Networking Continued

One of my favorite tools is Constant Contact. If you haven't heard of Constant Contact by now, it's an e-mail newsletter program. It allows you to create professional e-newsletters and manages your subscriber list as well. You don't have a list? Start with your friends and family. If you have business cards with e-mail addreses from people you've networked with include them too. With Constant Contact you can also create a subscribe form you can put on your website. It takes time but your list will grow. PLEASE DON'T SPAM!!! Send e-mails to people you have a relationship with only and it will pay you back in the long run. Unsolicited mail rarely acheives the result you want anyway. T o give you an examples; I have been using Constant Contact for a some months now and here are my average results:
55.9% Opens
21.1% Clicks

Constant Contacts average results are:
37% Opens
8.9% Clicks

At the risk of sounding conceited, I am pleased my results are much higher than the average. Maybe us designers have an advantage when it comes to creating ad's that get results; hmmm. At any rate, the moral is: make sure you are always on the top of your clients, and friends and families minds. It may take a while before you see any results, so be patient. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day and if you expect to have any longevity in this business it will take some time. Don't quit it and it won't quit you.

You can find more information at: www.constantcontact.com.

Brent

Networking. What? Where? How? Why?

Networking is crucial to the success of any business. Without contact with your clients or potential clients, how do you expect to get work? You won't. In my opinion the very best type of networking is old fashioned word-of-mouth. The clients I have that came to me because someone they know referred me are what I call my pot of gold. These are people who choose you based on a referral from someone they trust. Often, they have already seen some of your work, and know what to expect when it comes to your rates. This results in a much better relationship than say the cold caller who saw your ad in the paper and just wants to know how much you charge. The latter is typically someone who is only concerned with cost and quality isn't as important. Be careful with these people as they will most times nickle & dime you, yet expect the world in return. Don't be afraid to turn away business if you have a bad feeling about a prospective client. In my experience, the times I have cheapend myself have backfired 100% of the time in foms of added stress, loss in income, etc. Set your rates based on your ability and experience and don't deviate. Let the guy down the street design a logo for $50. It's not worth your time or talent. Trust me, you'll be happier and richer in the long run.

So how to start? Begin with your friends and family. Tell them what you are doing. If they don't need your services, someone they know might. Contact local non-profit's. They usually don't pay, but can reccomend your services. Plus it looks good on your resume. And finally the hardest thing for most people to do; pound the pavement. Walk out your office door, visit all the neighboring business's. Tell them what you do, leave a card or brochure. Join your local chamber of commerce, this is a great way to meet other business owners. That is who you are trying to get as clients right?

And for the most crucial step in keeping your business successful: follow-up. I once heard a very profound quote; "The fortune is in the follow-up". This statement can be no truer. Once you get a client how are you going to keep them? How are you staying in contact? Are they coming to you for repeat business? If not, how do you get them to? How do you get them to refer business to you?

In my next post I will discuss what has worked for me as far as keeping my clients in my warm market, and using them to expand my warm market. Until next time.

Brent

Need a Good, Affordable Printer?

One very important element in the design business is printing services. Believe me when I say I have tried them all, from Kinko's to local print shops to online printers. Obviously when printing a high end project for a client you should use a local printer that has the right equipment and experience for the job. To find this out, simply visit your local printers, interview them, tour their facilities if possible.

However, for the majority of your projects a good online printer will probably make the most sense for your client and for your profit margin. Usually they use digital printers (which have come a long way, and produce great results), and they usually work on high volume which means better prices for you. I have found two online printers that have excellent pricing and offer excellent quality work. I use them for almost all of my business card, brochure and postcard printing. Try them both, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

GotPrint.com
Overnightprints.com.

If you know of any other printers that offer great service at reasonable prices, please share the the information.

New to blogging

This is my first experience with blogging. As a fairly new freelance graphic designer, I have done extensive research regarding how to market my business and gain clients. I am happy to say I am slowly building a great clientele. In this process I thought I could share my experiences with other young designers who may be in the same boat as I am. I also hope other designers who have been around longer than me, will be willing to offer advice and insight into the world of commercial design. Please stay tuned for my posts as I hope to offer valuable information, and please feel free to post if you have valuable information to offer as well.

Please stay tuned!