Comments on: No more speculative designs

By: rize, youtube, rize kamera, yahoo

rize, youtube, rize kamera, yahoo — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 19:14:09 +0000

which in almost all cases is enough to satisfy a genuine client. It also puts off time wasters.

By: rugs

rugs — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 12:44:45 +0000

I’m a copywriter, and in my business speculative work is just as big as a monster as it is for you. The only difference is that my work is far less understood in the business world. People don’t think that a write-up, sales letter, corporate newsletter, or any of that kind of thing takes any time. They, firstly, complain about the price – then complain about the time.
Seriously, some expect the ENTIRE newsletter / mini-magazine to be complete – with interviews and everything – on the speculative project. Then, they say, “well, actually we have a lot of work to do for you” but in truth they don’t. They’re really just often looking for freebies. Because, “surely it doesn’t require that much work to write good copy…”

By: Richard Quick

Richard Quick — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 00:10:23 +0000

In fairness, advertising agencies have always had to do work on spec.
I think it depends who’s asking, to be honest.
If a blue chip client asks you to pitch for a 6 or 7 figure project and part of that pitch involves doing some photoshop mock-ups of designs that’s fair enough, if you ask me.
However it’s not OK if it’s:
- an existing client
- not part of a competetive tender process (it they just want to see if you’re “up to the job” – that’s what a portfolio’s for)
- a 3 page brochureware site
- the amount of work they’re asking you to put in is large in relation to the value of the potential contract
In those situations I’d politely tell the client we don’t do “on spec” work except for high-value competetive tenders, but we’d be happy to split the project into two parts.
In the first part we’ll do some mock-ups and then we’ll proceed to stage 2, which is everything else. That gives them a get-out clause if they’re not happy with the work – which in almost all cases is enough to satisfy a genuine client. It also puts off time wasters – which is never a bad thing.
IME most clients aren’t worried about losing a few quid, but committing to a large budget and then getting let down.

By: Paul Boag

Paul Boag — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 17:35:03 +0000

I have long since given up correct typos Paul :)
Also I would say there is something wrong if you are only expecting to win 10% of the work. That is presuming all web design companies are equal which they arent. Anybody who reads this blog must be above average surely! ;)
I reckon we win about 50% of the work we go for. Something like that.

By: Paul D

Paul D — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 13:54:44 +0000

Doing speculative work is a pretty good way to drive yourself out of business. Imagine if the average company that requests spec work gets proposals from 10 potential clients, including you. Unless the rest are incompetent, you can expect to win 10% of your bids. In other words, you’re working for 10% of your normal rate.
I also agree, spec work is useless for the client, even though it’s tough to make them understand why.
P.S. That should be “loses”, not “looses”.

By: Gregg

Gregg — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 00:28:28 +0000

I went and jinxed myself commenting on specs as I just got of the phone with a potential client and they requested to see some mock ups… Oh blast how I could wear the ‘No ! Spec’ badge sleave rather than on the pajamas… in the dark. Oh well.
Cheers.

By: Paul Boag

Paul Boag — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 20:06:36 +0000

There is NO WAY I would say any of this on the Headscape site. I am sure I will have to do speculative work way into the future. This is all well and good in theory but the reality of a commercial environment is very different.

By: Gregg

Gregg — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 19:51:43 +0000

I agree with the ‘No ! SPEC’ ideal based on many of the same points you have made Paul and those provided at the No Spec site. I’m just not sure I would put that on my commercial site as it may appear abrasive toward some customers. I’d rather guide customer toward a project path that was sans Spec rather than put up a barb wire fence with a on the fence post.
That is just my initial knee jerk reaction.
Cheers.

By: ronalfy

ronalfy — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 23:21:29 +0000

I agree with the no-spec campaign. I think the bigger issue here is people not knowing what they want and the use of no-spec to figure it out. I refuse to even consider building a website for someone unless that person knows "why" they want the website.

By: Paul Boag

Paul Boag — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 22:04:22 +0000

Sounds like an attempt to get work for free to me :) Of course sometimes such competitions can be good publicity. Not something I have ever gone in for personally.