But just because something is creative in its execution doesn’t mean it’s going to be effective in achieving its goal.
Here are five pitfalls to avoid when procuring creative services:
- Hiring a single creative, like a designer, to be a whole creative team. Your supplier will end up working in one strength and many weaknesses.
- Procuring from a supplier who can use design software but isn’t a designer. The work will miss the mark despite looking okay.
- Working with a graphic designer who isn’t skilled in the type of design you need (like brand design). You’ll get a pretty logo lacking in brand story and meaning.
- Jumping straight into design without a strategy. You’ll receive design work that’s lovely, even beautiful… but not strategic.
- Failing to define what success looks like. Your supplier’s work will lack purpose. Instead, make sure you have a clear goal that measures the biggest outcome of all: return on investment.
So yes, creative work can be both pretty and powerful. And you can have it all… if you invest in a team of strategically focused creatives.
Creative agencies cost more but are teams for a reason. We're much more powerful together than on our own.
Just like a hand of aces versus a single 3.
