One of the most common questions people ask me as a freelance web designer is, where do I get my clients ? Well, I’ve been freelancing for almost 6 years now so I have my regular clients that give me some work to do every month like updating websites etc. I also mostly get clients from referrals. For instance, after I finish a website, the client will refer me to his supplier or business partner. I also did a website for a music school and the client referred me to her sister who was starting a business so I also design for them. And then just recently, one of the parents who sends her kid to that music school wants to create a website for her English Language center so they also asked me to do it. So its sort of like a never ending supply of work just through word of mouth. Besides that, I have my own website jamiesoon.com and I am listed in the top three on Google Malaysia if you search for ‘freelance web designer’. I get a few enquiries from people who find me through my website. Besides designing websites, my clients also give me other work like designing banners and brochures. In conclusion, it is very important that your customers are happy with the work that you do for them so that they will refer you more work.
But how do you get clients when you are just starting out ? Below I’ve compiled a few tips based on my experience:
Wherever you are in life now, whether you are still studying in school, college or working full time, try to find a way to apply your skills. If you love doing graphic design and designing posters, you could volunteer to design posters and flyers for a school event or any social events organized at your office or a party. You might be doing the work for free but at least everyone will know that you designed that poster and if you are good they might give you more work in the future. Doing free work will also give you a chance to practice, not only your skills but by getting more experience in dealing with people. For example, you would have to talk to the organizer of the event or party to gather more information so that you can do your work. This is basically the kind of interaction you would expect when you are dealing with a customer. So that person you are dealing with would be sort of like your client. Back in school, I was quite active in extra co-curricular activities. I was also a librarian at high school and was part of the library committee in charge of decorating the library. Of course back then, I didn’t use computers. I had to buy color paper and draw with oil pastels and markers. I also used some poster color to create patterns and had to cut out flowers to decorate the notice board. At one time I was so engrossed with the work that I remember my friend, who was the head of the library committee, laughed and told me it was good enough and go home. So, in conclusion, start now, start with the people around you, they will be your first clients. Tell your friends, family members and co-workers about the work that you are doing and they might have some work for you. When more work comes in, then you might consider charging for your services.
Your website will be your most important tool to promote your business. Its very low cost, especially if you are using a free hosting service and designing it yourself, and it’s a very convenient way to show your work to potential clients. In your website you should display your portfolio or pictures of your work, and provide your contact information (especially your phone number). It doesn’t need to be a fancy or complete website. Just make it simple and have it up as quickly as possible. My first website was just one page and I used a free web hosting service, Geocities. In fact you could go on yahoo and search for ‘free web hosting’. I listed out my past work that I did for my previous company like banners and flash animation. I also included a short description of the artwork. After posting my work on the website, I just included the website link on my resume when I apply for any jobs. Sometimes, it’s a good idea to copy the website onto a CD for the interviewer. This is helpful especially if they don’t have an internet connection or they might want to keep the CD as a reference. In conclusion, get a website, fast. It doesn’t have to be fancy or well designed. The important thing is to get your portfolio and contact details up on the internet so that everyone can look at it. You can always upgrade your website later.
Getting a full time job in the area of your expertise is a great way to build up your skills and get to know people who might refer some work to you in the future . It also exposes you to a corporate environment and you get the chance to meet people and make new friends, and learn how people do business. Most of all, it teaches you how to be an employee and by observing your managers/ supervisors, you will also learn how to be a boss. So, when you are working, don’t just do your work. You have to move around and observe people. I started of as a freelance web designer by working part time for a small web hosting company. They paid me 30% of what they charged the customer. For instance, if the customer paid RM1800 for the website, I would get RM540. It was great because I got to earn some money while studying for my diploma in design. The boss took me around to meet his clients so I can get feedback directly from the client. Throughout the few months, I managed to finish about three websites and these websites would later serve as my portfolio to get more freelance work. Therefore, getting a job would provide you a steady flow of work thus build up your portfolio more quickly before you start venturing out on your own.
Another way to find new clients is to advertise online on free classifieds sections and forums. This doesn’t just apply to freelance web designers. You could be running a home business selling cookies or running a travel agency. Find a local forum or classified section or online notice board and just post something like “Hi I’m a freelance web designer, please check out my website www.jamiesoon.com”. Some of the website where I have posted include kakiseni.com, www.alloexpat.com , webmastermalaysia.com and www.ehomemakers.net. You can also post in web design or graphic design forums, but competition is tough because there will be so many other designers posting their work there. The idea is to find a website where entrepreneurs or business people go to. These are the people who will be interested in setting up a website. There are many new businesses sprouting out everyday so if you are lucky, someone might notice your work and contact you. Besides that, I also advertise in ehomemakers printed newsletter. For RM150 you get a small space in the classified section.
Other methods of finding new clients is randomly emailing people. This doesn’t work very well for me because usually I don’t get a response. For instance, I get flyers in my mailbox and if the company looks interesting but they didn’t list out a web address on the flyer, I would email them to offer my services. I didn’t get any replies. I have never gone door-to-door or do cold calls to get work.
The best way is still by referrals and word of mouth advertising. You don’t have to find clients but clients will come and look for you. Therefore, it is very important that your customers are happy with the work that you do for them so that they will refer you more work. Good luck !