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hanna
I have bought 2 programs, Photoshop and Illustrator (big investment to me) and I am talented and a fast learner ( I have years of doing graphic work at school). Now how do I start finding clientele? Should I make up a dummy portfolio? Any thoughts? Thanks!
Answer
Yes, you do need a portfolio, but you also need to know how long it takes you to create certain things so you can quote jobs.
Start by giving yourself "assignments," as if you had customers. Keep a time sheet on each project, like you would for any client. Use the finished pieces for your portfolio.
Design your portfolio to appeal to the kind of customer you want to approach. Most of my customers when I first started were small businesses and hospitals, so my portfolio reflected the types of things that they actually needed... logos, business cards, letterheads, brochures, newspaper and magazine advertisements, in-store signs, 8 1/2 x 11 handouts. Have a small, very professional book form portfolio, no bigger than 11x14 inches (so it can open on a counter or desk easily) and only your very best 8 or 10 pieces (or campaigns) backed on black and in plastic sleeves. You can make up a second, more extensive portfolio (carry in your car in case), or a website to show more work, but most clients are too busy to flip through 30 or 40 pieces.
It is good to have a few real, published pieces to show clients. Get in contact with a couple of non-profit organizations and offer to do a piece for free. Don't take on a project way beyond your abilities, because you want to do a good job and be able to use those non-profits as references.
When you have your portfolio ready, have YOUR promotional pieces ready (don't forget your own business cards and brochure), know about how long it will take to do certain projects, and know what you will charge hourly, then get out the yellow pages. Make a list (I used 3x5 index cards) of businesses to approach, and call each one. Ask for the name of the manager (or marketing director or publicity manager, if a larger business) so you can call that person by name. Introduce yourself and ask for an appointment to see them to discuss their advertising needs. Most will say "no." Don't sweat it. Just write all the info about the call on your list (or card) and send them an upbeat postcard to remind them who you are.
I think the trick is to always seem interested in what they need, not act like you desperately need the work. Stay friendly and cheerful, no matter what they say. I have had people who said "no" call me months later to have work done.
Another source of clients are the people who actually have client work to do but don't have the talent or time to do the entire job. I got alot of work from print shops without in-house designers by just dropping in, introducing myself to the manager, and leaving a bunch of my business cards. I would promise to have any work they sent my way printed at their shop. So, think about the ad agencies, photographers, or other businesses who can use someone with photoshop and illustrator skills from time to time.
Carry your business cards with you at all times. Hand them out whenever anyone asks "What do you do for a living?" Let your friends and relatives, everyone you meet that you are a professional designer. The word will get around.
Good luck! It may take six months or a year to get really rolling, but don't give up.
Yes, you do need a portfolio, but you also need to know how long it takes you to create certain things so you can quote jobs.
Start by giving yourself "assignments," as if you had customers. Keep a time sheet on each project, like you would for any client. Use the finished pieces for your portfolio.
Design your portfolio to appeal to the kind of customer you want to approach. Most of my customers when I first started were small businesses and hospitals, so my portfolio reflected the types of things that they actually needed... logos, business cards, letterheads, brochures, newspaper and magazine advertisements, in-store signs, 8 1/2 x 11 handouts. Have a small, very professional book form portfolio, no bigger than 11x14 inches (so it can open on a counter or desk easily) and only your very best 8 or 10 pieces (or campaigns) backed on black and in plastic sleeves. You can make up a second, more extensive portfolio (carry in your car in case), or a website to show more work, but most clients are too busy to flip through 30 or 40 pieces.
It is good to have a few real, published pieces to show clients. Get in contact with a couple of non-profit organizations and offer to do a piece for free. Don't take on a project way beyond your abilities, because you want to do a good job and be able to use those non-profits as references.
When you have your portfolio ready, have YOUR promotional pieces ready (don't forget your own business cards and brochure), know about how long it will take to do certain projects, and know what you will charge hourly, then get out the yellow pages. Make a list (I used 3x5 index cards) of businesses to approach, and call each one. Ask for the name of the manager (or marketing director or publicity manager, if a larger business) so you can call that person by name. Introduce yourself and ask for an appointment to see them to discuss their advertising needs. Most will say "no." Don't sweat it. Just write all the info about the call on your list (or card) and send them an upbeat postcard to remind them who you are.
I think the trick is to always seem interested in what they need, not act like you desperately need the work. Stay friendly and cheerful, no matter what they say. I have had people who said "no" call me months later to have work done.
Another source of clients are the people who actually have client work to do but don't have the talent or time to do the entire job. I got alot of work from print shops without in-house designers by just dropping in, introducing myself to the manager, and leaving a bunch of my business cards. I would promise to have any work they sent my way printed at their shop. So, think about the ad agencies, photographers, or other businesses who can use someone with photoshop and illustrator skills from time to time.
Carry your business cards with you at all times. Hand them out whenever anyone asks "What do you do for a living?" Let your friends and relatives, everyone you meet that you are a professional designer. The word will get around.
Good luck! It may take six months or a year to get really rolling, but don't give up.
How do I plan ahead financially?
G
Im 22 years old. I have a full time job and make $2000 a month. I live with my parents so I dont pay rent but my monthly expenses add up to 750 a month. These expenses include cell phone bill, gas, student loans, car payment, gym, and credit card. I would like to start saving up for a house for later on in life. I would like to go to grad school too and get my masters so I would like to start planning ahead for my future. Im not really good at saving but I would like to start doing so. Who can I talk to about planning ahead and saving money?
Answer
got a library with in 30miles?
go, get, read, study, take notes then
apply info from these at least.
48 days to work you love, dan miller.
total money make over, dav ramsey.
what color is your parachute, r. bolles.
quitters, jon acuff.
visit BLS.gov/OOH to b sure what u want
your 'masters' in actually leads to a paying
job.
many 'masters' programs lead to retail sales
for 1st 5- 10 yrs. they are becoming a dime per dozen.
do find and study 'house buying kit for dummies' e.tysen.
all will save u decades and 10,000s$ in hard life lessons
by learning from other dumb mistakes, not your own.
it is faster , easier, cheaper, safer that way.
good knowledge is good luck.
u need more of both.
got a library with in 30miles?
go, get, read, study, take notes then
apply info from these at least.
48 days to work you love, dan miller.
total money make over, dav ramsey.
what color is your parachute, r. bolles.
quitters, jon acuff.
visit BLS.gov/OOH to b sure what u want
your 'masters' in actually leads to a paying
job.
many 'masters' programs lead to retail sales
for 1st 5- 10 yrs. they are becoming a dime per dozen.
do find and study 'house buying kit for dummies' e.tysen.
all will save u decades and 10,000s$ in hard life lessons
by learning from other dumb mistakes, not your own.
it is faster , easier, cheaper, safer that way.
good knowledge is good luck.
u need more of both.
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