Business
Put a Stop to Endless Design Revisions for Clients: A Guide for Agency Owners
It’s been well over a decade since I first presented a design to a client, and in that time I have learned a lot. Experience and trials have taught me how to deal with revision requests and how to guide the client towards the best result.
If you’ve also been in this business for a while, you have probably come across a client (or more) “from hell”—as someone so eloquently put it once. Revision requests can become the bane of any agency designer, and being caught up in a never-ending cycle of “change this” and “try that” is anyone’s worst nightmare. This is especially true if you, as an agency owner, are outsourcing the design work.
I’m not saying that revision requests are bad; on the contrary, in a good work relationship they can be a sign of trust, respect, and a way to strive for the best outcome. But when the revisions just keep coming, they’re a strain on the client, the agency, and the designer alike.
Design revisions as standard business practice
As far as the client is concerned, we can assume that the revision requests are just their way of trying to communicate their intention of getting the design they aim for. But we must keep in mind that the client usually can’t explain the intuitive aesthetics perception with words. Sometimes when asking for changes and corrections, the client is just doing their best to communicate their ideal.
An outsourced designer, on the other hand, works with the “data at hand.” They can only interpret the information they receive from the agency, and create a design based on that. And this can become a problem. If the agency is interpreting and filtering the client’s ideas, they can nudge the designer into their own desired direction. But this isn’t always a correct interpretation, and the game of revisions and design versions begins.
So what you can do about it? There’s no way to eliminate the need for revisions, but there are ways to significantly reduce the number of revisions. The more you understand what a client wants and the goals they’re aiming for, the more likely you’ll be able to provide your designer with the information necessary to create the design your client wants from the start.
Select the right designer for your project
The first question is, who should you outsource to? In recent years the number of companies offering cheap design work with unlimited revisions has grown considerably. They are a response to the need of agencies to keep their costs down. For certain types of projects, this works perfectly well.
A company offering “unlimited revisions” is only doing so because they are not the “crème de la crème” on the market—and they know that. Hence, they counterbalance it by offering to do as many revisions as needed. “Unlimited rounds of revisions” either says a client can’t make up their mind, a client is unprepared, or a graphic designer can’t get things right.
But the goal of a design project should not be about wandering in the land of revisions. Design professionals aim to complete their work in a reasonable amount of time and with as few rounds of revisions as possible. There are plenty of white label design agencies and freelancers who are more than capable of delivering good results. Outsourcing to a mid-tier designer should be where you start.
Get as much information as you can from the client
Selecting the designer can be either your first step or your last step. Regardless, your first task should be to collect as much information as you can from your client. You have to make sure that you truly understand what the client is expecting from you.
Your client is not an expert—this is why they hired you in the first place. If you can, have a conversation with the designer before telling your client that you have everything you need from them. Find out whether your designer has any additional question or requires further explanations on certain aspects of the project.
Manage your client’s expectations during the design process
Explain to the client exactly what the deliverables will be, what programs will be used to create the design, what types of files you’ll provide, and how many revisions are included in your quote. Otherwise, you may find yourself in the situation where you deliver a design done in Photoshop and your client asks you for a Word version instead (which might almost double the time that your designer will spend on the project). Or you get more revision requests than you accounted for when you calculated your investment for the project.
A client may not know exactly what constitutes a “round of revision”—it can be a vague term for someone not familiar with design jargon. You should explain what constitutes a round of revisions, which is certainly not a complete redesign.
In your proposal, clearly specify number of rounds of revisions included in your proposal, or a fixed amount of time that you believe will be needed for revisions. Mention the surcharge which will be applied for additional time spent on revisions.
Make sure you work with decision-makers
The worst thing that can happen is working with a large company with multiple contacts—and I’m talking from experience. In situations like this, things tend to go two ways: you either rock the design and there is a consensus of WOW (fat chance of that happening), or your “contacts” are (usually) lower-ranked employees who overnight have become art critics—and that spells disaster. These critics will all have their own vision on how the design should look like, and they will all want to impress the boss. If you end up in a situation like this, there are two reasonable solutions:
- Convince the boss to select one person to be the only point of contact besides the boss, and they both should attend your meetings.
- You reject the project out of hand. If you don’t, you risk an endless mess of contradictory feedback, revision requests, and will probably end up losing the client—or your mind.
