| In this article I will give you 10 different talking points you | | | | Saying this at somepoint in the conversation will show |
| can use when in conversation for talking to someone | | | | them you know what it takes to make up a strong |
| who is either a web developer or a web designer. If | | | | web base presence. You can find out what roles they |
| you have ever tried talking to one of these people | | | | play in the team and how they get along with the |
| while possessing only a very basic knowledge of web | | | | other players on the team. |
| development then you probably wanted to plug your | | | | 2) "Tables and layers are great for website layouts." |
| ears and run away. No need to worry because after | | | | Tables and layers are the basic ways to layout a web |
| reading this article you will be able to hang in the | | | | page. Find their preference and ask them what they |
| conversation with the best web developers and | | | | like to use and why. Take a second and look up the |
| designers around. | | | | visual differences of both so you can see what you're |
| ASK: | | | | talking about before you get into a conversation with a |
| 1) "Which File Transfer Protocol (FTP) program do you | | | | developer or designer. |
| use to upload your files?" Of course I suggest you do | | | | 3) "I prefer to outline everything before I begin |
| some very basic research as to what is FTP. | | | | developing or designing a website." Of course if you |
| Describing FTP is beyond the scope of this article just | | | | don't design or develop websites then this question |
| know that it is basically a program that transfers files | | | | might not apply to you but you could adapt it to you by |
| from one computer to the next over the Internet. If you | | | | simply stating "If I designed or developed a website I |
| spring this on the person you're talking to you instantly | | | | would outline..." This still shows that you are expressing |
| will create a rapore. | | | | an interest in your conversational counterpart's |
| 2) "What sites are you most proud of in your | | | | interests. |
| portfolio?" Most developers or designers have a site | | | | 4) "There are some excellent database servers |
| they are most proud of. Find out what it is and find out | | | | online." For example mySQL is a database server. |
| what was unique about that site. Also, you can ask | | | | Check it out on Wikipedia to get a better idea of what |
| such things like : how long it took them to do, who was | | | | a database server is. Once you have a decent idea of |
| the client, and what they enjoyed most about working | | | | what it is and the different types out there you will |
| with that client. | | | | know enough to get the conversation rolling and then |
| 3) "Name some of the more difficult challenges you | | | | pass it off to them. |
| over come when designing and developing." Every | | | | 5) "Almost any question you have for developing a |
| designer and developer can answer this with ease | | | | website can be found by typing it into search engines." |
| and it will get them talking for awhile about the aspects | | | | This is one of my personal favorites because I actually |
| that they dislike the most. Be sympathetic to them and | | | | do this for EVERYTHING, especially for designing |
| find out how they make the task they dislike more | | | | websites. Bring this up and ask them if they have any |
| enjoyable. | | | | questions about anything then refer them to do what |
| 4) "What approach do you take when developing?" | | | | you just said. Once again this will show that you are |
| Everyone has their own approach to designing and | | | | taking time away from your agenda whatever that |
| developing. They might ask, "What do you mean?" | | | | may be to focus on their interests and concerns. |
| Simply, say what is your step by step process to | | | | Talking to someone who is a "techy" or a very |
| designing or developing. Once they explain, pick a step | | | | technical person can sometimes be daunting if you are |
| they cite and dive more deeply into that step to keep | | | | not familiar with what they are talking about. Though, |
| the conversation going. | | | | with these above talking points you will be able to |
| 5) "What do you think is the best approach for Search | | | | have enough conversational ammunition to get the |
| Engine Optimization (SEO)?" This is a great question to | | | | conversation rolling long enough to where you can |
| ask them as there is still much controversy over the | | | | pass off most of the talking to them. That is what you |
| internet about what is the best way to implement SEO | | | | want ultimately in the conversation anyway, for them |
| on your website. Get their opinion on it. This will lead | | | | to do most of the talking. |
| into a whole conversation in itself. Make sure you do | | | | Moreover, if you don't know much about developing or |
| some basic research into what is SEO in Wikipedia for | | | | designing, using the above talking points on a web guru |
| further conversation fodder. | | | | will undoubtedly lead to an increase in your computer |
| SAY: | | | | web knowledge. |
| 1) "A great team for any website consists of: | | | | Good luck in your future conversations with those |
| developer, designer, graphic artist, and an administrator." | | | | designers and developers! |