ThisIsInspired Magazine

Just about each of us has encountered, at some point, a potential client or even just an acquaintance who doesn’t seem to grasp the legitimate “jobness” of what we do. Here’s a few things we can salt away in our box of quick replies. I’ve put up a few tips about how to deal with common misconceptions and wrong ideas.

Remember that it’s our demeanor that tells someone we’re a true professional. If someone doesn’t quite get the import of what we do, staying calm and behaving well goes much further than anything we might say in response.

When Someone Says…
Oh you’re a web designer? That’s cool; my nephew’s cousin’s brother knows some HTML too.*

You Can Say…
That’s good! I encourage him to keep learning. Next time you see him, tell him I said don’t give up; Accessibility and semantics can be tough to grasp at first but if he sticks to it he’ll be able to build a good website that meets the federal guidelines for the disabled.

*Trying to explain that everyone’s using XHTML these days won’t get you anywhere since most people, while they may have heard of “HTML,” don’t have a clue what it really is and couldn’t care less.

When Someone Says…
You know, it’s a tough economy and this is a great project for you. If you do a real good job – and I’m sure you will! – it’ll be something I can use and you’ll have a cool new design for your portfolio. I was thinking maybe we could just work out an exchange.

You Can Say…
I agree word of mouth is the best way to attract more business. A year or so ago it was word of mouth that got me that development project with the NFL (or whatever high-profile project you’ve had). I have it in my portfolio, like you mentioned. Have you checked out my work recently? It’s gotten pretty full with my latest projects.

When Someone Says…
Okay, so here’s the deal: I need this website, and you could really use work in these tough economic times [sic]. If you do this for me, I’ll tell everyone you did it and you could really pick up some business! That would be real good for you as a part-time designer.

You Can Say…
You mean I provide the site for you in exchange for your word of mouth? Hmmmmm… I have several projects on the table at the moment, but how about you head to the Cadillac dealership in town and try that with them. Tell’em you’ll keep the little license-plate-holder right there on the back of the car as advertising so they can get more business. Come see me in your new Caddy and we’ll talk.

When Someone Says…
Oh, you’re a web designer? That’s nice. I work from home too, selling on eBay. Isn’t it cool having a few extra bucks at the end of the month?

You Can Say…
In this instance, the person isn’t trying to be rude. Many people have misconceptions about web design and working from a home office in general; this is a great opportunity to teach them.

People can make good money working from home. I studied design at [university name, or years of experience], and it took a little bit to really support myself but it’s what I love and it’s been worth it. [You could point out some nice projects you've had in a polite, name-dropping way] I know [name of relative or acquaintance] who sells online and they do very well at it. Whatever you do it requires a lot of dedication. There’s a lot of work involved in working from home.

When Someone Says…
(After hearing a quote) That much? It’s a website; it shouldn’t take more than a couple hours to throw together. Give me the best price you can. I can’t see paying more than $x for something so simple.

You Can Say…
A lot of people don’t realize the effort that goes into producing any kind of design, because good design by nature doesn’t look stressed or tried-too-hard.

Well, as you say it’s a website. That means in addition to the hours of development I also have to test it in x amount of web browsers, double check how accessible it is for disabled users, see how it performs on a smart phone so you’re not alienating a large and rapidly growing market, and then keep up with it for some time after it launches. All told that could take me x hours. I could bill by the hour if you’d prefer? My rate is [whatever] per hour for a total of [whatever]. Other design houses are charging [this much]. Would you rather I billed you by the hour?

Most People Aren’t Trying to be Irrational

Web design is common, it really is. Due to that, most people know what a web designer is and what he/she does. The problem arises when people start hearing “my grandson knows HTML” or my “a friend of mine does that too as a hobby” – and they remember the overnight success that so many achieved in the Boom Age of the Dot Com era. A lot of people seem to have latched on to the idea that if you’re a web designer you’re (a) lazy; (b) want to get rich quick; and (c) don’t want or lack the ability to ‘get a real’ job. People also have this weird idea that if you work from home or know how to program and develop you’re 50 years old, overweight, and living in your parents’ basement.

These are misconceptions people don’t really think about. They just assume it. It’s not that they’re being rude or that they consciously think you personally are lazy or unmotivated, they just don’t know how much work the professional puts into his job.

It’s important when you react to people who entertain such misconceptions that you keep your cool. You can tell if someone is being abrasive about it, and react appropriately. Be more stern with people who are more irrational.

Always, however, always be professional.

Being professional is how you separate yourself from the people who inhabit misconceptions.