When times are tough even designers employed full-time aren’t safe from companies hoping to trim the fat and cut costs. Those working freelance face still tougher circumstances, with increased competition and fewer clients looking for design work. So what can a designer do to find new business and keep busy during an economic downturn? Here are just a few suggestions that can help you find new clients and set yourself apart from the crowd.
- Self-motivate. Finding freelance work in the best of times can be a challenge, so finding it when things are a bit slimmer requires a sufficient amount of self-motivation to get started. Set your will in steel and just get out there and do it as it’s unlikely that work will just show up on your doorstep unannounced.
- Ask for referrals. If you haven’t already been doing this, now is the time to start. If a client is happy with your work, why not have them do the work of spreading your name around to other potential clients.
- Go local. A simple search through the online yellow pages may help you find some local businesses that either don’t have a website or haven’t updated it since the late 90’s. Since the web is where it’s at for business, take advantage of this available market and send them your personal info.
- Promote your website with social media. For many designers these days, this can mean adding a blog or a Twitter feed to their online presence. These services provide an avenue to get new people looking at your work and if you become successful with them you’ll likely have a steady stream of clients to work with for some time to come.
- Scour the web. These days, the web can be a great source of potential design work. Try out online associations, job boards, and even craigslist to see if you can’t find a little something to keep you busy. You may not find your ideal project, but you will almost inevitably find something to keep you afloat.
Here are a few job sites you might find useful :
You can find more freelance jobs websites in this Freelance Switch article.
Even though companies are tightening the purse strings, there are still many places out there that need great design for print and web media. Keep your eyes open, your portfolio on hand and your mind open and you may find just what you’re looking for.
About the author
This post was contributed by Nicole White, who writes about online web design degree. She welcomes your feedback at Nicole.White222 at gmail.com
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June 11, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Great post thanks for the tips. I’m trying to get started in freeelance web design. Getting my site out there and finding clients is a big hurdle.
June 11, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Thanks for these tips!
June 11, 2009 at 3:38 pm
I have just started as freelancer and yur post is good guiding help for me to from where to search the work..thanks
June 12, 2009 at 4:37 am
This article is very timely. Really helpful indeed
June 23, 2009 at 11:28 am
An excellent article, however some might argue that waiting for a slump in business is the wrong time to begin considering these things. Surely self-promotion and networking is an ongoing process to help stave off the effects of outside influences, such as the economic situation.
If you only think about drumming up business during your quiet periods then you’ll develop a cycle of being busy with inevitable slow downs, if the excellent advice you have provided is employed no matter how busy you are, hopefully it will reduce slow patches and give yourself a more consistent income.
July 10, 2009 at 4:28 am
Also keep in mind that sometimes people looking for designers (like me!) will visit blogs like this to look for people who inspire them. I like to check out the work of people who comment and post — especially if I can see that the poster knows what they’re talking about! So, your future customers are browsing some of the same sites you are
July 27, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Great post. It’s quite unfortunate that such a large work force is losing so much momentum when it was doing great just a few short years ago. I think most of us really need advice like this. Kudos.
September 4, 2009 at 1:51 am
Good tips - also there are some lead generating website and design contest websites that could be used as other sources of business. Other ideas include forming partnerships with related companies that could offer you services as part of their offering.