How to Start a Graphic Design Business

It’s not an easy decision to transform yourself from being an employee to being your own boss. One starts by working as a freelancer and gets to know the depths of the sea. And transforming oneself into one’s own boss is an important step to success to graphic designing world.

If you think that being your own boss will relieve you from the work load and stress which you had when you were a freelancer, then you are wrong.

If you have finally decided to start your own graphic design business, then be ready to take on the responsibility of achieving/making turnover, dealing with clients, accounting, etc. So you better decide first what you want from your graphic design business and based on that, set your targets.

Below are some useful tips that can help you start your graphic design business.

1. Name of business

The name of your business should be the one which make you sound professional, as the clients always prefer to deal with professionals than with those who are working from home with cramped desk around.

2. Marketing materials

Market yourself and your business with professionally designed business cards. This will make a good first impression of you from your clients.

3. Start networking

Meet with other business professionals. Join their business communities. Get to know them and see where you stand and what you need to do raise the level of your business.

Market your business in that network to increase the potential for business referrals.

4. Pricing

Your pricing structure should be fair and in line with your competitors. Usually, 80 to 120 dollars is being charged per hour. Anything less than 80 dollars will destine your business to fail.

5. Get a website

Get your own company’s website, where clients can see/get samples of your work. A website is one of the very effective tools to market your products and show your portfolio off.

Search engine optimisation and pay per click are some of the examples of online marketing. Hire a professional who is well versed in website designing.

6. Security

As a security, ask for the 50 per cent of contract price as security deposit, as most designers do to make sure that the client is trustable and you will be paid at least half the money for the valuable time you have spent on client’s project.

Conclusion

These are some vital tips which should be considered when starting out on your own as professional graphic designer. The road to entrepreneurship can be tricky, however, will provide you many advantages. If you work in the direction of your objectives with attentiveness, you will be on your path to victory.

SOURCE: UCreative