How To Get Your First Design Clients
Hi, designer friends! Today, we are discussing one of our most frequently asked questions: “How do I get my first design clients?”
When you’re first starting out, it can feel overwhelming to find your first projects, so we’ve compiled the best tips we learned over the years for starting out strong and booking those first clients.
BEGIN WITH A SOLID PORTFOLIO
Having a design portfolio of at least 2-4 strong projects is essential for booking your first clients. That is the only way a potential client can see your style and what you are capable of!
If you don’t have much past work to show, you can create personal design projects for fake clients that showcase your ability. Get creative and come up with a faux brand to design an entire brand suite and/or website for!
Check out our free workbook for building better brands that helps you create a project brief and design a project you can use in your portfolio to attract your ideal clients!
START BY WORKING WITH SOMEONE YOU KNOW
Our first-ever brand and web design project was for a friend wanting to start a blog. This was perfect because it allowed us to practice designing with a real client, which helped us work out the kinks in our process.
We charged her a highly discounted rate of $200 and were able to practice our skills on someone we knew would be gracious with us as we learned.
You will learn so much from your first time working with a client, so reach out to friends and family to see if they would be up for working with you for a discounted price.
After that, incrementally increase your prices by a few hundred dollars for each new client, as you will be gaining more expertise with every project. This is how we worked up to charging $5k+ for projects over the course of a few years.
NOTE: No matter how much you charge a client for design work, even if it’s free, ALWAYS use a contract. Even if it’s a simple contract with a basic timeline, cost, and expectations. Never do any freelance design work without setting a written outline for how the project will work.
NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK!
Once you have a solid portfolio and have practiced on a real client or two, it’s time to put yourself out there everywhere you can!
When we first started, we went to local small business events, created business accounts on every single social media platform we could (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram), and networked in online groups.
At first, it may feel like you’re not making headway with getting your name out there, but if you are consistent at using every opportunity you have to connect with people, it will pay off.
Consistency and patience is the key to any successful business- keep showing up every single day and you will see results. As our business coach says, “when you think you’ve pushed enough, keep pushing.” Marketing your design business takes a lot of time and consistency!
COLD EMAIL POTENTIAL CLIENTS
Many of us tend to have that fear of being too pushy or forward with potential clients, which can make cold calling or emailing seem scary and rude. But, the reality is, most business owners find their dream clients by boldly going after them!
Sending a “warm email” to a business owner simply means introducing yourself and telling them how your services can transform your business.
To set yourself up for success, find the business you’d like to reach out to on Instagram, and genuinely follow/interact with them for a few weeks before emailing (do NOT be spammy, though!). That way, they may be familiar with your name when you email them.
Then, send a short and sweet email that:
Introduces yourself and tells them why you like their business
Lets them know how your services could transform their business
And offers an intro call to talk with them more about working together
Keep in mind that you won’t get a reply from the majority of businesses you email, but, there will be some that already have rebranding on their mind and are ready to talk more!
SET REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
Having big goals and dreams for your business is essential- that’s the way you grow! But, as designers who have started a business from scratch, we want you to know that patience is key.
In the first year of your business, you most likely won’t be working with your dream clients that have huge budgets, but you will work with wonderful businesses on projects you will learn so much from.
Sometimes, you take whatever business you can get, especially in the beginning. But, as you grow, you can start being more selective about who you work with and the offers you create.
YOU CAN DO THIS!
If you’ve been waiting for that push you need to start your design business, consider this email your sign! We’re proof that starting from scratch is not just possible; it’s an incredible journey to embark on!
