General Discussions

**twiggy** · 05-10-2007, 09:14 AM

I have recently been sent a P.M (and this is not a one off have seen this or similar comments on the forum) about 'designers' on here not being able to take the next step up and earn real money. How did you get contracts with Skoda? How do you keep getting new business in for websites?

So a few pointers to help you out if you are struggling:

1. Talk/Type at a high standard of English. 'Text Talk' like 2, U, 3, sry etc use well constructed sentences, nothing is more of putting than something that looks like it has been typed by a 14 years old.

2. Give a fixed address and fixed land line number. You are not going to get bigger money deals giving out only your e-mail address, would you give out £400-£1000's to someone you are not able to contact properly? Give out your details to build confidence.

3. With the up most of respect when seeing some 'designers' on here they are completely terrible. Practice, practice and practice some more, there no point trying to land contacts when your standards are not very good.

4. On the point of 'designers' single skill set is not enough now in to days world, a minimum of XHTML, HTML, CSS and XML is needed to be able to get any real functionality out of a website. AJAX, Java, PHP or Ruby will no doubt be needed very soon as all sites are going this way.

(Once you learn a programming language your designs will improve no end! Once you realise why things need to be a certain way your interface design and overall design will improve greatly.)

5. Be open and honest, if you can't do something say so. There no point lying about it because it will catch you out once a client wants something doing.

6. Don't refer to you as we. I see many 'design firms' say we, we ,we and some American corporate style B@#+$&!T like "we strive to give the utmost of professional service". When a client turns up to find its just one person/teenager in there mums house they will not be impressed (do a google there are some funny story's related to this out there).

7. A good portfolio. Ok now you told them how good you are, they need to see it. A high quality portfolio of your work is needed

As you can see above its all about trust and the client being able to believe in you and believe you will deliver the highest quality work.

Build on your skill set and most importantly practice it.

**twiggy** · 05-10-2007, 09:35 AM

yes wonder is spelt wrong , or was it a typo

everyone entitled to a mistake or two?

Just trying to give some advice from what I have learnt on the way and what I have learnt from others so people don't make the same mistakes.

**DaveMo~** · 05-11-2007, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twiggy

So a few pointers to help you out if you are struggling:

1. Talk/Type at a high standard of English. 'Text Talk' like 2, U, 3, sry etc use well constructed sentences, nothing is more of putting than something that looks like it has been typed by a 14 years old.

2. Give a fixed address and fixed land line number. You are not going to get bigger money deals giving out only your e-mail address, would you give out £400-£1000's to someone you are not able to contact properly? Give out your details to build confidence.

3. With the up most of respect when seeing some 'designers' on here they are completely terrible. Practice, practice and practice some more, there no point trying to land contacts when your standards are not very good.

4. On the point of 'designers' single skill set is not enough now in to days world, a minimum of XHTML, HTML, CSS and XML is needed to be able to get any real functionality out of a website.

5. Be open and honest, if you can't do something say so. There no point lying about it because it will catch you out once a client wants something doing.

6.

7. A good portfolio. Ok now you told them how good you are, they need to see it. A high quality portfolio of your work is needed (period?)

Some really good points. However, since the first point was to talk/type at a high standard of English, the English teacher came out in me and I made some notes about the English in it.

Maybe it was just a mistake or two? Or several? Typos allowed. But if you want the high standard of English, then all typing should be carefully checked.

Have fun!

Dave