Today’s blog was also the topic of last week's podcast, but it’s so damn important that we feel the need to really drive the point home. Instead of just covering WHY, we're going to dive in a little bit deeper on HOW to hire that designer you need.

Get Referrals

The easiest way to get a great contractor is to talk to those around you. Do they have a designer? Do they like them? Referrals from people whom you personally and professionally trust are going to be your best and most reliable source for information.

Hire for Personality

Graphic designers are at the core, artists and creatives. Unfortunately, a risk with some creatives is that they can be not so great on the administrative side of their tasks. They may have a hard time with deadlines, answering emails or returning calls in a timely manner. If that is something that is important to you, then make sure you really click with the designer you are looking to hire on more than one level.

Reviews

So you found someone that you like and they responded to your emails quickly and efficiently. Before you jump to hire them, ask them for names and emails of past clients so you can check with them if they aren't coming as a referral from someone you know. Get some reviews directly from the horse's mouth, so to speak.

Get the Skinny

Don’t be afraid to dig and ask the burning questions. Full transparency before entering into a contract or partnership is a great way to manage expectations on both sides. What is their process? How do payments work—do you bill by the hour or by the project? How many times can I make revisions? Are revisions free up to a certain point or will I pay for all of them? What happens to the native files when we're "finished"? Do you contact the printer/web designer/etc or is that my responsibility?

Hiring a real, professional graphic designer will do wonders for your business, your brand and (sometimes) your sanity. But, it's crucial to make sure you align with them in far more ways than one.

Also, always remember to go with your gut. If you get a weird or off feeling about someone, then proceed with caution.

Thinking about hiring a graphic designer for help with your next project? We're partial to our own lead designer, Gerrit, but we know a lot of other great designers out there. Give us a shout if you'd like a referral!

The team at Slanted would love to help you iron out a marketing strategy, manage and prioritize marketing tactics, or just take over the whole kit and caboodle. Check out our services page for more information on our packages and pricing, catch up on the latest episode of The Profane Marketer Podcast, and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter!