Going back out on my own - any advice?

[Vectorized]

Hi all... I've had a home based graphics business since 1996. The first 6 years were full time. I went back to work full time because of the desire of a regular paycheck. After 7 years, I am now going back to the biz full time! Many factors led me to this decision. I was just wondering if anyone has any advice to give on starting back up. I still have connections and have passed along to everyone I know that I'm back full time at my home business. I'm also planning on placing a couple of ads, along with a yellow pages listing. Has anyone had any success with any other avenues? I'll also be print brokering if the need arises.

I'm listenin! I appreciate your opinions and feedback! Thanks everyone!

Laura

[budafist]

I've never done if full time myself, but it's a dream for the future. Print brokering can be a very good idea - especially if you use printers that don't have art department (or have a 1 person in it) - they can overflow their work onto you.

I've heard that Yellow Pages is no good for our industry to get decent work. The kinds of clients you get from YP are the rats and mice jobs - not ongoing solid work. You will also get a whole bunch of calls from students and out of work designers contacting you for work experience. I registered with a New Zealand directory and I've only ever got requests for work experience from students from that site. As a freelancing designer working after hours and in weekends, I don't think I could teach a student or have time or space for one either.

[SpugNothuson]

I chanced across a good client this weekend.

I noticed one of the shops in town had a bunch of carpenters and shop fitters in so I poked my head round the door and started chatting to them. Got the name and telephone number of who they were working for and gave her a call.

She's a few months away from opening and had not even started to think about her shop/brand image. Spug to the rescue. :D

[crowdedstudios]

Take a whack at getting some business in Asia... There is loads of money flying around for designers!
Best of luck with the new venture!

[Vectorized]

Asia? Really? How would I get on board there? I'm in NM presently, although the www can really open some doors!

Thanks for your comments! I'll keep watching for more... September 7 is my last day.

[milano.design]

Exciting times.. I agree no YP here either. Mostly word of mouth. And i try to stay on top of past clients with an email saying hey this next month is pretty open if you have any jobs coming up etc...

When i'm slow, i have on occassion checked out Craiglist. Only 2 really good contacts have come from it. but they were well worth it.

I also hook up with copywriters alot. making it known that they can keep the lead on the projects they bring in, so i just do the design for them as they see it if they don't want my input.

And i have in the past called smaller PR and marketing firms, knowing that they usually don't have inhouse designers on staff fulltime.

Who else.... I call around to ad agencies all the time and send the CD's samples of my latest and greatest... sometimes that pans out when the timing is right, they're swamped, someone just quit, or went on vacation etc. I always let them know that I'm available 24/7 and weekends to boot.

Those are my tricks to keeping me busy when my regular clients are in a lull...

[thecat@]

I was just wondering if anyone has any advice to give on starting back up.

Network, Network, Network ...

If you don't have them already, purchase any of the business of design books by Cameron at www.creativebusiness.com and / or buy his CD. His articles are pricey if you get the lot, but if you need just a couple they can save you at times. Otherwise, they are usually in the CD's so I advise going that route.

Other books of note are in the Business of Design Books (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28133) post here at GDF.

There are now a plethera of well written design business blogs. Find out which one suites your style and get their feeds. Just the daily advice alone can give great tips and will also keep your spirits afloat if you ever get deflated.

Join groups like design:related (http://www.designrelated.com/) ... I'd list more here but as Jeff Fisher is the king of groups, I'll let him chime in if he's around.

Start checking out online job boards (there are a ton of them, a lot are web specific).

Which reminds me, I wrote a post about getting clients awhile back ... Resources for Getting Clients (http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/resource-friday-clients/) and it includes online job boards as well as articles you might find handy.

[greyghost]

I definitely second the suggestion by Cat to get the books by Cameron Foote, they help SO MUCH.

Join the Chamber of Commerce in the city nearest you and go to EVERY meeting you can, every networking event, all of it.

Good luck!

[budafist]

I chanced across a good client this weekend.

I noticed one of the shops in town had a bunch of carpenters and shop fitters in so I poked my head round the door and started chatting to them. Got the name and telephone number of who they were working for and gave her a call.

She's a few months away from opening and had not even started to think about her shop/brand image. Spug to the rescue. :D

That's so smart Spug. I need to start wearing my opportunity sighting hat more often.

Your brains are toast!

[SpugNothuson]

I was chatting to a friend about this earlier today and he mentioned a friend of the family that is an accountant that specialises in start up businesses.

I'm having a meeting with him later this week. I'm not going to ask him to pimp me out as its not his job, but if someone asks him if he knows of a designer, he does now. :)

[thecat@]

When I lived in the UK, they had government sponsored programs available for businesses starting out. I was able to make good contacts with a number of companies needing marketing material, some from the ground up.

