Overview
Note that this workshop is offered on the Pre-Festival Workshop Day (March 7) and therefore is only available to those who have ‘The Works’ or the ‘Pre-Festival Workshop’ ticket.
This full day workshop is a complete guide through the process of starting a design business, setting your rates, getting clients, managing projects, marketing your skills, working with employees, and looking to the future for continual growth. You will learn from hands-on activities, anecdotes and advice from several successful interactive studios, and several worksheets that will allow you to keep using what you’ve learned in the workshop when you get back to your studio!
Outline:
DEFINING THE PROBLEM
– About This Workshop
– Introductions
– Problems We Face
– Personal Experiences
PLANNING YOUR BUSINESS
– Business Planning
– Defining our Business
PRICING YOUR WORK
– Pricing Models
– Setting Rates
– Financial Management
– Understanding the Basics of P&L
SALES / NEW BUSINESS
– New Business
– Understanding the Client
SCOPING A PROJECT
– How to Scope a Project
– Quality Triangle
– Determining Profit Margin
PROPOSAL AND PROJECT PRICING
– Writing a Proposal
– What is an RFP?
– Pricing a Project
– Estimate vs. Proposal
UNDERSTANDING YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS
– Intellectual Property
– Understanding Defamation and Privacy
– Work-for-Hire
– Contract Law
MARKETING AND SELF PROMOTION
– Marketing 101
– Promoting your Studio/Yourself
– Writing a Press Release
MANAGING THE CREATIVE PROCESS
– Project Management 101
– Essential Tools
– Time Tracking
– Working with a Team
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
– Resource Management
– Keeping Morale Up
– Meeting Etiquette
– Dealing with the Naysayers
– Hiring your First Employee
ORGANIZING AND ARCHIVING
– Keeping Organized
– Setting Standards
– Maintaining an Archiving System
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
– Establishing Continual Growth
– Defining Exit Strategies
Audience:
Creative studio owners, freelancers, consultants, project managers, and business developers.
Handouts:
Too numerous to mention, basically almost a real book full of worksheets and cheat sheets, about 55 pages in total!
Computer Policy:
To keep prices this low, this workshop is bring-your-own-laptop.
Presented by: Rich Media Institute
