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#1 2009-06-25 03:36:53

lozmatic
Member
From: Melbourne, Australia
Registered: 2006-08-27
Posts: 259
Website

architxt.net

I’m hoping to get some freelance jobs (Textpattern being core to the service I provide) via my new personal site: architxt.net

One question I have is… does my copy sound pretentious?

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#2 2009-06-25 04:11:03

Bloke
Developer
From: Leeds, UK
Registered: 2006-01-29
Posts: 11,446
Website GitHub

Re: architxt.net

lozmatic wrote:

does my copy sound pretentious?

Not especially, it sounds fine to me. It’s certainly no different to the copy any other self-respecting person/company would use to paint themselves in a positive light. One thing I would consider changing is:

Simple websites are easier to build, manage and tend to be cheaper too.

The concept of ‘cheap’ has unfortunate negative connotations, so it might be better to go with ‘less expensive’ or something of that ilk.

But imo the site reads well and looks great.


The smd plugin menagerie — for when you need one more gribble of power from Textpattern. Bleeding-edge code available on GitHub.

Txp Builders – finely-crafted code, design and Txp

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#3 2009-06-25 04:56:51

lozmatic
Member
From: Melbourne, Australia
Registered: 2006-08-27
Posts: 259
Website

Re: architxt.net

Thanks for the feedback.

You’re right about using the word ‘cheaper’. I’ve made the change you suggested.

With a bit of luck I’ll get a few jobs and promote Textpattern in the process :)

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#4 2009-06-25 05:11:54

variaas
Plugin Author
From: Chicago
Registered: 2005-01-16
Posts: 402
Website

Re: architxt.net

I like it! One suggestion on usability – when viewing your portfolio the next and previous button placement could be better. When viewing the first site, only the next button is present. When moving to the 2nd site, the previous button is introduced where the next button used to be. Since I was focusing more on the information about your work, I didn’t notice I had to move the mouse over and ended up clicking the previous button.

It’s not anything major, but I figure you want your portfolio experience to be as simple as possible.

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#5 2009-06-26 02:49:06

lozmatic
Member
From: Melbourne, Australia
Registered: 2006-08-27
Posts: 259
Website

Re: architxt.net

variaas wrote:

I like it! One suggestion on usability – when viewing your portfolio the next and previous button placement could be better. When viewing the first site, only the next button is present. When moving to the 2nd site, the previous button is introduced where the next button used to be. Since I was focusing more on the information about your work, I didn’t notice I had to move the mouse over and ended up clicking the previous button.

It’s not anything major, but I figure you want your portfolio experience to be as simple as possible.

Good point. I’ll try and fix that but it’s going to be a challenge as I don’t know Javascript — some JS function controls how those two links appear and behave.

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#6 2009-06-29 03:37:23

kevinpotts
Member
From: Ghost Coast
Registered: 2004-12-07
Posts: 370

Re: architxt.net

lozmatic wrote:

One question I have is… does my copy sound pretentious?

I actually found your copy to be a little off-putting. Consider the following:

——-

I’m not a designer so I’m stuck building websites Unlike some other web designers, I specialize in building pages with relatively simple and clean layouts. This has an advantage: [colon, not semicolon] content catches the attention of the reader as opposed to some distracting flashy graphic graphics. Simple Websites with less complicated designs are easier to build and manage and tend to be less expensive.

With over 11 years experience in the industry working on the client side for businesses I know very well what you companies expect from web designers, and I know what the boss expects of those is in charge of a web design project. With every website I deliver, I provide guidelines to manage and promote them effectively. [Promote WHAT effectively?]

——-

[normal people have no idea what client side means, btw]

Last edited by kevinpotts (2009-06-29 03:38:16)


Kevin
(graphicpush)

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#7 2009-06-29 03:56:06

Gocom
Developer Emeritus
From: Helsinki, Finland
Registered: 2006-07-14
Posts: 4,533
Website

Re: architxt.net

lozmatic wrote:

I’m hoping to get some freelance jobs (Textpattern being core to the service I provide) via my new personal site

Nice site, and the copy is pretty well made: it’s personal. But maybe it should be more flow(ish) and shorter. kevinpotts already explained it. Expertise -page is way too long, and doesn’t really say what you actually do for the end client.

Well, then… But you usually don’t get jobs via website nor portfolio, but via asking, connections and adversting. If you literally meant it.

To speak truth, I haven’t got any (one or two random) job via standalone web portfolio nor blog, only from connections, coffee and meetings. Usually the portfolio is checked after the communication thingy and/or interview. Usually it even isn’t in web form.

Web portfolios are usually only used to show and prove our skills and track improvements within the scenes. And sometimes rarely it could lead into work – usually doesn’t. Odds with company are much higher tho, but with individual freelancer, like you, close to zero, with international (not local) sites even smaller.

What I would like to see:

  • Location and phone number.
  • Shorter content.
  • Flow.
  • Put yourself somewhere (e.g. Designer for hire from NYC etc).
  • Full name (or some name).

And from portfolio:

  • Who is the client (name of company).
  • Date of work (proves activity).
  • The sites are all managed using Textpattern and My portfolio is limited by the fact that I have never freelanced on a full-time basis removed.

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#8 2009-06-29 11:29:33

lozmatic
Member
From: Melbourne, Australia
Registered: 2006-08-27
Posts: 259
Website

Re: architxt.net

Gocom, kevinpotts – thanks for your feedback. You’re absolutely right.

Not sure what to expect in terms of lead generation. I’m working 4 days in an office and freelancing on a long term project, so my target jobs are the easy / quick ones. Once the site is complete I’ll be emailing my contacts / ex-colleagues asking them any ‘scraps’. I’ll give Guru.com and Elance a go too, but suppliers there quote ridiculously low for jobs.

Cheers.

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#9 2009-06-30 13:29:23

lozmatic
Member
From: Melbourne, Australia
Registered: 2006-08-27
Posts: 259
Website

Re: architxt.net

I’ve made a few changes based on your feedback.

I hope things are clearer.

Cheers,

Loz

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