by Ken Clark

Created on: December 31, 2007

When it comes to designing a brochure for your business, just remember this one truth: YOU HAVE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO!

So many business owners get caught up in the design phase of their marketing, when they should be focusing their limited time on the things that only they can do. Strategic outsourcing of projects that other people can do with equal excellence, pays back the smart home business owner exponentially.

In fact, you are likely to get a higher quality brochure, sooner and cheaper, than if you tried to design it yourself. By handing this task off to people who specialize in it, who know your industry, and have access to the most cutting-edge software, you can almost be guaranteed that you're going to come out ahead.

But, as many people soon come to find out, hiring a designer can take as much time as designing the brochure itself. So, here are some quick and easy tips to help you find a hired gun:

Tip #1: Getting A Brochure Done Cheap

Give your local junior college a call. Ask for the chairperson of their graphic design or art department, and tell them that you need a brochure designed for your business. Ask them if they would pass your email address on to their top 3-4 students.

You will likely save 50% or more off what you would pay a full-time designer, for what is still a very good brochure. Be sure to give them a sample of brochures you like, and as much detail as possible regarding your vision for the brochure.

Tip #2: Hire a Freelancer

If your business is in a small town, or there is a limited choice of graphic designers available, consider hiring a "freelancer" off the web. There are some great websites out there that help pair up freelance graphic designers with small business owners.

The best sites allow you to post a detailed request of what you are looking, receives bids from interested freelancers, and review ratings from previous customers. Check out www.Guru.com and www.eLance.com.

Tip #3: Ask a Friend (or a Bunch of Them!)

I've done this a number of different times, when I need a professional recommendation for some type of service. I'll email everyone in my address book, asking for a recommendation for the type of professional I'm looking for. I usually get one or two great recommendations, as well as a couple warnings about who to avoid.

Tip #4: Check With Your Local Professional Association

If your business has a professional association for its industry, that is a great place to ask around. Even better, discounts for preferred and trusted vendors are often listed on your association's website.

If you don't have a professional association for your specific type of business, check out your local Chamber of Commerce. They can usually give you some good recommendations for established designers and printers.

Once you actually have a designer selected, all that's left is sealing the deal. Just remember to ask for a written estimate up front, which includes a delivery date and any additional fees that might be charged.

If possible, give a deposit for the work, and pay the balance on delivery. This helps keep your designer motivated and on schedule.

Finally, if you find yourself at all unhappy with their work, be sure to speak up while your brochure is still in the "proof" stage. Once it goes to print, you own it. Before then though, changes are very easy to make, and most designers are more than happy to oblige.

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