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- What do you do when your client is WRONG?October 13
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I think one of the hardest moments for me as a brand new web designer with my first client to serve was mustering the courage to discuss all kinds of aspects, especially when my client seemed to be the “know it all” type. Frustration was what I felt and I just didn’t know what to do: tell my client he’s totally off when it comes to that matter or just “suck it up” and do what I am told to?
There is a time when you need to ask yourself: “Do I tell my clients they are wrong? And how do I do this?”
Many people who had more experience in dealing with clients told me to shut up, take the money and never mind the problem. Some claimed it’s a bad strategy to point to your client he’s wrong, that your client might lose respect in you and trust in your services.
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- Start low or get a 200K loan?September 29
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Some days ago I read an article about people who start a web business and might want to get investors interested in their project. The number used there was 200,000 USD (we can take less or more, in the end we talk about money we don’t have and need others to give it). For a new web business this capital is important: you can develop faster and, with a good business plan, you can also re-pay and then develop “solo”.
My question to myself and now to you (since you stumbled across my article) would be: “Would I really want to get in such a debt to start my business?”
As I always like to have “lists” of pros and cons, I’ll try to solve this the same way and invite you to also add up if you have more ideas.
Starting with a 200K USD investment (bank loan or people who help out with the money)
PROS:
- I have the money needed to kickstart the business. I can afford promotion, a nice office, a good looking car, employees
- If I know how to make the business work this initial capital can build up nicely and I could get a very good profit. I can then repay any debt and then be free.
- The big loan might be an incentive for me to work more so that I make the business grow fast.
CONS:
- I am in debt. Seriously in debt. If I fail, I lose everything, have to work for a lifetime to cover my loan, sell my house, car etc. Sleeping in the first months at least would be hard, with all this in mind
- Are we still professionals if we are not “jack of all trades”?September 12
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Few months ago a disgruntled member commented that we cannot consider ourselves professionals if we use scripts or even hosting provided by a third party. How dare we call ourselves this if we use other people’s work into building our projects. Are we still professionals if we are not “jack of all trades”?
In a way we are this “jack” since most of us know a bit of everything: we can design in Photoshop, maybe Flash too, we know how to put the design in HTML/CSS, we know how to do SEO on the site, how to monetize, how to run a community. It’s hard to believe but nowadays the internet related work is SO SPECIALIZED each of these are already separate specialities that can really fill one’s day. A good “photoshoper” spends most his/her day coming up with new effects, shapes or patterns, making them look nice, taking care of the colours etc.
Slicing a design and making it cross browser valid, implementing SEO elements etc. is another specialty in its own. Some do it rudimentary still (I admit I am not a specialist in this either, so I do make mistakes), while others have brought this to an art level.
Can we call these people losers because they don’t code in php/mysql for instance and use an already proven to be good solution? Can we think they are not professionals just because they don’t use their own computer as server and waste all day trying to secure it while also paying hundreds of dollars a month for something they can have wit
- Leap and a net will appear …August 21
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I was watching an episode from Monk last night (I know, it’s a geeky series) and there was something that really made me think … a new motto: “Leap and a net will appear“.
It does sound like those “self help books” that most of the time don’t say anything, just mix some ideas all over again in the hope someone will take them seriously. The change is in us all and most do have some reasons for being as they are. It’s a good idea to try and inspire people to have faith in their own strength and this is one of the merits of such books.
Let’s get back to the “leap and a net will appear” idea. It’s so nicely said and so difficult to make happen. What are we supposed to do? Just leave everything behind? Try something totally new no matter the costs? Do and then think? ‘Come what may’?
I was never this type of a person, even if I did have my share of “leaps”. Right now I am working in 2 areas I never dreamt I’d get, ignoring all the schooling and even my previous dreams, because, once you find a way, it’s a pity to not take it just because it’s something different from what you’ve prepared for.
Three of the most important “leaps” I made are related to current jobs and .. a car.
10 years ago I was a high-school graduate. Have been studying a lot to be a kindergarten teacher, had tens of practice hours and was gifted. Still, after finishing and preparing for college, I almost gave my folks a heart attack
- What happened to the “do it yourself” idea?August 17
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I have been running forums for 6 years now. Started as a totally “noob” admin and made my way by learning all I could about forum scripts, modding the skins, adding plugins etc. I made mistakes and was able to learn a lot at the same time. Never wanted to depend on anyone, never knew how to sum up my “courage” and bug others to assist. All the “do it yourself” thing was good in my case .. from a brand new web designer with no knowledge (not knowing where to add some Java script code in the page for instance, or create a banner in Photoshop) I got to owning over 30 sites and having a small web design firm. And, at the same time, found out that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.
I am not saying all these to brag (yet again), just to get something straight. As much as I didn’t like asking all people to do my job, I dislike people who come and bust into my private life EXPECTING me to do their work.
My main webmaster forum is up for almost 4 years. It’s a small and friendly community, with some amazing members and some kids who are an inspiration. 4 Years ago I was one of the few crazy admins to let 13 year old kids run my community (as moderators). Sure, they don’t have too much access to the real stuff (I never let another admin), but still, if they wanted to do damage, they could.
No, they didn’t do anything wrong, in fact they are still the pillars of the