As more and more businesses turn to outsourcing to cut costs and improve efficiency, creative process outsourcing is becoming an increasingly popular business strategy. While this can be a great way for businesses to tap specialized expertise at a low price, it's important to understand the ins and outs of it before making a decision.In this article, we'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions businesses have about creative process outsourcing. From understanding various types of creative services to finding the best service provider, this blog will provide you with the information you need to make the best outsourcing decision.
What is creative process outsourcing?
The practice of contracting an outsourcing vendor or agency to undertake particular creative services or projects, like graphic design, copywriting, video editing, and digital marketing, is known as creative process outsourcing (CPO). The goal of CPO is to provide businesses with access to specialized knowledge or additional resources that may not be available in their organization, as well as to save costs or increase efficiency by giving non-core tasks to a third-party service provider.
What type of creative work do businesses need help with?
Businesses may outsource a wide range of creative tasks, depending on their specific needs and goals. Here at KDCI, we offer top-notch design and marketing services to help businesses elevate their brand and communicate their messages to their target audience:
List of in-demand creative process outsourcing services of KDCI
Digital Marketing Services
Digital marketing services are a broad category of services that can help businesses reach and engage with their target audience through various online channels. Some examples of digital marketing services KDCI offer include:
- Search Engine Optimization
- Social Media Management
- Pay-per-Click Advertising
- Email Marketing
- Content Creation
Graphic Design Services
Graphic design services refer to a wide range of services that involve creating visual content for print and digital media. Graphic designers use typography, photography, illustrations, and other visual elements to communicate a message or create an impactful visual experience. Some examples of graphic design services KDCI offer include:
Print Design Services
Print graphics services are a subset of creative design services that focus specifically on creating and producing graphic elements for printed materials. Some of the print graphics services KDCI offer include:
Video Editing Services
Video editing services refer to the process of manipulating and rearranging video shots to create a new work. Video editing can be done to create a variety of content such as commercials, short films, video testimonials, and music videos. Here are some examples of video editing services KDCI offer:
Web Design Services
Web design services refer to the process of creating visually appealing and user-friendly websites. Web designers use a combination of graphic design, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other technologies to create websites that are not only visually appealing but also easy to navigate and interact with. Some examples of web design services KDCI offer include:
How much experience does the outsourcing company need to have to assist businesses with their creative design projects?
The amount of experience an outsourcing company should have depends on the specific project and the level of complexity of the work required. For basic creative design tasks, a company with a lower level of experience may be suitable. However, for more complex or specialized projects, it would be advisable to look for a company with more experience and a proven track record. KDCI, for example, has over ten years of experience providing creative design services to global companies. Our company has worked with top global brands, including Apple, Dell, and Canon. Generally, you should consider the following factors when evaluating the experience of an outsourcing company:
- The number of years the company has been in business.
- The breadth and depth of the company's portfolio of work. This will give you an idea of the types of projects the company has worked on and the level of quality they are capable of delivering.
- The company's industry experience and vertical market expertise, whether the company has experience working with clients in your specific industry or sector and whether they understand the unique challenges and considerations of your business.
- The experience and qualifications of the company's staff. Look for designers and developers who have a strong portfolio and relevant professional experience in their field.
It is important to keep in mind that while experience and qualifications are important, you should also evaluate the company's approach and attitude towards the project, their communication and project management skills, and the overall fit with your business.
How will the outsourcing company ensure that the work produced aligns with their clients’ brand identity and style guidelines?
Outsourcing companies typically have a set of processes and procedures in place to ensure that the work produced aligns with their clients' brand identity and style guidelines. Here are a few examples of how an outsourcing company might approach this:
Brand guidelines
At the start of a project, the creative process outsourcing company will typically ask the client to provide brand guidelines or a style guide, which outline the company's color palette, typography, imagery, and messaging. The company will use this information to ensure that all work produced is consistent with the client's established brand identity.
Kick-off meeting
The outsourcing company may have a kick-off meeting or call with the client to go over the project details, timelines and objectives, and to establish a clear understanding of the client's expectations and brand guidelines. This ensures that everyone is on the same page, and it's an opportunity for the client to provide feedback and for the company to ask any questions.
Review and Feedback process
During the project, the company should have in place a review and feedback process where work is shared with the client at regular intervals for feedback and revisions. This helps to ensure that the work is on track, and it's a great opportunity for the client to provide input and ensure that the work aligns with their brand identity and style guidelines.
Quality Assurance
Before delivering the final work, an outsourcing company should have a quality assurance process in place to ensure that the final work meets the client's requirements, and that it aligns with their brand identity and style guidelines. When outsourcing creative services, communication is key to ensure the final product aligns with the client's vision and objectives. It's important for the client to provide clear instructions, and for the outsourcing company to ask questions and provide regular progress updates to ensure that the work is on track.
What is the process for communication and collaboration during the outsourcing project?
Effective communication and collaboration are key to the success of an outsourcing project. The process for communication and collaboration will vary depending on the specific project and the outsourcing company, but here are a few examples of how it might work:
Project management software
Many outsourcing companies use project management software to keep track of project progress, deadlines, and tasks. The software allows both the client and the outsourcing company to access project details, provide feedback, and share files.
