I had a client of mine—one of my first when I struck out on my own—email me about a conversation we had a while back. The conversation was about some new ideas regarding a website. It was a great talk and the brainstorming was fun. We left the conversation open-ended and, from my perspective, we would pick it up again. That day just came.
Updated 8/14/2009
Well I emailed him the other day and we picked the conversation back up. The email exchange quickly came to the talk of speculative work. In fact I emailed him back just this morning after revisiting the No Spec! website which clearly reminded me the many reasons why performing speculative work is harmful not only to you as a professional, but to all those that are within your industry by cheapening the value you provide to people with your two most important assets: your ideas and your time.
Another way to look at it
I found an article that gave a great comparison with other industries to help illustrate what I am speaking about. Here is an excerpt:
It’s common for business owners to make unrealistic requests of design firms. Probably the most common is when they contact several design firms and ask them all to design something for them, whether it’s a logo, brochure or some other piece, with the intent that they will choose one of the designs if they like it. While it may seem like there is nothing wrong with this request, in reality, there is. Think about how this request would be taken in any other industry.
Potential home buyer: I want you to build me a house and I’m going to have three other builders do the same thing. After these homes are completed, if I like one I’ll purchase it.
Home builder: Uhhh…No.Potential car buyer: I’m thinking about buying a car from either you or another car dealer with in a seventy mile radius. I’d like you to drop off one of each model of car that you have (the other car dealers will be doing the same) and after I’ve had a chance to drive all of them for a while I’ll decide if I want to buy one.
Car dealer: Uhhh…No.Restaurant visitor: I don’t know what I want to eat, but I’ll know what I like when I taste it. I want you to make everything from your menu deliver it to my house. Keep in mind that the Chinese, Italian and Mexican restaurants will be delivering their food as well. After tasting everything, if I’m still hungry, I will choose a meal from one restaurant.
Restaurant owner: Uhhh…No.The bottom line is that design is a business. You wouldn’t run your business by handing out your product or service for free in hopes that someone might feel like paying for it and you shouldn’t expect a design firm or designer to do so.
I think this fairly illustrates my point and like I said I want to work with people but they have to be willing work with me and value what I bring to the table just as I value what they bring to me.
How I work
I always define potential projects and their goals then develop estimates to produce that specific work. If the estimates are out of clients budget ranges I typically work with them to bring the estimate in line with their budget while simultaneously reducing the tasks and features to the most important and essential elements. This has worked well for me AND for my clients.
Well another email came back from my client after I posted this which helped draw a distinction. I had to think about it but I DO provide a type of speculative work. The difference is in how I define it. I see it as Pro-Bono work. I recently completed work on websites for the local Humane Society and the local homeless shelter where I donated dozens of hours helping get their websites up and running. Now I don’t see this as purely speculative work, I see it as providing assistance to non-profits that can, and need, the help.
What do you think about spec work?
Do you need help with Wordpress, or the Thesis theme?
If you are a web designer or web developer needing help, or a 'do-it-yourselfer' looking for a professional Internet presence I can help.
If you need help with a specific WordPress or Thesis theme issue or a complete website, I offer consultation, complete web design, and web development services.
Get in touch and we can talk about your needs and start the process.
319
