How much should I spend on marketing?

A good rule of thumb for most small businesses is to set a yearly advertising budget of about 10% of your gross revenue. Marketing should be considered an expense, like office supplies. As such, it should be budgeted for at the beginning of every year. When you make it part of your business budget, you'll find it much easier to plan a marketing program that is consistent.

How much will this cost?

Ideaworks bills its services two different ways, depending on the preference of the client: (1) by the project, or (2) by a monthly retainer.

When billing by the project, Ideaworks charges an hourly rate for services. There are different rates for different types of services, so that you are not billed as much, say, for marketing support, as you would for graphic design or strategic planning.

When projects are priced on a per project basis, you will receive a cost estimate for each item ordered (brochure, trade show exhibit, marketing plan, etc.). This proposal will include costs related to Ideaworks services.

Customers who opt for retainer billing are able to purchase marketing and design hours "in bulk." With a retainer agreement, a variety of services are packaged under one price that does not fluctuate from month to month. Because it is billed as a package, the average hourly rate is much lower than normal hourly billing.

How can I reduce project costs?

There are many ways that you can help control project costs:

• Planning is the biggest single way to reduce costs. Knowing what you want to accomplish, and conveying this clearly to Ideaworks, will ensure that the work we do reflects your objectives and expectations.
• Numerous changes can dramatically increase your bill, so spend a little time up front to ensure you provide complete and correct information.
• Providing text for brochures, ads and other printed collateral on a computer disk will save you typesetting charges. Please remember to proofread what you provide; this will cut down on changes/corrections.
• Take your proofs seriously. Carefully reviewing materials submitted for your review helps take care of errors early in a project, and can prevent costly misprints.
• Annual advertising contracts should be considered if you are planning to run ads within a specific media consistently over a period of time. A 12-month contract for billboards or newspaper advertising, for example, can save you up to 50% over paying for ads on a monthly basis.
• If you like (or dislike) a particular "look," color or style, communicate this to us clearly from the beginning. Bring samples of work, text, ads, brochures, etc., that convey your personal taste. If you have a corporate slogan that you've used and would like us to incorporate, bring it to our first meeting so we can include this element in your materials.
• If you are providing a logo or other art, make sure that it is "camera-ready," meaning a clean, black and white copy that requires no retouching. This will save on design, scan and computer production charges to "clean up" your logo. If possible, provide us with your logo on disk.

How are project costs estimated?

Based on previous experience with other projects, Ideaworks will estimate how many hours are required for your project. All this information is compiled into a written proposal that provides a "ball park" idea of what your project should cost. Please note: if you make changes to your original specifications, you will be invoiced for the additional time.

What is the billing cycle?

50% of the estimated project cost is due in advance, with the remainder due on delivery. For projects that take longer than 30 days, billing is sent periodically for the portion of work that has been completed and expenses to date.

Will I be charged for meetings and phone calls?

Yes, when Ideaworks is consulting with its clients or on behalf of its clients, this is considered billable time. You are paying for our consultation services, expertise, and time spent on your account.

What other charges should I expect?

Ideaworks charges for expenses related to each job, such as travel, printing, shipping, copies, proofs, film negatives, long distance charges, etc. There is a rush fee imposed on late-breaking projects that require immediate attention.

How will I knjow how many hours were spent on my project?

The staff at Ideaworks keeps track of all time spent on each project. Each invoice shows a breakdown of time spent on your behalf by the Ideaworks staff, and how this compares to the amount originally estimated.

Will Ideaworks work with my existing staff or consultant?

Yes. Ideaworks would be more than happy to work with your existing marketing staff, or coordinate with your favorite designer, webmaster, photographer, or other professional with whom you've had a positive working relationship.

How does Ideaworks handle intellectual property rights?

Materials created by Ideaworks become the full property of our clients at the time that all invoices for the project in question have been paid in full. Ideaworks reserves the right to keep a digital copy of any materials created in our archive, and the right to use materials created for self-promotional purposes.