Okay, so that’s about a month since we first introduced the world to the Creative Services Exchange (CSX).

In the four weeks since that inaugural CSX post, we’ve explained the concept a little further, explored workforce scalability in the CSX and even reiterated why the CSX model is the main contender to replace the tired Madison Avenue model.

So you know WHAT the CSX model is and WHY it works…but you may also be wondering HOW it works. How does an idea get from your head into the Crowd via blur Group’s CSX?

Here’s how…

1. Submit a brief

Whether you need a new website, graphic, animation, marketing campaign or even an investment angel, the CSX will make it happen.

Your very first step towards harnessing the power of Crowdsourcing via the CSX is to submit a brief. And the CSX has five platforms dedicated to different disciplines: design, marketing, media, art and innovation.

You can visit each individual platform to find out more about each area and submit your brief from there, or you can visit the main blur Group platform and submit a brief for any or all of the above creative disciplines.

To the right of the main ‘submit a brief’ section, you’ll see the ‘try our brief wizard’ button – this will lead you through the process in a more iterative way, providing space for more detailed information.

In terms of the information you’ll need to complete the brief, objectives, timelines and budgets will be crucial. And it’s important to remember that although the CSX is a more cost-effective way of working with creative projects, it is still a quality-focused model and this should be factored into the budget you set to achieve your objectives.

So – the brief is where you outline exactly what it is you want…AND how much you want to pay for it. But do bear in mind that there should be room for negotiation in your budget, as the Crowd consists of top creative professionals. If there is a discrepancy between your objectives and the budget you set, we will be happy to work with you towards aligning these two elements.

2. Engaging the Crowd

Upon submitting your brief, blur Group’s Brief Brokers will assess its content. If the brief is extensive enough in its directives, it will be submitted to the Crowd (our pre-vetted global group of creatives) who will submit their pitches (proposals) based on the requirements set out in the brief.

If the brief requires a little fine-tuning, our in-house Brief-Brokers will contact you to request additional information before engaging the Crowd.

3. Identifying the best pitch

The best three pitches will be identified by your blur Group Brief Broker and sent to you. You decide which of the pitches best matches your needs and we put you in touch with the chosen creative and agree the specific deliverables and timescales.

It’s worth emphasising here that the pitch isn’t an actual final deliverable. The ‘pitch’ will normally consist of a plan and a portfolio of prior work, which will help guide your decision. Work on your project will begin once you have selected the winning pitch.

4. Creative Services Exchange and ‘Crowd Control’

It’s important to remember that the process from start to finish is managed. Whilst there are many web-platforms operating under the guise of Crowdsourcing, most of these don’t operate ‘crowd control’ – they tend to be more about fulfilling labour-intensive tasks that are low-cost/high-volume. This isn’t the same as the CSX which is a dedicated platform for creative services.

This should hopefully arm you with enough information on what makes the CSX tick – or, more like, how you can get the CSX ticking for your business. It all starts with submitting a brief which has no costs attached for you, so you literally have nothing to lose.