How do I get my first clients?

[Dean Furniss]

Hi everyone. I am new to this forum, and I am in need of advice on how to get my first customers. I am currently working in sales, but want to earn extra cash doing web and graphic design, and also other promotional things.

 

[Deleted member 69011]

Hi Dean,

do you have a website that you can refer people to in order to show your skills? It does not matter if you have not yet had a client, but creating a portfolio that shows what you can do would be a great show case.

Then as a first step, I would simply email and message all of your friends and contacts to announce your new business and ask them to recommend you to anyone that might need your services - referring them to your website as proof of your abilities.

As a web and graphic designer it should of course look impressive which would certainly be enough to get some initial enquiries.

 

[webgeek]

A portfolio is a must. Then pay for membership on UKBF and post an advert in the marketplace section. It's a good start.

Given you're asking where to start, maybe some inbound marketing upskilling would be a good preliminary step as well. Something like the course over at Fresh Bananas will give you a great foundation from which to begin.

 

[Ashley_Price]

If I can mention one thing not to do, and that's offer to do work for free just to build your portfolio. Reading a site like Clients From Hell will give you plenty of reasons why not. But basically, these freebies often end up being FAR MORE trouble than they are worth.

Also, don't believe anyone who asks you to do their site for free in exchange for "exposure". Exposure doesn't pay the bills!

 

[Sevoris]

A website is definitely a good idea, but you can also create a Facebook page for your "company" and show off your work there. Then ask your friends to like it and spread the work on their social circles. You can then link your Facebook page to your normal website for some extra SEO.

At the same time, I'd also recommend making a LinkedIn profile to make it more professional.

Depending on your budged you can then go into some advertising to lead customers to your website, or join some freelancing websites that will allow you to build your portfolio if you don't already have one.

 

[threenine]

extra cash doing web and graphic design, and also other promotional things

Here's a fundamental flaw in your plan. If you don't know how to do this, then how are you going to do this for your customers?

A background is Sales, should at least give you a background in how to generate leads.

Web Design, Website development & Graphic Design is all about generating leads. In truth that is the core function of Web Development. It's got nothing at all to do with Nice Looking Websites and artistic flair.

The primary and only functions of a website is to Generate leads and Sell, Sell and Sell again!

 

[Mike_Cartwright]

You have to go where they are and you have to find them.

Attend trade shows or industry events. Make connections and build a network. It's a good way to get to know the trends and also your competitors.

Make a website. Write relevant content that provides value to your target audience. Advertise or promote it on your social media platforms. Social media and websites are good venues to attract customers.

 

[BusinessTradeCentre]

Build up a portfolio by offering very cheap web design to your friends and family. If you work in sales already you should have no problem in sealing a deal.

 

[TheConsulter]

As has been noted here, it's good to create a website and be active on social media platforms. Regarding the website, you should make sure to make it mobile/tablet friendly. Not only will this make it convenient to the big number of people who browse the internet with their mobiles and tablets, it will also reward you by getting you higher on the search results. To build up a portfolio you should offer cheap or free web design to some charities in your town.

I hope that the discussion can continue. Plenty of good advice has been given here. Great job folks, keep up with the good work.

 

[RBS]

upwork.com and similar

 

[susanhiggscreative]

upwork.com and similar

I would disagree with upwork, fiverr etc - It's often a 'race to the bottom' on those sites price wise and people are just wanting the cheapest option. You can spend a lot of time pitching for work and writing proposals and never get a job because there is always someone undercutting.

My advice is, don't undersell yourself - If you are doing logo's for £5/10/20 - people will think 'Why are they doing this so cheaply' and so it doesn't always pay off.

Know your worth and try and stick to it Good luck, graphic designer here too so if you need any help drop me a PM

 

[JoeInTheMiddle]

Often times a great place to start is to join a local business group. I know a number of people who are part of groups where successful business people mentor others and that can be great for networking.

 

[Alan]

The first thing to do is decide who your target / ideal customer is and what your product is ( products are).

web and graphic design, and also other promotional things.

Is so broad, you need more focus.

There is a world of difference between web design and graphic design for instance.

And the customer for any of these vary from individuals with 'zero budget' to corporations with millions.

