed anything. 7.
STORYBOARDING Storyboarding
is a device used to layout the design and navigation of a site.
It could simply be a rough sketch on a scrap of paper. However,
I always send out a storyboard to a client before starting to actually
layout the site. I recommend laying out rough sketches in Illustrator
or Freehand. Use your mind map or Flow Chart to help guide you through
this process. Ask your client to sign off on the bottom of this
Flow Chart.
8.
THINK ART One
of the most engaging attractions of a good web site is its graphics.
Listen carefully to your client carefully in order to find out what
he wants. If the client can't explain what he is visualizing, help
out with a few questions. The following five questions can be used. 1.
What sites are visually appealing to you?
2. On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is a fast-loading site to
you?
3. What colors are you partial to?
4. Do you already have existing collateral (brochures, catalogs,
etc.)? If so, what flexibility do I have with your fonts, logo,
and colors?
5. Do you have any art that we need in order to complete this project? If
you are having a hard time finding your creative self, I suggest
taking a look at CoolHomePages.com
to get a few ideas to build on. Once
you have an idea of what your client is expecting you are ready
to storyboard the site. 9.
PHOTOSHOP Now
that your client has signed off on your storyboard it is time to
start the design process. Finally! Follow these steps to ease the
design process. 1.
Take a screen shot of your browser.
2. Bring this image into Photoshop and save file.
3. Layout all design elements into layers for home page of site
first.
4. Design at least three different design variations.
4. Go to your local service bureau to print out 2 copies of each
design, one for you and one for the client. Remember to charge the
client for printouts with 5% - 10% markup. Place one of each printout
copy into the project's docket, this is your copy.
5. Go to a business supply store, like Staples, and buy black board,
a portfolio case big enough to hold several black boards, Utility
knife, Exacto knife, spray adhesive, labels, and a straight ruler.
5. Use an Exacto knife and straight ruler to cut off excess paper
of Client's printout copy.
6. Measure width and length of the printout.
7. Cut black board to be about 4 inches taller and wider than the
printout is.
6. Spray the back of the printout lightly with spray adhesive. After
spraying the back of the printout, put one corner down about 2 inches
from the top and 2 inches from the left of the black board. Then
pull printout taut from the bottom right as you slowly press down
the paper from the upper left. This will keep bubbling from happening.
There should now be 2 inches of blackboard framing each side of
the printout.
7. Place a label on the back of black board with copyright information,
your logo, and a place for client to sign off. If
your client is local, setup an appointment in order to show him
the mockups. If you have a long distance relationship, I suggest
using Fed Ex to ship the mockups to your client. Ask your client
to sign off on the back of the mockup that he likes. However, if
the client doesn't like any of your layouts, which happens to the
best of us, you are back to the drawing board. Once
you get a layout that your client likes, you should rename your
Photoshop file to reflect this and move the unused files into an
"idea file". There is no reason that these unused mockups
cannot be modified for your next client. Also, you should proceed
to taked the unused mockup copies out of the project's docket and
leave behind the chosen mockups. I would suggest placing unused
mockups in a binder for new clients to look at to see what style
they like.
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by Rachel Goldstein
http://www.Allfreelancework.com - 1000s of freelance jobs, articles, and resources. |
