Looking for new clients?

[AutumnFireflyDesign]

I hope this is allowed - I saw another thread like this that wasn't removed so I assume it's okay!

I'm mainly here to join business discussions, but also to find some valuable new clients. I'm a new freelancer, specialising in graphic and web design (but I can do a lot more than that). I started this September, and while I have a couple of local clients, I'd like to extend my books. I usually work with small-medium sized businesses.

I'm from the West Midlands, but I don't mind working with anyone around the UK - although extended areas will need to be based on remote working. I'm quick with both email and skype notifications to keep you in the know.

I do find myself running into problems with finding clients, especially since I'm so new to freelancing and therefore don't have many connections/testimonials. I generally dislike the use of cold calls (If I were a saleswoman, I'd be doing something else), and emails don't get a high response rate (even if I write specifically to that business with a bespoke email - I don't like spamming potential clients).

If I may ask a question - what do you think is the best way for a freelancer to get in contact with you? What sort of thing do you look for in a freelance designer? Do you have any advice?

 

[zigojacko]

If I may ask a question - what do you think is the best way for a freelancer to get in contact with you? What sort of thing do you look for in a freelance designer? Do you have any advice?

Offer to do some free work (as you're new to freelancing and don't have much of a portfolio yet). This will get the attention of many small business / one man bands. If they like what you do, this create a lasting relationship where they will keep coming back to you for various services. This also gives you a chance to build up some testimonials and your portfolio.

Other than that, starting out afresh, the only other way is to display your expertise in forums and communities. Eventually, you'll get some leads from it if you know what you're talking about.

 

[fisicx]

If I may ask a question - what do you think is the best way for a freelancer to get in contact with you?

Never. If I want a freelancer I'll find one myself.

I want a freelancer that tells the truth. All too often I get someone who promises they can do the job but generaly can't. I wanted some PHP doing for a website and the guy just couldn't do it. So if I ask you for a widget for a wordpress site and you don't have the skills just say no.

 

[AutumnFireflyDesign]

I might have been a little bit misunderstood - while I am new to freelancing, I do have a relatively developed portfolio and certainly enough to advertise my services seriously. However, I've been working in-house for small companies which in themselves haven't got much influence, so for me it's more about building relationships than building a portfolio to show them. I may see if I can do some (free?) design work to benefit the local community though - my council has a tendency to create some very word-art orientated posters! That, and local charities could always use a little bit of something.

Honesty is very important, as you said Fisicx (loving the Clanger avatar). I'd never lie about my weaknesses. I'm not the best coder and I put my hands up to that - so that's why I concentrate almost purely on design and user experience. Luckily I know some great web developers who I've worked with smoothly before too.

Thanks for the advice, guys. I think what I'd need to do is to concentrate less on the harder sell, and work for the first few months at least on just making some great connections and emphasise myself as someone who can do what I do well.

 

[Paul Murray]

Offer to do some free work (as you're new to freelancing and don't have much of a portfolio yet).

I'd have to disagree with this having tried it myself. Free work very rarely turns into paid work, at least not from the same client. The same can be said for offering work at a reduced rate. Clients will come to expect that rate all the time.

Decide on an hourly/daily rate now and stick to it. You'll probably miss out on a few bits of work due to it being higher than the client would like, but when you get a client who's happy to pay a decent rate without question, you've probably got a keeper.

As for cold-emailing, I perhaps wouldn't purchase an email list and send out mass emails. I'd send out targeted emails to local business owners tailored to them. Try and find businesses who's clients can also benefit from your services. Keep the emails short and friendly, not sales-like. Simply explain that you're a local designer looking to work wit local businesses. If they're not interested perhaps ask them if they know a contact who might be.

There's no shame in asking for a foot in a door, and the worst they can do is ignore your initial email.

I assume you have a website/portfolio online. Ensure this is refined and streamlined. Lack of work can be a problem, but it can also be a positive point. Less is more. Perhaps just show 3 high quality projects to give clients a taste of what you can do. From my experience, most clients come to be because they've seen one particular piece of work in my portfolio that's resonated with them and that's influenced their decision to get in touch.

 

[zigojacko]

I'd have to disagree with this having tried it myself. Free work very rarely turns into paid work, at least not from the same client. The same can be said for offering work at a reduced rate. Clients will come to expect that rate all the time.

Yes, good point, can see how that would happen. These are typically the clients you wouldn't want of course but thanks for highlighting your experience.

Can't say I have ever done this but thought it may work.

 

[Paul Murray]

I'm not against working for free to increase your portfolio, but would only approach charities or other non-profit organisations. Working for free for a business is not only bad for you, it's bad for your whole industry. It implies that the work we do isn't worth paying for, when in fact what we do (speaking as a designer) is help other businesses increase their own profits.

 

[AutumnFireflyDesign]

Paul, I've got to ask - have you been on any other forums? Specifically design forums? I definitely remember your logo, and I have memory of a loading animation of sorts that came with it?

I was once advised by a design agency director to never give my work away for free - mainly, he said, because he dislikes seeing the industry undervalued and good, honest hard-workers exploited. I do agree with him there, I don't want to under price myself. I've got an hourly rate and I will reduce it slightly only for repeat business - but I'm confident that I'm more than worth what I'm charging.

I think the only reason I would purchase a database of contacts now is purely to save some time when I'm emailing - a lot of time I spend during the research stage when approaching a prospect is in finding a non-generic email for the relevant decision-maker. So if that could save me time and let me concentrate more on getting the email right then I suppose it's worth it? But I'd like to know what you guys think here too!

