Tips for the Design Team-curious. 3: Shaping up for selection

Hello you. You came back then I see. 

I'm relieved!

Clearly the criticisms I raised in Part 2 'Finding a balance of expectations' haven't put you off going down the Design Team route. [Either that or you're checking in to see if I've had a meltdown after it ... which I haven't!] No, I'm still here and seeing as how you are too I'm going to get even more demanding now I know you're persistant! 

Even if you're not reading this as a DT hopeful today's post [Part 3], along with Parts 4 and 6, contains tips which lots could be useful to anyone wanting to present themselves with more confidence, promote skills which are complimentary to their craft or to generally just polish up their act!

Right, let's get on with it ... notebooks at the ready ...

Are you good enough?

Right now, right this minute, if a DT call was announced in the next 5 minutes, could you apply with enough confidence to believe you were in with a chance?

If you answered 'No' ... then stay where you are, you're in the right place, because by the end of this session I hope you'll have changed your mind. I'd love it if you were able to reply:

• "Yes I am good enough" or ... at the very least...
• "Oh, OK then, maybe I'm not so useless afterall" or even ... 
• "Hell yeah I'm good enough! Now get out of my way - I've got people to impress!"

In which case I'll consider my work here done ... and go put my feet up. 

Until then, let's talk about the awkward subject of talent and if you've actually got what it takes to get on to a DT.

How do I know if I am good enough?


We're often the harshest critics of our own work so it can be hard to decide on what's 'good enough' and what will impress someone who doesn't know you! But, if you're putting together a DT application, or even if you're still just rolling the idea around in your mind, at some point you're going to have to out your creative neck on the line and send your work for scrutiny by others.

Objectively judging your own talents is hard and rather than  just hide your crafty-light under a bushel you could try this method:

• select a few of your latest / favourite pieces of work and set them out in front of you;
• open up the blog/gallery of the team you're trying out for;
• compare your work to theirs;

If you still don't trust your own judgement, repeat the process with a friend or relative whose opinion you trust ... but who isn't just trying to be kind. 

Then:

• if you don't think you're quite there yet, maybe take some time to work on new skills, pay attention to small details which add to a more professional feel to projects or try out new techniques.  

But:

• if this comparison process surprises you / wakes you up to your own qualities ... then please ... allow yourself a victory for a change!

 However, when you are in that place of working out if you're good enough, don't forget to ask ...

Am I good enough for WHO?

In DT life as in romance ...  there's someone out there for everyone. You just need to find the right match.
This much I know to be true. Mainly because ...

During my time on the Gauche Alchemy DT I made scrapbook pages about some fairly unusual things and got away with it. Take, for example, the layouts featuring: 

• my navel piercing - including a photo of me in my undies; 
• my cowboy boots - complete with an accompanying image from Playboy;
• a naked statue - complete with implication I was going to grab his 'fennel stalk' [long story!]
• and a 40th Wedding Annniversary corned beef pie. [No nudity in that one!]

And not only was I not banished from their blog they were actually delighted with it ... because, after all, they were the ones who put a playboy image in my ephemera kit to start with!


So, you see, there really is a team:

• for everyone, 
• for every style of crafting, [from cute-in-a-good-way, to grungy, to clean and simple, to cute-in-a-bad-way ... etc etc]
• for every attitude and outlook. 
• and for every lifestyle [there are Faith challenge blogs; challenges where you only scrap the males in your life, challenges for kraft-addicts ... all human life is out there!].

You just need to look around and focus your energies into applying for teams you feel are already a good fit for you ... so you don't end up bending your style just to get on a team:

• don't get hung up on getting on the most well known manufacturer's DTs;
• there are smaller companies out there, with specific, niche products who are eager for team members who 'get' them and their style. 
• If you already belong to the kind of online communities that someone niche wants to expand their market into, then that can only work in your favour.
• Plus there are many, many online stores who set up their own DTs, tailored to reflect the mix of products they sell.

And don't forget about challenge blog Design Teams:

• while the founders of these don't generally offer any form of payment - neither are they receiving any themselves, so .. you know ... fair's fair;
• they're often seeking fresh talent and friendly contributions - rather than full-on 'commitments' and perfection;
• there are a lot of them ... which means more opportunites and vacancies!

Be realistic ... 
There are manufacturers out there whose products I really really like and part of me would like to think that I could be a part of their team. But then equally, I doubt I'd stand a chance as my work isn't like that of their existing DT. 

I suppose there are two ways to process that way of thinking:

1. I could go for it anyway - hoping they'll appreciate that I'm offering something different from their usual branding OR
2. I could decide not to put myself through it when I don't ever imagine I'll get in. 

To me, both options seem valid. 

