growing a creative business
- Started
- Last post
- 14 Responses
- breadlegz
Hiya
I have been freelancing for 3 years now after working at a company for 5 years.
The business (Breadlegs Ltd) is now getting a great name in my area and i'm using freelancers a lot. People say I should be looking at taking someone on, but i'm scared of finding a good all rounder (web and print design).
Have any of you been in this position as well? Any advice or things I should take into consideration would be a great help.
Thanks
Chris
- UndoUndo0
if yr working from home check out yr insurance as it might need to change once you have an employee. Get yr contracts right and focus on the non-disclosure part as you dont want them running away with yr contacts!!
i think the most difficult part will be trying to find ppl as committed and dedicated as you and who you can trust.
Often it is better to bring a number of ppl in at the same time but not always that easy.
good luck whatever you do :)
- F_180
I work in house full time and have interviewed and hired a number of people, and to me, the best way to tell what someones capabilities are on the technical end is to have them casually walk you through their process. The candidates who are willing to go into more technical detail and reveal more of their process are the ones (usually) who are more techinically proficient. Finding someone like this who also has a solid book is a daunting challenge though, and you have to spend a significant portion of your time interviewing lots of people. But in the end, its all about going with your gut.
- rockonski0
you need help with hiring people, you mean?
- versa0
i am in a somewhat similar spot
took on a full time project manager, and have a floating freelancer that i am not happy with ( tho he is quality in terms of attitude, personality, etc )
need to find 1-2 new, very well - rounded individuals willing to straddle the worlds of print and at least web design, if not some development, but am finding that that is a pipedream where i am located
everyone is either specifically flash, static web, usability, print, or just creative direction - its really disheartening, but an eye opener
i am starting to have a bit of luck tho, through AIGA, and some contacts that i made through, believe it or not, the local iteration of CREATE magazine
craigslist got me nowhere, and creative hotlist for me locally, didn't produce much
best of luck to you
- versa0
as far as advice
get your legal down now !
dont wait with the paperwork - a smooth contract system is something that could take months to catch up on, and burn you in the end if not solid
things u prolly know tho
- angelus350
Before taking on any employee and moving on to the next level, read:
- breadlegz0
Thank you for the advice.
I've ordered that book too.
I feel like I need to step away from the design and become more of a businessman with design knowledge. hmmmmm planty to think about though.
- UndoUndo0
good luck to you breadlegz!
- breadlegz0
thanks undo, much appreciated
- sherman0
Do you use any project management software?
- breadlegz0
Sherman: I use basecamp
- e-pill0
this is the most positive thread i have seen in a long time!!!!
chris...good luck and i hope you find what you need.
the advice i have seen in here is great, things i never thought of, its great info!!!
:)
- ********0
beware, take cautious steps
- ********0
I found a few freelancers I liked and had them on regular projects on a consistant basis, The ones who have shown the most potential and willingness to be "part of the team" I spoke to about a fulltime position. In the end, due to the business aspects of things taking over most of my time, I hired a office manager rather than a designer at first. This worked for me, they were able to prepare the contracts (with my and the lawyers approval), schedule meetings, organize projects, handle client contacts and drafts, and things like that.
Saved me so much time- I realized I can now work more on being creative and still get away with the small few freelancers I respect and trust.