 

[quikshop]

Network. Do breakfast business clubs, join your local Chamber of Commerce, attend industry expos and market yourself to stall owners... face to face contact with business owners will give you every chance to sell yourself and get paying customers.

 

[Võ Duy Đạt]

a portfolio

Given you're asking where to start, maybe some inbound marketing upskilling would be a good preliminary step as well. Something like the course over at Fresh Bananas will give you a great foundation from which to begin

It's difficult for me to understand

 

[menetworkjadaltd]

Focus on a market place. IE, maybe target a sector or industry you are familiar with

 

[The Byre]

Free beer. Failing that, hang a pork chop around your neck - that's how my wife and I got together!

 

[Mark_Taylor_]

First i'd say learn the skills. Modern, responsive web design using the sought after technologies and platforms isn't that easy to just pick up in a few weeks.

There are a million and 1 old school "web designers" churning out sites that would be seen as poor even 15 years ago. Focus on writing light-weight modern responsive markup for todays market and browsers, that will set you out from at least half of the other people who ply their trade in this sector.

 

[Võ Duy Đạt]

HI Dean
I think the best thing in sales is focusing hhe interests of your customers. They will find you when you do it!

 

[3W Consulting]

Hi Dean, One thing you could consider is building relationships with other companies that provide web design and graphic design services. Many of these outsource work, and they can be a good source of ongoing work. That was one of the methods we used when we started, and have establised relationships which have provided work over many years now.

Good luck.

 

[HazelC]

Your own website is a great place to start, make it SEO friendly so it can be found, then advertise your business on social media, especially Facebook where kind friends will share what you do with others. Go out networking and speak to other businesses, there is free networking out there. Pop on to freelance websites and state what you will offer for what price too.

These are just some tips to get you started.

 

[mwstudio]

Start with your own business website. Create your portfolio, show your skills there. Also the services you provide make sure to give them attractive offers, while having any query to business.

 

[webprojectuk]

Do you want my honest view?

If you are going into web design market - then you are stepping into something which is over saturated. You will work hard for little money to start off with. If you really want to go ahead with this business idea then try and pick a niche in which you can really shine.

 

[Alan]

The OP never came back

 

[lucidsoftech]

Hello,
There are some techniques for geting your first clients are below.
1) Building relationship, Ask your friends, Relatives
2) Google Adwords, Facebook Ads & PPC (If you can pay some amount)
3) Freelancing Sites like Upwork etc
Good Luck!

 

[yourmoneytree.co.uk]

I heard a great line once that's stuck with me over the years...

"Building a beautiful website, is like putting on your best clothes and then standing in a very dark corner; it doesn't matter what you look like if no one can see you"

For me websites are amazing things, but I would rather than tonnes of relevant traffic and a basic website than a beautiful site and no traffic.

The key to getting clients then is not to worry about your image, but where you're going to get that traffic from. Some of the suggestions above hit the nail on the head so I won't repeat them but in general I find these help:

1. Lead generation sites e.g. People Per Hour - great site and concept but it is worldwide so prepare to be competing on price for most projects with competitors in much lower cost base countries. In this instance getting a portfolio online that makes you stand apart is key.
2. PPC e.g. adwords - I have lots of experience in this and most of my businesses have used it as a primary source of quality traffic but it can be very expensive so use it only when you have free money to burn until you get your campaigns spot on.
3. Networks - there are lots of different types of networks, they could be linkedin (although as a new company you won't really get traction on this in the short term), they could be local breakfast clubs (the largest of which is BNI, and that will work for you but beware, BNI is a business that effectively makes you pay them to get them more business! (Great model!)) and then there's your own contacts. You can reach out to people to refer to you, whether as a white label or not. Referrals are how you grow your business. Anyone using people per hour or adwords will tell you they aren't the most cost effective sources of leads in high competition markets BUT they give you a platform from which to grow your referrals (which are much more cost effective). Make sure with referrals that you incentivise people financially, or else once they refer the first time they won't do it again and really you need to build a loyal base of raving loonies who love what you do and want to refer because it gets their friends a great service and improves their lives.

 

[Asjs3n4]

You are better off speaking to friends and family and offer to create a site for them FREE using wordpress. You then have your first customer and it snowballs...

Good luck