[jihef]

i'm considering starting to make websites for people as a freelancer. anyone has tips on finding first clients/getting customers?

[seen.to]

I advertise on marketingtool.com and get some leads from google (though I'm not sure on what searches as I can't find myself on there for anything decent).

Networking & cold-calling seem to work best for me at the moment.

Good luck!

[chips]

just make sure you get a contract. I've been shafted a couple of times with freelance stuff.

[cam]

Originally Posted by chips

just make sure you get a contract. I've been shafted a couple of times with freelance stuff.

couldn't agree more. even when you're dealing with people you already know, make sure you have a binding, explicit contract which explains in detail exactly what it is you're being paid to do. some clients tend to get the impression that changing the whole design and/or purpose of a site half-way through the project is okay..

just a thought - some web design companies take on freelancers from time to time both to help out when they're busy and also to check out what they are capable of. it's how i got my start, perhaps you could check around companies in your area.

good luck anyway

[Narate]

Make a website with some futuristic spinning robots, then send MTV and e-mail.

[jihef]

Originally Posted by Narate

Make a website with some futuristic spinning robots, then send MTV and e-mail.

and.... done.

[Alaska-Design]

I have some by the way, 5 i think. Let me know

[Jeff Fisher LogoMotives]

Learn everything you can about the BUSINESS of graphic design. The books "The Business Side of Creativity" and "The Creative Business Guide to Running a Graphic Design Business" by Cameron Foote are great resources for any designer. The articles section at CreativeLatitude.com (and other pages on the site) also provides a great deal of info. You will find info on contracts, and other aspects or the design business, at CreativePro.com, CreativeBusiness.com and CreativePublic.com.

Here are some ways I market and promote my own design efforts:

Networking: Make EVERYONE you know aware of what you are doing - family, friends, neighbors, former clients, local businesses, etc. Join a local business organization, chamber of commerce, industry related organization (International Association of Business Communicators , local ad federations, marketing associations, Women in Communications, public relations organizations, AD2, etc.) and network with people who may need your services. ALWAYS carry your biz card with you.

Direct Mail: Target the businesses with which you would like to work and send them a postcard, brochure or flyer about your services. I haven't done a direct mail piece for about 14 years but when I did I had ten new clients over a period of several weeks and I was still getting work from the one mailing five years later.

Web site: If you don't have a web presence you had better get one established. Your potential clients will EXPECT you have one. Most of my clients come to me by way of my web site - and 80-85% are from outside my home state. Links on other sites (like your client's) will draw a clientele your way.

Online directories: Make use of free and paid online directories to get your name and contact info out to possible clients.

Press releases: One of my major methods of marketing/promotion is sending out press releases about my work. Make a list of editors in your area and send them releases about your business - announcing the new business, new clients, completed projects, design awards....

Paid print advertising?: Some designers swear by it - in 25 years it's never been effective for me. I do no paid advertising - including Yellow Pages.

Industry design competitions: The majority of my marketing budget goes to cover entry fees in industry design competitions. Having pieces honored results in work being printed in design annuals and other design books. I have at least one potential client a week contact me because they have seen my work in a design book at their local bookstore. It also gives you "bragging rights" for press releases announcing your accomplishments.

Work with nonprofits: A good way to promote your business is to do pro bono, or discounted, work for nonprofit causes you support. You should get a credit on all the pieces being produced for the organization. You also have the opportunity to meet a lot of business leaders in the community who serve of the board of directors or are involved with the group. I discourage designers from ever doing free work for "for profit" ventures. In doing so you convey that your work has little or no value - and that's what they will remember if you go back to them for future projects.

Being the expert: Writing articles for publications, making yourself available to the media as an industry expert and being a speaker are all excellent methods of promotion. I recently spoke to a group of high school "Art Careers" program students, a community chamber of commerce and an association of landscape designers. I was even paid for two of the three presentations. All resulted in clients. I was once contacted by a potential client who was given my name by someone who had heard me speak to a group of Small Business Development Center educators FOUR YEARS earlier!

The dreaded "cold call" would be at the bottom of my list: I don't enjoy cold calls and I'm not comfortable doing them. Over the years they have not been an effective method of getting new clients.

Here's some published resources that might be helpful in your marketing:

Designer's Guide to Marketing, by Betsy Newberry

The Art & Business of Creative Self-Promotion, by Jerry Herring & Mark Fulton

The Graphic Designer's Guide to Creative Marketing: Finding & Keeping Your Best Clients, by Linda Cooper Bowen

Off The Wall Marketing Ideas, by Nancy Michaels & Debbi J. Karpowicz

HOW Magazine's Annual Self-promotion and Business issues

Get Noticed!, by Sheree Clark and Kristin Lennert

Self Promotion Online, by Ilise Benun

Self-Promotion for the Creative Person : Get the Word Out About Who You Are and What You Do, by Lee Silber

Designers' Self Promotion: How Designers and Design Companies Attract Attention to Themselves, by Roger Walton

BRAG! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It, by Peggy Klaus

Hope that helps some....