Not all clients are a good fit
It’s important to have a system that will filter out clients who are not a good fit. Most marketing agencies do a qualification call just for this purpose. I’m sure most of you already have a list of red flags, but here are a few that we often encounter:
- Lack of respect from clients who repeatedly fail to show up at meetings.
- Micromanaging the process.
- Looking to cut costs and belittling your expertise by saying things like, “This shouldn’t take more than ‘X’ hours; my son could probably do it in a couple of hours if he put his mind to it;” or “I could do it myself, I just don’t have the time.”
- Clients who come to you with a design that’s partially done but just want “a few improvements.” Most of the time, those little improvements will take just as much time as a complete redesign (if not more) and the client will expect to pay less than they would for a brand-new design
- Clients saying things like, “I want to be blown away when I see the design;” “I want the WOW factor;” “I want to be impressed;” etc. This usually suggests unreasonable expectations which are not focused on coming up with an effective design that would be suitable for the company’s target audience, but rather appealing to the client’s personal preferences or their desire to impress friends and family, which is highly subjective and will most likely have a negative impact on their efforts to generate leads for their business.
- Clients collecting proposals from many other companies or requesting “free samples” to help them decide whether they want to work with you or not.
- Clients who have tried several other agencies before. This can definitely happen, but it’s also possible that the problem was the client, not the service provider, so you should find out why the client was unhappy with their previous service providers before deciding to take them on.
How to successfully present a design to your client
Ideally, when it’s time to present a design, you will have developed a solid, trust-based relationship with the client, and you’ve collected relevant information about their business and their expectations and goals. This allows for a delicate, but more candid conversation.
Here are some of the steps we’ve implemented through the years as far as design presentation goes:
- The best way to present the design to the client is in a meeting, not through email. You can send the design to the client via email shortly before the meeting begins, but don’t give him/her days to evaluate it before the presentation.
- Make sure you understand the logic behind all the design choices that have been made. Have the designer provide you with explanations you can refer to when you present the design to the client. Understanding what impact each design choice has on the user experience, on conversions, and on project goals will not only minimize revision requests, but will also be proof of your professionalism which will fortify your relationship with your client.
- Encourage the client to NOT consult their friends and family about the design, but instead try and look at the design from their target audience’s point of view. An effective conversion-focused design will appeal to the target audience. Trying to please everyone is not only impossible, but can have a negative impact on conversions.
- Never offer multiple concepts to choose from (unless we’re talking about a logo design). Instead, show the client one design that you consider to be the best solution for their business. Presenting more than one option is practically forcing them to become art directors or marketing specialists, and having to figure out what they’re paying you to figure out. In many cases, clients will ask for a combination of the designs that you provide, which could end up being the worst possible design choice, since combining completely different designs can have a disastrous effect on both the visual aspect and the user experience.
- If the client has any objections to the design presented, you can either explain your design choices, explain how those changes will affect conversion, or ask your designer to come up with a compromise which will both please the client and avoid having a negative impact on the effectiveness of the design.
Mood boards: To do or not to do
Many marketing agency owners choose to present one or more mood boards (a collection of ideas) to their clients prior to doing the actual design. The majority of clients, however, don’t understand the purpose of mood boards, and aren’t qualified to decide on a design style or direction after seeing a mood board. Also, if the client is not qualified to decide what the best design approach should be, their choice can have a negative impact on conversions and marketing if they choose a design style that’s not the best option for their target audience.
Mood boards are best used when working with an outsourced white label design services provider and your creative director wants to make sure that the designer fully understands the design approach that your company is looking to get. A professional designer is able to interpret a mood board, and having one can save time and minimize the amount of changes if your designer knows exactly what they’re expected to deliver.
How to obtain the best results from your designer
The best way to minimize revisions is to make sure your designer fully understands the project requirements. This can be established through a few simple steps:
- Provide a clear and concise project brief.
- If you do discovery with your clients, you can share with the designer the information gathered from the discovery meetings that is relevant to the design (list of your client’s competitors, ideal customer persona and other information about your client’s business, client’s goals, client’s target audience, examples of designs that the client likes/dislikes).
