Hello,
As a graphic designer I need clients. But as a beginner it’s so hard for me. I read some articles and I knew that I should know my target market. For me I focus on designing logos now. Can you tell me who are the clients for that? What is my target market? If I want to a social media and search for a hashtag what should I search for? I searched for something like startup, business… I mean any business needs a logo! How should I define and call everyone who wants a logo? I hope you get what I mean.
As a graphic designer I need clients. But as a beginner it’s so hard for me.
Yep. How do you get experience when you don’t have experience. The conundrum of so many entering the workforce.
I read some articles and I knew that I should know my target market. For me I focus on designing logos now. Can you tell me who are the clients for that? What is my target market?
You need to narrow down your target market and define a strategy for reaching that market. (Side note: you may have more than one target market.) Try finding a market segment and then further narrow it down by geographic location. For example, let’s say I really want to design logos for law firms, and I live in Springfield, so it makes sense for me to target firms close by. All of the sudden, instead of my target market being anyone in business, my target market is law firms in Springfield. The more defined a target market, the easier it is to devise a plan to reach your target market. Now I have a definitive list of prospects that I can call, I can look for local bar association publications to advertise in, etc.
If I want to a social media and search for a hashtag what should I search for? I searched for something like startup, business
There should be, but I’ve never seen hashtags for #mylogosucks or #ineedanewlogo. Use social media in two ways. A) Use it to position yourself as the expert to the target market you’ve defined. Write a post about a new logo you designed for a law firm and use hashtags. With this method, you’re using social media to help your target market find you. B) Use social media to find clients. Look at law firms social media presence. Who do you see that needs your help?
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Thank you so much. But design ‘all’ kinds of logo, They my target is everyone who needs a logo. So I should have a big list of businesses that need a logo right?
The thing about logos?
Most businesses you could cold-contact already have logos. IOW, they are not your target market.
You are looking for people who are thinking about opening a new business.
Just an FYI, logo design is not a singular subset of the Graphic Design field. Logo design is part and parcel with Brand development. It is a significant element of brand design but not the only piece and it’s very rare to just design a logo without considering the overall picture. If you are only “designing logos” then you will be relegated to the ranks of crowdsource sites and hobbyists looking for an avatar for their instagram channel. Is that where you want to be?
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That’s fine. But I think the reason you’re struggling with this concept is because your target market is basically every business in the world. I’m not saying you have to only do logos for law firms in Springfield, what I am saying is that you should come up with a more digestible, manageable target market. You can also have more than one target market.
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Your target should be people in your community who are starting a new business. The world is not your target. Your neighborhood is your target. Focus on building long-term relationships with neighboring businesses that will come back to you month after month, year after year. That’s how you make money in graphic design. Finding and recruiting clients is a lot of work. That’s why successful designers don’t chase after clients who are looking for a single logo, and are then going to disappear. If you want to succeed, you have to play the long game.
Are there business networking events in your community? Mixers? Meetups? Business fairs? Does your government publish any sort of list of businesses that are being created. New businesses need marketing materials. Are there community events where your business could set up a booth to advertise your services? Show your portfolio to a marketing company and see if you can freelance logos for them.
Start local and make friends and allies.
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That was so helpful thanks. So my market target could be startups for example?
thanks
Thanks, But the thing with me is that I want to do all this just online. Because in my country we don’t have all of that you were talking about!
“But the thing with me is that I want to do all this just online. Because in my country we don’t have all of that you were talking about!”
Well, the best way is to start using crowdsourcing platforms, like 99designs or others similar ones (99designs is very popular and accessible). There you will have the possibility to grow as a beginner designer. You will be motivated and inspired by your fellow designers that participating in those contests and also, you will have the opportunity to build new relationships with clients around the world (everything online, as you prefer).