Design Business
Why You Are Losing Clients (How to Stop)
We spend a lot of time on Freelance Folder talking about marketing. That is because good marketing is very important to a freelancer’s success. It is important to get those clients in the door and signed up for your products or services if you are going to earn enough to really support yourself as a freelancer.
For some freelancers, though, that “in” door is actually a revolving door. If this is you, it may seem that no sooner do you get a client signed up for your products or services than they leave. You have no idea why you are losing clients, but you know that it has to stop.
This post should take some of the mystery out of why freelancers lose clients. It will also provide some tips for how to hang on to the clients that you do have.
Why hire a graphic designer?
Think you can’t afford a graphic designer? Think again. Here are six reasons why you should hire a graphic designer.
1. Saves you time.
You’re an expert at your business. Graphic designers are experts at graphic design.They know how to create materials that attract the attention of your target market while visually conveying your business’ image. By taking advantage of their expertise, you’re able to save time and get the project done right. (Besides, do you really want to sit down and try to design your own marketing mate- rials?)
2. Distinguishes your organization.
Good graphic design will quickly communicate your marketing messages to your customers. Just by looking at your materials, they’ll get an impression of what your organization is about, the feel of your organization, what it would be like to work with you, etc.
The importance of a strong visual presentation cannot be understated. As human beings, we rely heavily on what we see in the world.A good graphic designer knows how to manipulate colors, fonts and images in order to create the best impression for your company.
Great graphic design merges art with marketing – it takes years to master. But once mastered, the results can be amazing.
3. Cuts through the chaos.
Every day, Americans are hit with over 3,000 attempts to snag their attention. The right design can help your message stand out and be noticed rather than getting over- looked.
4. Makes you look good.
Wonderful design combined with well-written copy will add a level of professionalism and elevate your business’ image to a higher level.
5. Helps you understand what you want.
Let’s say you know you need the help of a graphic designer but you’re not sure where to start.A graphic designer can help you organize your thoughts and get a handle on your concept.Then, that graphic designer can take that information and turn it into eye-catching, results-driven design.
6. Help you be objective.
Many business people are too close to their business so it’s difficult for them to see not just faults but also strengths. Graphic designers can come in and be objective, really seeing how best to sell the business, the image, the products or services.Then they can design your materials for maximum results.
How to write a Graphic Desing Business Contract
By Jacci Howard Bear, About.com
Contracts are standard operating procedure for businesses. Even small desktop publishing businesses and graphic designers just starting out need to know how to write a contract. Your contract is an agreement between you, the designer, and your client to provide design and desktop publishing services. You and the client need to be in agreement as to exactly what specific services you are providing, when you’ll finish the job, how much money is involved, and ownership of the completed work
Here’s How:
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Start with a sample contract or template.
You can write a contract on your own pulling elements from some of the samples and templates available online; however, you should have a lawyer look over any contract you plan to use. Use the contract samples to find the exact wording you want to use for the sections and clauses described below as well as a format for names and addresses, date and signature lines, which state laws apply to the contract, and other standard elements.
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Describe the project.
A part of the freelance design contract should include a Project Description of what specific services you are providing and the specifications of the final project to be delivered. The details may be included as part of the detailed estimate.
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Specify date of completion.
As a minimum the contract should stipulate the estimated Completion Date. You may also include interim production stages. This section would also describe circumstances and liability in the event the schedule must change.
120 Self Promotion Ideas for Graphic Designers & Freelancers
(1) Give Away Freebies With Your Design Business’s Name and Contact Information.
Go to where your target customers hang out and set up a booth or table. Give out some freebies and a flyer or leaflet as well. Some examples of freebies include free magnets, rubber bands, rulers, note pads, etc. All of these items should have your information printed on them.
(2) Free Demonstrations of Your Services.
Go to local print shops, office supply stores, and other local stores and offer to give free demonstrations of your services. You can also offer lessons as well.
(5) Speaking Engagements.
Contact local schools and associations about classes, colleges, seminars, lectures that you can speak or teach at.
(6) Go to Your Local Library or Book Store and Place Business Cards in Relevant Books.
This one is a little iffy. Go to your local book stores and libraries and find books that a potential customer might read and place your business card in it.
(7) Shave Your Logo into Your Hair or Get a Logo Tattoo.
Want to strike up conversation easily? Shave your logo into your hair or get a tattoo.
(6) Flyer / Business Card Exchanges.
Network with other local non-competitive businesses. See if they will display your business card or flyer in exchange for referrals, etc.
(7) Incorporate a Referral Incentive Program.
Offer your customers an incentive for referring customers to you. An incentive could be a discount on future business, a gift certificate, a gift, or whatever you decide that they incentive should be. You might also consider implementing a referral fee.
(8) Hold a Contest.
Offer a contest with a grand prize that would interest your target audience. Promote your contest through flyers, local newspapers, and local radio stations. This will get the word out about your business and will more than pay for itself. (however you have to have the startup cash to place ads in local newspapers and on the radio. If you don’t have startup cash, just use hand printed flyers and place them all over your the place (such as libraries, grocery stores, malls, etc). By holding a contest, you can also get your site listed on dozens of online contest directories.
(9) Directory Listings.
Make sure to list your company in all appropriate free directories. If you can afford it, get yourself listed in directories that require a fee (as long as you have researched that directory and it is a directory that will land you business).
(10) Wear Your Business Information.
Create t-shirts, hats, buttons, and bags with your company’s information and web site listed on them. You might feel like a walking advertisement but that is the point. 
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Inspirational Designers, and how to get recognized as a Web Designer
Want to get recognized in the graphic and web design world? Here are some tips on how to get yourself out in the design spotlight and promote your work. We’ll also be looking at some of today’s most inspiring designers, and what makes them famous.
- Focus on your strengths. Are you better at illustration? Designing web layouts? Creating graphics? Try to pick your strongest skill and use it to your advantage. This will help you stand out and better display yourself. Of course you never want to spend too much time on one thing and leave no time for anything else, but if you can use your strengths to your advantage you’ll be one step ahead of the competition.
- Eliminate your weaknesses. Surround yourself with people who are good at what you’re not. Have them help you get better in those areas. Ask for resources you can use to get better at those things that have always frustrated you. The worst thing you can do is avoid something simply because it’s challenging.
- Challenge yourself constantly. Always go a step further to learn a more advanced technique. One new technique may open up thousands of possibilities in your work. If you always take the easy way out, you won’t learn as much, and you’ll never try anything new.
- Broaden your skills. Even if you’re exceptionally good at one thing, if you don’t try to learn new things you’re going to run into a lot of walls down the line. Broadening your design skills can be an easy and fun process if you use the right resources and put your mind to it. Also, being stuck with an obsolete skill will get you nowhere. Web and graphic design is constantly changing, and if you can’t keep up, you’re going to be left in the dust.
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