Been a busy couple of weeks with meeting new prospects and writing up proposals. This part of work actually for me (the business developer hat I wear) takes up a big part of my work. It is easier now though, as many new prospects come to us via referrals from previous works, referring partners and those whom I meet at networking groups. In the earlier days of business, I was out many nights of the week and early morning breakfast meetings chatting it up with business owners and learning what needs they have with respect to the web and their business. (very difficult for me as I am shy) It was also during the time where the education was mostly sharing about the importance of having a website. But as time progressed, in our favour, businesses and not-for-profits are coming to us, realizing the importance and are enquiring about getting the most out of their website. So this past week, I worked on a proposal for a “website redesign” for a retail store, a couple of “brand new websites”, one for a sculptor and another for a Landscaping company, some additional functionality on an existing website – e-commerce for a new book, and a blog for a designer’s website. Not to mention maintenance updates for a variety of existing client websites. So it has been a great variety of projects on the go.
In this business we have found, it is important for us to overlap our projects as it seems even though everyone wants their project to be finished ASAP, timelines vary depending upon approval times, waiting for content, images, holiday time etc. so we find it is best to have a variety of projects on the go, knowing what we can handle at any given time. One thing I have learned to do, when administrative duties get out of hand is to delegate. As a small business owner, the first few years, I thought I could do it all… well you quickly learn that is not the case. So things that I really hate to do (bookkeeping, filing receipts etc.) I leave for my bookkeeper. This was an important lesson that all small business owners need to learn – for some like me, well you learn the hard way. Boundaries also is an important lesson that I have learned as well. It is easy especially working from a home environment, the need to remind your family you aren’t a “stay at home mum” like the other friend’s mothers who can chauffeur their kids around all over the place at their whim!” We do have work hours!! I’m lucky now, as my son is old enough to get around, but I speak with many mompreneurs and they still have lots of little ones who demand their attention while trying to run a business.
Detailed proposal writing, typically consists of industry research, competitive research, face-to-face meetings with the potential client, write up of typically a couple of options, deliverables, methodology, time frames and investment. For some cases, if there is a lot of technical considerations over and above a typical base site, then we sometimes have to investigate custom or 3rd party solutions. In this case, we will need to bill the client for that time of development testing. But most proposals are written for free. It is a highly competitive industry and not all web designers are made equal, so it is so important to know what you are getting, what kind of customer service will you get not only during the project development phase, but afterwards, know who is doing the work (are they outsourcing?), and make sure you feel comfortable working with the provider.
Ok…. better get back to work!
