Photoshop CS6 Unlocked: 101 Tips, Tricks, & Techniques is a compilation of answers, how-to’s, and examples to all your Photoshop CS6 questions. Jam-packed with practical guides and time-saving suggestions, the second edition of this hugely popular designers’ handbook has been updated to cover the latest CS6 tips, tricks, and tools.
Getting organized is more than just keeping your area clutter-free or using effective time management. To succeed as an entrepreneur or freelancer, you must excel at project management. Technical projects consists of many pieces coming together to create the end product. If you don’t have a process in place to manage each step and keep detailed records, then you run the risk of missing deadlines and delivering poor products and services.
Keep Detailed Project Files
It’s important to keep track of all of your files in one place. Don’t waste time and energy tracking down files in miscellaneous emails or from subcontractors. If you’re working on your own, then create folders in Dropbox for each client and subfolders for each project. You want to be able to access your folders from anywhere.
A more advanced option is to use project management software like rule.fm or Basecamp. You can upload documents and share them with subcontractors and employees. You will always have your files in one spot and associated with clients and projects.
Keep Detailed Milestones and Deadlines
Disorganization creeps in when you don’t keep track of your progress. You can get away with it with the first couple of clients, but not for long. At some point, you will have to start keeping detailed records in this area. Do yourself a favor and form the habit early on with your first few clients. You can use project management software or to-do lists. Figure out the milestones for each project, and assign due dates and tasks for each. Be as detailed as possible as you describe tasks in case you plan to use independent contractors for those projects or future projects.
Keep Track of Your Time
Even if you charge a flat fee for your services, you need to track your time. It will help you analyze how which types of projects generate the most profits for your business, as well as whether you need to raise your rates. If you play the guessing game, then you can hinder the growth of your business. Use online timesheets or ones that are included in project management software to keep detailed records of your time. There are many available online for free, such as slimtimer.com.
Track non-billable time as well. That’s all the time you spend on your clients, even if you don’t expect payment. Examples include:
Responding to emails (although you should probably be billing your time for those)
Mailing completed works (including travel time to the post office)
Watching tutorials to learn the client’s software
Returning quick phone calls
One major advantage of being detail oriented in this area is that billing clients for work will become easier. You could even hand it off to a bookkeeper, since your time will already be logged. Make sure you distinguish between non-billable and billable time.
If the thought of getting so detailed gives you a headache, consider hiring someone to help you in this area. Delegate project management or billing to someone who is competent to manage these tasks for you. This will free you up to concentrate on design and other projects that you enjoy most.
If you wish to help or stand and watch, our hourly rate is $500 an hour.”
We can learn something from this sign displayed by an auto repair shop. Some clients want to micro-manage all of the projects they “turn over.” The problem is, it makes you less efficient, less effective and it can be more hassle than it’s worth. The client has a right to expect quality work and you should work hard to achieve customer satisfaction. There’s a fine line though between achieving customer satisfaction and being controlled, and you will lose money often if you don’t make that distinction.
Set Boundaries
Decide how you want to work and don’t stray from that. If you want to work virtually, in your office and without direct client contact, then don’t budge. The rates you set should not be based on the fact that you don’t have to travel to an office space or lease one for clients to see you. If you agree to see clients and allow them to constantly look over your shoulder, then you’re losing money on the deal. You should set boundaries with your clients. Let them know that you charge competitive rates because you work remotely. If they don’t want that, then move on. That’s tough to say when the economy is bad, but if you’re not willing to set boundaries you must be willing to increase your rates.
Set High Rates
The point that the repair shop is making is that you get what you pay for. If a client wants to control what you’re doing or learn what you do, and then go off and do the work on his own, then he should pay a much higher rate. You should double your rate at the very least if you’re not willing to give up that client. One of two things will happen: Your client will not want to pay the higher rate and leave, or will get the point and accept your work style. Each situation is different, so you’ll have to decide whether to accept a client walking away because you take a stand. Like you, most clients will want to save costs and go for the cheaper rate for the same work.
Communicate Often
A client often feels a need to control the situation when there’s a communication breakdown. It’s often a panic reaction, and the client feels more secure if they can dictate the terms and micro-manage you as a contractor. You can prevent that feeling of insecurity and the negative reaction to it by communicating with your clients often. Decide on the best communication method for your clients and use it. If it’s a phone call, don’t be afraid to pick it up weekly or more often to give updates. If they love emails, send them informative ones and attach samples of your work as needed. Be authentic and transparent in your communications to put them at ease. It will go a long way to diminish any desire they have to take control of the situation.
The best way to handle overbearing clients is to take these preventative measures. It doesn’t guarantee that you’ll never face a client who wants to look over your shoulder, but following these rules will empower you to stay or walk away.
The telephone is the most undervalued tool in business, but when used right, it’s a great asset. You can use it to for sales and marketing, client relations, training and even to deliver part of your services. With so many options for phones and phone plans, it can be tough to decide on the right choice. Understanding the pros and cons of some popular options can help you make an informed decision.
Cell Phones
Many startups rely on cell phones for everything, including business. The pros to using cell phones for business are:
Flexibility – You can use your cell phone anywhere.
Screen calls – Your caller ID will indicate who is calling.
Pay as you go – Prepaid cell phones allow you to purchase plans without a monthly requirement.
You’ll experience the same frustrations using cell phones for your business as you may already have for personal use. The notorious cons are:
Dropped calls – And yes, it will be in the middle of closing a sale.
Bad connections – It’s hard to hear the other person or vice versa sometimes, which can frustrate clients.
Health risks – Extensive cell phone usage may have a severe impact on your health.
Buying and selling cell phones is so easy, it seems like a no brainer. However, it may not be your best option for your business.
VoIP, or Voice over IP
Voice Over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, allows you to make calls over the internet. Skype is a popular example, where by one click you can call a client overseas or a subcontractor in the same area. You can use a VoIP phone or a computer. You can also attach an adapter to some phones. The technology utilizes the Internet to transmit calls instead of the typical analog phone line used for landlines. The pros of using VoIP are:
Easy for subcontractors or employees to use when working on your behalf – No need to be at your office (they can use their own Internet connection).
Save costs – No need to pay for a landline in addition to Internet service.
Use and record videos – You can even sell those calls or leverage them to increase your prices.
Lower costs – The cost to use VoIP is much lower in many cases, and sometimes even free.
Some entrepreneurs love VoIP, but not everyone is sold. The cons to be aware of include:
Unreliable connections – Like cell phones, you’re going to get error messages during calls stating that there’s a bad Internet connection and the call will be “dropped.”
It’s dependent on electricity – Unlike your landline, when the power goes out, so does VoIP.
You can always try VoIP for free to see whether it’s the right solution for you. Find an online service like Skype and give it a try.
Second Line
Adding a second line to your landline is another simple phone option. You can list that line’s number as your business phone and you’ll know when it rings that it’s a business call. The pros of this option are:
It will work even when there’s a power outage
The connection is stable and reliable
You can forward calls
The cons might outweigh the pros in some instances though, such as:
You double your phone costs
Additional features such as voicemail and caller ID are expensive
Limited in functionality when compared to VoIP and some cell phones
Bundling phone service features will help to lower the costs a bit. You can also bundle services with some of your other services with the provider, such as Internet and phone, to lower costs.
Determining what phone option is right for you will depend on how you plan to use it with clients. The expenses may also be tax deductible, which can help to reduce your overall tax liability.
