Comments on: Branding Your Business On The Cheap http://www.webbusinessfreedom.com/2008/09/branding-your-business-on-the-cheap/ How To Start And Grow A Thriving Web-Based Business Fri, 25 Dec 2009 09:40:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Brandon Uttley http://www.webbusinessfreedom.com/2008/09/branding-your-business-on-the-cheap/comment-page-1/#comment-75 Brandon Uttley Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:23:29 +0000 http://webbusinessfreedom.com/?p=137#comment-75 Three, You make some valid points, and I agree there will always be a value to working directly with a good graphic designer with demonstrated skills and a proven process. Many companies could not use the "crowdsourcing" route, because they can't make decisions without a small army and 20 rounds of revisions :). As you rightly pointed out, often it takes a lot of research and painstaking efforts to get the job done right. So even though crowd sourcing has its place, there is still no substitute for the personal interaction and interpretation between the professional designer and his/her client. Three,

You make some valid points, and I agree there will always be a value to working directly with a good graphic designer with demonstrated skills and a proven process. Many companies could not use the "crowdsourcing" route, because they can't make decisions without a small army and 20 rounds of revisions :). As you rightly pointed out, often it takes a lot of research and painstaking efforts to get the job done right. So even though crowd sourcing has its place, there is still no substitute for the personal interaction and interpretation between the professional designer and his/her client.

]]> By: three http://www.webbusinessfreedom.com/2008/09/branding-your-business-on-the-cheap/comment-page-1/#comment-59 three Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:14:12 +0000 http://webbusinessfreedom.com/?p=137#comment-59 "The lifeblood of agencies and designers is to convince you that doing something like a logo is a long, complicated process (and hence, costly)." Because it is. The final result might look simple, but the process leading to that point is not instantaneous, believe it or not. There's research involved, and plenty of communication between the client & designer that help shape the final result. But then you mentioned... "If I were actually a graphic designer,..." which, of course, explains a lot. Sites like crowdspring & 99design, IMO, cater to the low-end market. The clients are mostly small startups that don't want to spend a ton on design fees. The designers are mostly amateurs/hobbyists. So hey, you get what you paid for. I'm not too threatened by sites like this. I'd rather develop long-term working relationships with clients, rather than trying my luck doing projects after projects. Also, as the "crowd" matures, I believe they'll leave after figuring out that this model is simply not sustainable for them in the long run. My 2 cents. "The lifeblood of agencies and designers is to convince you that doing something like a logo is a long, complicated process (and hence, costly)."

Because it is. The final result might look simple, but the process leading to that point is not instantaneous, believe it or not. There's research involved, and plenty of communication between the client & designer that help shape the final result. But then you mentioned…

"If I were actually a graphic designer,…"

which, of course, explains a lot.

Sites like crowdspring & 99design, IMO, cater to the low-end market. The clients are mostly small startups that don't want to spend a ton on design fees. The designers are mostly amateurs/hobbyists. So hey, you get what you paid for.

I'm not too threatened by sites like this. I'd rather develop long-term working relationships with clients, rather than trying my luck doing projects after projects. Also, as the "crowd" matures, I believe they'll leave after figuring out that this model is simply not sustainable for them in the long run.

My 2 cents.

]]> By: Brandon Uttley http://www.webbusinessfreedom.com/2008/09/branding-your-business-on-the-cheap/comment-page-1/#comment-14 Brandon Uttley Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:51:29 +0000 http://webbusinessfreedom.com/?p=137#comment-14 Both services I mentioned are impressive, and I'm encouraged they are actively attuned to the blogosphere! Apparently, the economics of this type of crowdsourcing are quite impressive—a win/win for all involved. Both services I mentioned are impressive, and I’m encouraged they are actively attuned to the blogosphere! Apparently, the economics of this type of crowdsourcing are quite impressive—a win/win for all involved.

]]> By: Corey Creed http://www.webbusinessfreedom.com/2008/09/branding-your-business-on-the-cheap/comment-page-1/#comment-12 Corey Creed Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:25:49 +0000 http://webbusinessfreedom.com/?p=137#comment-12 Good information, Brandon. Way to go on getting a good logo for a decent price. I'm looking forward to hearing how your new business continues to grow. Looks like you caught the attention of the vendors you mentioned. Nice. Corey Good information, Brandon. Way to go on getting a good logo for a decent price. I’m looking forward to hearing how your new business continues to grow.

Looks like you caught the attention of the vendors you mentioned. Nice.

Corey

]]> By: Mark Harbottle http://www.webbusinessfreedom.com/2008/09/branding-your-business-on-the-cheap/comment-page-1/#comment-8 Mark Harbottle Wed, 24 Sep 2008 23:22:58 +0000 http://webbusinessfreedom.com/?p=137#comment-8 Thanks for mentioning http://99designs Brandon. We are the market leader in this space by a long shot with 7 million page views a month, $2.5 million exchanged between clients and designers, 40,000 active members, and a new design created every 30 seconds. Even our late starting competitors know where to get the best designs: http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2008/09/crowdspring_use.html Thanks for mentioning http://99designs Brandon. We are the market leader in this space by a long shot with 7 million page views a month, $2.5 million exchanged between clients and designers, 40,000 active members, and a new design created every 30 seconds.

Even our late starting competitors know where to get the best designs:

http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2008/09/crowdspring_use.html

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