Web designers face unique set of challenges to generate client leads. Since most of us are freelancers, this means that we need to have trust base with our clients. This is not easy, as we need to find The Client, Build Trust and Keep this client.
We have put together some ideas to help you find the right client and keep. There’s something for everyone to try and I guarantee there will be a return.
Here they are, your 101 hotkeys to Find, Build and Keep:
1) Start and Write Your Own Blog.
First comes first………PORTFOLIO. You need to build yourself a very convincing portfolio website to be a showcase for your best only best piece of work. A blog is one of the most effective forms of self promotion. If you write an effective blog, you can get thousands to your blog.
2) Make Yourself seen
- Search-optimize your website to get quality Traffic
- Use some Freelance Websites to get work, many of them is very usefull.
- Submit your articles, tips and tutorials to sites like Digg, del.icio.us, Dzone, etc…
3) Publicize your blog.
You’ll want to make sure you’re “pinging” the major weblog tracking sites. Most of the blogging services handle this automatically, as do the offline blogging clients.
4) Spread The Word
- Ask your family and friends to spread the word about your services
- Ask your old satisfied clients for referals
- Start a Newsletter
- Use your email signature for every outgoing email
- Go to events in your client’s industry
- Always have your card ready
- Socialize
- Participate in online blogs and forum, and always add a link to your site
5)Promote Your Services
- Get car signage
- Advertise in a niche magazine
- List your service in yellow pages and Craiglist similar websites.
The previous hotkeys will make the client notice that you exist, now what?
6) Convince the client to use your services
- Offer free stuff , like free consultation, free mockup design, free hosting plan if you are a reseller, etc…
- Ask your satisfied client to provide feedback about the quality of your work and services.
- Provide links to any freelance account that you might have with freelance websites to show your rating and client’s feedback.
- Portfolio, this is where the client is sure about the quality of service he will take when he have you.
Tell Us Your Story, how did you make it!
So what have your experiences been? Do you have a story to tell us how you started your freelance job and what chalenges did you face?
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Web Design Specialist
December 8th, 2007
That’s a really good list. Initially i spent a long time getting my own site right, with the design and wordings. Many clients commented that they appreciated it, which made it seem worthwhile. I’ve been meaning to setup a blog, for a while now, but just don’t seem to have the time. When you’re a one man show, it’s hard finding time to do the little things to help with promotions. Especially in the early days, cos those promotional activities, like blogging don’t bring in an immediate roi, so it’s hard justifying it sometimes.
What’s also important, is CONVERTING those leads. Maybe you could talk about that in your next post. I remember in my early days, losing a few opportunities, by doing/saying silly things.
Filipino Freelance Web Designer
July 28th, 2008
I really, thank you for this post, it’s a great tips for me to expose my website.
Being a freelance web designer is really not an easy field as you need to build a good credentials and to get a good clients for your website.