Project Management

Project Management
We currently use Basecamp for all our project management needs. Basecamp is a web-based collaboration tool created by 37signals that lets you share files, consolidate communication, and assign tasks. Basecamp is also extremely easy to use and learn. Some of my first clients to use Basecamp were familiar with computers, but not as computer savvy as the current Generation X. And they figured Basecamp out in a cinch. This went a long way in my credibility and it helped create the experience for our client that we were looking for.

• Sharing files is huge in the freelance world. You want to be able to send your clients proofs, but you don’t want things to get lost in email jargon. Enter Basecamp. This project management tool let’s you upload your proofs or high-res files to your clients job where than can login and download as many times as they like.
• Consolidating communications is essential. When working as a freelancer you no doubt find it hard to keep personal and business email separate from each other. With Basecamp this is no longer an issue. Now I communicate with clients through messages on Basecamp. The biggest benefit of this is that Basecamp keeps your messages in a nice thread in your client’s project. This allows me to delete an email after I have read it or replied to it and know that it is saved under its topic in case I need to view it again.
• Assigning tasks is one of the best ways to bring your client into the project design without actually letting them control the project. We currently setup our projects once the deposit has been paid and assign tasks with deadlines. This helps to hold us accountable and it gives the client a view of the design stages. Once the design is complete, the task can be assigned to the client for proofing. This allows them to feel a part of the process, and rightfully so. This is as much their project as yours, and as your valued client they deserve to be in the know.

Basecamp has really served us well in the past year. It has some really great features and it is simple to use. In fact, it wasn’t until PIXL Designs started using Basecamp that our business really took off. I highly recommend freelancers give Basecamp a try. Who knows, you might even start to get over those design anxieties and make a little profit.