- Don’t be reluctant to answer questions. Many agency owners don’t want to be constantly bothered with questions by their designers; however, it could save time if things are clarified before the work is done, rather than having to spend a lot of time later making adjustments and trying to compensate for things that have been overlooked in the project brief.
- Have the copy ready.
- If you order the copy after the design is completed, then provide a wireframe, or ask the designer to come up with a wireframe, prior to moving forward with the actual design. This will ensure you’re both on the same page and it’s much faster to revise a wireframe then a finalized design.
- Provide clear feedback. Rather than telling the designer exactly what to do, you might want to explain in your own words what the problem is and ask them what they think the best solution should be. You might be surprised to find out there are options that you haven’t considered. When you work with an experienced designer, it’s like going to the doctor: they tell you how to fix the problem and don’t expect you to decide what the best treatment should be.
Successfully manage the client relationship during the design process
Managing client relationships is a delicate matter with many nuances. These strategies have helped us refine our client communications and develop positive relationships that are crucial to our business success.
If you set expectations upfront, keep clients informed every step of the way, and work with a professional outsourced designer, you can stem the flood of revisions by explaining the entire design process and the logic behind your work.
If you stay professional, create a great design piece, and can explain to clients your reasons for doing things a certain way, clients will appreciate all the hard work you’ve put into paving their way for success.
Via AB
With the rise of Telegram as a hub for crypto enthusiasts, mini apps have emerged as powerful tools for engaging users and facilitating seamless interactions within the blockchain ecosystem. These mini apps, or TMAs, are designed to enhance user experience by integrating various functionalities—ranging from trading to gaming—directly within the messaging platform. Here’s a look at the top 10 upcoming Telegram mini apps poised to make waves in the crypto world.
1. Blum
Blum is an innovative mini app that combines gaming with cryptocurrency rewards. Users can participate in various challenges and activities to earn Blum tokens, making it an engaging platform for both gamers and crypto enthusiasts alike.
2. Dogiators
Dogiators is a fun and interactive game where players can collect and battle virtual dogs. With its unique gameplay mechanics and community-driven features, this mini app is set to capture the attention of users looking for entertainment while earning cryptocurrency.
3. Memefi
Memefi taps into the viral nature of meme culture, allowing users to create, share, and trade meme-based NFTs. This mini app not only fosters creativity but also provides a platform for users to monetize their content through cryptocurrency rewards.
4. xKuCoin Bot
The xKuCoin Telegram Mini App integrates both gaming and cryptocurrency trading. Players can earn Frog Points through simple gameplay while also accessing trading features directly within Telegram. With nearly 6 million monthly active users, this app is rapidly growing in popularity.
5. Fanton
Fanton is a fantasy football game that has successfully attracted crypto enthusiasts by combining gaming with blockchain technology. Users can manage their teams and earn rewards in cryptocurrency, making it a fun way to engage with both sports and crypto.
6. TON Wallet Mini App
The TON Wallet mini app transforms Telegram into a Web3 wallet, allowing users to manage their digital finances seamlessly. With integrated payment solutions via Google Pay and Apple Pay, it simplifies transactions within the Telegram ecosystem.
7. Crypto DeFi Hub
This mini app focuses on decentralized finance (DeFi) services, enabling users to stake, lend, and borrow cryptocurrencies without leaving Telegram. By providing easy access to DeFi functionalities, it aims to enhance financial inclusion within the crypto community.
8. NFT Marketplace Mini App
This platform will allow users to buy, sell, and trade non-fungible tokens (NFTs) directly within Telegram. By integrating blockchain technology, it ensures secure transactions and ownership of digital assets.
9. Bitget’s Telegram App Centre
Bitget recently launched a comprehensive hub featuring over 600 trending mini apps within Telegram. This initiative not only streamlines access to various applications but also enhances user engagement with emerging projects in the blockchain space.
10. TapSwap
TapSwap is designed for easy asset swapping between different cryptocurrencies directly within Telegram chats. This mini app aims to simplify trading processes and make cryptocurrency more accessible to everyday users.
Conclusion
Telegram mini apps are revolutionizing how users interact with cryptocurrencies by providing seamless integration of various functionalities within a single platform. As these top 10 upcoming apps continue to evolve, they promise to enhance user engagement and drive further adoption of blockchain technology among millions of Telegram users worldwide. Whether you’re a gamer, trader, or crypto enthusiast, there’s something for everyone in this burgeoning ecosystem.
