Photo | Courtesy of Studio DiBella
Breanna DiBella owns Worcester creative & marketing agency Studio DiBella. Reach her at bree@studiodibella.co.
Updated: February 21, 2022
10 things
10 Things I know about ... Hiring creatives
By Breanna DiBella
Hiring is always tricky, but investing in creative talent to help your business can be a massive brand differentiator and solve marketing challenges. I collaborate with creatives across disciplines to help clients achieve their goals. I’ve seen first-hand how bringing on the right creative talent can transform any project from ordinary to extraordinary.
10) List your needs. Seeking a strategist, designer, developer, or another specialist? Do you have time to manage the talent, or will you need project management support? If you’re not sure what you need, hire a creative consultant to help you identify your needs.
9) Identify your budget. From freelancers to big agencies, the cost of creative talent is on a vast spectrum. Knowing your budget narrows the talent search, minimizes your risk, and saves you time.
8) Seek inspiration. Know what you’re aspiring to achieve and what you don’t respond to. Doing a little research can save you time and money.
7) See something, say something. Impressed by another company’s creative work? Take the opportunity to tell them, then ask who they work with. It could bring a valuable referral.
6) Attract talent with a job listing. If you’re looking to fill an in-house role, the wording of your job listing matters. Be specific, highlight perks, and spice up your boilerplate descriptions to entice prospects who value creativity.
5) Review portfolios. Always review previous work. Do they have a portfolio? Does the quality match your standards? Do the examples intrigue you? If you don’t love it, keep looking.
4) Ask for references or testimonials. This is standard in HR departments, but it can be overlooked if you get swept up in the flashiness of someone’s work or charming personality. Don’t skip due diligence.
3) Ask how they collaborate. Creative work almost always requires collaboration and constructive criticism. How someone responds to this inquiry will be telling. Ask for a specific example of how they adapted to criticism they didn’t agree with.
2) Have a brief and a contract. Outline clear needs and set expectations for the future.
1) Respect the specialists. Most creatives pursue a specific skillset niche, and there are even style-, software- and industry-specific niches within each skill set.
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