How to get more clients for my graphic design business?
- Thread starter ssmgraphic100
- Start date
The easiest way to get new clients is to network with the people who are willing to recommend you. (LinkedIn)
If you were to approach a web developer, the first thing they'll tell you is 'fix your website'. Your website is the first place people will see what you can do. The experience is not good. And I'm struggling to find you on Google.
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@ssmgraphic100 - there are ten of thousands of graphic designers all looking for work.
You have to get out there and market your business. This often means spending money but you can get clients on freelancer sites.
But as has already been suggested you need to get help with your website. It doesn’t sell your services at all well.
You have to get out there and market your business. This often means spending money but you can get clients on freelancer sites.
But as has already been suggested you need to get help with your website. It doesn’t sell your services at all well.
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Start by investing in a decent brand for yourself. No-one is going to buy from a designer that creates that sort of 1980's style branding for themselves
What's your experience and training in graphic design?
Who do you see as your target customer?
What makes you better/different than your competitors?
Use this information to develop a marketing plan to help you reach your target customers and identify a marketing budget to design your portfolio, website, social channels, advertising and promotions.
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As you're in a creative sector, you really do need a portfolio. However, that portfolio doesn't need to be for real-world clients. You could start building a portfolio without clients.
If you have a specific sector or type of client you want to work with, try to build some examples and case studies of work which are specific to those sectors. For example, if you want to work with video production companies, try creating some portfolio examples of your work overlayed on video.
When you get into speaking with potential clients, it's much easier for them to envisage working with you, if you can show them examples which closely match their own business.
If things go well, this might be the only time in your career that you have the capacity to build a portfolio of your own choosing....so use that time wisely
If you have a specific sector or type of client you want to work with, try to build some examples and case studies of work which are specific to those sectors. For example, if you want to work with video production companies, try creating some portfolio examples of your work overlayed on video.
When you get into speaking with potential clients, it's much easier for them to envisage working with you, if you can show them examples which closely match their own business.
If things go well, this might be the only time in your career that you have the capacity to build a portfolio of your own choosing....so use that time wisely
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Hello Shaun
My advice from one designer running his own business to another, is you need to know exactly who your customer is, what pain points they have and how you can help solve them. This is achieved through creating customer personas for each of your ideal clients.
You then need to know where your ideal clients 'hang out' i.e. where do they spend their time online – Linkedin? Facebook? Instagram? etc. Perhaps your ideal client can be found at business networking events or similar – wherever they are – that's where you need to be – consistently.
Once you know these two things, your marketing efforts becomes strategic and focussed.
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Being a graphic designer doesn't make you a good web designer. In the same way being a web designer doesn't make someone a good graphic designer. The site is sensory overload. And there is no rule that says you have to use every font available on a web page.
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Website reviews are only for business members.
As @Shopclicks said: website design is a different skill to graphic design. Get help. Pay for someone with the right skills as you expect others to pay you for your skills.
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I had a quick look at your website and it looked very different to what I was expecting, not a polished look at all. All members have to be careful not to comment too much, otherwise it can be seen as a review.
If you cannot afford the business membership for a review, start learning asap on website design. In the meantime you could use sites such as fiver to build a portfolio and improve the number of clients, most importantly start collecting testimonials even from older clients.
I wish you well.
If you cannot afford the business membership for a review, start learning asap on website design. In the meantime you could use sites such as fiver to build a portfolio and improve the number of clients, most importantly start collecting testimonials even from older clients.
I wish you well.
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Delete everything. Start with a very simple and plain layout and make your portfolio the focus. Each project should link to a new page where you tell the story. Make sure you have clear calls to action, reviews, testimonials and trust marks.
Maybe do some online courses in marketing. You will be spending more time on this than you will doing graphic design.
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Then add them in later.
Right now your website isn’t even needed. You are far better off registering and bidding for work on freelancer sites. Use these platforms as a springboard for your business.
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Please do as @fisicx suggests. Register with the freelancer sites and try to get some experience. In the creative world it is not unusual for people starting out to offer their work free of charge to gain experience and build a portfolio. Put a cover page on the website until you have funds to have a website built professionally. You could also do a skill swap. Offer work to a web designer in exchange for the start of a professional website.
You have chosen a particularly difficult path as a beginner. AI is going to put pressure on your ability to charge for work that tools like MidJourney can do very cheaply.
Do this!
Go to your local town and ask businesses if they would like a poster or a new menu designed. Do it free of charge and build your portfolio. Gauge their reaction to your designs and listen to the good and bad.
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