Retained Design Services

[TheCreativeGuy]

Hi,

I'm operating my a design agency in the UK, as a freelancer.

I'm interested in connecting retained contracts with clients or companies who might need ad-hoc or retained graphic design support for their business.

But I have no idea how to go about finding these.

I'm not really interested in platforms such as Fiverr or Upwork as I find they're just a race to the bottom.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[fisicx]

Hi @TheCreativeGuy and welcome to UKBF.

Is there a market for retained design services? Most people I know have someone they call on as needed or find someone one odd occasion they need graphic design work. Whenever I need something doing I call on one of people I've dealt with in the past. I'd not think of retaining their services.

Best way to find new clients is be active in the places they look. Which means local Google searches, linkedin, business forums and other places. Networking can get you leads as can the chamber of commerce.

Looking at your website and you have quite a portfolio. How did you get those gigs? Can't you continue doing the same?

If you needed someone to do some something for you, how would you find them?

 

[Ozzy]

Whilst everyone else is sending bulk emails and LinkedIn messages to impersonal and just one in a lot of noise, you could try some old fashioned door knocking on specific companies you want to work with.
Do some ground work research on who you want to work with and why you would be a good fit, then reach out personally to the correct persons in those companies.

 

[IanSuth]

your local chamber might have "meet the chamber" events, they are often free and always full of smaller firms who would be unlikely to have inhouse design expertise but would need occasionally - getting to press the flesh with people at those will (in the long term) bring you in local work as you will be a real person not just another email

 

[TheCreativeGuy]

your local chamber might have "meet the chamber" events, they are often free and always full of smaller firms who would be unlikely to have inhouse design expertise but would need occasionally - getting to press the flesh with people at those will (in the long term) bring you in local work as you will be a real person not just another email

Thanks, I have however found my local chamber very clicky, and who you manage to get in front of depends very much on how much money you have spent with the chamber

 

[Shopclicks]

Thanks, I have however found my local chamber very clicky, and who you manage to get in front of depends very much on how much money you have spent with the chamber

Have you actually joined the Chamber? The networking benefits I get from being on my Chamber of Trade exec committee are invaluable. But you need to be active. You need to attend every meeting and help out.

I regularly work with two graphic designers, who I met indirectly through the Chamber. I also work with two copywriters, a photographer and an SEO/Paid Ads expert. There are no contracts between any of us. It's all as and when one of us needs something. We have teamed up on several tendered projects and we all look out for new tender opportunities, knowing what our skill base is.

I doubt there are many businesses in town who don't know who I am and who to call when they need help. Our Chamber of Trade is very proactive and often hosts social nights to tell people what we're doing and to get ideas and opinions.

You'll find it a lot easier to find new business if you're active in your community, particularly in the digital industry.

 

[TheCreativeGuy]

Have you actually joined the Chamber? The networking benefits I get from being on my Chamber of Trade exec committee are invaluable. But you need to be active. You need to attend every meeting and help out.

I regularly work with two graphic designers, who I met indirectly through the Chamber. I also work with two copywriters, a photographer and an SEO/Paid Ads expert. There are no contracts between any of us. It's all as and when one of us needs something. We have teamed up on several tendered projects and we all look out for new tender opportunities, knowing what our skill base is.

I doubt there are many businesses in town who don't know who I am and who to call when they need help. Our Chamber of Trade is very proactive and often hosts social nights to tell people what we're doing and to get ideas and opinions.

You'll find it a lot easier to find new business if you're active in your community, particularly in the digital industry.

It may well be what your chamber is like, but mine isn't.

Yes I have attended, lots. As I said, my local one is very clicky and if you don't spend enough money with the chamber, you're all but overlooked. I am not the only person who has said this about my local chamber. I know plenty of people who have cancelled their chamber membership because they felt it was a waste of time and money.

 

[Shopclicks]

and if you don't spend enough money with the chamber, you're all but overlooked.

I'm interested to know what this money is for?

 

[TheCreativeGuy]

I'm interested to know what this money is for?

This is going off topic now. I have given you my reasons for not joining my local chamber and why many people I know have left it. So it is not just me who feels it isn't a valuable asset in my area. I will be leaving this diversion there.

Thank you for your input.

 

[fisicx]

Look at other networking opportunities. Maybe invite potential clients out to lunch.

Have you identified local businesses who may need your services?

The bit I’m struggling with is the ‘retained services’. Where is the benefit to the Company in having you on the books? If they need a contractor to do some design work there are thousands to choose from. Why would they choose you?

 

[Mark T Jones]

What experience has taught me about cliques:

Most people who appear to be in them are completely unaware of the fact, and will be horrified to learn that it's how they seem.

In reality, they are actually in a comfort zone, chatting to people they know they have stuff in common with.

A really well hosted event will have things in place to minimise this, but in reality, wherever you go it will happen. Given time and effort, you will have a comfort zone too.

 

[fantheflames]

Welcome @TheCreativeGuy! Before reading through all the comments, my first thoughts was networking and building relationships. So many people are advertising, on Fiiver, or sending cold emails, so even creating in-person and local presence to businesses around you would be the best bet if you're not interested in competing with designers online.

 

[adamph]

I'm absolutely with you on that. I had the exact experience with chamber when I was younger. I put it down to the fact I was about 25 younger than all the members there.

To your original question. I am you exact target market, I run multiple digital agencies and have an on-going need for creative design work but don't handle it in-house. Honestly if you sent me a cold email, getting directly to the point I would read it and check your service out. So yes, cold email is cumbersome and a numbers game but if the effort is put into targeting the right people and writing a message that connects with them instantly it will work for you.

Other than that, join FB groups for digital marketing agency owners or web developers as these are often the kinds of people that will want to outsource the creative stuff. Create a following and interact with your target audience in LinkedIn can also work wonders.

 

[ethical PR]

Do you have a marketing plan for your business. If not that should be your starting point.? As you know offering design services is an oversaturated market.

Who do you see as your target market for retained work?

What can you offer that's different/better than your competitors?

Have you done any market research on how to reach clients you've identified as your target market ?

 

[ethical PR]

Hi @TheCreativeGuy and welcome to UKBF.

Is there a market for retained design services? Most people I know have someone they call on as needed or find someone one odd occasion they need graphic design work. Whenever I need something doing I call on one of people I've dealt with in the past. I'd not think of retaining their services.

Best way to find new clients is be active in the places they look. Which means local Google searches, linkedin, business forums and other places. Networking can get you leads as can the chamber of commerce.

Looking at your website and you have quite a portfolio. How did you get those gigs? Can't you continue doing the same?

If you needed someone to do some something for you, how would you find them?

Yes there is a market .

 

[fisicx]

Yes there is a market .

There is certainly a market for companies to have a designer on call when required. But not so sure there is a market for retained services (and the financial implications therein).

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Sorry, late to the topic.

@TheCreativeGuy In one or two sentences, explain what you mean by a 'retained creative' and what benefits you will bring a client.

There are lots of networking groups and meetings across the country. Try a few different ones and stick with it - you need to build relationships with people for them to recommend you or use you/

 

[ethical PR]

There is certainly a market for companies to have a designer on call when required. But not so sure there is a market for retained services (and the financial implications therein).

Yes you do have companies who put designers on a monthly retainer but it's unusual