Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : finding new clients as a self employeed designer?
james24
10-09-2006, 11:45 AM
Hi,
I have set up my website im working with a printer who gives me all his design work which he and more importantly the clients are very happy with. I have started to get a bit of clients coming direct to me now, a few which i have sent emails a couple through word of mouth.
I know the most successful advertising is word of mouth which i have got of on the right foot. I have been working since january now, I dont have the resources for all the paid advertising. I have the best prices in my town and im told my work is considerable better than the competition. How can i get over to them that i can offer them designs at a good price. Tried emailing is the next step phoning. I cant place posters fly tipping and advertising is costly at present when trying to save all that i can. Any help on what other options I have or organisations I can get help or support with.
regards James
Don't know if this is helpful or not, but I just got 500 'postcards' printed from an 'online' place which were very affordable. Then I just go through the phone book, magazines, etc and mail them off to any and all companies I can as I can afford stamps.
Now, my business is automotive related graphic design, so that's who I focus my attention on...obviously, you'll have to determine who you want to target as your potential customers and then just go get 'em!
Another little tip...every time I go anywhere on vacation I ALWAYS go through the phone book and take digital photos of each page of auto-related business and then I mail info to them regarding my services. It's a good way to pick-up out-of-state customers. ;)
Good luck!!!
My personal stance in the business is everything. I worked in a short handed large agency for years. So, from concept too production I am covered.
I sent out 150 direct mail postcards too agencies all over the states and in London selling myself as an overflow designer. Like a back up resource for an agency. Since I know how ad agencies work and enjoy them this is a good stance for me. And for an agency it can be great to have someone they can call when times get lean and they don't want to hire someone full time.
Anyways, just find your nitch and go for it. With Direct Mailers you can spend a lot or a little. Mine were around $2,300 for 1,000 6" x 9" postcards, but I hired a professional photographer and printed on plastic. Agencies pick-up on small things like that and for them not too be able to rip up my postcard is priceless!
P.S. On on the best on-line printing resources I have ever found is:
www.printplace.com (http://www.printplace.com)
They do off-set gang printing, the costs are extremely low, you get off set and can customize more than anyone I have seen.
Good luck!
It is good that you have the word of mouth working...and I would recommend you push that very hard...checking in regularly with friends and associates to see if they can steer you toward any leads, or recommend your services. Even if you are already getting leads that way, I have found that really working it is the single best way to generate solid business. Good luck!
james24
10-09-2006, 02:54 PM
good replies coming in at the moment keep them coming all ready tried with the postcard for all the businesses in the local area, 500 only one response
capezio
10-09-2006, 03:13 PM
I look in local press at the planning applications and target start up business' or those having extensions built or even change of use. No good once they have opened up.
Press Releases are your friend. They are the single most effective kind of free advertising you can do. Here's an example from one of our members (http://www.designertoday.com/News/3476/Toot.Toot.Jeff.Fisher.named.to.UCDA.Designer.Magaz ine.Advisory.Board.aspx) Buy a new PC - Press Release: "XXX agency upgrades to new cuttung edge system" or do a pro bono job - Press Release: "XXX agency lends a hand to XXX charity" or land a new client - Press Release: "XXX agency teams up with XXX. Then send them in to anybody who will accept them. Most newspapers will print them if they are of local interest. As Jeff Fisher says, "If I don't "toot!" my own horn, no one else will"
budafist
10-10-2006, 03:25 AM
Press Releases are your friend. They are the single most effective kind of free advertising you can do. Here's an example from one of our members (http://www.designertoday.com/News/3476/Toot.Toot.Jeff.Fisher.named.to.UCDA.Designer.Magaz ine.Advisory.Board.aspx) Buy a new PC - Press Release: "XXX agency upgrades to new cuttung edge system" or do a pro bono job - Press Release: "XXX agency lends a hand to XXX charity" or land a new client - Press Release: "XXX agency teams up with XXX. Then send them in to anybody who will accept them. Most newspapers will print them if they are of local interest. As Jeff Fisher says, "If I don't "toot!" my own horn, no one else will"
What a great idea! *files away for future freelancing tactics*
Not sure if you're doing this already, bit business cards to all your friends family and clients. Give them several to give out to others.
james24
10-10-2006, 09:03 AM
sounds a great idea do the local papers actually say yes to this sort of thing, is it just a one liner or can you put in a little extra about your business, Will i need to offer the local community someting in return. What about xxxx is offering discounts for new businesses in the area to get them of the ground. would a paper go for something like that would they?
muffin
10-10-2006, 10:11 AM
if you want to advertise on the internet, the most important aspect is SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). i do this for my company, and they have jumped up ranks in Google from nowhere to ranking between 1 and 10 for their main keywords.
however, the key is to find niches in the market, because there will be a ton of graphic design service websites that will be mainstays on Google and hard to budge.
a niche keyword will be one that many users seem to search for, with little results from Google.
which is why original content ranks high in Google.
if you need to know more, or need help with this, message me.
james24
10-10-2006, 11:57 AM
Interesting message but how do i choose the wording that goes into the search engine do i have to play around with my website again?
Personally, I don't bother with search optimization. I am a print designer and promote myself through print. I completely understand the need for the searching, but it's just not my way. I have a site for people too go to from my direct mails, and referrence when I call, that's all I wanted it for. If I ever decide too market on the web I will most likely go the banner ad route.
james24
10-11-2006, 08:44 AM
any more ideas?
panzer
10-11-2006, 09:21 AM
networking is important go to local business events talk to people pass your business card to them, print shows, wherever bussiness people lecture or meet be there, even local church events you can maybe meet people, the church might want some design work, we just got the newsletter from a nearby church group , ok we only do the printing for them not design but its all work isnt it
muffin
10-11-2006, 09:45 AM
Interesting message but how do i choose the wording that goes into the search engine do i have to play around with my website again?
it all depends on your content.
you have to think, "if a user searches for #####, do i want them to be directed to my page?"
if the answer is YES, then ##### should be one of your keywords.
it could be "freelance graphic designer" or something.
try and include the area you work in, so perhaps "freelance graphic designer atlanta" if you work mainly in Atlanta.
there is a tool available called Wordtracker.
it is not free, but works well. you type in a word, such as "freelance graphic designer", and it will give you a whole list of keywords that are similar, and will rank them by how good they could be for you using a special formula. i.e. it will help you find a niche; something that people are searching for a lot, but not getting much from the search engines.
this is where you could use that keyword and be ranked highly in Google because it will be a niche area.
there is a lot to explain, and newer websites which have no rank as of yet in Google will take at least a couple of months to begin showing results.
it's good as part of a long term strategy.
and the changes you would have to make to your site will mainly be the textual content and HTML code.
muffin
10-11-2006, 09:48 AM
Personally, I don't bother with search optimization. I am a print designer and promote myself through print. I completely understand the need for the searching, but it's just not my way. I have a site for people too go to from my direct mails, and referrence when I call, that's all I wanted it for. If I ever decide too market on the web I will most likely go the banner ad route.
banner ads are useful too, just have to know which sites to advertise on.
i delivered a presentation in online marketing only last week.
pay per click and SEO will probably bring you the most website hits and good prospects.
banner ads tend to bring in a number of hits, but with lower quality leads
james24
10-11-2006, 10:13 AM
Sorry what are SEO 's
Banner ads etc i will eventually go onto but right now im keeping eveything outgoing to a minimum
Sorry what are SEO 's
SEO = Search Engine Optimization
First optimize your website to make it searchable, then go through the work of getting it listed properly, and linked to the most relevent, highest ranking sites.