Your value to potential clients is what sets you apart from your competition. When you can clearly communicate the value you provide, you’ll have a better chance of winning more freelance clients.The first thing to ask yourself is what your value actually is. Start by asking yourself the following questions:<ul><li>What results have your past clients gotten from projects you’ve done for them?</li><li>What experience do you have that’s unique to you?</li><li>What do you have to offer that other graphic designers don’t?</li></ul>

Be clear on your value

If you have happy clients, ask them for referrals or recommendations. Let them know that you’re always open to talking to new clients and appreciate their referrals.While it might initially seem like a client wouldn’t want to refer you to their potential competition, remember that most businesses have working partnerships with all kinds of suppliers and other organizations. They could refer their vendors or other business contacts to you.

Ask for recommendations

Your graphic design portfolio is one of the most valuable assets you have in winning new clients. Be sure that you showcase your best work there, and take the time to explain each project. Talk about what your role was in the project, what the design problem was, and how you solved it. Share your portfolio far and wide. Add new projects to it regularly (but remember that you don’t have to add every project you work on; just the best examples).

Make sure your portfolio is the best it can be

One of the best ways to get new clients is by creating content. <ul><li>Writing blog posts, creating templates or UI assets, or otherwise providing valuable content that will appeal to your potential clients is an excellent way to build your professional reputation while also giving potential clients one more way to find you.</li><li>Writing articles about graphic design topics is one of the best ways to have new clients find you. Writing about design particulars for the niches or industries you serve can be especially helpful.</li></ul>

Create valuable content

Be sure that your design portfolio is up to date with more recent projects. The same goes for your social media profiles.If a potential client visits your Instagram or other social media profile and there are no posts in the past six months, they may assume you’re no longer working as a designer. The same goes for your portfolio or blog: if there are no updates within the past few months, a client may assume you’re no longer in business and move along to the next graphic designer.

Update your online presence

Meet people with the intention to get to know them. Don’t immediately think about what they can do for you or what you can get from them. Instead, look at how you might be able to help them.Are there others you can connect them with? Is there a great book or article you recently read that might appeal to them? Look at ways to connect on an authentic level with the people you encounter and go from there. Maybe you’ll end up working with those people in the future, or maybe they’ll refer people to you (and vice versa).

Network, network, network

Social proof in the form of testimonials can go a long way toward getting clients on board with working with you. Display testimonials prominently on your website or portfolio. Share them on social media, too.Ask past clients for feedback and testimonials on projects you’ve completed for them. Ask for recommendations and endorsements on sites like LinkedIn, too. When prospective clients see that you’ve worked successfully with other organizations, it gives them reassurance that you have the expertise you claim.

Use social proof

Follow-ups show people that you value working with them and that you’re eager to continue the relationship. But if you don’t hear back after following up, beware of sending multiple messages. This can come across as pushy. If it’s a prospective client you really want to work with and you feel the need to send more than one follow-up, consider what you could send them that would provide value to them (i.e, an article you recently read that you think they might be interested in). If you provide value, you’re building a relationship rather than just nudging them to give you business.

Don’t underestimate the power of a follow-up

Learn the most effective strategies to get new freelance graphic design clients fast. Grow your business and build a steady stream of graphic design clients.

Stashed ideas

Top 8 Strategies To Get Graphic Design Clients Fast

When it comes to your portfolio website, focus on the essentials. You don't need an entirely bespoke all singing and dancing website to find work for yourself. A strong thoughtfully ordered and presented body of work is much more important.

Your portfolio

Your hourly rate probably needs to be higher than you think. Research the going rate in your locality.If people try to talk down your rate, stand firm. Once you agree to work for a reduced rate, it will be close to impossible to talk it back up again.

Your hourly rate

<ul><li>Research any potential new employer. </li><li>At the interview (or by email) find out what hours you will be expected to work. You might have to travel to a different part of town or start at an unfriendly time.</li><li>Find out your new employer's payment terms. Try to negotiate something shorter than the standard 28 days if you can.</li><li>﻿Allow 15 minutes extra so that you're early on the first day. First impressions still count, so you don't want to be late.</li><li>Get prepared. Have a folder of fonts at the ready (on your hard drive, not in the cloud). And perhaps some templates ready to go.</li></ul>

Preparing for the interview

<ul><li>Prefer to work from home? Ask if you can. If they say no, do your first job, make a good impression, and then ask again the next time. You will stand a good chance of them agreeing. I now have a few clients who let me work remotely on small jobs or after the first day's briefing has happened at their studio.</li><li>If you end up working in-house and don't like someone, don't let it get to you. You'll be out of there pretty soon. That's the joy of freelancing — it's not forever. </li><li>﻿Are there other freelancers working in the studio? Make friends with them.</li></ul>

Work from home conditions

... preferably once who works with people in the creative sector. Consider using an online invoicing system to manage your accounts.

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Top 8 Strategies To Get Graphic Design Clients Fast

A freelance graphic designer’s survival guide — James Greig

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Bite-sized knowledgeto upgradeyour career

#graphicdesigner

IDEAS ABOUT #graphicdesigner

Top 8 Strategies To Get Graphic Design Clients Fast

A freelance graphic designer’s survival guide — James Greig

It's time to

READ

LIKE

A PRO!

Bite-sized knowledge
to upgrade
your career