So nobody likes to hear they have a bunch of rules to follow but Connie knows you have really high expectations of her. In return, if you want to work with Signature Worx, Connie has her own expectations of you to make order out of chaos, and to ensure your project is running smoothly.
Project-Based Payments: The balance of the project plus any overages are due at project completion and BEFORE delivery (we get the cash, you get the goods).
Credit Card Authorization Form: Signature Worx requires the completion of this form for any project quoted over $100. This permits us to charge your credit card in the event that you abandon a project or have not paid within 3 days of project completion. But we know you’re not that kind of person, right? If you are please just leave and save us both the trouble.
Payment Options: We accept cash, checks, all major credit cards, and PayPal. Credit cards are processed through our online payment processor, PayPal. To answer your next question, No, you do not need a PayPal account to use your credit card.
Customer Service: Connie’s job doesn’t stop once your project ends. She’s always happy to answer any questions that crop up in relation to your project(s).
I own/run a business in the Jackson, MS area. I found you on the Internet/heard of you through an acquaintance and love your work. Can we meet?
I love referrals and I would love to meet you, but I do have a couple of prerequisites first. To begin with we should have a short consultation via phone. This is not only for my benefit, but for yours as well. Before gallivanting around Jackson, I need to know we’re a good match to work together and what your needs are. No reason to waste each others time right? After our initial consultation, we can determine if meeting is really necessary. For 99.9% of the work I do, there really is no need to meet in person as our business can be conducted via telephone, the web, mail, email, UPS, etc. I work with business owners all over the world – ones I will never meet due to the proximity of our locations.
If however you feel the need to meet me face-to-face after our consultation, and my headshots simply won’t do, then I’m happy to meet with you at my standard consulting hourly rate. This is not a punishment to you, but simply business. As a fellow business owner, I know you understand that time is money, and this holds true for me as well. Meetings typically last much longer than intended, add in the travel time, and we’ve both been away from our offices for at least a couple of hours. That’s a couple of hours we could have been working with clients, working on our businesses…and thus making money.
Another way to look at it is this: My prices are low because I work virtually…and virtually everywhere. So give me a call first to discuss your business needs and how I can help. I promise you won’t be disappointed and if meeting is still necessary for you…well you know what it will take : )
(logos, print collateral, marketing materials, etc.)
Phase 1: The Consultation
Typically conducted by phone, this is where we review your project goals, schedule and required tasks.
Phase 2: The Proposal
You’ll receive a proposal that basically verifies what we discussed in your consultation. Project scope (what’s included), costs, and schedule.
Phase 3: The Agreement & Deposit
Once the proposal has been approved, Connie will send along her standard agreement that lays out everything from work phases, payment, change orders, terms, copyright disclaimer and more. You’ll also receive an invoice for the agreed upon deposit for the project. Once the agreement has been returned and payment has been received, Connie will block out your project in The Queue.
Phase 4: Communication
Client will receive instructions to choose a username and password for their account in Basecamp at this point. This is completely free to you. Connie uses Basecamp to manage her projects and communicate with clients. Besides keeping her organized and sane, this method of communication also provides security and eliminates the possibility of things getting missed due to emails getting lost or undelivered. All communication will be housed in Basecamp: messages, files, to-do’s, milestones, and notes. It’s really easy and Connie will give you the low down on how to use it if necessary.
Phase 5: The Design Brief
For almost all design projects, a design brief will be provided to complete prior to your project’s start date. This saves everyone time, focuses attention on the details, and gives Connie a starting point.
Phase 6: Materials
Once Connie reviews your design brief, she’ll ask for any materials needed for the project. Logos, graphics, content, photos, fonts, etc. NOTE: ALL MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED PRIOR TO PROJECT START DATE. OTHERWISE YOUR PROJECT MAY BE PUSHED BACK IN ORDER TO KEEP THE QUEUE HAPPY.
- Content: Print collateral projects do not include the writing of content. This must be provided to designer prior to your start date. If you’re looking for a copywriter, Connie recommends Jaime at Mann Made Copy.
Phase 7: Brainstorming
Connie doesn’t just whip up a design without any forethought, research, or a period of serious brainstorming. Otherwise you’re just getting a design with no meaning (or is that a horse with no name?) Anyway, this is where the magic begins…sometimes even as a doodle on a scrap piece of paper.
Phase 8: Concept Design
Once the design focus has been narrowed, Connie renders the concept (in some cases, multiple concepts) in Adobe Illustrator.
Phase 9: Presentation, Feedback, & Revisions (Rinse & Repeat)
The most important phase of all! The design(s) is presented, typically as a PDF, to review and provide feedback to Connie. These 3 important elements of the phase will repeat up to 3 revision drafts of concepts so it is imperative that you take your time to absorb each concept and make informed decisions about where it’s going. Don’t worry though because Connie is right there to help you out!
Phase 10: Design Finalization
Once the final design has been selected and signed off on, Connie will finalize your files and prepare them for the appropriate medium.
Phase 11: Prepress
For print collateral projects (business cards, stationery, postcards, etc.), Connie will submit printer quotes to client based on the quantity you desire if applicable. Clients may also use their own printer and Connie is happy to work with them to make sure your files are submitted according to their specifications.
Phase 12: Final Payment
An invoice will be submitted at this point that includes the balance of your project, any overages that have been approved by you, and printing costs if you opted to go with one of her preferred printers. Print collateral will not be ordered prior to payment being received.
