Freelance Logo Design - help please!

[JeCreative]

Hi,

I have recently finished a creative degree at university and I have a job that's not very exciting, but it pays the bills.
I miss being creative though, so I have decided to have a go at some Freelance logo designing. I have put together a website (which will be improved if I am succesful) and I just need some advice on how I should market myself.

Do people rate Facebook and Twitter as good places to network/advertise or should I go down the route of sending flyers to businesses?
Does anyone have any general advice for a brand new freelancer?

Obviously I can't post my website yet but if anyone would be kind enough to take a look and give me some feedback, it would be much appreciated!
PM me for the web address!

Thank you all
Jenny

P.S Happy New Year!


I forgot to mention, I want to be offering affordable designs to small businesses and websites!

 

[sanjiv]

Get opt in B2B email addresses and run mailshots. Facebook and Twitter probably will help and having a blog where you submit to social media sites would too as you would generate more traffic.

 

[oldeagleeye]

Jenny.

You can provide a link to your homepage in your profile and while you can not show an active link in a post you can include your url. Just leave the www. off. Example

jensgraphics.co.uk

Rob

 

[Esk247]

LinkedIn is s'posed to be quite good for business networking.

 

[Steve2010]

Sign up to peopleperhour.com I use freelancers on there all the time for my web content. As a Freelancer yourself you can bid on jobs that only you are interestedin doing and quote per hour or on a per job basis. People can also invite you if you have a good feedback and portfolio..

Hope this helps,
Steve

 

[JeCreative]

Get opt in B2B email addresses and run mailshots. Facebook and Twitter probably will help and having a blog where you submit to social media sites would too as you would generate more traffic.

Thank you, I will look into the B2B stuff!
I have just signed up to twitter, does anyone have any experience in using software to follow hundreds of people on there? Or is it a waste of time?

Thank you for the replies!

 

[Mike W]

Thank you, I will look into the B2B stuff!
I have just signed up to twitter, does anyone have any experience in using software to follow hundreds of people on there? Or is it a waste of time

Unless you can finely tune who you're targeting - and I don't think you can - it's a complete waste of time.

Try doing it yourself, seeking to follow a) people/businesses in related industries, and b) businesses full stop (probably UK).

Set yourself a goal of targeting a set number a day. Keep it lower initially and then gradually increase it - eg. 5 a day for a week or 2, then 10 a day etc.

With reciprocal follows, that approach will develop a following for you of people who you can learn from and those who may ultimately buy your service.

 

[sanjiv]

Thank you, I will look into the B2B stuff!
I have just signed up to twitter, does anyone have any experience in using software to follow hundreds of people on there? Or is it a waste of time?

Thank you for the replies!

http://www.socialtimes.com/2010/01/auto-follow-by-keyword-twitter-tools/
Came across that a while ago and bookmarked it. Not used it yet though.

 

[MikeJ]

I regularly get people adding me on Twitter when I've never heard of them. I always report them for spam. I follow a few people, but never "tweet". Therefore anyone that adds me must be looking to spam me.

 

[Eagle]

I regularly get people adding me on Twitter when I've never heard of them.

Wow. Is that reason to report someone?

Jenny, I'd establish a 'presence' on Twitter but you need to concentrate on business networks and networking itself - that's where your clients are.

Mark

 

[ShoppingCentreEvents]

Why dont you start by replying to tenders on elance or peopleperhour? It would be a good way to get the ball rolling and adding work to your portfolio. If your work is good and the clients like it you are sure to get referrals and repeat business...
You could do this whilst setting up a facebook page and twitter etc. which in my opinion will not get instant or quick results. You could also try attending business networking meetings in your area which gives you the opportunity to sell in a non sales environment.

 

[Eagle]

Unless you want to work yourself into the ground for $10 per job, I wouldn't bother with eLance and the like. They're aimed at driving prices right down with the client usually choosing the lowest bidder. Have some pride in your work (and yourself) and charge a decent rate.

 

[JeCreative]

Why dont you start by replying to tenders on elance or peopleperhour? It would be a good way to get the ball rolling and adding work to your portfolio. If your work is good and the clients like it you are sure to get referrals and repeat business...
You could do this whilst setting up a facebook page and twitter etc. which in my opinion will not get instant or quick results. You could also try attending business networking meetings in your area which gives you the opportunity to sell in a non sales environment.

I think I may give elance a go, sounds like a great idea. I'm am looking out for business courses that could help me at some point in the future so I guess it would be a good way to get my name out there too!
Thank you for the advice

 

[JeCreative]

Unless you want to work yourself into the ground for $10 per job, I wouldn't bother with eLance and the like. They're aimed at driving prices right down with the client usually choosing the lowest bidder. Have some pride in your work (and yourself) and charge a decent rate.

Ohh I've just seen this post, maybe elance wouldn't be such a great idea after all! thanks for the input!!

 

[ShoppingCentreEvents]

I wasnt saying it was the be all and end all... but if you have no work, doing some at reasonable is better than none at all! - everyone has to start somewhere and the fact that you are UK based will go well in your favour.

It will also add to your portfolio which any new client will want to look at. Saying that I wouldnt work for $10 a job and wouldnt suggest you did! I have used people per hour a couple of times for coding and found it to be good... I wish you the best of luck anyway!

 

[sanjiv]

Ohh I've just seen this post, maybe elance wouldn't be such a great idea after all! thanks for the input!!

Would still give it a go. Would be good to build your portfolio.