 

But I think that, if I truly wanted to be on that team above all else, I'd try-out anyway ... possible dints to self-confidence be damned!

 

... but don't be put off:

Even if you don't consider your work to be on par with that of the members of your favourite DT ... you still needn't be be deterred. 

It's not all about who can create the most amazing scrapbook pages; the most creative multi-layered cards; the most altered of all altered items.

It can be about those things ... but it isn't ALL like that DT recruiters are also interested in you beyond the projects you submit.

Remember that list of requirements from Part 2? It shows that, just like recruiters in the job market, DTs are looking for more than just raw talent. They're also seeking:

• commitment;
• availability;
• reliability;
• communication skills;
• social media skills;
• presentation skills and so on and so on ...

You have more to offer a DT than your creative talents and if your application can convey your competence in some of these 'transferable skills' alongside your creative work you'll be giving yourself an extra edge.

Also, seeing as how DT recruiters are real, living, breathing humans too ... they're also looking at whether you'll fit in, whether they feel they can talk to you ... whether they like you. And as there's no way of working this out in advance, you've just got to be yourself as far as possible. 

In fact ... as with any job application:

Creating confidence:
I don't want to deliver this next part as 'advice' per se. Because, frankly, it's personal preference and I have no evidence that it works! This one is  purely my opinion!

Email is your friend!
Being able to introduce myself to people via email means:

• I get to 'speak' at my own pace; 
• I have time to select my words carefully; 
• I can take breaths in between phrases; 
• I can state my case without stumbling.

All of which provides me with my best ever opportunity to come across as a normal, capable, grown-up with a brain and a voice. 
What happens when someone subsequently meets me in real life is their problem ... ;-) 

So, whenever I have this calm, collected, 'virtual' opportunity apply for jobs or DT roles; invite people to guest blog for me; write cover letters and proposals or brazenly introduce myself to people whose work I admire I always aim to be:

• respectful, friendly, polite, open, real.

Meanwhile I'm able to edit out anything remotely:

• awestruck, apologetic, self-deprecating, self-doubting.

I bear in mind that DTs - as with editors etc - are looking for someone:

• able;
• reliable;
• practical;
• able to represent their brand online ... unmonitored ... unscripted ...  

Therefore, it makes sense to leave out ...: 

• anxieties about how your work might not be up standard;
• explanations why the photos you sending aren't the best you've ever taken;
• excuses about why your blog isn't up-to-date;
• unneccesary flattery;
• going for the sympathy vote;
• And anything remotely like 'I'm not worthy'!

The last thing you want to do is make a recruiter uncomfortable or have doubts about you ... use the joys of virtual communication to put your best you forward.


Preparation:
To save you time and to help you keep a clear, rational head when you hear the perfect DT call for you, then you could:

• have a carefully, confidently, drafted cover letter already saved on your computer;
• edit it once you've read through the particular team's requirements;
• prepare a crafting CV/resume containing your successes or ventures to date;
• consider having this online somewhere - I have my Crafting CV up there ^^ as a page on my blog - as this enables you to send someone a short link, rather than a long document.

Also think about storing your work in an online gallery [ie: Flickr] as well as on your blog. 

• Arranging your projects into sets/folders makes it easier for you put your hand on those favourite projects you would most likely offer up in the event of an application. 
• Even when they don't ask for it I include a link to my Flickr gallery in DT applications ... it opens up my entire visual archive to them in one click.
• And if they don't click on it ... I haven't lost anything, it only took me the time to paste a link into an email.

• Don't get disheartened;
• Keep an open mind about the kind of team you want to be on;
• Try to be objective about your work;
• Be confident when applying ... even if you're not. It's all conducted online. Who'll ever know?

• If you've ever wanted to guest blog for a site you think you'd be a good match for - email them - ask! 
• Building a loyal blog following is also about finding the right niche for you. Finding those readers who match your attitude, style etc.
• Look around for who you feel comfortable with, leave a comment, visit the blogs of their followers and commenters too.
• We can't all be [insert name of super-super-popular-blogger-here] but that doesn't mean there isn't a place for us and whatever it is we blog about.

•  the pre-prepared updated CV, cover-letter, assuming / faking confidence ... it's all taken from real life career's advice anyway!
• On and yes ... there probably is someone - romantically - for everyone ... but I'm not about to add 'match-maker' to that CV ... I'm steering well clear! 

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Join me for more tips aimed at presentation and getting you selected to a DT in Part 4 and check out the 'Tips for the DT-curious' page where I've added the full list of upcoming topics, so you know what to expect in the next posts. 

Thank you to everyone who's already left a comment and who's tweeted me and re-tweeted links to the series. Really ... thank you.

