creative management
Out of context: Reply #16
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- Aliyah0
"Much more work than you would expect" Elaboration....
Well First there is your design /developer network (All those talented designers etc.. you know) In order to effectively source work out to these people you need to know who they are, their availability, and their costing, you need to know how they work, their style, and their timing. This means contracts, and more contracts. It means references, and checking references thoroughly. But even with contracts, and a reference you cannot really guarantee the quality of a freelancers work, or their professionalism. Do you trust them to deal with your clients directly? Are you confident of their ability to handle a client, your clients. There are some very talented designers and developers out there, extreme talent, it is unfortunate, but talented does not always mean professional, or diplomatic when it comes to dealing with clients. On a whole I would say many designers see clients as a major hindrance to the creative process, and are generally annoyed at having to deal with them at all.
Keep in mind, with the rare exception of course, you will almost always be acting as the main liaison between clients, and your network of designers, and developers. This alone adds up to many many hours of work every day. Translating a clients vision to a designer, especially across distances, while certainly not impossible can often be a trying, and time consuming process.Not to mention #2 Seeking new clients, writing proposals, costing projects, selling concepts, sourcing out work to available talent. Scheduling, and ensuring projects are moving along to clients and designers mutual satisfaction. Documentation Smaller clients are often harder to manage time wise, they usually want alot more hand holding, discussion and participation in their projects, where as larger clients, while easier to manage on a time level, usually expects a lot more in the way of paperwork; project outlines, intensive proposals, and detailed documentation.. etc.. etc...
The entire process of distributed development is a hard one to effectively manage on your own. Much easier would be to just act as a referral network. Sourcing out projects taking a percentage and leaving it at that. However if looking for that repeat business is your goal, having clients that use you and your network for all of their design, and development needs. Find a partner or two, who are equally as good at handling clients and winning jobs, and have them work with you on the administration end. You will do very well indeed :)