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Workshop Seven:
Project Management
Every freelance graphic design project, from the very simple to the
very complex, has about 20 distinct steps, or "milestones."
Here's some eye-opening news: You can't collect
your deposit check, which means you can't begin work on a client's project,
until you complete SIX of these milestones. If your sales presentations
are consistently poor, your closing ratio is going to be disappointing.
Which means you're going to end up doing a lot of work — usually
the first six steps over and over again — for FREE.
So...if you have arrived here without thoroughly
reading and understanding The Sales Presentation
Workshop, please read it now, then come back. I'll wait.
Back already? Let's continue...
The following 20-step outline follows a typical graphic design project
from start to finish. Except for the obvious exceptions, the milestones
are the same whether you are working on a print project or a website.
On the left I have listed the actions you
need to take in order to successfully complete your project. The column
on the right lists the forms that you should be using to keep your project
on track.
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Project Milestones
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Form(s) to Use
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| 1 |
Obtain company information
and project goals from client. |
Client Profile |
| 2 |
Rough out a Production Schedule. |
Production Schedule,
Project Flowchart |
| 3 |
Are you going to need help? Now is
the time to contact all subcontractors (i.e. Printer, Photographer,
Copywriter, Programmer). |
Request For
Bid |
| 4 |
Work up pricing information. |
Price Estimate
Worksheet, Price Quote |
| 5 |
Finalize Production Schedule. |
Production Schedule,
Project Flowchart |
| 6 |
Meet with client to review project
goals, present pricing, obtain a signed Agreement/Work Order AND
pick up the deposit check. |
Production Schedule,
Project Flowchart, Price Quote, General Working Agreement, Proposal
Letter, Work Order, Invoice |
| 7 |
Begin work on project! |
Work In Progress,
Project Time Sheet |
| 8 |
Meet with your subcontractors (Photographer,
Copywriter, Programmer, etc.) to review the project. |
Production Schedule
(copies for each) |
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Project Milestones
|
Form(s) to Use
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| 9 |
Client meeting to present first roughs,
ideas, preliminary copy. |
Change Order |
| 10 |
Continue work on project. |
Project Status
Report (to client as req'd), Project Time Sheet, Internal Work In
Progress |
| 11 |
Client meeting to approve work to date. |
Change Order |
| 12 |
If required, supervise/art direct photo
shoot or taping session. |
Model Release |
| 13 |
Prepare mechanicals or digital files
for printer. |
Proof Checklist |
| 14 |
Client meeting to approve mechanicals
and/or final proof. |
Proof Checklist,
Change Order |
| 15 |
Revisions/corrections if needed, otherwise
obtain client approval signatures. |
Proof Checklist |
| 16 |
Deliver mechanicals/digital files to
printer. |
Printing Instructions |
| 17 |
Client meeting to approve blueline
and/or color proof. |
Change Order |
| 19 |
Billing. |
Project Expenses,
Project Billing Worksheet, Invoice |
| 20 |
Bookkeeping. |
Accounts Payable,
Accounts Receivable, Statement |
I bet that clears up a lot of questions,
doesn't it? Professional freelancers only look like they're winging
it!
Armed with this outline and a good set of
forms, you can manage several projects of varying complexity, all with
different time lines, concurrently, and without confusion.
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1 Freedom
2 Education
3 Portfolio
4 Desire
5 Partnering
6 Getting Clients
—Setting Appointments
—The Sales Presentation
—Getting the Deposit Check
7 Project Management
8 Confrontation
9 Independence
Forms & Contracts
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Having
a complete set of forms and contracts is what separates the
professional graphic designer from the animals — er, I mean,
the amateurs.
Disagreements rarely, if ever, center around
your design ability. They are instead directly related to misunderstandings
and miscommunication.
Good forms and contracts — having
them and also knowing when to use them — are your bridge
to good business.
Need forms? You can order a complete, professional
set of forms, worksheets, contracts, and proposal letters from
me. They are priced right, you can download them now, and
you will use them throughout your freelance career.
Click here for more information.
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Music and musicians provide a never-ending flow of visual ideas. I
have completed a number of CD projects for Southern California bands.
More graphic design at DanTurner.com.
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