Questions about the process

[gtsserv]

I don't want to make you think I am asking for something for nothing.

I am spending someone else's money and I need to be sure that I will get a result that I can use.

I like the idea of this site and want to make sure it will fit what I require.

I want to specify the contest in a very detailed manner, then show my client some mock-ups (trust me they won't steal them) and have him give feedback.

At this stage we are choosing the match which seems to be closest, right?

Say we pick the artist at this point - I want to make sure that the artist will then make the changes which will make my client completely happy. No mock-up I have ever seen or done myself is perfect the first time. I need to know that once I accept a artist to work with that they will give me a reasonable amount of effort to get it perfect AFTER they get my money.

OR

I would like to be able to have rounds of designs BEFORE I pick what is perfect based on my client's feedback.

In other words you need to work with me to satisfy my client. Now, this makes me a middle man, but what I am doing is taking the mockup and doing all the integration into my content management system. So I am working with your art. It's got to look good for the customer and work for what I require.

Please give me an idea if this site will work for this kind of work. ASAP as the money is burning a hole in my pocket at this very moment!

Jerome

[Chung Dha]

What I have seen there are also other people who work as middle man here as a Contest Holder and let the client see time by time the entries and get to say what they like or not.

The best is that you get a certain look or design the clients wants in the best details, so we can get the design as close as possible as he wants. Like fonts kind serifs or sans or written. Colors ,objects , slogan, with net adress or not like .com, stylish, grunge, techy, a illustration with a twist or any thing else that could come into mind to find what your client exactly wants.

Best is to make a list of do and don't.

The winning entry could also be revised to the clients liking, like possible changes like colors font or few lines that could be different or defined better.

[gtsserv]

Yeah, my impression was that a bunch of people would submit at the last minute. I would rather that I could have people submit at say 3 weeks - show my client - then repost my client's comments - they have the contest for another 2 weeks. Final winner chosen at that time.

That way existing work could be tweaked to match the client's desire.

The way I think of it is that if I have to tweak the graphics myself I might as well buy a template.

Jerome

[_Redrum]

Hi gtsserv,

First I should mention that the type of design you require will play quite a significant role. What is it that your client is looking for? Logo? Website?

Either way, I'll give some general comments:

A Possible Approach

If you were to state in the contest description that changes will be required upon selection of a winner, then we could hold back the prize money until your client is reasonably satisfied. It is then up to each designer to decide whether they wish to enter such an agreement; most will probably be undeterred by this since changes are often required. Now, whether the winning designer will work with you till perfection is based on several factors, most of which are dependant on how big of a prize is offered and what your client's view of perfection is.

Limitations
Where we draw the line on holding back the prize is when the "reasonable" changes all the sudden turn into an infinite number of revisions. At that point, we will simply notify you and release the prize to the designer, and it is up to him/her whether or not to continue the work. As someone who does this kind of work, I think you will probably agree that this is fair. Again, the number of reasonable revisions usually depends on the prize offered.

Assurance
One thing I can assure you of is that we will not release the money prematurely or without notifying you. So, unless your client is the type to request a ridiculous number of changes, you're pretty much asking for the same service a lot of other contest holders receive here on a regular basis.

I just noticed your latest post, so I'll comment on that as well:

Another Possible Approach

Since only one designer is getting paid in the end, our contests have a maximum running time of 5 weeks. This includes 2 free weeks by default and 3 ($20 each) extensions of 1 week each. So if you like, you could simply pay for one extension up-front, bringing your initial contest deadline up to 3 weeks. Then, once the deadline is reached and the feedback is ready, you could purchase two more extensions - either all together or one at a time (whatever seems best).

Limitations
First, it should be known that we only allow 1 extra week to decide on a winner. You can use it up all at once, or in increments. For example: if you need to stop and get feedback from your client after the first 3 weeks and then stop once again after the next 2 weeks, then you will need to make sure that only 1 week in total has been used up for this purpose. In order to achieve this, you should make sure to let the clients know ahead of time when the feedback date(s) will be. Giving them 3 weeks notice will ensure that only one, or at most two days are spent on reviewing the initial entries. After the contest ends, you will still have the remaining days available to decide on a winner. With a 5 week contest, we will be quite adamant on ending it as quickly as possible, so all feedback and decision-making should be planned ahead of time.

Secondly, due to the length of the contest, we would have to agree on a point of no return (i.e. a date at which the refund policy can no longer be used). This should also be quite understandable, since there would likely be more work going into this contest than usual. We would have to discuss this further, but I think the 3 week point would be a good choice.

Last but not least: The most important thing to do when running a contest of such a long duration is to keep the prize amount competitive. Of course, I don't know what you plan to offer, so it may already be quite competitive. If you like, you can post it here or send me a private message and I'll let you know whether or not it will suffice for your purpose.

[gtsserv]

I want a shorter time, but I noticed that over the holidays the site was kind of quiet.

I think the ToS has 2 weeks + 1 week review? I just read that in the ToS and it would be reasonable to me. I just want a chance to show my client and get a yes or no and be able to relay to you without huge pressure.

I was also considering your site, I would like around 3 ideas to choose from and wanted to make sure you all had enough time to do it.

I am pretty particular in my desires for the project, I have designed sites myself and know what I want. I might be very good to work with or very bad, depending on how you like a very detailed person. I hope that our mutual communication through the process results in us understanding each other, as that seems to be the #1 cause of unhappiness.

I am signing up now, by the way... so I am going to do it.

Jerome

[_Redrum]

I am signing up now, by the way... so I am going to do it.

Great! Have a good contest

[nevadabadgirl]

This includes 2 free weeks by default and 3 ($15 each) extensions of 1 week each.

Actually the fee is $20 for the extensions, _Redrum.

I have received a very detailed contest submission, once the deposit is received, we can get started.

I will email you, gtsserv.

[_Redrum]

Of course - my mistake. Not sure why I wrote $15. I've changed it for any future reference.