| Evaluating Agency Bids |
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A bidding process based on hourly rates rarely provides an apples-to-apples comparison. Some agencies may charge less per hour, but are you confident they won't take longer and end up costing more?
Getting an agency up to speed on your products and services should not be done at your expense. Open-ended estimates based on hourly rates frequently bring unwanted surprises.
- Start with a request for proposal (RFP). Different bidders will often come in with a unique approach or their own understanding of your needs. An RFP gives you the opportunity to solidify your vision and establish parameters.
- Don't be afraid to share your budget. Even if you aren't sure what a project should cost, you certainly know your limits. Providing a budget range and other guidelines will help the agency plan accordingly.
- Share what your vision would be if money were no object. Clients often make assumptions about cost and put the brakes on their own vision. The right agency will have solutions that deliver the greatest bang for the buck.
Make sure your agency quotes by the job, not by the hour. Bids should be on the entire piece, not an estimate of hours. |
| How Monogram Can Help |
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Last, but certainly not least, look carefully for the value adds:
- Proven results. At Monogram, our designers, writers, and photographers have decades of experience.
- You get our "A" team every time. We hand-select the team members who are best suited to your project.
- Our team has depth. Our production artists are designers, our writers are strategists, and our proofreaders are also editors.
- We speak print. The largest, best print shops want to talk to experts because we understand the options, the features, and how to make the greatest impact with your budget.
We want this newsletter to add value to your daily work and your project decision making. Watch future issues for tips you can use! Sincerely, Mona Graham
Monogram Communication Services 798 University Avenue Sacramento, CA 95825 Phone: 916.922.0930 Fax: 916.922.0929 www.monogramcommunications.com |
