Sometimes it is difficult for performers to understand the customer. It takes a long time to extract important project details from is a brief them. But in the end it still turns out that the client imagined the result completely differently. Who is to blame? First overseas data of all, the fault lies with the performer – he started work without a brief. The customer also had a hand – he did not provide full information about his vision. How a brief helps to find a fix disable airplane mode common language already at the start of the project – read in the article.
What is a brief?
A brief (from English brief – short, summary, summary) is a written agreement between the customer and the contractor, which stipulates the details of the project and the obligations of the parties. The client tells in detail about the company, the product and the desired result, and the specialist receives the necessary information for effective work. Usually, such a dialogue has a question-answer format.
A brief is not a technical specification. The latter is a brief is more characterized by technical details. We wrote about this in the article ” Why write a technical specification “. A brief helps the contractor get to know the customer, his wishes and vision of the project better. It smoothly leads to writing a high-quality technical specification.
Briefing is used mainly in creative areas related twd directory to the provision of services. This is a fairly common practice in Internet marketing. Website creation, SEO promotion , launching contextual advertising and other services of web studios are closely related to it.
Why you need to start with a brief
The tool is more often found in those areas where you need to create – copywriting, design, targeting, SMM. This is due to the fact that it is here that the proverb “so many people, so many opinions” works in full force.
For example, a designer worked long and hard on a color logo, but the customer rejected it because he only wanted a black and white one. Or, for example, a copywriter covered the topic in detail in an informational article, but the site owner did not accept the work because he actually wanted a checklist.
To avoid such disagreements and minimize errors, it is important to know all the details before the project begins. Only then will the specialist be able to rely on reliable information and be able to make maximum efforts.
How a brief is useful for a performer
Beginning freelancers make a big mistake by working without a brief or limiting themselves to a TOR only. Without a brief, it is impossible to create a correct TOR. This approach is acceptable for simple tasks or when collaborating with colleagues.
A well-written brief simplifies the performer’s work:
- Saves time – Discussions often take place via email or phone. Such negotiations can drag on for days or even weeks. Important details are forgotten or lost in the pile of messages. In a brief, everything is recorded, there is no need to waste time searching for information;
- Protects against conflict situations – Unfortunately, contractors sometimes encounter a situation where the customer says one thing and means another. As a result, a conflict arises when handing over the work. Correctly formulated questions will help smooth out such disputes;
- Emphasizes professionalism – Conducting a brief is a sign of a serious approach to responsibilities. The client sees that the contractor is interested in the success of the project. During the survey, he can roughly estimate the level of knowledge of the specialist.