Why do people try so hard to get gigs?

Why dont they post their works, do some reviews and build credibility. The work will come without trying.

Everybody has to beat eachother up trying to get that gig like it's the last one.

I dont get it. Everybodies words speak louder than their work. Why is that?

Not to be rude but from what I have seen for most of the people desiging here. Their work is not up to a "today" look. (if you have to ask what is a today look..?)

Most of the designs I have seen look somewhat amatureish. Why? Then they yell from the highest point that they are the ones best suited for the project or pros or experts. What makes you so?

Your work and professional manner should speak for itself more so yell that you are more than capable of accomlishing the clients request.

I think designers forget that there is always someone better than themselves, me included. I dont bost that I am the best or an expert. I just use what I have learned to fullfil and exceed the clients excpectations.

I dont mean to flame anybody, I just havnet seen anything too impressive from those that yell the loudest that they are all that.

I dont get it sometimes. Oh well, keep yelling I guess...

I agree Tranz.

There are a few things I notice on this board, and a lot of others as well.

the first one i frequently see is: Our company has the best prices...blah blah bah. Check out our site at: www.geocities.com/2431/Mega-c00l-dez1nz.

Now, dont get me wrong: if you cant afford a domain and hosting thats fine (I was in that position until i found a good exchange deal) but to describe yourself as a company.....I just don't get it. A company is a legal entity and to even establish a company in name without any assets costs a lot more than a domain name and some basic hosting. Basically what i am saying is that potential clients won't be too impressed with your company credentials if your site is lttered with annoying pop ups etc. and doesn't have a proper URL.

I was in that position for a while until i realised that its no good.

In reality, many of the people who post are freelancers. A freelancer is just someone working for themselves. No need for company status. So, why don't people just say what they are: freelance designers or whatever?

Another thing that annoys me is people posting insanely low prices like $20 for a web site. This is something that has been discussed on other boards. Posting prices like that only damage the overall position of the other designers who post reasonable prices. It doesn't do anyone any good.I know people are going to say: hey screw you, I can do it for that price! Well, if you feel the highly specialized, in demand and skilled work designers do is worth $20 then good luck with making a profit when you reach 'company' status.

However, there is ane exception to the above. That is when companies or freelancers based in countries with a lower cost of living post such a quote. In other countries $20 can be quite a lot of money. if thats the case then so be it....the client is getting a good deal. i just hate the "Hire me plz, I make the coolest designz around. My company has the best price for you" etc.

I mean, if you wanted to buy a car and had the money, which car would you buy? A $200 or a $20,000? Chances are that the $200 is not as good as the $20K one. Again, there are some exceptions....but not very many. Most things in life adhere to the statement "If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys"

Anytway, to get back to what Tranz said, i would like to propose a format for replying to client requests for a template or designs.

Rather than saying "yeah, I am great, I can do everything for $XX" we should post a reply that has some meaningful questions or comments on how you can help a client, as opposed to clichés and meaningless sales jargon. We're not trying to sell insurance here! :) Accompany this with URL's of past work or a portfolio and I honestly think it will benefit everyone and will probably make things more professional as well.

Tranz is 100% right when he says:

"Your work and professional manner should speak for itself more so yell that you are more than capable of accomlishing the clients request. "

people: take pride in your work let it speak for itself and if you truly are the best man.woman for the job then the client will see that and you will have nothing to worry about :)

NOTE: I am NOT flaming anyone or saying I am some brilliant arrogant designer who is so superior to everyone else. Like most people I know my limits and what I can and cant do, also, I realise that as a 21 year old uni student graduating in 8 weeks (woohoo! :) ), I am only about to start out in a "real world" career (as opposed to just over the internet) and I have a lot to learn.....

OK, I am starting to waffle now so just to recap....no offence to anyone with the above! Hope this develops into a sensible mature discussion.....don't want this too become an imature bitching session rubbishing other peoples work :)

//Martin

...or is it other way around ? :)

I agree wit you guys.

Maybe there is so many "loud" designers because there is so many people who don't "hear" well. :)

I believe is many people out there in need of design services, but affraid to approach because "webdesign is damn expensive". Recently, there was a thread on WHT about $30-40k HostRocket desing (which I really doubt!). Those kind of comments are doing harm to our job as well. Good design doesn't cost too much, but it can't be cheip neither. I would say decent design shouldn't be cheaper then $150-200, even in countries with lower production cost

I would like to see here some comments from non-designers, what do they look for when they are deciding about new template or logo, how they choose designers.

Is it price only important factor?

Just my 2¢ :)

I think a part of it as well is economy all I can speak for is here in the US.

I used to charge a min of $5k for my design work. I am glad to still have a full time job as a CD as well.

But, those clients (typicaly larger ones) are not willing to spend $5k to $60k for a complete site design ot corp ident package.

I design now as a means tohave and possibly make a few bucks along the way. I love to design so I have reduced my costs, not to lessen myself in order to gain work. But, to turn out designs that can actuly be used by the little guy.

I still get the big guy and would rather work for amonth and make $30k But that doesnt happen to often any more.

I dont try to hard to market myself either.

Also, in alot of cases those $25k+ contracts aren't just a "here you go, heres a template...and I even put your text in there *wink*wink*" kind of thing - they are often full scale marketing campaigns where the design is only a small part of everything.

But yes - I do think that all the shouting and fighting over who's best when bidding is not a good thing - let the potential client decide who is best. All the fighting could actually steer the client away from you.

Back to the point IrishFlash made about false representation of a company. That always drives me nuts! Every point IrishFlash is completely valid where people think it's no biggie to just say they are a company.

I always whenever I go to sign up for hosting or purchase a design etc... call up the "company" if they can't provide a phone # no sale. I ask for their legal status I.E. Ltd, Corp., Partnership, etc... and if they say for example yes we are incorporated I ask for which state and for their incorporation #'s. That why you can always find out the truth about a company's dealings.