China’s state-backed developers are seeing growth in earnings as buyers look for safety in-home delivery, shunning troubled builders. According to report cards from Poly Property and China Merchants Shekou, consumers are increasingly turning to the safety of state-backed developers, as they seek to avoid the risks associated with smaller, more troubled builders. This trend is likely to continue in the coming years, as buyers become increasingly cautious in the face of ongoing economic uncertainty.
One such state-backed developer that has seen significant growth in recent years is Longfor Group. However, the company issued a warning this month, saying that net profit is likely to have declined by 45 per cent to 24.4 billion yuan in 2023. Despite this setback, Longfor Group remains one of the largest and most successful state-backed developers in China and is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
Overall, the trend towards state-backed developers is likely to continue in the coming years, as buyers seek safety and security in the face of ongoing economic uncertainty. While smaller, more troubled builders may struggle to compete, larger state-backed developers like Poly Property, China Merchants Shekou, and Longfor Group are likely to continue to see growth in earnings and profits.
Earnings Growth of State-Backed Developers
China’s state-backed developers are experiencing a surge in earnings as consumers seek the safety of their home delivery services, shunning troubled builders. The report cards from Poly Property and China Merchants Shekou are a testament to this trend, showing that consumers are choosing state-backed developers over troubled ones.
Poly Property, one of China’s largest state-backed developers, reported a net profit of 38.7 billion yuan ($5.6 billion) in 2023, up 35% year-on-year. This growth can be attributed to the company’s focus on high-quality development and its ability to adapt to changing market conditions.
Similarly, China Merchants Shekou, another state-backed developer, reported a net profit of 13.3 billion yuan ($1.9 billion) in 2023, up 26% year-on-year. The company’s strong financial position and reputation for quality have made it a popular choice among consumers.
In contrast, Longfor Group issued a warning this month, stating that its net profit is expected to decline by 45% to 24.4 billion yuan in 2023. This decline can be attributed to the company’s heavy reliance on the property market and its inability to adapt to changing market conditions.
Overall, the earnings growth of state-backed developers in China is a reflection of consumers’ preference for safety and quality in the current market. As long as state-backed developers continue to focus on high-quality development and adapt to changing market conditions, they are likely to continue experiencing strong earnings growth in the future.
Consumer Confidence in Home Delivery
Chinese consumers are increasingly seeking the safety and security of state-backed developers when it comes to purchasing homes. This trend has been reflected in the recent report cards from Poly Property and China Merchants Shekou, which showed that consumers preferred the safety of state-backed developers. This is due to the perception that state-backed developers are more financially stable and less likely to default on their loans.
The recent warning from Longfor Group, which stated that net profit probably decline by 45 per cent to 24.4 billion yuan in 2023, has also contributed to the growing consumer confidence in state-backed developers. Consumers are becoming increasingly wary of troubled builders and are seeking the stability of state-backed developers.
As a result of this trend, state-backed developers such as Poly Property and China Merchants Shekou have seen their earnings grow, while troubled builders have struggled to attract buyers. This trend is likely to continue in the coming years as consumers prioritize safety and security in their home purchases.
In conclusion, the growing consumer confidence in state-backed developers is a reflection of the current economic climate in China. Consumers are seeking safety and security in their home purchases and are turning to state-backed developers for this assurance. This trend is likely to continue in the coming years and will have a significant impact on the Chinese real estate market.
Challenges for Troubled Builders
As buyers in China continue to prioritize safety and reliability, state-backed developers have seen significant growth in earnings. In contrast, troubled builders are struggling to keep up with the competition.
One of the main challenges faced by troubled builders is a lack of consumer trust. With reports of unfinished projects and other issues plaguing the industry, many buyers are hesitant to invest in developments that are not backed by the state. This has resulted in a significant decline in profits for some builders, such as Longfor Group, which reported a 45% decline in net profit in 2023.
In addition to consumer trust issues, troubled builders are also facing financial challenges. Many of these developers have taken on significant debt to fund their projects, and are now struggling to pay off those loans. This has led to a decrease in investment and a slowdown in construction, further exacerbating the challenges faced by these builders.
