Getting work...

[VictoriaAnn]

Hi,

I am just wondering what the most effective method of getting more work is? I haven't yet got myself a web site, which I realise I need to do but with a full time design job, a part time design job and a house/partner to look after I just don't have the time - and I don't have the money yet to pay someone either.

Aside from that, I am active on Elance and Scriptlance. I shouldn't really bother with the latter, having only been a member for a short time I am appalled at some of the low payment requirements people set. Some people expect top notch designs for $5 - really.

Are there any other routes that I'm missing? Does anyone here get success by sticking local - placing ads in newspapers and putting notices up in shops? My area is very small and there aren't really any big businesses based here, which is why I hadn't taken that approach already.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

VictoriaAnn

[PrintDriver]

If you don't have the time to look, how are you going to have time to do the work?

Elance, Scriptlance and any of the other reverse auction sites are a waste of time IMO.

[VictoriaAnn]

If you don't have the time to look, how are you going to have time to do the work?

Elance, Scriptlance and any of the other reverse auction sites are a waste of time IMO.

I don't appreciate your insulting approach to my question. I do have time to do the work, I am working appx. 5 hours per day on logo design, on top of my full time job. What I would like to know is, when my current work dies down what are the best routes?

If Elance etc are not worth it, then what are your other suggestions? If you are going to reply telling me that what I'm currently doing is pointless, adding an alternative suggestion would help.

[PrintDriver]

But you did not say, 'when my current work dies down'.
You are very quick to be insulted by a simple question that had no obvious answer and would determine what type of response you may get.

Getting more work has no easy answer. And most of the answers usually require an investment in time and money. Cold calling or in-person visits might work. Designing, printing and doing a postcard mailing might work. Going to your local Chamber of Commerce meetings might work. Checking out your local Small Business organizations might work. All of these require time and money in some respect.

I'm not being facetious or insulting. It sounded like you want something that requires no work on your part or want it handed to you.

As for putting up flyers in shops or putting ads in newspapers. The second may cost more than you can afford. As far as the first, ask yourself, would you hire a plumber or electrician or car mechanic from a flyer you saw on the bulletin board in a coffee shop or grocery store? If that is the way your town works, then by all means post one (some towns are very local-dependent/loyal that way).

[VictoriaAnn]

But you did not say, 'when my current work dies down'.

Getting more work has no easy answer. And most of the answers usually require an investment in time and money. If you have no other competition, as you say in the other thread, cold calling or in-person visits might work. Designing, printing and doing a postcard mailing might work. Going to your local Chamber of Commerce meetings might work. Checking out your local Small Business organizations might work. All of these require time and money in some respect.

I'm not being facetious or insulting. It sounded like you want something that requires no work on your part or want it handed to you.

As for putting up flyers in shops or putting ads in newspapers. The second may cost more than you can afford. As far as the first, ask yourself, would you hire a plumber or electrician or car mechanic from a flyer you saw on the bulletin board in a coffee shop or grocery store? If that is the way your town works, then by all means post one (some towns are very local-dependent/loyal that way).

You are assuming I don't have money to invest. I don't have $1000's to pay for a great site, but it doesn't mean I have nothing at all.

My area does depend on local business, it's tiny with farm shops etc - just to give you an idea! However, there are larger towns further out which could be the next call.

By no means do I not want to work for this, I have no idea from where you got that idea. I am happy to put in a lot of time and effort, I just need advice on the best way to do that.

[PrintDriver]

I just don't have the time - and I don't have the money yet to pay someone either.

Others will be along, I'm sure to help you out. :)
It's very early on a Saturday for a lot of people here. You may have to wait til after the weekend to get more 'helpful' answers.

[VictoriaAnn]

Others will be along, I'm sure to help you out. :)
It's very early on a Saturday for a lot of people here. You may have to wait til after the weekend to get more 'helpful' answers.

Your reply was helpful!

[frankster]

Word of mouth once it gets going is a great. Owners of small businesses and people starting new businesses often crowd together for support and resources at the local chamber of commerce, now a lot of these people will be the ones that want something for nothing, or piss and moan that they can't afford a designer, but, if you can find the ones that realise the importance of the solutions you can provide and get working with thm, then word will likely spread fast and beyond the realms of small business and start ups.

Make sure you have a stunning business card.

[CkretAjint]

Every client I have ever gotten has been from word of mouth or from rubbing my genie lamp friviously....

[VictoriaAnn]

Thanks for the advice guys - the Chamber of Commerce is something I hadn't approached so I'm going to look into that.

[YNOT]

First off...welcome to GDF! There are a lot of friendly and helpful people here so you're in the right place to find good help.

My suggestion for finding work...post cards. I've been using post cards for the past three years and have found it to be a great tool. I'm a graphic designer specializing in the auto industry so I send 4x6 post cards out to a bunch of local and national car companies.

I figure post cards run me a little over $100 for 1000 cards and then 1000 .24¢ stamps. All you really need is one solid job and it covers the initial expense.

I hand-address (for a more personal touch) my cards in the evenings while I'm watching TV so it's not anything too tough to find time to do. I mail them in small batches as I have time to do them so I don't have to worry about a sudden influx of calls which works out great since I do this part-time on the side anyway.

So...just thought I'd run that by you. It's a pretty cheap and easy way to get more potential clients and at the very least get people to start seeing your name and visiting your website (although I know you said you don't have one yet).

Here's a quick shot of my latest post card. I should be getting the final ones tomorrow so I'll post up a pick of the final then...

http://www.satanclauz.com/mynot/spring08_PC.jpg

If you'd like me to mail you one of my cards to see the print quality, send me a PM with your address and I'll drop one in the mail to ya.

Hope that helps you. Good luck with it all!!

[YNOT]

Here's the final card. Again...if you'd like me to send you one so you can see the quality...just send me your address via PM and I'll shoot 1 out to ya.

http://www.satanclauz.com/mynot/final_postcard.jpg

I love them...they turned out as good as I had hoped!

[SurfPark]

I am just wondering what the most effective method of getting more work is?

You really need to sell yourself to the public. As you mentioned, a web site would be a great way to do that. If you have some work finished, why not upload it to a portfolio hosting site?

If you wanted to stick locally, I'd actually go on foot to many of these places and drop off your business card to the managers or business owners. Let them know the kind of work you're capable of and tell them you are able to give quotes if they have a specific job in mind.

[marshdesign]

Like everyone else has said, get that website up today! People need to be able to see your work because you are selling your style and they need to see this. I put my business cards on community boards across my area. I will do it when I am out to eat with my husband at panera bread (they have a community board) and other places. I have done a few pro-bono type work for a non-profit that has landed me some good paying jobs afterwards. Other than that most of my clients randomly come to me via email because I have a website that somehow people stumble across!

[Klavzz]

If you don't have the time to look, how are you going to have time to do the work?

Elance, Scriptlance and any of the other reverse auction sites are a waste of time IMO.

Wow... I was kinda stunned to see this reply from you print driver.
What do you do to get extra work or are you at the top of the food chain already so you don't need it.

[budafist]

Some of us aren't self employed. The work comes flooding in and we aren't in a position to stop it!

Gotta love sales/managers that accept every job and every deadline that a client throws at us.