Excellence in design is just one aspect of advancing your career in the coming years. We explore five essential skills that will aid you in your professional journey through the 2020s.
Job listings for web designers commonly outline both technical abilities and interpersonal aptitudes desired in candidates. Hard skills – the technical know-how – cover aspects such as:
- Educational background in web design;
- Proficiency in design software like Sketch or Photoshop;
- Understanding of color theory and adaptable design.
Your career portfolio is your testimony to these abilities. In contrast, soft skills encompass the non-technical traits that make someone easier to work with. These traits are less tangible and harder to quantify, often described in terms like:
- Reliable in meeting deadlines;
- Collaborative team member;
- Focused on achieving objectives.
While one might overlook these soft skills as less critical, they’re actually pivotal in setting you apart from your peers and influencing the success of your freelance ventures or business operations. Now let’s delve into the key non-design skills that will propel you forward in your career.
1. Sales Prowess
For many, the concept of sales conjures images of pushy store associates or telemarketers. However, to truly excel in selling yourself as a web designer, you need to:
- Understand your niche to easily target prospective clients;
- Comprehend client problems to initiate meaningful dialogue;
- Present yourself confidently as the singular solution they need.
Developing formidable sales skills enables you to foster robust client relationships, easing the transition from prospect to client. An invaluable sales skill borrowed from seasoned professionals is the ability to not take rejection personally and to keep pushing forward.
2. Managing Finances
While you may consider leaving finances to software like QuickBooks or Xero, or an accountant once you’re financially able, effectively managing finances involves more than just balancing the books. It ranges from:
- Researching to price competitively;
- Confidently discussing pricing with clients;
- Drafting detailed proposals and contracts;
- Addressing late payments and pursuing delinquent accounts;
- Maintaining both personal and business budgets.
Honing these financial management skills ensures the long-term profitability of your enterprise.
3. Project Management Expertise
As your client base and services expand, projects can become chaotic. Strong project and time management abilities are essential to maintaining order, such as:
- Establishing effective processes;
- Organizing and documenting these processes;
- Utilizing tools to streamline operations;
- Setting realistic deadlines and meeting them;
- Monitoring your productivity and staying focused.
While project management tools and templates can automate much of the work, the foundation must be your own tried and true systems and procedures.
4. Client Communication and Relationship Management
If you start on a positive note in the sales stage, managing client communication and relationships becomes much easier. This covers everything from:
- Asserting yourself from the beginning;
- Setting clear boundaries;
- Adapting your language to the client’s level of understanding;
- Maintaining professionalism always;
- Remaining level-headed in stressful situations;
- Listening and accepting constructive feedback graciously.
Central to mastering these skills is the confidence in both your work and your ability to guide clients and projects in the right direction.
5. Problem-Solving Agility
Web designers inherently tackle the significant issue of creating online presences for their clients. Beyond design, problem-solving is essential when clients present specific needs, like wanting an e-commerce site with round-the-clock chatbot support. It’s crucial to:
Think on your feet creatively and efficiently; seek out solutions, and when necessary, buy time to devise the best approach. Addressing and resolving unforeseen issues, such as a faulty homepage button, showcases your value and could even lead to additional monetized services like website maintenance.
Commence Honing These Non-Design Skills
Web design talent alone won’t guarantee a steady stream of clients. To command top-tier fees and maintain a consistent client influx, you need to flex and refine both design and vital non-design skills alike.
Featured image via Unsplash.
