JasonHunter Design
Feb 07
Here are 42 questions every contractor should ask their clients…
Company Background Questions
- What kind of business is your company in?
- How long has your company been in business?
- What is the size of your company?
- What is the company’s reputation?
- What is your typical customer like?
- Who are your competitors?
- What is your address?
- What is your phone number?
- What is your e-mail address?
- What is the best way to contact you?
Questions About Work Philosophy
- What is most important to you, quality or speed?
- How often do you want updates on my progress?
- Do you hire freelancers very often?
- Is your preferred work process structured, or unstructured?
- If necessary, would it be okay if I used subcontractors or outsourced parts of the project?
Project Specific Questions
- What is the purpose of this project?
- What sort of background do you expect a freelancer working on this project to have?
- How technical is this project?
- Describe how you envision the finished project?
- How many (words/pages/screens) are needed? (Modify this question for your own specific field.)
- What are the specific project instructions?
- Do your customers have any special requirements or needs to be met by this project?
- Can you show me an example something like what you have in mind?
- Who will be my contact for this project?
- How available are you (or the contact) to answer questions during the course of the project?
- If necessary, will I have access to (your website/company-specific information/etc.)? (Choose one.)
- Is it necessary to have any special (equipment/software) to complete this project? (Choose one.)
- Do you envision any potential problems with this project?
Work Agreement Questions
- What is the budget for this project?
- Who will own the intellectual rights to the finished project?
- What is the deadline for this project?
- How will you be making your payment?
- When will you pay?
Follow Up Questions (After a Project)
- How do you think the project went?
- Do you have any suggestions?
- Do you anticipate having any other projects based on this one?
- Will this project need to be updated or revised at some point?
- If the project needs updating, do you consider the updating or revisions to be a separate project?
- Are there any other projects that I can do for you?
- How often do you need the services of a (writer/web designer/programmer/consultant)? (Choose one.)
- Can I use this project as an example on my portfolio? (If the project has gone well.)
- Would you be willing to give a testimonial on my work for my web page? (If the client is pleased.)
(Source: freelancefolder.com)
Apr 08
Logo Creative Brief
- Company Name [The way you want it on your logo]
- Tag Line [If applicable]
- Describe the type of business you have i.e. what type of products or services your company supplies… etc.
- What type of overall mood would you like to project with your new logo?
- How would you describe the effect you are looking for in your logo:
- Fancy
- Cutting-Edge
- Unique/Creative
- Clean/Sample
- Classy
- Professional
- Corporate
- Modern
- Industry Oriented
- Outdoors/Natural
- Traditional
- Local/Neighborhood
- High Tech
- Retro
- Fun
- Serious
- Illustrative
- Silly/Cartoon
- Masculine
- Feminine
- Childlike
- Would you like a symbol or a logotype?
- A symbol is an abstract illustration with your company name typeset alongside.[example: the Nike Swoosh, McDonald’s Arches, Wachovia logo]
- A logotype incorporates your company name into the logo itself.[example: IBM, Microsoft, Coca Cola]
- No Symbols Please. Just a Professional Font.
- For which categories will your logo will be used?
- Web Site
- Printed Materials [Business Card, Stationery, etc…]
- Embroidery [There will be no shading affects for logos that require embroidery]
- What colors would you like to see in your logo?
[Please specify if you do not want to see certain colors in your logo.]
- Do you prefer your logo designed in CMYK or PMS colors? All logos are designed in Pantone unless specified.
- CMYK
- Printed Materials [Business Card, Stationery, etc…]
- How many colors do you prefer in your logo?
- 2 [Optimal for containing printing costs]
- 3 or more [More creative options]
- Not sure, you decide
- Should we consider print costs when we design your letterhead and envelopes?
- Yes, I want to keep my print costs low
- Somewhat, I want a nice design, but not too fancy
- Not at all, be creative!
- Do you have any additional comments?
- What graphic elements or images would you want the designer to use/emphasize in your logo? [For example: Some Real Estate firms want Roof, House, Key, Door, Initials, Pyramid, Pillar etc.].
