7 Useful Tips to Getting More Work

Graphic designers are among the most hit with this receding economy. With clients opting to outsource their design work to freelance marketplaces where desperate workers from all over the world bid pennies for projects, how do you ensure you survive in this tough economic situation?

Even with your exemplary design skills, getting income online through freelancing is still a great challenge. Read on to find out useful tips that will get clients sign up and work with you regularly.

1. Get steady work

Clients are willing to pay top dollar for brilliant graphic design work. While learning graphic design can be a walk in the park thanks to the many tutorials and easy-to-use software, this is just the easy part. Now, you have to get noticed in order to get paid. This is the hard part.

Getting steady work takes time and hard work. For starters, join a variety of forums related to your field to get your name out. You might be tempted to join freelance marketplace sites but this might not be a smart move. The sites usually charge a commission for projects won and you will realise the prices quoted by other freelancers bidding for a project undermine your skills. Why get paid $20 for a logo when you can get $2500?

2. Network, network and network

The easiest way to get started with networking is to get in touch with people you already know or other graphic designers. There is no need for the typical white party networking event.

You can also simply create a blog and start contributing helpful articles. Managing a blog is simple and with time, you will establish a name for yourself and will get a sizeable number of followers, most of whom can be your future clients. Spruce up your blog with a custom theme to stand out from the crowd and learn to market your blog.

Graphic design is all about visuals. Thus, having a portfolio on your blog or website is a must. Alternatively, get links on works that you have worked on. Your portfolio should consist of your finest works, with a short blurb explaining the job. However, the selling pitch should not appear. Let the projects speak for themselves.

Keep updating your blog with the your latest projects and also write articles on graphic design tips for businesses. Talk about how businesses can use graphic design to go to the next level. Your audience will love you when you give such useful information.

3. The power of social media marketing

While you can showcase your portfolio on your blog, that is not enough. Use social media wisely to attract clients.

Create an Instagram and Facebook page for your services and post new works on them. If you have followers on X, let them know of the latest project that you have just finished. In conclusion, learn to benefit from social media.

Your clients can also help you gain publicity if they are impressed with your work. Ask them if they can mention you on their newsletter, social media sites or other avenues through which they interact with their customers.

Social media is a great way of getting your name out and letting everyone know what you do. Having an online presence is crucial to generating new work, signing up new clients and retaining the existing ones.

4. Get organised

As you become known and clients start streaming in, you will be on your way to getting a stable income. However, you have to get organised and deliver your projects on time.

Do not be in a rush to accept more work when your hands are already full. With your outstanding portfolio, good clients are likely to understand that you will be tackling their projects later on, rather than immediately.

Failing to deliver your projects on time can give you a bad reputation and dismantle your efforts of getting a steady online income from your freelance graphic design business.

Reputation is the foundation to generating new job leads and keeping a steady stream of projects lined up. Apart from having a great portfolio, client’s work must be delivered on schedule.

Eventually, you will be at some point which you have to turn down work either because you have too much to do or the client has expectations or deadlines that you cannot meet. Thus, you should know your schedule well, the kind of projects you are working on, their expected deadlines and an overview of the skills that will be required

5. Dedication, something to live by

Be dedicated to your projects. When you accept a project from a client, you should deliver. Freelancing can be challenging, since you are your own boss. There are lots of distractions that can make you fail to meet your set deadlines. To counter this, treat your freelancing business as an employer business. Dedicate a set number of hours every day to the projects at hand. Then, be productive.

Remember to always keep in touch with the clients. Use a professional email to regularly update them on the progress of their projects.

6. What’s next after getting clients?

Introduce new graphic design services to your regular clients. If a company usually comes to you when they need flyers designed, chances are they could be customers for your business cards design service. Ask them.

All in all, never lose sight of one thing, that is quality. It takes a lot of effort, tact, perseverance and some luck to bag good, regular clients. All these efforts can be reduced to oblivion when you do a shoddy job in a rush to meet deadlines. Do not compromise on quality. It is your reputation and clients will judge you by what you give them.

7. Stay ahead of your competition

Get that spark that will set your business apart from your competition. This can be giving out what other can’t give. Perhaps it is your timely delivery, outstanding work or ability to come up with unique creative designs.

SOURCE: Hongkiat