Making Contact. Encounters of the Second Kind

Read Making Contact. Encounters of the First Kind by clicking here. Or read step one of the Starting A New Project series by clicking here.

So we are still looking for that perfect person on design firm to create that new project that is going to send your business into the stratosphere. Yesterday we looked at people that we know well, friends, family, that kid down the block that built his own Myspace page or whoever. Maybe we found the right person maybe not. Today is all about using those business connections that we all have made over the years in a different way.

Every small business owner that you know that has a website probably has worked with a web designer at some point. Or else they probably wouldn’t have that site. So should you use the same person or design firm that did their site? Maybe yes, maybe no. Do you really, really like their site and wish that your site looked exactly the same? Then yes look into working with that designer. However every situation is different. What are your needs? Are you going to need additional services that they cannot or do not provide such as print work. It all depends on if you want to build a relationship with a web designer and a graphic artist or just one. That being said not every great web designer is a great print graphic designer. Ask to see examples of both if you are looking for a full service designer.

Please do everyone a favor though and not ask your business connection how much they paid for their website or print work. The reason for this is simple. All projects are different. What he or she needed is different than what you need, it could cost more or it could cost less, either way don’t put your business connection in that position of revealing what they paid. Get the quote from the designer that you are interested in working with. And whatever you do don’t say “Well, you only charged so-and-so this.”

Tomorrow: Encounters of the Third Kind