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Dwayne's concern is not uncommon. It's not that web designers are known to be a bunch of thieves. I think the concern has more to do with our relationship to ideas. We value ideas. Every day we see the outcome of other peoples great ideas. Our culture highly values innovation and creation. We make heroes of people who had a great idea and then brought it to the world. When we have what we believe is great idea it gets our heads spinning with all the possibilities. A great idea can make a dreamer out of anyone. Few of us ever take our great ideas from dreaming to implementation. Maybe it's because we get truly great ideas so infrequently we tend to treasure them away. They are so precious to us, we are afraid to discuss them when anyone lest the idea be snatched away from us. We have to get over this fear if we ever want to see our ideas developing into something more than dreams. We can't let worry that our ideas will be stolen prevent us from moving forward with them. We must confront our fear head-on. We must regain control so we can keep driving forward. Regaining control doesn't have to be difficult. An early step could be to write out your idea in detail - as much detail as possible. The resulting document and then be taken to a notary public to be dated and notarized. Here in Canada, this can be done - often for free - at any courthouse. Additionally, or instead of having it notarized, send the document to yourself by registered mail. While your at it, send two copies to yourself as separate pieces of registered mail. When you receive the registered mail you will be required to sign for it. Don't open them! Put them away for safe keeping. What you are trying to do with these methods is create a good record of your idea and when you had it. Should you ever have to take someone to court regarding your idea, these documents could be invaluable. Having created these record documents you should be feeling a little bit more comfortable. If you're idea is particularly sensitive (or you are), it could make sense to have anyone you discuss it with sign a confidentiality (or nondisclosure) agreement prior to your discussions. Actually having to sign a document is likely to reinforce that you are dead serious in your concern that your discussions be held in confidence. In my architectural business, clients on occasion ask us to sign confidentiality agreements. The clients themselves (rather than their lawyers) usually write the agreement in the form of a brief letter that says by signing we agree to keeping our client's consultations confidential. The idea of confidentiality agreement is that it makes you feel more comfortable knowing that you have the other parties written word that they'll keep your secrets. I said above that web designers aren't necessarily known to be a bunch of thieves. Of course, some may be devoid of any redeeming qualities - but most are likely very honorable. If, like Dwayne, you want to take your idea to a web designer but are unsure if you can extend enough trust, then find out all you can about the designer prior to discussing your ideas. Ask any potential web designers for references - past clients whom you can call. Ask the references if they had any concerns about confidentiality. Understand that your choice of web designer / developer can have a major impact on how successfully your ideas are implemented. Thoroughly check out their work and assess their abilities. Note that many web designers and web design firms don't actually create content per say - they take pre-written text and photographs provided to them by clients and apply their creative genius to make it look good on the web. Other firms or individuals specialize in developing sites from the ground up - they can take the seed of an idea and have the ability to see it implemented, no matter the complexity. Find people you are fairly confident you can trust to do what you need of them - then go talk with them. Have them sign your confidentiality agreement if it makes you feel better. Talk openly with them, discussing your idea in detail. Holding back will hurt you more than help you. Discussing your ideas is a good thing. Tap into the creative insights of others and really listen to their criticisms and concerns. It is of course very easy to fall in love with your own idea. That love can blind you to flaws or weaknesses that are obvious to others who have less emotional commitment to the idea. Give yourself time to analyze all discussions on your idea. Really try to listen. Remember, exploring the potential of your idea with good people can put on the fast-track to implementation. It can also help you avoid making serious mistakes. It will help you better understand the idea's strengths and weaknesses, the upside and the risks, and help you establish to yourself how committed you are to seeing the idea implemented. Another benefit of thoroughly discussing your ideas with others will become apparent should you have to approach bankers, investors, or potential partners on the merits of your project. The more you have discussed your project, the easier it is to talk about it - and to sell others on it if that's what it takes. Even if you decide to skip the web designers and develop your idea on your own, it is still really useful to get advice and criticism. Seek it out - your site will be better for it. Also remember that an idea is not synonymous with a secret. Certainly, when your site is developed and available on the internet its idea can hardly be considered confidential. Whilst it would be illegal for someone to copy the content of your site outright, there is little to stop them from using the same concept for a site of their own creation. Ultimately it is what is created out of your idea that is valuable, more so than the idea, in and of itself. Think about that a bit and I think you'll see why it is useful to talk to as many people as are necessary to help you develop your idea into a site of which you can be proud. In conclusion,
I have one last piece of advice for Dwayne or anyone else sharing his
situation: If you have any
comments about this page - please
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PS - Good luck Dwayne!
Back to the Introduction of DesignStop.Com's Ideas Section ... |
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