You! Reader! Pass Go and Collect $295! (Or, Why 99Designs.com is Great)
I’m in the process of co-founding a cloud computing and software development company with Kevin Hoffman. We’re still in the early stages of the forming the business, and one of the first things we needed to do was create a logo for our new brand. Without it, we can’t bombard you with our business cards.
Unfortunately, we’re hardcore software developers. Not hardcore logo designers.
Enter 99Designs.com. The business model of this website is absolutely brilliant. Users host “contests” where they detail their organization and the requirements for the logo. Then, designers have up to a week to submit entries for the design. The entire process is interactive – the contest host can (and is encouraged to) provide feedback to each of the designs so entrants can tailor their submissions to the user’s needs. At the end of the contest, the winning logo is chosen, and a monetary prize is awarded to the winner.
Sure, we could hire a top-notch design firm for around $400 to design us a logo. Or, we can pay under $400 to have dozens (if not hundreds) of designers from around the world work on it. Brillant! Sheer brilliance, I tell you!
If you need any work done – logos, icons, full websites, WordPress themes, t-shirt designs – I highly suggest you consider using it. If you’re a freelance graphic designer, what are you waiting for!? I can’t possibly imagine an easier way to get hooked up with new clients.
If you do happen to fall into that designer category, I’m just dying to give you $295. Just build the winning design and submit your entry here!
Glad to hear you are liking the experience so far!
Cheers,
Jason
99designs.com
Jason,
Our contest just finished on Monday, and we are beyond thrilled with the results. 150 total entries, many of which were top-quality. And the handover process was incredibly intuitive. I’ve already recommended the site to a handful of other companies, individuals, and organizations. An absolutely brilliant model – I owe you and the rest of the 99designs team a beer.
-Nate