Advice needed - London based web designer

[digimars]

Thanks for your feedback Helen!

Does this mean you outsource your design and back end development.?

No, I cannot afford it yet. I do it all by myself. I would see myself as a very organised website designer with strategic marketing and managerial skills. Advantage is, I'd like to think, that Photoshop is my hobby and coding I learned at school.

I source them through word of mouth recommendations, if I see a campaign or project I like I will ask for the designers details and I look at who has won awards or had work featured in charity media.

Nice, that's what I thought. But it's rather amazing to read it as I always wonder how to get through. I've delivered a nation wide charity revamp project by myself. I reckon I could use it as a reference. Plus as a PM I was working with other big name charities.

For larger projects i am more likely to use an agency with an account manager.i

Interesting, I was actually competing agencies but won on a word of mouth and budget. Other than that it's fairly straight forward - cms, good contrast colours plus high contrast version, other accessibility features like text size control and donations payment gateway. But without the word of mouth I wouldn't even know the charity existed

I have never bought through cold calling, emails etc

Hmmm, that's very good to know

Great feedback indeed.
Cheers
Martin

 

[digimars]

By the way put your web details in your signature then people can get more of a feel for what you do and your experience.

I'd like to but then all my clients will read my moaning here as it will shoot up on google with my company name if I mention it here

 

[digimars]

Most design studios, even the big, multi-national ones, rely on just a small number of repeat clients to keep running. This is why you should focus on finding those clients who understand the value of what you bring to their business, rather than someone who's just looking for the cheapest supplier.

There was a month when I got such a good turnover from one client that I was thinking I get two more like this and I'd be touching 10k threshold. It's always not that good though. But that's why I'm here, it's hard to get through with them big guys.

Thanks Paul

 

[Mad Frog]

I know you said you've tried networking and it hasn't worked for you, but did you target the right sort of events? Is your site and portfolio up to scratch? How does your business card look and are you are looking for a particular type of client? How do you present yourself and talk about your service?

Not all networking events are about the hard sell, some are about making contacts and getting yourself known, build relationships with other companies, don't sell to them, do this and you'll find work will start to find you rather than you having to find the work - but remember it won't happen overnight, building a client base takes time.

 

[MOIC]

I have been following this thread with interest and it's refreshing to see the OP replying to each post and taking their advice on board.

Such a welcome change to some thread starters who ask for advice that either do not bother to say thanks, or actually criticise the advice given.

Good on you Martin!

 

[digimars]

Mad Frog that's cool name

I know you said you've tried networking and it hasn't worked for you, but did you target the right sort of events? Is your site and portfolio up to scratch? How does your business card look and are you are looking for a particular type of client? How do you present yourself and talk about your service?

You nailed it here. I tried only those paid networking meetings. Like BNI or 4networking. And although I liked to chat with the like-minded people I found it rather hard pushing. Firstly the pressure to sign up for the membership, which is nearly 1k in case of BNI, and secondly everyone is desperate to sell. So to answer your question, I understand now that NO I didn't target the right sort of events. And I got a feeling that anything but paid networking service will work just fine. On the other hand I saw actual business in progress in those meetings, but that was between members that signed up 2-3y ago.

Worked hard on the website lately Printed new business cards a week ago, got good feedback Well the positioning we discussed here earlier on, it's a tricky thing. I'd like to target larger organisations but learned here I'll probably have to start small. I'll have to work on the presentation though. Neglected so many things so far.

Not all networking events are about the hard sell, some are about making contacts and getting yourself known, build relationships with other companies, don't sell to them, do this and you'll find work will start to find you rather than you having to find the work - but remember it won't happen overnight, building a client base takes time.

This is what I definitely want to try as many people here advised so. Just to have a chatter instead of selling.

Thanks Mad Frog

 

[digimars]

I have been following this thread with interest and it's refreshing to see the OP replying to each post and taking their advice on board.

Such a welcome change to some thread starters who ask for advice that either do not bother to say thanks, or actually criticise the advice given.

Good on you Martin!

Thank you

The response here was amazing. Mostly sincere and honest. That's something I didn't expect. It actually feels like people here want me to succeed which is very motivating. Some of the replies put a big smile on my face

Cheers

 

[lydress]

To be honest,i run a online shop now.and i want to promtion my website to european ,uk,spain etc.If some one told me they can help me,and ask me pay first,i can not trust,becasuse too many people just get money,then they do fake.If some one can do first,and let me see the better results,then i will pay happy!

 

[Annoying Donkey]

To be honest,i run a online shop now.and i want to promtion my website to european ,uk,spain etc.If some one told me they can help me,and ask me pay first,i can not trust,becasuse too many people just get money,then they do fake.If some one can do first,and let me see the better results,then i will pay happy!

Do you let people have your products first to see if they're worth having before they pay you...?
If you don't/can't trust someone why would you hire them, under any circumstances...?

 

[Mad Frog]

Mad Frog that's cool name

You nailed it here. I tried only those paid networking meetings. Like BNI or 4networking. And although I liked to chat with the like-minded people I found it rather hard pushing. Firstly the pressure to sign up for the membership, which is nearly 1k in case of BNI, and secondly everyone is desperate to sell. So to answer your question, I understand now that NO I didn't target the right sort of events. And I got a feeling that anything but paid networking service will work just fine. On the other hand I saw actual business in progress in those meetings, but that was between members that signed up 2-3y ago.

