Does having experience translate to having expertise? Well, not always when you’re looking to hire a web designer. Read our latest blog to find out why.
“Never become so much of an expert that you stop gaining expertise.” — Denis Waitley
Years ago a competitor of mine in the chaotic insecure world of radio advertising sales had over a decade of experience.
Knocking on doors, cold-calling, and hitting the streets on a quotidian basis—she possessed the necessary courage to walk into a business proclaiming representation of the best radio stations in the area. The owner of these radio stations was notorious. Everyone knew he, the owner, would go from affable to hysterical in the beat of a sprinters heart.
Knowing this, the account executive for these stations would make a plea to any and all of these prospective business owners she schilled her radio station advertising time to.
“Please buy something so (radio station owner name) won’t yell at me.”
That was her final pitch.
Tell me, with over a decade worth of experience, what is she an expert of?
Manipulating?
Hell, I’m sure if you did a survey of 10 people from off the street you discover there is a stereotype that all salespeople are in some way, shape, form, or flavor of a manipulator.
But that isn’t the point of this piece.
Plenty of people claim they are experts of a specific field because they possess a certain amount of experience. However, this, like the example given above, is hardly, if ever, the case.
What exactly is expertise?
Expertise, though defined by dictionary.com as an expert with skill and/or knowledge in a specific field — has a very convoluted definition.
What are you and expert? In the example given above, some may say this salesperson is an expert in groveling. Behaving pathetically enough to obtain a sale via sympathy.
Is this who you would seek the counsel of if you were looking for advice in media sales? Or any form of sales at all?
Of course not.
“It’s kinda ridiculous how often I hear from clients who are dumbfounded by the results, or lack thereof from dealing with web designers claiming they have all this experience.” Says Jon Gicewicz, owner, operator, and chief designer at JEG DESIGN INC.
If I’m the coach of a sports team with over 20 years on the job and my record is 100 wins and 200 losses — I have 20 years of experience but as my record indicates, the only thing I’m an expert in is losing. Right?
When interviewing a Web Designer, ask the RIGHT questions!
How many of you can recall the last time you updated your résumé?
Those of us advanced in our age will not only put how many years of experience we have in specific field/industry, a specific skillset we’ve acquired over those years, but with great specificity, we will make note of exactly what we did.
This provides the potential employer a clearer picture/understanding as to what exactly we did.
Do this when interviewing potential web designers.
• Is their experience in fixed design?
• Fluid design?
• Responsive design?
• Do they know what all those types of design are?
• Do they have a graphic design background?
• How much of their experience is strictly in desktop?
• Is any of their experience in mobile design?
• Can they help you market your website?
• Do they know of others who could help you market your website?
Conclusion
We all want to be experts in something. Hell, if you don’t believe that, visit any social media page after a football game.
“Why didn’t they just do…”
This line will be repeated over and over because they’ve logged 10,000 hours playing Madden on their PS4.
“An expert is one who knows more and more about less and less.”
–Nicholas M. Butler
“I’m not trying to be the guy people come to with answers to everyone’s web design needs or concerns. Truthfully, if I were to claim that and then someone were to present me with a specific need I can’t address, I have to inform them that I don’t know what to do. I don’t do this to lose business, I do this to gain trust. Lying to a client is how you lose trust, lose a customer, and lose the potential for a referral. And referrals in every business are priceless.” Confessed Gicewicz.
When it comes to being an expert with experience, look no further than the line, “I don’t do this to lose business, I do this to gain trust.”
All too often we scramble, especially in today’s hyper competitive/saturated world of those looking to offer more, charge less, claiming to be able to do everything hoping to obtain your business. Only for you to turn around and realize you wasted your time and money.
You get what you paid for has never been more true for those of you who’ve fallen victim to this type of situation.
Contact Jon Gicewicz today. Gicewicz will provide you an free estimate in less than 48 hours. He will also provide you with a list of clients he’s worked for. Examples of his work. And anythihttps://www.jegdesign.com/design-estimate-request/ng necessary for your web and/or graphic design needs. He’ll even provide you some information you never thought to ask.
He promises he won’t grovel for your business either.
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Written By Keith Hannigan
Keith has over a 11 years of copywriting experience and has been blogging for companies in the advertising, design, boating, and marketing industry. For examples of his work or to contact him with any questions, please email Keith at [email protected]