Finding New Clients

[naygwan]

Hi all, I'm sure this is a question that has been asked a million times, but I'm here to ask it again.

How do you find your first proper clients without cold calling or cold emailing? And if you do cold call or email, what's the best way to go about that?

I'm fairly new to freelance, though I've been a graphic designer for years, and I'm really struggling with the self-marketing aspect and feeling like I'm getting nowhere.

Any tips would be massively appreciated. Thanks!

Have you tried business networking? Google groups in your area, or your local chamber of commerce may be able to give you a list. You can often visit before you commit to paying membership so try a few groups. As your clients are likely to be other businesses I'd have thought this will work well for you.

Think about who your clients will be and ask yourself where are they likely to go to find a graphic designer? Who will they ask for a recommendation?

If your clients will be small businesses you need to become very active in your local business networking community. Social media is also likely to be key.

Most small business owners will not choose suppliers based on cold-calling or emails from randoms they've never heard of, so it's unlikely to be a sensible use of your time or resources doing either of those things.

It's difficult and can be a very daunting thing. I would actually recommend getting in touch with in-house marketing and Comms people via email, sending them a digital portfolio and your prices. Some organisations with have preferred suppliers that they work with regularly, but it won't hurt to try.

There are also many supportive freelancer groups on Facebook that offer advice. There can also be local business groups that you can join.

Networking at organised events can work, but it can also be soul destroying.

Linking up with other freelancers who work in related but not the same field is also useful (eg PR people, marketers). As well as getting touch with all old and existing contacts you have. Good luck.

Email exhibition/trade show stand builders. They use remote freelance graphic designers. Put 'Flexible, freelance 2D graphic designer' in your subject bar. It will separate you from the emails they get from 3D visualisers.
They will need you to generate a graphic plan showing all graphic elements of the stand (rear walls/logos/lettering). Ask to visit their workshopnor studio manager to find out all the substrates they use, as you'll need to label them on the plan. It's regular, plentiful work. You proof the artwork back to the client and send it to print.