- Which element would you want to AVOID using in your logo? [e.g. some Christian Churches want to avoid the Cross, Real Estate firms want to avoid using the roof as a symbol in their logo.]
- Please state any preference of colors/color combinations you would want the designer to use in your logo samples.
- Please state colors you would NOT want your designer to use in your logo samples.
- Please provide 3-5 reference of company logos that you dislike along with reason why you dislike them. [This would help the designer avoid the style/image that may annoy you].
- Do you have font style preferences? [Corporate, Script, Bold, Light etc].
These questions can be answered online as a GoogleForm and the results will be emailed to me automatically.
Web Design Questionnaire
- On a scale ranging from zero to ten with zero being the least technologically skilled and ten being the best, what would you say is the technical skill level of your client base?
- Imagine your website in 5 years from now. Complete the sentence: I know my website works because…
- Name 3 things that are most important about the design of your new website.
- Name 3 things that is least important in the design of your new website.
- Do you have any color preferences, existing brand colors, and/or colors you do/not wish to include?
- What are some existing websites that appeal to you? Provide links if possible.
- Deadline, timing or exact date of completion for your website.
- Do you have a budget you are trying to meet?
- Do you need to be able to update the website on your own? (ie: CMS)
- How will you be updating the site in the future (if you are not using a CMS)?
- Will this be an e-commerce website? Will you be selling any products or taking payments on your website?
- Do you need a copywriter? If you are using existing copy on your current website, will it need to be modified in any way?
- Will you be needing an additional SEO help? (ie: registering with search engines, adding businesses to Google Business Center, Analytic setup, etc.)
- Is your logo and other imagery web ready?
- Do you have all images that you would like to be included in your website or would you like the designer to use imagery where appropriate?
- Do you already have a domain and host setup for your new website? If so, do you have the FTP and host log in information accessible?
- Any specific features you would like included? (ie: Log in ability, calendars, forums, blog, subscription services (RSS, email or newsletters))
- Will your visitors require any special needs? (ex: Mobile version of site, multiple language support, larger type for easier reading, etc.)
You can fill this form out online at ZOHO and have the answers emailed to me automatically.
Why owning a Web site is Better for every Business!
Great Hours!
- You stay open for business 24-hours a day, every day of the year
Better Customer Service
- You’re available to answer questions 24-hours
- It allows customers to set instant online appointments
- You can use email, online forms etc. make it easier to communicate
Low Overhead
- Besides a monthly maintenance fee, you have no additional overhead costs. No extra rent, utilities, insurance etc.
- You can display entire stock online without purchasing it upfront
- It’s like having a 24-hour salesman – without paying triple the salary
Run your Business more efficiently
- You can update inventory, brochures, product descriptions, forms, marketing material etc. — instantly and globally without additional costs
- It’s the most cost-effective way to display, describe and sell your product
Better Advertising
- You can bulk email your customer base without postage/printing costs
- You can use the built-in Advertising Tool to target your audience
- You can advertise packages, specials, sales and other Hot Deals online
- You can offer preferred client coupons, Web site discounts etc. through your site
- You can increase your customer base exponentially by marketing your site using the Search Engine Tool
- You can eliminates the need for expensive, often ineffective, traditional advertising (TV, print, radio)
Competitive Advantage
- It allows small-to-medium businesses to successfully compete with corporate giants
- It opens up new opportunities for you to grab new, lucrative markets – such as the “Impulse Buyer” by being easily accessible, worldwide and open 24/7
Ecommerce Convenience
- There are no more mail-in payments to worry about. Ecommerce is safe, fast and convenient.
Increase Credibility
- Customers can check out your business and products instantly online
- You can display Customer Testimonials, Add/Update Business Portfolios and Bios to better promote your business’ credibility
Adaptability
- You have the luxury of being able to efficiently and inexpensively grow and adapt your business to better fit your customers’ needs
Need a website?
“Happiness is only real when shared with others.”
“There is no security in life, only opportunity.”
— General Douglas MacArthur
“I am the greatest. I said that even before I knew I was.”
— Muhammad Ali
“Self-trust is the first secret of success.”
“All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.”