- Jeff

[Mr Fred]

stick that book where the sun dont shine pal.

[seen.to]

Originally Posted by Mik

stick that book where the sun dont shine pal.

England ?

[Mr Fred]

haha

[Jeff Fisher LogoMotives]

Originally Posted by Mik

stick that book where the sun dont shine pal.

Somebody not "getting it from behind" from their German Shepard enough these days and it's making you a bit cranky? (I'm assuming that was a photo of you in your previous avatar)

- J.

[cam]

Well look who can't take a joke.

Let's all behave like the responsible, mature adults we are.

Okay, Mr.Poopy Pants?

(ah i love the classics)

[Jeff Fisher LogoMotives]

In an earlier thread someone asked why Americans don't stick around this forum after they come to visit initially. I think a large part of it is because individuals often post a legit request for information, someone else posts a reasonable answer and the response from yet another person is just a rude answer unrelated to the post. It seems to be SOP around here. Having fun is one thing but if that's humor I don't want to get the "joke." I know that's why my visits here are few and far between. I get enough of that crap on a regular basis from some soon-to-be-former clients - and members of my family!

I do think it's unfortunate as there is a lot a great information available on this forum. I know I've attempted to draw more visitors to this site by mentioning it in a past HOW Magazine article - and in my book. I would hope people coming to the forum, from wherever they may live/work get a decent reception.

- Jeff

[aaron]

yeah mik, you were out of order son

[oli]

Jeff, Mik was reffering to the fact that you'd posted in a number of threads and added information on the end about your book, which was removed by moderators.
We deactivated signatures in an effort to try and keep commercial posts to the advertising forum.
He didnt put his reply tactfully but if you visited more often you'd notice its something we dont have a lot of here
Anyway, thanks for the mention in HOW - I did get to read a copy.

[Mr Fred]

Originally Posted by Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

In an earlier thread someone asked why Americans don't stick around this forum after they come to visit initially. I think a large part of it is because individuals often post a legit request for information, someone else posts a reasonable answer and the response from yet another person is just a rude answer unrelated to the post. It seems to be SOP around here. Having fun is one thing but if that's humor I don't want to get the "joke." I know that's why my visits here are few and far between. I get enough of that crap on a regular basis from some soon-to-be-former clients - and members of my family!

I do think it's unfortunate as there is a lot a great information available on this forum. I know I've attempted to draw more visitors to this site by mentioning it in a past HOW Magazine article - and in my book. I would hope people coming to the forum, from wherever they may live/work get a decent reception.

- Jeff

nowt to do with that.
just enough with the book mention in every post.

[Mr Fred]

Originally Posted by oli

He didnt put his reply tactfully but if you visited more often you'd notice its something we dont have a lot of here

yeah should have been more tactful, sorry to all americanos,.

[Jeff Fisher LogoMotives]

Originally Posted by oli

Jeff, Mik was reffering to the fact that you'd posted in a number of threads and added information on the end about your book, which was removed by moderators.
We deactivated signatures in an effort to try and keep commercial posts to the advertising forum.
He didnt put his reply tactfully but if you visited more often you'd notice its something we dont have a lot of here
Anyway, thanks for the mention in HOW - I did get to read a copy.

Oli -

Thanks for the explanation. I certainly understand about the "advertising" thing - which is why my recent post was made in the "Advertising" thread - and wish someone had explained it to me earlier in a civil manner as you did. All other forums in which I participate around the globe have no problem with the signature issue - mentioning my association with HOW, upcoming speaking engagements and the book - as a contributing member of a group, so I had no idea it was an issue here. One even deals with potential problems with the disclaimer that they "reserve the right to harass and ban drive by advertisers" across the top of the forum. (I kind of like that attitude)

Funny, my business mantra "If I don't 'toot!' my own horn, no one else well" is the basis of all my marketing/promotion efforts - and what I am always trying to teach other designers. It has caused some to refer to me as a "media whore" - like that is a bad thing! I had no idea what it really meant until I was published - as most of the marketing becomes the responsibility of the author (and nobody gets "rich" from a design book!) and I really didn't need another full-time job.

All the best - Jeff

PS: Thanks Mik

[aaron]

Do you know Jakob Neilsen? I don't mean to sound funny, but he seems to operate with the same sort of business ethic as you do. Granted, he makes his money, but he pisses a lot of people off along the way.

Some of the marketing methods you suggest, would almost definitely - in the UK anyway - be met with a poor reception.

In my opinion, if you do your job really well, you can't go wrong really... people who need to spend almost all of their time marketing their services in a seemingly desperate manner obviously need to try another profession.

No offence.