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Topic: New business
| Author | Message |
| afifafif | Posted – 10/21/2007 8:34:34 AM | show profile Does anyone know what is the best way to go about finding new graphic design business? -Are there firms that represent graphic designers out there? If so, how to find them? -Specialized sales reps? Best way to find them. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. |
| skirklan | Posted – 10/21/2007 4:20:18 PM | show profile | email poster New Business Nothing beats the cold call. Pick up the phone and call the companies you want to work for. Be super nice to the person answering the phone, ask her advice and let her direct you to the right person in the organization who handles marketing. Attend the local art director's club meeting, make friends, introduce yourself as willing to handle any overflow they may have. Do an inexpensive promotional piece, something people will want to keep or frame; something useful like a calendar that will keep your name in front of them all year. There's a good article here on cold calling--helps you get your head straight before you start--just for designers. http://blogs.graphicdesignforum.com/skirkland/archives/200705/defrosting_icy.html Good luck, ------ Susan Kirkland author of Start and Run a Creative Services Business--2 FREE POD cartoons for a giggle at www.sdkirkland.com |
| Cyrus | Posted – 10/22/2007 1:16:33 PM | show profile I've always been a bit skeptical of the cold calling approach. Think of it this way: when's the last time you were happy you got a cold call trying to sell you something? Even if it's something you might ordinarily buy, most of the time the intrusive nature of a cold call kind of blows the whole thing. I'd say this is even doubly true when you're talking about a professional service. Finding new business is a process that can largely be replicated in the same fashion, no matter what type of service you offer. Do all you can to put yourself actually in front of people who are likely consumers. This means networking, determining who your best customers are and how to best go after them (e.g. by participating in a trade association, trade show, etc) and being persistent. You might also find success in working as a subcontractor for companies that need graphic design services frequently, such as printers, small ad agencies, small publications, etc. ------ Cyrus Afzali Astoria Communications www.astoriacomm.com |
| foodlit | Posted – 10/22/2007 1:29:43 PM | show profile Cold calling works. But, the goal isn't a sale on the call. Especially for services. The goal is to simply introduce yourself, get permission to visit or send information. Find out a little about them and what their needs are. For this type of work, cold calling will be most effective when you are calling other design firms to be a sub-vendor I would imagine. To generate direct work, try targeted mailings. This always worked well for my brother. Whenever business slowed and he wanted to generate work fast, he'd do a targeted mailing offering a promotion of some sort and it always resulted in a few new jobs for him. Cold calling is how I build up my own business. The key is to be smart about it...and always ask if you've caught them in the middle of something, to show respect for their time. Pam |