You've all been a great help :')

 

[Deleted member 106254]

Never, ever do work for free. Ever.
If you want more clients I'd suggest signing up on People Per Hour and quoting on a few jobs. You get 15 free bids a month.
https://www.peopleperhour.com/site/register?rfrd=93507.1
I've been using it for years and it's one of the best business decisions I ever made.

 

[redacris]

Good Luck Brother

 

[Paul Murray]

Paul, I've got to ask - have you been on any other forums? Specifically design forums? I definitely remember your logo, and I have memory of a loading animation of sorts that came with it?

I was once advised by a design agency director to never give my work away for free - mainly, he said, because he dislikes seeing the industry undervalued and good, honest hard-workers exploited. I do agree with him there, I don't want to under price myself. I've got an hourly rate and I will reduce it slightly only for repeat business - but I'm confident that I'm more than worth what I'm charging.

I think the only reason I would purchase a database of contacts now is purely to save some time when I'm emailing - a lot of time I spend during the research stage when approaching a prospect is in finding a non-generic email for the relevant decision-maker. So if that could save me time and let me concentrate more on getting the email right then I suppose it's worth it? But I'd like to know what you guys think here too!

You've all been a great help :')

Yes, I'm on a couple of other deisgn forums, webdesignerforum.co.uk and graphicdesignforums.co.uk (I'm a moderator there).

I offer a slightly reduced rate for bulk work to existing clients. Generally I'll charge daily, but if someone comes to me with a job that's at least 3 days work I'll offer a slight reduction in daily rates to keep them coming back with bigger jobs.

 

[AutumnFireflyDesign]

Never, ever do work for free. Ever.
If you want more clients I'd suggest signing up on People Per Hour and quoting on a few jobs. You get 15 free bids a month.
I've been using it for years and it's one of the best business decisions I ever made.

Funnily enough, I've tried People Per Hour. I like it, but I do find some limitations... I've been blocked from bidding for projects that I can definitely do, just because it doesn't match what I entered as my skill list (of which I was limited, I would have put a lot more in there if I could).

Might have another crack at it though!

Good Luck Brother

*Sister ;')

 

[redacris]

Oh Sorry Sister

 

[TMGG]

I found a good designer because I was looking at someone's website that I liked. There was his link at the bottom. Voila.

Would I respond to being emailed about your services? Hmm...in the past I would have thought this person needs work because they're no good...but I don't think that any more. If you emailed me and the first thing you emphasised was that you are the designer and that I would deal with you and no one else....i.e. you're not just managing a load of freelancers....then I would certainly read further.

As said above - honesty is the most important. I've had such bad experience with freelancers. Always claiming they can do it all when they can't. Or claiming sickness for delays - that one is so old now!

 

[kamb]

Hi

I am actually looking for a west mids based designer at the moment. Have you any experience with property websites?

 

[Ideaswise]

Beware sites like PeoplePerHour and elance. Better to build up slowly, and as others have said, never do freebies.

 

[AutumnFireflyDesign]

I normally avoid such websites. There is a lot of potential for exploitation, but I do only search for jobs that are realistic rather than desperately applying to anything. I posted a few hourlies on PPH actually, but with some realistic prices (in comparison, for example, for people offering unlimited revisions for something like business cards for £10, because there will barely be any real thought and effort put into the design). It would be nice to see if anything comes of it, but I don't expect too much.

Actually since I've posted this topic, I've had quite a few approaches for new business. I'll still consider all advice though! But honestly, I am searching for quality prospects/contacts/clients. I'll use PPH if there are a few gaps in my schedule.

Hi

I am actually looking for a west mids based designer at the moment. Have you any experience with property websites?

I saw on your other thread that you are based in Coventry? That's accessible enough for me. I haven't made any property websites before, admittedly, but I have designed a website that includes a lot of search criteria, the ability to store information/search results, and a structure for both company-side and customer-side. (It was a Job website, which functionality-wise is not far apart from what would be required for a Property search website. The structure is likely to be very similar).

I will point out that I was the designer rather than the developer. If you want the website done quickly, it'll be good idea for a designer and a developer to work together. Since I'm familiar with a structure that could work, it could definitely be quicker on my side - although the coding required is more complicated than I would be able to do myself, on my own, I'll be honest with you.

Send me an email and we could talk about it? (zoe (at) autumn-firefly (dot) co (dot) uk).

 

[JohnRam]

I really do not need you to ‘contact’ me. If I need you, I will find you. Otherwise it just feel like you are hounding me for some reason. I think that the idea of doing some (not massive projects mind you) work for free is actually quite great, that should give you a chance to build up your portfolio.

 

[JonnyMP]

Avoid the service/gig type websites as they will take a hefty fee from your money. You will end up competing with all the five dollar people there and never get anywhere. Never assume that you can raise your prices if you start out free or cheap as the people who take advantage of your kindness now will desert you later on. As you say, you have a very well developed portfolio, so you should have no real problem getting private clients.

As for getting clients, some internet marketing forums will allow you to post your freelance services on their classified section. Be sure to get at least half of your money up front to ensure you are not scammed. Work on a forum that allows trader feedback/ratings, just in case someone scams and takes your work without delivering.

Also, never deliver the full product until paid.

You can always provide a low resolution screen shot of your graphics work to the client and ask for payment in exchange for delivery of the work.

Include a note in your signature line about your available freelance services, along with a link to your freelance website or blog. This will result in more sales