Working with a design client can involve many moving parts beyond the actual design work. You need to set a project timeline, assign deadlines to your client, create a list of your own deadlines, provide resources, share files, gather feedback, request copy, and more. This can be stressful for both you and the client. And it can quickly get disorganized and overwhelming for everyone if you don’t have a system in place. To reduce this stress, I use Notion for my client projects.
It has dramatically changed my client process. For each new client, I use Notion as my back-and-forth, all-in-one spot for client communication and deliverables. This ensures that there are no lost emails or forgotten deadlines. It helps everyone feel at ease when the process is seamless.
Here’s why I love using Notion as a client dashboard and communication tool for projects:
I start every project by letting my client know that we will communicate within their Notion dashboard. This benefits both of us. You and your client don’t have to search through past emails, DMs, texts, and so on to find resources or to remember what they wrote about their new brand design. Questions and feedback are stored on each item within the process, so both parties know where to find past communications as the project moves forward. Additionally, many of the client’s questions can be answered within the dashboard.
Inside the client dashboard, I provide a link to their Google Drive, a link to their Pinterest board, their contract, the timeline for their project with specific dates, resources for copy, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) they might have about the process. I also start each dashboard with a “Start Here” section that I’ve developed and refined over time to help clients understand exactly how their project with me will progress.
Based on the project, I use different pages within their client dashboard for deliverables. This helps clients know where to find their brand identity, web design, brand strategy, and so on.
I map out each piece of the project and set up a calendar view on their dashboard. This way they can see when my to-do dates are and when they need to complete theirs. If they go over or past their due date, they will no it was because of them and not something I missed.
Notion can turn any repeatable task into a template. Now, when onboarding a new client, I create a new project for them based on the template, make tweaks to the dates and timeline, update with their specific Google Drive and Pinterest board, and then I’m done!
And the cherry on top of creating a stress-free project for you and your client? It elevates you as a designer. Clients take note of how they feel during the process, and the more at ease a client feels, the more likely they are to work with you again.
Interested in using Notion for your design business? Click here to test it out and let me know what you think and how you use it to streamline your project management!
A heads-up that this blog post includes affiliate links. All the words are my own and I only recommend products that I use and love.
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