Mike

DesignerWithGun" onmouseover="window.status='Click to read the bio for DesignerWithGun'; return true" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true" onclick="ddub_popup('http://designerswithguns.com/wp-content/themes/theme1/ddub-template.php?ddub=14', 350, 400)">Paul

]]> http://designerswithguns.com/2010/01/17/best-project/feed/ 3 http://designerswithguns.com/2010/01/07/am-i-barking-up-the-wrong-tree/ http://designerswithguns.com/2010/01/07/am-i-barking-up-the-wrong-tree/#comments Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:43:05 +0000 DesignerWithGun http://designerswithguns.com/?p=78 There are hundreds of ways to advertise yourself as a designer, but you want to make sure that you are going after the right people. It’s pointless to spin your wheels going after people that have no need for your services. Here are a few things to look into before you start to market or network.

1. Am I speaking the right language?: It’s important to make yourself look and sound a certain way for a certain market. If you are going after a conservative market, don’t show them work that won’t apply to them.

2. What About Design Firms?: Approaching a design firm as a freelance designer can be a great way to drum up business. You might think at first that a design firm would have little need for a freelance designer, but quite the contrary.  Larger design firms often are approached with projects they either don’t want, or can’t do. If you can get your foot in the door with a large company, make sure that you stay fresh on their mind.  Send them emails regularly, call them from time to time, and build a relationship with them.

3. Direct Mail: I’ve never had much luck with direct mail. It’s expensive, and the payoff has never been worth the work. I find it’s important to keep your name out there, but direct mail is not the best way to do it. Instead, create an email newsletter that you can send a quick update on what you are doing.  Keep it short!

4. Offer Incentives: Tell your existing clients that you work with that you will give them a discount if they can send any business your way. When a client sends one of their associates your way, the new client already has an idea of what you do, your prices, and what kind of work you can do, creating less problems down the road.