although i am the creator of many kinds of "lead generator" projects. On a personal side I hate them. I find them intrusive. i don't like getting email blasts, i don't appreciate 20lbs of mail that i toss daily. I can only think many others feel the same way. (well like minded)...

I did start a secondary pet sitting business in case my true love didn't take off. all i did was create the name and file it with the state. For the next 6 months i was BOMBARDED with that crap .... a nd it was all crap. how they got my name and address is obvious, but nonethe less i threw 99.9% of it out. If you can get past the clutter, i say go for it. but don't be surprised that you get a zero response from it. getting past that clutter takes alot...

My favorite word in this scenario is making it a "keeper". And i don't mean a fridge magnet. Something that is well targeted and well received and something they will keep on their desk. We are so innured with the clutter that now adays we must be shocked into something new.

I've never done a self promo. I'm a bit jaded by the process. but i have other samples of direct mail if interested, to see what i mean by keepers.

The only problem i find with this is that new businesses are the ones who want to spend the least amount of money.

Works well in most cases but can be costly

I still use them to post to existing customers to let them know about a new product or service and to just keep at the top of their thoughts

The only calls you will get are people telling you to stop spamming them.

If you are starting out you need to just go and mix with people you want to do business with. Walk in and introduce yourself but go in with a rehearsed but not robotic speech, a game plan so to speak. Build a relationship with them, as repeat business is the best business

Just a thought, do designers starting out on their own business also get bombarded by postcards from other designers offering marketing/websites etc just because a business has been started?

They must right? I don't think people go through their lists to find out what each new business does, they just mail out blindly right?

I'm assuming you're wanting to offer your graphic design services, and so I think a mass emailing would be a flop. Some of the intended people would never get them anyway because of filters. Yellow pages? Who uses the phone book anymore. Everybody uses the internet to find things. Postcards will only be beneficial if you know who to send them to.

In order to get word of mouth started, you'll have to get out there and network. I don't know where you live, but a membership with your chamber of commerce might be a start. My town is small enough, that the chamber doesn't have 20,000 members, so they advertise all members on their website and try to use and promote them as much as possible.

What type of clients are you looking for? Do you want to design webpages, logos, or advertising collateral in general? Are there any music production companies that might possibly advertise your services? There are lots of bands making cds who aren't capable of designing cover art.

Placing your cards in coffee shops is just so passive, when you consider how many people go to a coffee shop that have no need for design services.

You need to get your services in front of decision makers, that's why it might be worth investigating your Chamber.

Also think of which clients have the money to spend. Around here, musicians are struggling artists that put all their money into making their dream a reality. Cover art really isn't something they can pay what it is worth.

Find a niche or several niche markets and advertise towards hitting those potential customers. Make it as easy as possible to find you and give you work.

Hi Kevincdg,

In my 4+ years running my own firm I will let you in on what has worked for me (after much heartache and trail and error)

1. Before you do ANY advertising find out WHO your audience is. For example, do you specialize in a particular area of design? in my experience (and I did this!) it is VERY difficult to market to the entire world. My advice on coffee shops and the like - a complete waste of time - don't even bother.

2. Find out the "type" of clients you want to work with. Make a list of your ideal clients. Find out what types of work they have bought in the past. And make sure they have budgets for these projects.

3. I learned the hard way to make sure all clients I work with understand the value of design and are willing to pay for it. No sense in trying to convince Joe the baker and Mary the accountant the value and worth of design. Move onto bigger players.

4. Intially, I would concentrate on ONLY networking events like ad clubs, chamber meetings, BNI groups, conferences, etc. Places where marketing and art directors attend (and others with the power of hiring). And attend these regularly! Get their cards and keep in touch. In this way you will be building a valuable list. No magic bullets here. It will take time.

5. Then follow up with these folks a couple times a month. Either by a nicely designed postcard or an email. Preferably both. My preference would be a postcard as it is hard NOT to notice (if designed well).

6. Finally, get to know these people. Their likes, dislikes, challenges, family, friends, etc. And from time to time send an article to them you found in a magazine or email them something or interest or send a hand written card congratulating them on their nice write-up in the paper. All this will pay off in the end.

7. And make sure you have a system for building your list with all the NEW contact info you are collecting

Hope this helps,

Doug

Ever wonder why there are so many designers and hardly any Yellow Page ads for such?

Talk to anyone who's placed an ad in there and be prepared for a long whine about the endless calls from grads and designer wannabees looking for work.

Hmmmm, in my experience the yellow pages filled up my post with paper waste, post cards were empty and mass mailing was thought of as spam (especially when I'm on the receiving end).

The design industry is a business but it's also a business of style, emotion, human relationships ... and so much more. Well, it has been for me anyway.

People buy from those they know. And if you are not a well known company, then you are in the beginnings of creating a relationship.

New relationships are cautious, especially in business. Unless they are green, they've already in the 'been sold' stage. They've been done. They are callous. But, they are always in the stages of believing 'in'.

Networking, 'real networking', on the other hand, is deemed as 'so very powerful'. The problem with the 'official' networking as done via set groups is that everyone is selling to everyone else. No one is really connecting, and connecting is what it's all about.

So my suggestion is this ... Forget postcards. Forget joining in on networking groups where you are all, so sadly, so visibly, hungry. Join in on groups where you can just be yourself, with your interets in common. Just reach out without selling anything, and it will all fall into place.

Will it be asap? Not on your life. Not unless you are blinking brilliant right out of the gate.

Look what 'TheCat' dragged in! Hey there Miss Mew! (How are you?)

Does that location tag under your photo mean you've left Brunei for good?

Hey Bob!

Long time. Yes, I no longer live in Brunei working for the 'powers-that-be' and all the stress that went with.

For the past 2+, I've been living in fantastic Thailand. Thankfully, after longlast, life is VERY relaxed.

So, how's things out there?

Glad to hear that. So, have you 'consolidated' your various container-lives (Scotland et al)?

I hear Thailand is amazing. I mean, besides the Kodachrome taste palette of their cuisine. Even for that, I'm envious. (You couldn't have just moved to Poughkeepsie, could you?)

Things here are pretty much the same. My daughter's just finished high school (isn't it amazing how it seemed just like yesterday that we were younger?), and my son is just about to become our second teen in the family.

Oops, we're gonna get in trouble with the forum police. Maybe we should ask for a new sub-forum: 'Re-introduce Yourself' for those who've been 'away' for a while.

Bob, you are right. We are being bad ... so, I've moved it here if you care to .... -->> http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/fo...945#post397945