5 tips to better manage creative projects with your customers

The construction of a showcase website, the development of a visual identity, the launch of an advertising campaign, the organization of events or even the management of press relations are all projects specific to creative agencies. Even if the principles of project management remain the same for all sectors of activity, these types of projects are not approached in the same way as building a house or producing cars.

For some customers, marketing and communication are completely abstract sectors. In order to collaborate effectively and in the best conditions, you must explain to your customers How your creative agency works and how you manage projects.

Tips for better managing creative projects with your customers

• Informing the customer about the creative process
• Define the creative project from the start
• Encourage communication
• Impose limits
• Use the right tools

Discover 5 tips to help you better manage your creative projects with your customers.

1. Informing the customer about the creative process

A creative agency does not work in the same way as a production plant. Your customers need to understand this in order to prevent them from making the project fail by constantly refusing your proposals, having unrealistic expectations, and asking for too many changes.

Take the time to explain to each new client how your agency works, the creative process, and how long it takes to create each deliverable.

For example, creating a website is much more complex than you think because, in addition to the structure, sections and pages, you have to create SEO content, ensure a good conversion rate and create social media pages that will be associated with it.

By being transparent about how you work, you are building the foundations of a healthy relationship. The customer understands how you work, he knows the real time needed to create a website, for example, and he more appreciates the value of your work. It also helps you justify your budget and time estimates.

2. Define the creative project from the start

In project management, regardless of the field of activity, it is essential to define the project before starting. In the communications and marketing industry, some customers don't really know what they want. They only have a vague idea, but the outlines of their project are not clearly defined. This situation is likely to cause several problems:

• The scope and objectives of the project will constantly change according to the desires and moods of the client;
• The customer is going to be frustrated;
• The project will be delayed;
• You may lose money.

For a project to be successful, you and your client need to have a clear and precise vision of it. Discuss with the client in advance, advise him and help him to precisely define the contours of his project by determining:

• its goals and expectations,
• the challenges of the project,
• the audience,
• the graphic charter (logo, colors, font, etc.) and/or the design,
• the type of content (information on products/services, photos, texts and keywords, etc.),
• budget and deadlines.

Before engaging in a creative project, you need to understand the customer's vision, know exactly what they want, and what the end users need.

3. Encourage communication

It cannot be said enough: in project management, communication is a key element in the success of the project.

First, communication with the customer is essential throughout the project. Imagine the customer's disappointment and frustration if, at the end of the project, the result did not meet their requirements or if their needs changed along the way. Your work has only been a waste of time and money, and your team may lose all their motivation.

To avoid this disaster scenario, it is imperative that the client validate each stage of the project to ensure that it corresponds to its expectations and meets its needs.

Second, communication between team members is also essential. Sharing information, new ideas, progress or difficulties encountered, collaborators must be able to exchange easily at any moment in order to encourage collaboration, coordinate the implementation of the project and ensure its success.

4. Impose limits

To be effective in managing your creative projects, you must set limits to your customers as well as to the creative team.

As mentioned above, your client's project must be clearly defined to avoid overflows and the addition of functionalities that are as costly as they are ancillary. Listen carefully to the customer's problem and offer him a solution adapted to his needs and his budget.

Afterwards, if the customer wants to make changes or add functionalities, explain to him that everything is possible, but that his requests will necessarily have an impact on the budget and deadlines.

Another important point: you must direct the creativity of your team and set limits in order to avoid excesses. One Brainstorming ideas can quickly leave in any direction. It is therefore necessary to impose a framework and constraints on creative minds to help them be more productive.

It may seem contradictory, but setting limits is a good way to develop creativity, problem-solving skills, and most importantly, your team will explore all the possibilities that exist within the limits imposed.

5. Use appropriate tools

One of the best ways to effectively manage your creative projects with your customers is by using the right tools. One project management software dedicated to agencies offers numerous functionalities that facilitate communication and collaboration with the customer.

Centralization and sharing of work documents, instant messaging, video calls, a calendar, a tool for task management, a tool for monitoring project progress, etc., all these functionalities are essential for the good management of your projects and help you lead them to success.

It's up to you to play!