Hitting the bricks

[RWakefield]

When things are slow for you (and possibly your team) how do you go about finding more work or new clients? What sort of networking do you do in order to get your name out there to drum up more work? Are there local business resources that you have access to? If so, what are they?

If you advertise to get your name out there on the streets, do you find there is a more efficient way to advertise over other ways?

I'd love to hear what some of you have to say. Thanks!

[GraphixNPrint]

I pay Google and Yahoo, the latter of which sucks. Google I pay alot for clicks but 1 or 2 jobs a month covers the cost. Some of the recent ones have switched all thier work over to us so in the long run it pays off.

My opinion but it works for me.

[Drorain]

Running as an individual I have found time donated/invested in non-profits and political campaigns are bringing together a boatload of opportunity. Now If I was in the position of a design team looking for work, it’s time to start advertising through a variety of mediums both print/web and radio possibly. I would contact previous customers and check in with them as well, It’s the holidays they should have some holiday campaign to advertise their business. While your on the phone with them mention a referral bonus to their account or a small fee you’ll pay them to each referral that leads to a project.

Try and grow your business to, add on print brokering, design consulting or some other type of product.

[Drorain]

When things are slow for you (and possibly your team) how do you go about finding more work or new clients? What sort of networking do you do in order to get your name out there to drum up more work? Are there local business resources that you have access to? If so, what are they?

Local Business Resource...Local Chamber of Commerce is always a good place to start...becareful with some 'business networking' groups, these sometimes lead to projects, but people in the group expect you to always discount for them, which just puts bread & butter on the table but not that nice cold Sam Adams to go with it.

[RWakefield]

The studio I work for has just recently joined the local Chamber of Commerce, and yes that is an excellent resource. There is also a small business development office at our city hall which can be helpful.

I am currently going through our database and preparing to contact some existing clients, but it would be great to get out there and find some new work and new people to work with.

Thanks for your comments!

R.

[Danger_Mouse]

http://www.guru.com/index.aspx

I was signed up for this when I once was going to freelance. You get posted work emailed to you and then you bid/quote on it to get the job. I never did utilize it though, but received emails daily.

I know some programmers that swear by it, but I have never used myself. good for any proffessional looking to start a client base.