Regular meetings or calls
The outsourcing company may schedule regular meetings or calls with the client to review project progress and provide updates. This is a great opportunity for the client to provide feedback, ask questions, and address any concerns.
Communication channels
The company should establish clear communication channels with the client, and make sure that the client knows how to reach them in case of emergencies or urgent matters. This could include an email, phone number, or instant messaging service.
Email correspondence
Email correspondence is often a regular way of communication during the project, it's useful for getting clarifications, discussing changes and revisions, sending over files and documents.
File sharing and version control
The outsourcing company should have a method for sharing and version control of files, such as cloud-based services like Google Drive, DropBox or similar. This ensures that both the client and the outsourcing company always have the most up-to-date version of the work and that there's no confusion over which version of a file is the final one.
What is the pricing structure for the creative process outsourcing services? Are there any additional costs or fees?
The pricing structure for creative process outsourcing services can vary widely depending on the company and the specific project. You may want to check out these outsourcing pricing models to gain a better understanding on how pricing for these services might be structured. It's worth noting that additional costs or fees, such as revisions, stock images, video footage or music, may not be included in the initial quote and will be billed separately. Also, it's important to be aware that there are often additional costs or fees associated with creative process outsourcing services, and that the client should carefully review the terms of the contract or proposal and ask for a detailed breakdown of all costs.
How will the outsourcing company handle revisions and feedback?
Handling revisions and feedback is an important part of the creative process outsourcing project. When you outsource creative design services, here are a few ways your outsourcing partner will handle your revisions and feedback.
Revisions policy
The outsourcing company will have a clear revisions policy in place that outlines the process for requesting revisions, how many rounds of revisions are included in the initial quote, and any additional costs associated with revisions. This will ensure that both the client and the company are aware of the expectations and limitations.
Review and feedback process
The company should have a review and feedback process in place, where work is shared with the client at regular intervals for feedback and revisions. This helps to ensure that the work is on track and that the client has an opportunity to provide input and direction.
Communication
The company should establish clear communication channels with the client, and make sure that the client knows how to reach them in case of emergencies or urgent matters. This could include an email, phone number, or instant messaging service.
Timely response
The company should respond to client feedback and revisions in a timely manner. They should have a clear and defined timeline for when revisions will be completed and when the final work will be delivered.
Transparency
The company should be transparent about the cost, time, and effort required for revisions, this will ensure that the client is aware of the potential additional costs, and the company and client are able to come to an agreement on the final product.
What is the turnaround time for the creative work to be completed?
The turnaround time for creative work to be completed will vary depending on the specific project and the outsourcing company. Factors that can affect turnaround time include the scope of the project, the level of complexity, and the availability of resources. The company should discuss with the client the expected turnaround time for the project and agree on a delivery date or schedule before starting the work. This ensures that both the client and the company have a clear understanding of the timelines and expectations. It's important to note that some projects may require more time than others, and that a company that can't meet the tight deadline may not be the best fit for a particular project. It's essential for the client to understand the complexity of the project and provide a realistic timeline for the vendor. If you are working on tight deadlines or with multiple projects that need to be completed within a specific timeframe, you should consider the company's capacity and capabilities, the experience of their team and their ability to meet the required deadlines.
What measures do outsourcing companies use to protect clients’ intellectual property and confidential information?
Outsourcing companies typically have a set of measures in place to protect their clients' intellectual property and keep their confidential information secure. Here are a few examples of measures that outsourcing companies typically use:
Non-disclosure agreements (NDA)
Many outsourcing companies will require clients to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before starting work on a project. An NDA is a legal contract that prohibits the company and its employees from disclosing the client's confidential information to any third party.
Data encryption
Companies may use data encryption to protect sensitive information while it's in transit and storage. This will ensure that information is only accessible by authorized personnel.
Secure file sharing
Companies may use secure file-sharing solutions to share work and files with clients, this ensures that files are accessible only to authorized personnel and that the information is protected from unauthorized access.
Access controls
Companies may implement access controls to restrict access to client information. For example, only certain employees may be granted access to client information and only for the duration of the project.
Network security
Companies may use firewalls, intrusion detection and other network security measures to protect client data and prevent unauthorized access.
Compliance
Companies may be compliant with standards such as GDPR or HIPAA to protect the data of the clients, these standards set a set of guidelines on how to process, store, and protect the data of clients.
Creative Process Outsourcing Philippines: Hire the Top 1% of Filipino Designers
Are you looking to scale up or streamline your creative work production at a low cost? Instead of hiring full-time employees, why consider outsourcing your creative projects to the Philippines? Hire our multi-talented creative designers who have delivered design works for top global companies. KDCI offers a wide range of creative design services to help you create customized designs that align with your unique brand and style guidelines. We deliver projects on time, and with a quick turnaround time, we can help you meet tight deadlines and stay ahead of the competition. Our competitive pricing also allows you to get more value for your money. Do you want to have a good start on your creative process outsourcing journey? Then, click the button below for a FREE consultation with one of our experts! Contact Us