Julie  x


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Please note: During this series I do NOT refer in a negative way to any teams or companies by name. I ask that, if you share experiences or opinions in a comment, you stick to this way of doing things too.

Thank you in advance … you can collect yourself an ‘I Play Nice’ sticker for your cardigan on your way out.

© Julie Kirk 2007-2011 The images used throughout the series feature the projects I've made and photographed as part of my Design Team commitments over the last 4 years. 

Tips for the Design Team-curious. 2: Finding a balance of expectations.

Hello.

Welcome to Part 2 and a discussion of topics which, if you follow me on Twitter [@notesonpaper], you might have already seen me raising before. 

If I’m honest, it’s the subject which has given me the most pause for thought within this whole series, making me question whether or not I, as someone wanting to continue building relationships within the industry, am stupid to point out any of its flaws?

Maybe I am.

Of all times I’ve mentioned it on Twitter and Facebook I’ve only ever had two responses!

Both were in fact supportive but noteably they were both from well-established industry figures.

I guess it's understandable that people whose goal is to get a place on a DT, or those already happily recruited to one might not want to be seen joining in a critical debate about them!

But for this series - how could I truly offer up advice about how to spread your creative wings … if I neglected to warn you about the possibility of flying into plate glass doors?

The thought of getting a place on a DT can be so absorbing and exciting ["Ooh. Yay! Pretties! Popularity! Free stuff! Go me!] I just wanted to offer you a wider picture to help you focus your energies and avoid frustrations from the start!

NB: I MUST be clear here ... or else they may disown me! But ...

• None of the following applies to any of the teams I’m currently on or have been on in the past.
• It's all drawn from time spent browsing DT calls and requirements online and discussions with other crafters over the last few years.

So, now that I've got that clear ...

What does a DT want from you? What do you want from them? - Balancing their expectations against your own.

You're going to need to get that notebook out again in a minute ... Got it? OK.

• Maybe I'm lucky;
• Maybe I chose well;
• Maybe I've never actually applied to any team who I though wanted more from me than they were offering in return.

Whichever it is ... I've only ever experienced teams who asked for what I considered a reasonable amount of work in return for a generous DT parcel.

However each of us has to decide  our own balance of what is reasonable and what is generous and what we're happy to work for.

Assess your availability before you begin.

Before you begin looking into which DT you'd like to be on, before you get swept up in the thrill of possibilities which a new call can spark, before you decide you want to work for XYZ so badly that you barely read through their list of expectations ... you might want to ask yourself:

1. How much time can I realistically set aside each month to  create new DT projects?
2. How much time can I have to spend photographing, editing and subsequently blogging the finished items? 
3. How happy am I to use spare time in the promotion of my projects and the team I'm on?
4. How much 'payment' would it take to make this worthwhile?
5. Can I live happily the balance of rewards / effort?
6. How long can I keep it up?

Once you know [roughly] what you're happy with, you can view DT requirements with a more rational eye.

Some example requirements.
The following is list of some typical, not-so-typical and becoming-increasingly-typical requirements DTs are combining in their calls.

• 3 - 4 projects per month / per kit
• 4 - 5 items per month
• Blogging on the manufacturer's / team's blog
• Weekly blogging a new project on personal blog
• Maintain a fresh, regularly updated personal blog
• Participation in blog challenges and blog hops
• Commenting on the work submitted by blog readers to any challenges
• Frequent contribution to the site/blog's in-house message board / forum
• Uploading projects to online galleries eg. Two Peas
• Regularly submitting work for publication in magazines
• Interaction on the site/blog's Facebook page
• Answering queries on product etc on Facebook
• Promoting blog posts / competitions etc via Twitter

And my all  time personal favourite:

• 'Daily interaction on our message board'

Daily? Really?

The less I respond to this particular criteria here the better for all concerned.

[I'll save that treat for James who has to suffer my rants on some of the, quite frankly ridiculous, expectations some teams have of people who they pay in supplies. And ... breathe ...]

Over time, after reading through increasingly demnding criteria, I've almost come to the conclusion that there'll come a point where a DT requires from you:

• 4-5 creative projects per month;
• plus custody of your first born;
• and first refusal on any of your vital organs should the need ever arise ...  

But, joking aside, apart from the obviously onerous requests, much of the list of requirements is perfectly reasonable if the benefits offered to the DT member are of equal value.
Which is purely down to you to decide for yourself. 
I'm not here to say you're decision is wrong. In fact, in later posts in the series I'll be backing your decision 100% and highlighting ways in which you can improve your chances of being selected.

... but ... daily interaction?

Daily?

Are you sure?

I'm raising all of this in the hope some of you will realise your worth, your value, what YOU are offering to a DT.

