Just to add a bit to the conversation….I have had more success with the first approach, particularly if  you want to achieve breakthrough results.  Your efforts are really relegated to finding the right person or team for your project and then on selling them that their efforts will be useful and more to the point, used.  In short, true talent in this area is very selective on their projects or on how they spend their time.  Many  come to them for solutions, for ideas, for work…and they understand that they hold the power in the relationship.  Your task lies in selling them on “Why you?”  Why should they invest their time, energy in you?

Here are some approaches to try with this group.  Let me define this group for you….it is the hottest social media agency in town, the best strategic planning group, the best graphic artist in the state, or the genius programmer.  These are the people who demand fees far out of your budget, they expect success and have the results to show for it.  As someone once said to me long ago, “They have their s&#^ together and they can carry it too.”  You know the type.

Some approaches:

1.  They love new.  Convince them that your blank piece of paper, with only the title on it, represents a clear big idea.  You need to sell them on the story you have created for this work.  It is all about the story.  They love stories.

2.  Contrary to what Seth said, you don’t have to take their work as is.  They love collaboration by equal creative energy types.  Show passion in what you want, the market you serve, and they will listen and adapt.  They will run over less qualified and muddy thinkers.  This is not the time to assign your B-team for ‘seasoning.’

3.  Don’t give inane feedback.  “I like the house drawing, but could you just add a second story?” makes them cringe.

4.  Your first words should always be: THIS IS AMAZING.  Always.  THIS IS AMAZING.  Just like the story, this must be said in a very convincing manner, so practice it so you say it in a convincing manner.  Any add on comments can be made after this…and will be received with much, much greater willingness to accept your ideas.