How much do most small-businesses need in terms of logo quality and cohesiveness? While there is plenty of crap there, http://99designs.com/logo-design/store seems to have a mess of logos that are worlds better than what many small businesses end up with when they work with a freelance designer. And most importantly, this (and contests) entirely remove the scariest part about logo design-- that you'll pay thousands to a designer to get something you don't really love.
I spent years as a designer (I still do a fair bit of design, though only for my own startup efforts usually) and if I had a friend starting a small business, I'd actually suggest they go the 99Designs route with a bigger-than-average bounty (though I'd probably tell them to browse the ready-made store in case they found something they loved).
I agree that you won't get a gold-plated identity package with most contests... But do most small businesses need that?
well to start with I agree on some occasions that working with freelancers could be fun.
But to make things worse for Small Businesses is to believe gold-plated identity package will cost more than they need to pay. A strong branding will give an extra edge to SMBs fight against giant brands.
I spent years as a designer (I still do a fair bit of design, though only for my own startup efforts usually) and if I had a friend starting a small business, I'd actually suggest they go the 99Designs route with a bigger-than-average bounty (though I'd probably tell them to browse the ready-made store in case they found something they loved).
I agree that you won't get a gold-plated identity package with most contests... But do most small businesses need that?