The current economy is causing most companies to tighten their belts. With limited staffing and a restricted budget, how do you continue to promote your business? The simple solution is the occasional or ongoing use of outside resources such as graphic designers, writers, webmasters, and other creative talent.
There are some real advantages to outsourcing.
First, your business only has to purchase the services you need, when you need them. This saves on overhead costs such as equipment, office space, salaries, and benefits. Project costs are specified in a contract and monitored on a regular basis.
Second, by outsourcing services to a firm, your organization can realize the expertise of an entire group of creative talent. With more resources, you can rest assured your deadlines are met without compromising quality. With an expanded network of creative experts, customized skills are focused on designated projects, providing a higher level of service.
You may also want to consider a retainer agreement. In a retainer agreement, you pay an outside firm a specified amount each month to retain their services for your company. This can be an advantage if your business has an ongoing need for project management for websites, publications, advertising placement, and ongoing campaigns and marketing efforts.
However, many people are not sure how to hire a firm. Here are some tips to help you evaluate any type of creative services:
· Don't just go with the first creative firm you find. Do your research. Ask colleagues, customers, and other professional organizations for suggestions. Visit the company's website to view their online portfolio and read any articles they have written. This will help you understand the firm's areas of expertise and their approach.
· Meet in-person with a representative from the firm. This will help you gain a deeper understanding of the firm's personality. When you meet with a creative firm for the first time, be sure to ask all the questions you might have about communication, workflow, billing, timelines, and so on.
· When considering which firm you want to work with, take some time to review their list of clients and ask about past projects. Ask for references.
· Every firm has a unique look and feel to their design pieces. Review a potential firm's portfolio to see if you like their creative work. Ask the designer if they can help you develop a targeted product that will address your unique needs.
· Do you feel comfortable with the person you will be working with? Will they be able to get back to you in a timely manner? Can they meet your deadlines?
· Take time to discuss their pricing structure. When evaluating the cost, ask how value is added to justify certain pricing structures. For example, working with a freelancer will probably cost less than working with an entire firm. However, it may take more time and one person has a limited range of expertise, as well as time constraints. He or she may have to outsource certain components of your project. In the long run, you may be saving money by choosing to work with a team of experts who can provide a wide range of services under one roof.
Outsourcing can make your business easier to run and more profitable. You'll free up time and resources so you can concentrate on your core business concerns. Creative firms offer a broad range of integrated services to move your company forward. More than ever, business survival depends upon the ability to effectively market and promote your services, as well as keeping costs down. For your next campaign, outsourcing may be the perfect solution to make the difference in your bottom line.
Wendy Maynard, your friendly marketing maven, is the owner of Kinesis. Kinesis specializes in marketing, graphic and website design, and business writing. Visit http://www.kinesisinc.com/resources/article s.html for more articles and free marketing wisdom. You can visit her marketing blog, Kinetic Ideas at: http://www.wendy.kinesisinc.com
Want to harness the power of kinetic marketing? Sign up for Kinesis Quickies, a free bi-monthly marketing e-newsletter: http://www.news.kinesisinc.com
If you have the entrepreneurial spirit (which clearly you have!),... Read More
Have you ever worked with someone who always seemed to... Read More
Whether you are a consultant, coach, business owner, doctor, professional,... Read More
In a previous life I was a Navy Pilot. Great... Read More
Before Gertrude Ederle began her historic swim off of Cape... Read More
Q: How much do I have to worry about what... Read More
Implementing an ISO 9001 system represents a major effort. However,... Read More
ACCOUNTING AND BILLINGCHECK BOOKSWe recommend that you maintain a business... Read More
What's the use?Nothing you do will hold down the cost... Read More
How do you, or would you, communicate in a chaotic... Read More
Wouldn't it be nice for business owners and executives to... Read More
There are so many ways to jump start your prifits... Read More
The Number One problem in business is poor communication: between... Read More
However hard we try, we seem to make life more... Read More
SELECTING THE RIGHT PERSON: To whom should tasks be delegated?... Read More
If you were to take the people out of an... Read More
People in leading positions are often in a dilemma: on... Read More
The senior flight attendant on the WestJet flight was starting... Read More
This article relates to the Culture & Climate competency, commonly... Read More
Everyone wants to succeed yet everyone has a different perception... Read More
This article relates to the organizational structure competency, commonly evaluated... Read More
We draw conclusions about people through observation, their behavior, past... Read More
You need to know all that is going on around... Read More
Have you ever heard yourself say to a team member... Read More
IntroductionThe role of the Human Resource Manager is evolving with... Read More
People want to understand their role - they want to... Read More
Growing companies must always be ready for the next challenge.... Read More
Does your hiring process consist of proven practices or just... Read More
All small to mid-sized company owners want to know where... Read More
What do the companies 3M, Polaroid, and Walt Disney have... Read More
The goal of perfection is a challenge. It is often... Read More
A recent report entitled "How Google Grows?and Grows?and Grows" stated... Read More
Intangible Corporate Assets such as Organizational Capital, Blue Sky and... Read More
Inventory management may seem complicated to some, but if one... Read More
I believe the media and our culture sends the wrong... Read More
Sir Alex Ferguson has just celebrated his 1000 game in... Read More
Using Employee Opinions Effectively When Designing HR ProgramsEmployee opinion is... Read More
Five monkeys were placed in a cage. A banana was... Read More
Remember the 80:20 rule? You may not get everything perfectly... Read More
Perfectionism can get in the way of building or marketing... Read More
In today's business environment with increases in staff reductions and... Read More
Today there is great weight put on a person's attitude.... Read More
The CultBecoming a part of the Cult, consists of being... Read More
Performance Management is the act of managing personal or organizational... Read More
Business owners and managers are busier than ever. As their... Read More
The difference between leaders is ears. Good leaders not only... Read More
One of the most common complaints that business owners have... Read More
GROUP DECISION-MAKING: Many managers feel they are well-versed in areas... Read More
As we near the end of summer, here is a... Read More
What do organizations look for in a prospective employee with... Read More
Use this check list to assess your communication skills.Focus* Do... Read More
Your impact at meetings will determine in a big way... Read More
The overriding goal of ISO-14000. (History 1995)As ISO-9000 becomes a... Read More
Innovation is different and distinct from creativity in that it... Read More
If you work from home, chances are you already know... Read More
Now we turn the corner to our final phase: Re-Discovery.Last... Read More
Have you ever worked with someone who always seemed to... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
There are seven essential elements to successful business communication:StructureClarityConsistencyMediumRelevancyPrimacy/RecencyPsychological Rule... Read More
Your people are invaluable to you. They are the lifeblood... Read More
You're so excited you're practically bouncing off the walls. This... Read More
Is building your own inventory management solution really your best... Read More
Cost cutting has become a necessary and important reality in... Read More
Want to hear a fascinating story? Let's sit in at... Read More
As a recent employee to your job, you are becoming... Read More
The Fundamentals of Strategic Marketing, Some Key Traits for Greater... Read More
Business Management |