There are many ways to build your clientele, but it can take time and effort. It’s not easy! This post will discuss some methods that have worked well for me, as well as some creative ideas for finding new clients for your business or freelance career.
Create a portfolio
It is essential to have a portfolio for you to show potential clients your previous work. They will be able to see what type of designs you are capable of creating and will feel more confident hiring you.
To create a portfolio, start by researching other portfolios online. Look at how they present their work and decide which elements best suit your design approach. You can also take some inspiration from our examples below!
Your portfolio should include images of logos, websites and social media graphics, stationery layouts, and packaging concepts. Be sure to have an explanation behind each piece so that clients know what went into creating it – this makes for better communication between the two parties involved (you and them).
Post your best projects online
Post your best projects online. Don’t worry about posting anything that isn’t perfect—you can always take it down and refine your portfolio as you improve your skills.
Posting your portfolio online is essential in building credibility, and showing off your best work is a great way to get attention from potential clients. Posting on Behance or Dribbble and other Social networks are good places to start. Both sites accept submissions from graphic designers of all levels and styles.
These websites also have communities where you can locate potential clients by searching through specific categories or locations. If you don’t have time to create your portfolio website, you can use Adobe Portfolio Or Behance to create an online portfolio.
Collaborate with other designers
Collaborating with other designers is a great way to get your name out there, learn from others and build your portfolio. It’s also one of the best ways to find new clients or even make a network of designers you can collaborate with in the future.
If you’ve some free time, consider reaching out to someone with experience in graphic design and see if they’d be interested in working together on something small.
Network to Help Grow Your Business
Networking is one of the best ways to get your name out there and meet people who can help you grow your business. There are many ways to network and meet new people:
Engage with fellow designers on social media
You can form valuable relationships with other designers by commenting on posts or sending positive feedback to them via email or DM. You can even ask them for advice when you need feedback about your own business.
Join Facebook or Linkedin Groups
You can also join Facebook or Linkedin Groups related to your industry and see which ones have the most activity. These groups are a great place to connect with fellow designers, ask questions, and get advice from people who have been in the industry longer than you have.
Attend local networking events
You can also attend local networking events and meet people in the same field. These events are great for getting to know other designers and making valuable connections that may help your business down the road.
Create your blog
One of the best ways to get clients is by creating a blog. Blogging is one of the best ways to build your brand and get your name out there, especially if you’re starting in graphic design.
It also provides an excellent opportunity to share your work and process with others, which can help land some clients! It doesn’t matter if you aren’t very good at writing copy; what matters is that you have something interesting to discuss.
The blog will eventually lead them back to your portfolio website or landing page, where they can see other services you offer outside of just design (like web development).
Start an email list
It’s essential to have a good email list. One of the best ways to get clients is through your email list. You can send them content marketing, such as blog posts and videos related to your business, to tips and tricks you have found helpful.
You can also send them special offers or update them on what’s happening with your business and what new things are coming up.
It’s a great way to keep in touch with customers who have already bought from you, and it will help build trust between you and them.
Get yourself a mentor
A mentor can help you get started, provide advice on working with clients, and give tips on your portfolio and marketing strategy. They don’t need to be in the same field or industry; they need to have been successful in their own business.
Create a referral program
It’s not enough to have a referral program. You need to make sure that it’s easy for clients to refer you and that they get something in return. Here are some ideas on how you can do this:
- Offer discounts or special offers on products or services.
- Give away freebies from time to time as part of the referral program—this is great for getting them talking about your brand!
- Tell potential clients what other people think about your work before asking them if they want more information themselves (this only works if those previous clients were happy with the service).
Create a website
Your website should be easy to navigate, look professional, and convey your branding and vision. An online presence is crucial for any business these days, allowing potential customers or clients to see your work before the meeting.
A better-designed site allows visitors more time on the page without distractions like slow load times, broken links, or lousy navigation.
A website also helps create trust between them and the brand itself because it shows off more professional features, such as testimonials from happy customers, that can boost credibility in their eyes quickly without too much effort required.
Attend networking events
Attending networking events is a great way to meet potential clients and learn about new graphic design trends. Being friendly and approachable at these events is essential so people can get in touch with you quickly. Make sure you have business cards with you so that when someone asks for one, you’ll have something to give them!
Conclusion
Graphic design is a competitive field, so you may work hard to land your first clients. But once you do, it will be easier to get more work in the future. So don’t give up! Keep at it, and soon enough, people will start noticing your work—and hiring you.