Because sometimes creative people need to place themselves and their work on the same level as the Design Team they admire. It's not like they're doing you a favour.

Without you working for them, manufacturers would have to invest heavily in paid promotions and adverts to give them as much exposure as you and your team mates are offering them.

Remember that for all DT work may fun, interesting and challengingit is still work!  It's still a contract based on supply and demand.

A few last minute grumbles.
After you've worked-out the level of work/compensation you're happy to work for, you can then throw yourself wholeheartedly into the application process.

[1] The Application Process 
The broader topic of making a good application and even gaining the confidence to apply is actually something I'm going to be covering in Parts 3 + 4 so stick with me until then.

However, as those posts are more upbeat in attitude than today's, I thought I'd squeeze in this minor point of note here instead!

Briefly: many DTs ask simply that you email them images of a few of your best projects or else send links to your blog / gallery etc. Which, to me, is ideal for those of us who don't like to broadcast that we've applied for things in case we don't get selected.

[I did afterall mislead my entire family about the date on which I'd find out my Degree results ... just so I could collect them without feeling any pressure!]
However, I've noticed a recent trend for increasingly public applications:

• In these, you're asked to apply via a post on your own blog.
• You present your chosen projects [sometimes even with a tutorial to boot!] and state your intention to be in the running for a place on the team.

I don't judge anyone who's done it. But I'm not sure it's for me.

I'm simply putting it out there so you now know everything I know. Forewarned is forearmed ...
And finally ... I'll leave you with one bug-bear which I know for certain I share with many others out there.

[2]. Lack of communication
Some DTs openly state in their recruiting blurb that they will:

• Neither acknowledge your application
• NOR inform you if you've been unsuccessful.

When I read that I hear not simply that "We're too busy" but also "We're busier doing more important things than you".

Maybe that's just me being touchy, but really ...

• they decided to issue the call at this particular moment in time; and
• they are the ones seeking assistance in the promotion of their company/blog.
• I too have other things to do [amazingly!] yet I put myself out to carefully follow your application process;
• I would appreciate the common courtesy of a response.

I'm not expecting a personally addressed -  'Sorry you didn't make the cut this time Julie, but hey, stick with it kid, one day you'll go far' - message here.

But is a BCC email sent out to all of the unsuccessful applicants in one go - or even several batches if there's that many - really too much to ask? 

Really?

• Be clear on what's you can offer and what you expect in return;
• Know that there will always be someone who doesn't mind any of the points raised in this post who will happily take your place and accept having to do more work for less.
• Decide if you can live with that - and if you can, don't take the role, find something more suitable to you. 
• But if you can't - and you want to be on that DT no matter what ...
• Plan to capitalise on your time there as much as is humanly possible! And watch out for the rest of this series where I'll be backing you, come what may!!

• How much of your content are you happy for another blogger to use?
• I know of cases where whole tutorials have been used without prior persmission - with only a link to the original post.
• Similarly I know of people who've had their projects just pop up on someone else's blog with not even a friendly heads-up about it.
• Also you may get asked to contribute existing posts or guest-blog on other sites.
• When any of this occurs consider what your blogging time is worth and what you'd like in return.
• Personally, if I know another blogger is, like me doing it as a hobby [i.e not a salaried blogger] I don't mind the exchange of my content for the chance to promote myself and share my work with their audience.
• If you want to make it clear to others how you expect your content to be treated - consider having an 'etiquett'e type page on your site spelling out what is and is not acceptable to you.
• For examples see this from Crafterminds and this from Kelly Rae Roberts.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying no one should work for free! I have done it myself and it was either:

• for a charity;
• to gain experience or
• on the assurance it was as a one-off / trial-run and that the next time I would be compensated. Which I was.

And on each occasion I accept that I was indeed 'paid' ... it just wasn't in cash.

Finally, here's the best advice I received when I was debating an uncertain offer around unpaid work:
"Do you think they pay for their office furniture in 'product'? Do you think they get a plumber to work for them by putting a link to his blog in their sidebar?"

If we don't respect the value of our creative work how can we expect the non-creative world to?

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Right ... I'm carefully stepping down from my soapbox now ...

Join me later this week for Part 3 of 'Tips for the Design Team-curious' where we'll be looking at preparing yourself for success and basically making yourself irresistable ....
Julie :-)

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Please note: During the series I do NOT refer in a negative way to any teams or companies by name. I ask that, if you share experiences or opinions in a comment, you stick to this too.  Thank you in advance … you can collect yourself an ‘I Play Nice’ sticker for your cardigan on your way out. ;-)

© Julie Kirk 2007-2011 The images used throughout the series feature the projects I've made and photographed as part of my Design Team commitments over the last 4 years.