Starting a business is not easy but it’s even harder when you have advice from so many different places. Some advice is the same throughout, however, some advice (read as opinions) varies greatly. Who do you listen to? How do you know you’re making the right decisions?
These are things you have to decide for yourself but I’d love to give you my own opinions about a subject that I’m asked about often.
How to know when to hire a designer.
This is a question that many business owners, particularly brand new ones, struggle with. So I would like to offer you some ideas that I’ve found indicate when it’s time to hire a designer to work with you on your brand.
Also, note that these concepts not only apply to hiring a designer but any type of professional you need help from.
Let’s get started!
1. You are not at all interested in design and really just want to hand this task over to someone who will do it for you.
This is probably one of the most easily recognizable reasons for hiring out your brand/web/graphic design work. If you know how important it is to have a well designed brand but you either don’t like or just can’t design, more likely than not, you already know you should hire this out.
Brand design is something very important to the success of your business. If you already know that this is not one of your strengths or you simply don’t want to spend time learning this, then the best idea is to get yourself on the path to hiring it out.
Start putting a percentage of your earnings away and make yourself a “Design Fund”. When you find the designer that you want to work with, you will be ready. Start scouting out designers that you can connect with, whose work you admire. Follow them and get familiar with their style and their process. This way, you’ll know if they’re a good fit for you.
Compile a list of designers that offer payment plans. I started offering payment plans myself and I’ve found it’s extremely beneficial for my clients. Some of them know right away that they want to hire this out. While they recognize the importance of great design, it is not what their passionate about. They’d rather focus their time on work that’s in their zone of genius.
You want to do the same.
So either start saving or start inquiring about payment plans. If you want to chat more with me about payment plans, book a call right here!
2. Although DIYing is something you enjoy, you REALLY don’t have the time for it.
This is something that I’ve experienced myself often. I’m very creative and I love learning new things. I especially like learning just for the sake of learning something new. However, I’m also trying to run a business and take care of a family, so I don’t have time to teach myself copywriting, marketing or Facebook Ads. I need these things taken care of for me and you do too!
Last year, I invested in my brand and got a copywriter, despite the fact that I actually like to write. I know I’m not a copywriter. I also know it’s going to be a looooooong time before I’m any good at it. See the thing about professionals is that they’re experts in their field. Some of us have spent 15+ years living and breathing our craft. So as much as you want to DIY and learn how to do it yourself, there are things that a professional will know just because s/he has had WAAAAYYY more experience. There’s really no way to make up for that when you’re just DIYing.
Another thing they have that you don’t is the knowledge gained from working on their craft not just based on one project.
If you try to DIY, you’ll just work on your site design, your copywriting or your marketing. A professional however, has acquired knowledge spanning many clients. They have seen many different types of businesses across many different industries. This kind of experience gives a professional a special kind of knowledge that you can’t attain by DIYing. If you choose to work with a professional, you will benefit from this type of knowledge and their extensive experience.
3. You started designing your brand or your website but you haven’t had the time to go back to it again. It’s really putting off your brand launch, project launch, business goals, etc.
How many times has it happened? You haven’t wanted to get yourself the help you need, so you start working on your marketing, or your copywriting or your design on your own. How bad can it be right?
There’s no doubt in my mind that if you want to accomplish this you can. The #truth however, is that we have way too much going on in our lives and in our business to pile something else on. I’ve been a victim of this. Between client work, blog post research, blog post writing, designing graphics for my brand, working on my social media, bookkeeping, etc., I don’t have time to add one more thing.
I have had to learn this the hard way but I’m correcting it. I started building a Brand Clarity course that I’m very excited about.
However, I’ve been trying to do it all on my own and it’s been a year now! I’ve got nothing done! It’s driving me crazy and I’ve finally decided to do something about it. If I really want this course to be made, I’m going to have to invest in some help. So I’m already talking to a copywriter to build the email sequence for my funnel and sales page.
Sometimes, the only way to get momentum is to recognize that you can’t do it all. Then hire someone that will help you get things done better than you could yourself!
4. You are completely overwhelmed and you NEED to hand this part of your business over so you can move forward.
Overwhelm among entrepreneurs is extremely common. If you’re experiencing it, you are not alone but it’s important to recognize it and get yourself some help.
Related: 5 Effective Ways to deal with Blog Overwhelm
One of the most important things you can do for your business is to create systems and align yourself with professionals that will help build up your business. When you have a network of people that you can hand off your work to you will experience serious RELIEF. I can tell you from experience.
I held out a long time before I hired people to help me but I really wish I had done it sooner.
There’s an incredible amount of hard work involved in running an online business, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Hiring out gives you the ability to work on things that you’re actually good at. You also get loads more FREE time. That is how you get rid of overwhelm! Establish clear boundaries around what you do, when you do it and when you get help. Then your business will start to run as it’s supposed to and you’ll reap the benefits of each investment.
5. You have found someone that captures your vision beautifully and you can’t stop thinking about working with them.
This is one of THE clearest signs that you’re ready to hand your brand off to a designer.
I actually love this reason! Although it always feels amazing to decide to use a designer or any professional, it feels amazing when you’re able to work with the EXACT person whose work you’ve been admiring for a long time.
I’ve experienced this from both sides and I’d like to tell you about both. The first was when I found a professional I really wanted to work with. I’d found a copywriter whose copywriting really spoke to me. I couldn’t stop thinking about working with her even though I couldn’t afford her. I started following her and trying to soak up anything I could while I saved up to work together.
When I was finally able to work with Misha, I was thrilled. It was great to have a conversation with someone who was passionate about copywriting, something I’m not. More than anything, I found myself RELIEVED. This copywriting thing was OFF MY PLATE! I was able to tick it off my list and wait for great copy to come right to my inbox!
Not too long ago, I had this same experience but from the other side. A woman reached out to me who loved my website and my design sense. She said she really wanted to work with me and we had a conversation about what she needed. In the end, she said she’d love to work together but she couldn’t afford me. Three months later, she contacted me and told me to sign her right up and she even had me redo her branding, which she wasn’t happy with. We nailed her branding after the first round!
The excitement and relief behind both of these decisions is what you’re after. When you find someone that gets you and captures your vision, find a way to work with them! You won’t be disappointed you did.
Last words about working with a designer…
Remember that while at first you may not be able to afford them, working with a professional will bring your brand/business to a different level. When we talk about our own products, we tell our audience why it’s beneficial for them to invest in their business with our services. Think about yourself the same way. When you invest with another professional, you not only get a service or product but a new connection. This is a new person that will help promote your business and collaborate with you.
Misha and I are now pretty close and work together often. We refer business to each other and try to collaborate whenever we can. We recently did a FB Live where we talked about copywriting and design and our take on it. So I’ve definitely received more than just copywriting. I’ve enjoyed building a relationship with someone whom I’ve been able to collaborate with. It has been extremely beneficial to my brand.
Related: 5 Important Reasons to create Special Relationships
When you think about spending on a designer next time, remember it really is an INVESTMENT. And it’ll yield dividends that you can’t even imagine yet!
There will never be a PERFECT time to invest in your business but it is ALWAYS a good time to invest in your business!
Best of Luck!