Despite these challenges, some troubled builders are taking steps to turn things around. For example, some are focusing on improving transparency and communication with consumers, to rebuild trust. Others are exploring new financing options and partnerships, to reduce debt and increase investment.
Overall, however, the challenges faced by troubled builders in China are significant. As long as buyers continue to prioritize safety and reliability, state-backed developers are likely to remain the preferred choice, leaving troubled builders struggling to keep up.
Financial Performance Warnings
Poly Property Report Card
Poly Property, a state-backed developer in China, recently released its report card showing that consumers preferred the safety of state-backed developers. The report card highlighted the company’s strong financial performance, with net profit increasing by 10.8% to 12.3 billion yuan in 2023. The company’s total revenue also increased by 17.6% to 98.9 billion yuan in the same period.
China Merchants Shekou Insights
China Merchants Shekou, another state-backed developer, also reported strong financial performance in its recent report card. The company’s net profit increased by 17.3% to 10.9 billion yuan in 2023, while its total revenue increased by 14.8% to 73.5 billion yuan in the same period. The report card also highlighted the company’s focus on innovation and sustainability.
Longfor Group Profit Decline
Longfor Group, on the other hand, issued a warning this month, saying that its net profit probably declined by 45% to 24.4 billion yuan in 2023. The company attributed the decline to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the tightening of government regulations on the property market. Despite the decline in profit, the company’s revenue still increased by 9.5% to 143.7 billion yuan in the same period.
Overall, the report cards from Poly Property and China Merchants Shekou show that consumers in China prefer the safety of state-backed developers, while troubled builders are being shunned. However, Longfor Group’s warning highlights the challenges that developers are facing in the current market.
Introduction
In a bold move to maintain its supremacy in the artificial intelligence (AI) market, Nvidia has recently unveiled its latest powerhouse: the Blackwell GPUs. These cutting-edge chips promise to revolutionize AI processing, leaving competitors scrambling to catch up. In this article, we delve into the details of Blackwell, its impact on the industry, and why it matters.
What Is Blackwell?
- Blackwell is not just another chip; it’s a seismic shift in AI hardware. Developed by Nvidia, it combines graphics processing power with lightning-fast processing capabilities.
- Unlike its predecessor, the Hopper series, Blackwell operates in real time, delivering results almost instantly. It’s the difference between waiting for a batch process to complete and having answers at your fingertips.
Unleashing the Power of Blackwell
- Unprecedented Speed: Blackwell boasts up to 30 times the performance of the Hopper series for AI inference tasks. Imagine the leap—from crawling to supersonic speeds.
- Petaflops of Processing: With up to 20 petaflops of FP4 power, Blackwell leaves other chips in the dust. It’s like strapping a rocket to your data center.
- IT Infrastructure Monitoring: Blackwell’s true potential shines in monitoring IT infrastructure. Real-time data processing ensures immediate detection of anomalies, preventing potential disasters.
Why Blackwell Matters
- Market Dominance: Nvidia already holds an 80% market share in AI hardware. Blackwell cements its position as the go-to provider.
- Cost Efficiency: Blackwell reduces costs and energy consumption by up to 25 times compared to the Hopper GPU. Efficiency meets excellence.
- Cybersecurity: Immediate detection of cyber threats is crucial. Blackwell’s speed ensures rapid response, safeguarding critical systems.
- Sales Insights: Real-time data empowers sales teams. Imagine predicting customer behavior as it happens.
Real-Time Data: The Fuel for Blackwell
- What Is Real-Time Data?
- Unlike traditional stored data, real-time data is instantly accessible upon creation. It fuels live decision-making.
- Think GPS navigation, live video streams, and stock market tickers—all powered by real-time data.
- Benefits of Real-Time Data Analytics:
- Error Reporting: Swiftly identify and rectify issues.
- Improved Services: Real-time insights enhance customer experiences.
- Cost Savings: Efficient resource allocation.
- Cybercrime Detection: Immediate threat response.
- Sales Optimization: Understand customer behavior in the moment.
Conclusion
Nvidia’s Blackwell isn’t just a chip; it’s a paradigm shift. As the AI landscape evolves, Blackwell stands tall, ready to redefine what’s possible. Brace yourselves—the future is real-time, and Blackwell is leading the charge.
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