Self-promotion is key for a graphic designer to bring in new clients.
In the midst of the technological age, more and more companies are turning to promotion via their web page. Many hire freelance graphic designers to design their logos and web pages. The graphic design business is expected to have an average growth rate of 13 percent through 2018. As more people turn to the industry as a career, it is vital to keep on top of things. Self-promotion is one of the most important investments a graphic designer can do.
A Professional Online Portfolio
Making a name on the web is one of the easiest ways to find new clients. A professional website should have its own domain (www.mywebsite.com) and a classy, but not stuffy, appearance. A graphic designer's personality should shine in the site's design while still keeping the site easy to navigate. Ideally, a graphic design portfolio will include a gallery of screenshots of graphic work or links to the web pages themselves, a list of packages with prices and contact information. A graphic designer who is looking to work for a more professional company may also want to include a page with their resume. Knowledge of search engine optimization (SEO) is helpful as well. SEO allows a web page owner to provide keywords in the coding of the site which search engines will crawl, putting the site higher in a list of search results.
A Business Card
Business cards are a small and unobtrusive method of self-promotion. A small business card with the graphic designer's logo, name, e-mail, web address and phone number can be left in places that cater to graphic design. A print shop is a good place to leave a business card. Customers may be looking for a new idea for their business logo or personal web page. Business cards are also small enough to fit into a wallet or purse, allowing a graphic designer to have information readily available should they happen upon someone that wants it.
A Poster
A poster that features an example of a graphic designer's work will make a statement. A poster can have a larger design on it but should still feature the designer's logo. Posters can be put in a variety of noticeable places. The owner of a club might see one on a telephone pole and decide to hire the designer to make a website. A college kid might see one at the laundromat and decide he wants a flyer to distribute for his party. Posters are not permissible in all cities, so be sure to check with city guidelines before putting them up.
Word of Mouth
Word of mouth is one of the most popular ways that people find out about a new company. A graphic designer who does well on each job will have happy clients who are willing to recommend them. A designer can also offer a referral bonus, such as a discount for a recurring client if a new client mentions that he heard about the designer from the old client.
Tags: graphic designer, graphic design, business card, Business cards, designer logo