BNI can be highly effective, but it does depend on who is in the chapter, I did BNI myself for a year (ignoring all their strange rules), and found it to be a really good way of getting a steady flow of work, in my first month alone I had over 10 projects and still receive regular work from members even though I'm no longer part of the group. However, as I say, it's very dependent on who else is in the group, so maybe I got lucky.

 

[Banksbroo]

Hi Digimars
London is a huge but very tough market, your services may be of use far beyond London.
What are your specific skills / interests?

For example, are you design focused, is your stength slick back end databases, does your css create perfect mobile and desktop sites? Are you a genius with wordpress? Throw us some clues here! "Web designer" is almost too vauge these days. I'd love to see what you have done to date.

Can you offer a client something they may not easily find elsewhere? Additional languages? The UK is notoriously mono-lingual, so web skills + additional lanuages could be a plus point.

Are you looking for ad-hoc paid work to add functionality to a site or fix a problem, or are you looking for am ongoing full service (design, coding, hosting, backend, integration, copy writing, marketing) type client?

 

[digimars]

BNI can be highly effective, but it does depend on who is in the chapter, I did BNI myself for a year (ignoring all their strange rules), and found it to be a really good way of getting a steady flow of work, in my first month alone I had over 10 projects and still receive regular work from members even though I'm no longer part of the group. However, as I say, it's very dependent on who else is in the group, so maybe I got lucky.

That's great to hear it worked for you. I've read mixed up feelings about them, however as you said and others quoted it depends on more than just one factor. I'm not in the position to spend 1k atm. But will definitely try some of the great tips mentioned earlier in this thread.

Thanks for getting back.
Martin

 

[digimars]

Hi Digimars
London is a huge but very tough market, your services may be of use far beyond London.
What are your specific skills / interests?

I agree, very tough mate. But find it hard economically to work from London for anyone who's not in here as I'd like to think companies in London pay simply more. I believe that I can deliver full project live cycle as such: consult, design, build, release, analyse, improve, maintain - using Drupal, Worpress, Bootstrap mainly.

or are you looking for am ongoing full service (design, coding, hosting, backend, integration, copy writing, marketing) type client?

Yes that's it Not easy though

Thanks for the feedback.
Martin.

 

[caiusi]

Hi. My English is no so good but my sales skills yes. So. Read some sales books. Read some customer philosophy. Be smart. Nobody need an website. They need more customers, more online presence, benefits. Ask them How your clients find you? How they booking? Etc. Help them to grow. Be their mate. Advise them. And you'll see benefits.

Free tips. Never ever don't sale people's who can't buy. Try talk with the man in charge. Never leave fliers at reception. You spend money, work and time for nothing.
Learn to sale your product. Be confident in your product. Help them with Facebook, YouTube, blog.

 

[digimars]

Read some sales books. Read some customer philosophy. Be smart.

That's a very good point indeed. I went to a business show here in London lately and in one of the workshops the bloke said 'You gotta be a true sales person or your business will be just an expensive hobby'.

Never ever don't sale people's who can't buy.

Well I know that now as I for example prepared a bespoke photoshop draft of a website when the prospect didn't even have £300 to spend. Ufff.

Never leave fliers at reception. You spend money, work and time for nothing.

Was about to do this. Will not I actually send them fliers via mail with a signed introductory letter. Nothing.

I still find the first contact to be the hardest part. If you get to work for a client on a small gig they'll see you're good a give you more work. But the initial contact, where, how, what...

Thanks for your advice.
M

 

[digimars]

Thanks to the great feedback here I now have a good understanding of what I did wrong and what needs to be done. But as I'm trying to turn the business around I find myself quite heavily demotivated on regular basis, as it's been long time with minimal results, and making excuses not to go out and talk to people. I was thinking if anybody here would be willing to provide some sort of mentoring? Couple messages a week to help me get off my a**? I was also thinking about a business buddy? Someone in my situation to exchange tips and ideas?

Many thanks

 

[Ataata]

Hi Martin, if you looking for more contacts I would suggest to try freelance websites such a freelancer or peopleperhour, however I would be very careful with new clients. I had good and bad experience with both but you'll learn on mistakes. Good luck!

 

[Alan]

Well I know that now as I for example prepared a bespoke photoshop draft of a website when the prospect didn't even have £300 to spend. Ufff.

Yes, an important lesson. You need to learn all these lessons. One issue is that there is a vast number of people out there that undervalue their skills and are prepared to create websites for a few hundred £. And as a consequence there is a raft of small businesses that think they can get Amazon or Ebay for £300. It is important to pre-qualify potential clients quickly. And NEVER do design work before you are formally engaged.

consult, design, build, release, analyse, improve

You are offering a very high value service, so don't under value it. You will need to find clients that will value your skills

I don't mind sharing some stuff via PM. Feel free to PM me. We are also 3 years old, but I think we have learned a bit more than you have.