Phase 13: Files to Press
At this point print collateral projects will be submitted to the printer, proofed by Connie, and sent to print. You will receive confirmation of order place, a shipping confirmation once they ship, and further instructions once they arrive.
Phase 14: Delivery
Clients will be provided with the final files along with the original source file. She designed it for you…it’s yours! For logos, this includes various formats such as JPG, GIF, PNG, etc. For print collateral, this includes the source file, a PDF version, and in some cases, MS Word electronic versions.
Final Phase: Customer Service
Connie’s job doesn’t stop once your project ends. She’s always happy to answer any questions that crop up in relation to your project(s). No really, she is! Test it out sometime.
Phase 1: The Consultation
Typically conducted by phone, this is where we review your project goals, schedule and required tasks.
Phase 2: The Proposal
You’ll receive a proposal that basically verifies what we discussed in your consultation. Project scope (what’s included), costs, and schedule.
Phase 3: The Agreement & Deposit
Once the proposal has been approved, Connie will send along her standard agreement that lays out everything from work phases, payment, change orders, terms, copyright disclaimer and more. You’ll also receive an invoice for the agreed upon deposit for the project. Once the agreement has been returned and payment has been received, Connie will block out your project in The Queue.
Phase 4: Communication
Client will receive instructions to choose a username and password for their account in Basecamp at this point. This is completely free to you. Connie uses Basecamp to manage her projects and communicate with clients. Besides keeping her organized and sane, this method of communication also provides security and eliminates the possibility of things getting missed due to emails getting lost or undelivered. All communication will be housed in Basecamp: messages, files, to-do’s, milestones, and notes. It’s really easy and Connie will give you the low down on how to use it if necessary.
Phase 5: The Website Analysis
For all website projects, you’ll need to complete a website analysis prior to your project’s start date. This saves everyone time, focuses attention on the details, and gives Connie everything she needs to know to build your website.
Phase 6: Materials
Once Connie reviews your website analysis, she’ll ask for any materials needed for the project. Logos, graphics, photos, fonts, etc. NOTE: ALL MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED PRIOR TO PROJECT START DATE. OTHERWISE YOUR PROJECT MAY BE PUSHED BACK IN ORDER TO KEEP THE QUEUE HAPPY.
Phase 7: Client Requirements
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE REQUIRED PRIOR TO THE PROJECT START DATE. OTHERWISE YOUR PROJECT MAY BE PUSHED BACK IN ORDER TO KEEP THE QUEUE HAPPY.
- Content: Website development projects do not include the writing of website content. This must be provided to designer prior to your start date. This means ALL content. Not 3 out of 10 pages, not outlines, not ideas, etc. Signature Worx only places and formats your content on the pages…we will not edit the content in any way. If you’re looking for a copywriter, Connie recommends Jaime at Mann Made Copy.
- Domain Name Registration: your domain name must be registered prior to project start date. Connie is happy to make recommendations and answer questions.
- Website Hosting: Website hosting must be secured prior to project start date. If we’re building a website or blog using WordPress, you must have a hosting plan with PHP 4.3 or greater, MySQL 4.1.2 or greater. If you’re using GoDaddy (and I really hope you’re not) then there are certain plans that do not allow you to install WordPress.
Phase 8: Brainstorming
Connie doesn’t just whip up a design without a great deal of forethought, research and a period of serious brainstorming. Otherwise you’re just getting a design with no meaning (or is that a horse with no name?) Anyway, this is where the magic begins…sometimes even as a doodle on a scrap piece of paper.
Phase 9: Site Map
You will be presented with a site map of your site to review, edit and ultimately approve. A site map is like a flow chart of your website to ensure your site is organized and most importantly, easy to navigate. This will include important elements on each page such as Call to Actions. There are no design elements in this phase.
Phase 10: Concept Design
At this point, Connie has asked you 4,032 questions and has a really good handle on what you want and what your site will look like. She will begin drafting a design of your home and inner pages based on the ton of information she has. You will likely be able to view this in our live, web-based testing environment.
Phase 11: Presentation, Feedback, & Revisions (Rinse & Repeat)
The most important phase of all! The draft design is presented to review and provide feedback back to Connie. She will edit based on your feedback and present again (rinse & repeat).
Phase 12: Further Development
Once the design is final, this phase takes place behind the scenes. Everything from CSS tweaking, scripting, adding dynamic elements, plugin integration, SEO tags, and setup, etc.
Phase 13: Review
Client reviews entire site and signs off to take it live.
Phase 14: Final Payment
An invoice will be submitted at this point that includes the balance of your project and any overages that have been approved by you.
Phase 15: Launch
Once payment has been received, the site goes live.
Phase 16: Transfer of Ownership
Once your site is live, Connie will provide you with all the login information that you need.
Phase 17: Training
You will receive one-on-one training with Connie on how to maintain your website built in WordPress.
Phase 18: Maintenance
Content updates managed by client. Signature Worx does not provide website maintenance services, but we’ll be happy to recommend other service providers who do if you choose not to maintain the site yourself.
Phases 10-15: Testing
Connie tests your site in various browsers during this entire process…she’s relentless that way.
Final Phase: Customer Service
Connie’s job doesn’t stop once your project ends. She’s always happy to answer any questions that crop up in relation to your project(s).