In Scotland (where I was) it was called the Small Business Gateway (http://www.bgateway.com/bdotg/action/home?site=202&furlname=scottishenterprise&furlparam=scottishenterprise&ref=http%3A//www.google.com/search%3Fq%3DSmall%2Cbusiness%2Cgateway%26ie%3Dutf -8%26oe%3Dutf-8%26aq%3Dt%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial%26client%3Dfirefox-a&domain=www.bgateway.com). They offer a full range of introduction courses for startups (business accounting, marketing, public speaking, networking, etc).

The networking opportunities alone were worth it as these were serious people. People who knew it was important to have business skills to run a company.

I don't know who does it in the US but someone posted it here awhile back.

[Vectorized]

I appreciate everyone's input! Keep the feedback coming!

A few people locally had mentioned YP was not a good place for a graphic artist to advertise, but on the other hand, I've also had people mention that they've tried contacting the artists listed (there are about 18-20) and on MOST of them, the number was disconnected! On another percentage, they left msgs and they NEVER got back to them, or they turned the work away because they were TOO busy. I'd like to put an ad in a local freebie paper that has a HUGE circulation and popularity because of its cutting edge and unbiased opinions... it's a little expensive, but I'd like to try at least ONE issue and see what happens. There's also a couple of business type newspapers as well that may work. Another thought I had was wedding invitations. They're a pain in the butt, but the print shop I worked at had a huge calling for custom designs on invites, and they were willing to spend the bucks to have it done.

[onedarkangel_uk]

I am full time in running my businesses. Two business but I got people working for me to and not in an office enviroment but we meet outside.

The one thing that worked for me, is word of mouth. The thing with word of mouth people forget is - it comes from a strategy and then word of mouth happens.

So, like someone here, I networked, networked like crazy. I went to every business forum meetings, meetings by organisations, meetings within chambers of commerce, and meetings after meetings to do one thing.

To get to know people, and they get to know me and what I do. And from then on, business kicked in. Every morning at 7.30am, is a meeting. I go to them. Each one run by different business organisations or chambers. I like it that it is in morning because you get to meet the serious ones and not just people who ain't got the money or vision.

I only had one thing to leave with clients. My business cards. An interactive mini cd of who I am, what, where, when etc. No adverts, no flyers, no newspaper adverts, magazine but only this and it works.

So yes, network, network, network.

[Vectorized]

That's where I'm at right now too, is networking! I have two hob nob events to go to in the next two weeks, and I'm planning on joining the chamber of commerce in my city. I have many connections, and am making sure they know I'm going back out on my own. I have killer business cards, since I feel that first impression says a lot about me and my business, as well as my talents.

I so appreciate everyone's input! I'll be getting those books, too! Thank you so much!

Laura:)

[onedarkangel_uk]

I'll be getting those books,
Laura:)
Oh yeah, forgot to say that. I read like crazy. Books on laws of success. Books on people skills. Books on diverse personalities and non verbal communications. Books, books and books. And without them, my business would be dead, over, finished.

So yes, good one, books can really get you to see what many don't but only when you apply does the learning kick in and you start tuning into things people miss. :cool:

[GraphixNPrint]

After reading through your post and the resposes... my response.

Get with local businesses that use graphics design work/advertising every day. Realtors are big here... most go through tons of business cards and post cards and they need and want these designs changed all the time.

Another, if your local city/county/state governments have new business license information available online, start contacting these new business owners... surely they might have a need for work done.

Most of our print resale customers offer specials like "New Customer 16pt Business Cards, 1000 for only $xx.xx, Full Color both sides" and then charge a modest design fee. Its a great way to get new clients that will eventually call on you for other needs.

Best of luck, but you will do ok!

[onedarkangel_uk]

I can't believe I forgot this to say this. One of things that got me a lot of customers is, I didn't go and re-invent the wheel. What I mean is:

1. I went and found myself a Mentor who is successful, already in the businesses and had many contacts.

2. I got to learn all he knows by just visiting him and asking him for advise and the more I questioned, the more I had myself prepared with questions, the more I learnt.

3. Later on, clients would come to him and he would pass these clients to me because I am learning from him. So in a way, he was mentoring me, also after trust is built, started passing work my way. Not everyone will mentor because not everyone want to pass their business your way but - a mentor is someone who really enjoys seeing the growth in someone else. It's their passion.

That's how I got moving fast and didn't make much mistakes that way. It's always better to kind of associate with successful people and things rub off, like quality contacts. And also ideas that became bigger.

