It can be tempting to outsource creative work to contest platforms, but as an agency, are you really getting your money’s worth? Or, more accurately, will your clients be happy with the solutions you pass on to them? Your reputation – and financial future – rides on the work you produce, so it’s worth some consideration.
What Do Your Clients Expect?
Too often, clients and agencies don’t have a thorough discussion of expectations. The results of a survey of ad agency clients offers some insight. Clients expected a lot.
- A deep knowledge of their industry and business or at least the ability to get up to speed quickly
- Accountability was essential. In other words, projects should be on time and on budget. If there’s a problem, fix it.
- Accessibility was #1 with many clients. They expect to be able to reach you when they need to.
- Leadership was also important. They expected their agency to be proactive, listen to their concerns and not to be afraid to push back if they sincerely believed the client was wrong. Don’t be afraid to take the lead.
- Care about the client’s business as much as they do.
- Each client wants to be your top priority – getting your absolute best work every time.
- Clients want to trust that you’ll do what’s in the client’s best interests even if another option would be more profitable. Spend their money wisely.
What does this have to do with whether or not to use a contest platform? It’s simple, really. If you want to retain clients – and there’s nothing better than a long-term client – you have to provide them the value they’re expecting.
There are many downsides of an “unlimited” or contest graphic design platform. Decide for yourself if you think it would work for you.
Knowledge of the Client’s Industry and Business
This was a top priority for clients. This means the creative talent must also either possess or acquire this knowledge. On contest platforms, it’s possible the person working on your project does have a basic understanding and does a good job for you. It’s just as possible that doesn’t happen or that the person working on the next job doesn’t see the big picture. There can be a definite lack of consistency in the look from one project to the next. If you want to deal with their best talent, you’re charged a premium.
BXP Creative understands this problem and solves it by assigning you a dedicated project manager who will become familiar with the needs of you and your client. Quality control on all work done flows through our creative director and project managers. You can communicate with the project manager through our platform or make a phone call. If you’re local, you can meet and talk in person. The PM ensures that the requirements you outlined to us are met.
Accountability and Accessibility
Accountability suffers when there’s not a single point of contact. Your clients have one – you. You need one also, but don’t have one with many contest platforms.
Some platforms only allow you to submit one project at a time. Frankly, that’s silly. If you only had one project, you’d do it yourself. You need help because you’re stressed-out busy and have projects piling up.
Another thing to watch out for with “unlimited” design services is what constitutes a “request.” On one platform, a “request” is a project that can be completed in 30 minutes or less. If the work will take longer than 30 minutes (in other words, every project you’d submit), the job must be broken down into several requests. “Unlimited” should really stand for “unlimited hassle.”
Again, BXP Creative addresses the accountability problem with your project manager. You can submit as many projects as you need to and your PM will always know what’s going on. You’ll know the status of every project for every client so when you’re asked for an update by your client, you have an answer.
Leadership
One definition of leadership is giving the client the best options. Some contest platforms will provide you with a slew of designs, but you’ll be lucky to find one that will “wow” your client. You don’t have time to deal with a lot of inferior work done in 30 minutes or less.
At BXP Creative, we’ll provide you with a limited number of options, all of which have passed our quality control process. You review them and present all or some of the designs to your client. Your client doesn’t want to review a lot of subpar work. They want quality.
Trust
Contest platforms work more on quantity than quality. They’re not really set up to foster long-term relationships.
BXP wants to work with you for the long haul. The longer we work together, the better we’ll understand what you and your clients need. We want to earn your trust.Check out how we work. We’re focused on making the process as easy for you as possible and supplying the top-quality work your client expects. Request a consultation and tell us what you need. We want to earn your business.
