Working remotely as a Creative (Part 1)
This overlaps with some of my previous blogs, working from home and your work your way. Here we will dig into more detail.
Working remotely can be super rewarding; it offers so many advantages over working in an office or under someone else’s conditions.
What stands out the most? It saves time; it’s cheaper; money continues to flow on your own terms and timeframes; it allows for travel, more relaxation and less of the daily grind most people still put up with. If done right, working from home can allow short, focused work when it suits your day, week and month. It does, however, have its own inherent problems and frustrations for clients. The following highlights some of those problems and offers solutions before they get out of control.
1. Use an online system that supports everyone involved
Use a system that takes a client from first draft to deliverables: it’s efficient, easy and predictable for the clients, and it builds trust.
From the beginning, a new client can see a clear journey ahead, a clear roadmap. Stakeholders can see the approximate dates, the plan is understood ahead of time, and clients can manage their own time around it.
Why does it work? Expectations are managed: clients now know what, when, how and if anything is required of them. No surprises, no panic meetings and no potential for delays. The moment a client is left guessing what’s next, or doesn’t know where to find the answers, everything gets difficult, requiring more effort for everyone involved to recalibrate.
2. Provide the plan with approximate dates
Start the project with approximate dates documented; include expected or possible review dates. Bring this up in the kick-off meeting or email. As the project starts, briefing information arrives and scene preparation begins, timeframes start to become clear. Update those dates and book a meeting with the client.
Using software that guides the client through each stage with a Gantt chart is a game changer. It leaves the Creatives to do what they do best.
I hope this helps someone, stay tuned for part 2.
Thanks for reading.
Luke