He would always pass me books too and question me on what I learnt. I feel mentorship is valuable. Something that can really open doors and pass reliable contacts that has already been made and built over the years.

[budafist]

How does mentoring work? Is it a cashless relationship and the Mentor volunteers their time out of the goodness of their heart?

[onedarkangel_uk]

How does mentoring work? Is it a cashless relationship and the Mentor volunteers their time out of the goodness of their heart?

I never paid my mentor anything. Don't get me wrong. Mentors aren't push overs. They are not successful by being pushed around. They got people skills. They can read you in a second. If they see from your non-verbal actions, from their experience that a person is joking about, they won't even bother with the person.

They make you first work to get advise from them by giving you questions to go and think about. And if the person couldn't bothered to read the book they suggested, or thought enough of the questions to come up with the answer, then, they might not even bother mentoring.

I'm a mentor because I saw the value it gave to me. It gave me knowledge of the business but also of myself. I learnt how to solve problems, how to get up when I felt like I should quit, and also the laws of success regarding how the mind works to crafting positive habits. And also, there is NO secret to success. The secret of there was one is you.

I only saw how much of an impact it was when I started to mentor others. Because you see yourself in others. You hear what you use to say and what you didn't believe in, and thought you couldn't do. And you know how to help the person because you've been there.

Mentors don't mentor anybody though. I know people who have come to me, asking for a job and I'll say, "How about I share my knowledge in design skills,to help you get a job in future or even freelance.

For them to reply, "But I want a job today!" Hence, I know there and then, I won't be mentoring the person. Sometimes I give them a book and out of 100 books, one or two would have read and come back and asked to be mentored.

Finally, you are going to have to prove to the mentor your worth their time and effort. Mess up, and they will show you the door. Mentors like giving but they are also entrepreneurs that don't take nonsense either.

[GraphixNPrint]

How does mentoring work? Is it a cashless relationship and the Mentor volunteers their time out of the goodness of their heart?

Mentoring, or apprentiships are a part of our culture. I don't know about how everyone else's mind works, but I learn best by see'ing. I have built my business on this and a few other of my key beliefs.

Example: I started in the printing industry a few years ago, after many years of website and graphic design etc. With the knowledge emparted to me by others I "mentored" with, I came up with a "formula" for success.

Now I own one of the largest printing firms in America, and by putting the knowledge of my mentors to work can honestly say I have, as will my children, benefit from their knowledge.

And with that said, Thank You to our mentors, those who pass on years of experience to the lay people with a desire to learn!

[onedarkangel_uk]

And with that said, Thank You to our mentors, those who pass on years of experience to the lay people with a desire to learn!

Well said. Same here. Without the mentors, don't know what would have happened or how far I would have been in business or life. Definitley something to think about if one wants to really grow their business and life.

[budafist]

So the people that teach interns are called mentors? Or is it more than that? I don't think we have a mentor culture in business in my country so it's not really familiar to me. We have mentors when we are in high school and university and those are normally senior students. Senior students do it mostly to make their extra curricular look good.

[onedarkangel_uk]

So the people that teach interns are called mentors? Or is it more than that? I don't think we have a mentor culture in business in my country so it's not really familiar to me. We have mentors when we are in high school and university and those are normally senior students. Senior students do it mostly to make their extra curricular look good.
My apolgies if I make this long. Just want to answer your question.

If you see what the definition of a Mentor is:

It is someone who you walk beside and they show you how things are done, by you observing them. For example:

A friend of mine has a son who wants to be a graphic designer. Now, he's fourteen years old, and so, what I did, is I went to a company because the founder and ceo is one of my mentors. Yes, you can have more than one mentor. Each mentor for different skills, which I'll explain in a bit.

I asked him if this youth could sit in meetings and of course he will wear clothes suited to the time, place and of the meetings. I also asked, if the youth could just sit and watch the designed do his or her. But not any designer. A designer who isn't arrogant but willing to let the youth sit and watch.

Anyway, he agreed, and so, for 6 months, that;s what the kid did. He would use his weekends to go and work in wharehouse for one weekend. Next weekend, sit with meetings when designers and marketing team would discuss a clients work, and discuss ideas. The weekend after, sit in the editing suite and watch the ones who make films edit, add special effect and put the story into effect.

Now, within the weekend, the CEO would give half hour to this kid and ask him what he learnt and, if there is anything he feels he would like to learn. Then, he would give him books on leadership, on how the mind works, what character is about. You would think this kid would just throw the books aside but, this CEO said this:

"Look at people not where they are today but believe in them and see what they can be and treat them as they already achieved it."

Now, this is just 6 months. You should see this kid now. Jeesh. The fourteen year suddenly opened his mind and his father said, he has never seen his son so hungry to learn. He usually gives his son some money for this and that but the kid saves the money and buys more books.

This kid, was one of the worse students. Didn't want to learn and when I asked him what changed, and I remember what he said. It blew my mind. He said:

"When I am at school or with friends I use to hang around with - they always would say what I couldn't do and what I couldn't be. No one ever said, I CAN do it."

So, in the company, people around him would say to him, "You CAN do this, you know."

That's mentorship. Mentorship isn't just about teaching and processing data, or transfering data. It's much more. It's about giving you life skills. People don't make sales not because anything else but fear, procrastination, lack of skills and lack of experience, and the unwillingness to fail. The mentor guides the person through this because sometimes we think failure is something of a taboo. It ain't. It's a MUST to succeed.

The better you are at handling rejections and failure, the more successful you will be. But what do they teach at home, school, job sometimes?

You fail, make a mistake, then you're no good. Forget it, don't bother "loser." Isn't it? The mentor helps to replace these thoughts and provides an open window to the Philosophy and it is due to the philosophy you have in your mind, that gets you to where you want to be.

Finally, I said, I have different mentors. In film industry, I need a mentor for this. In design, I need a mentor for this. So, the vital thing to have a mentor is:

1. Know what you want. What is it you want to achieve out of life? What skills you need? What experience do you need to learn from? What tools you need? What industry is it? Being transparent but this goes the same with the Mentor.

They too need to be honest, have character. It's not just about finding someone with all the experience and skill. If they got no character, unreliable, hurtful, sarcastic, and try to make themselves bigger than you, then that's not a mentor. Mentors are strong in attitude but they are humble too.

2. When you know what you want and what it needs, then you will know what type of mentor you want. You won't choose someone who hasn't got the skills, experience within the place you want to or achieve.

Everything, has to do with KNOWING what you want.

It's the first thing a mentor is going to ask. If you can't answer, they will help as there is a system to find out exactly what you want.

Hence, "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear."

[DougFa]

Hi all... I've had a home based graphics business since 1996. The first 6 years were full time. I went back to work full time because of the desire of a regular paycheck. After 7 years, I am now going back to the biz full time! Many factors led me to this decision. I was just wondering if anyone has any advice to give on starting back up. I still have connections and have passed along to everyone I know that I'm back full time at my home business. I'm also planning on placing a couple of ads, along with a yellow pages listing. Has anyone had any success with any other avenues? I'll also be print brokering if the need arises.

I'm listenin! I appreciate your opinions and feedback! Thanks everyone!

Laura

Hello Vectorized,

I have had my own design business for 4+ years (and am now selling it) and now starting a new design venture so perhaps a few things might help.

Keep in mind these are only MY observations and what I do tell my other design clients who consult with me.


1. Get as clear s you can as to what you want your business life to look like in 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, etc. and try to inhabit and move toward that vision. You need to get your "phychology" and inner work set first. Because it you do not act in line with your self image you WILL keep repeating those old patterns.

2. It is my feeling that today you need to really focus on a particular niche. whether that is print design for education or 3d animation or corporate reports for non-profits or web sites for "green" companies. whatever. But this will really focus your marketing and word of mouth referrals. Otherwise it is very difficult to market to the world and you will be competing on price which is what you do NOT want to do.

3. If you get anything from my note here PLEASE get this: You are NOT in the design busines you are in the Marketing and Sales business. Once you "get" this you will be light years ahead of everyone else. Figure out ways to get better at and increase your skills in marketing, sales, communication & persuasion. There are a ton of good resources out there This is your NEW position now.

4. Develop a plan. You need to get some resources (contact me offline if you like) so you can plan your marketing activites (networking, direct mail, email, cold calls, etc.) for the full year.

5. Seek out design mentors and other successful designers. Most are very gracious and would be happy to give advice or just pay them for a slice of their time. This can put you on the fast tack AND prevent a lot of mistakes and wheel spinning. Be smart - copy what the winners are doing.

6. Be proactive and get "out there" - being in the studio can get very isolating at times so find a good offline or online group and keep involved and reaching out.

7. Finally perservere and stay the course. All good things take time, effort and courage. And when you reach those plateaus and things get slow just remind yourself to do that one marketing activity for the day (even if you are not feeling well and your tired) - send a fax, make that phonecall, hand outa business card, etc. and over time I predict you will be that success you know you can be.

Wishing you ALL the best,

Doug

[GraphixNPrint]

Very well said Doug.

[onedarkangel_uk]

Yep, spot on Doug. :)