Where do you find clients?

I find my clients through Upwork, freelance and other online-work mediums. I bet you need to be knowledgeable enough before finding one!
 
Advertise on BHW
You know evryone of us has equal opportunity some days you are on demand and your skills is required by many clients, some days clients will get different approach in their bisness, so i would recommend don't just focus on 1 skill that you have , i know you can extract more.
 
randybishop said:
I dunno, I was a graphic designer for 12 years, the pay was shite. I got burned out, got fired, started my own business (not graphic design) and never looked back.
My tip is during your downtime learn new skills, like SEO.
Click to expand...

DeLaGarde said:
I will echo what the user above me just said about graphic design.. its a thankless low paid profession with way to many people desperate to be designers willing to do it for practically free. I also have +10 years at agency's working for top corporate clients that make people go "wow", as designer up to senior art director and account manager. Fuck that business, a very ineffective way to make money. Sorry I cant be of more help about getting customers, don't mean to derail the thread, wish you best of luck if you stick with it.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what happened to me too, right at 12 year mark as well. Burned out and fed up. I've also seen it happen with many of my graphic design friends. It's rare any of them make it beyond the 15yr mark before getting burned out and moving on to new things. The sad thing is, most of them know nothing else in life and end up struggling to find a job in some other line of work.

That said, the best way to find clients is Word of Mouth. Until then, you need to go to every single function you can. Business functions, fun functions, wine tasting, car shows, weddings. Literally any function with a large gathering of people mingling, EXCEPT CHARITY type events, unless you like getting roped into doing work for free. Although some really wealthy people/business owner types tend to hang out at charity events, probably for tax purposes. I used to try to find the events where more wealthy business-owner types might be. Dress the part, look good, talk up a storm with everyone you can, and pass out your business card like wild fire. I used to take a stack of 50 business cards in my pocket. As soon as you get home from the event, sit down immediately and connect on Linked In with every single person you met at the event while you can still remember they're name. Hopefully you got some business cards too. Write a short note like "it was great meeting you at the wine event blah blah, if you ever need design work, feel free to give me a call.' You'll quickly build up a network of people in your area.

Additionally, many aspiring designers don't realize the opportunity from local printers Go down to your local printers. Introduce yourself and become good friends. Printers get overflow work a lot! They also have a lot of clients ask them 'do you know anyone that designs ....'. It's usually fast work, and they usually deal with the client so it can be considered easy money. FYI, your rate will have to be lower than what you usually charge regular clients, probably.

Also, when voting season comes around, get on a team for a local politician you wish to support. Someone has to do all those graphics you see for the political signs, buttons, etc. And you'll meet a lot of other people you can network with, especially at the political rallies. You can meet a lot of business owners this way and it's steady work every 2 years. I hate politics so I rarely went this angle.

Do great work for whatever projects come your way, and at the end of the project, ask them if they could refer you to anyone else, or if they would give you a good review you can put on your website. This is the best way to find clients. Then in 10yrs when you're burned out, come back here and we'll have more advice for you :)
 
LinkedIn, Forums, Groups, Upwork, Craigslist.. And the list goes onnnnn.
 
In physical world, you need build base network around you, talk to people higher than you about your passion and ideas, Keep reminding them what do you can offer and how best you are. Go to those mass events, trade fairs, industry talks..etc, where you can find tons of people who look for new opportunities. Be nice to everyone, have patience, but never stop!

In online world, it always unpredictable,and you need lot patience to learn some skills that industry or customers looking for. Try online gig sites like Freelancer or BHW kind of websites . Keep in mind, be honest even if you did mistake, ask them some time to rectify it. So, It's all about taking risk!

Good luck man!
 
why on earth do you want to go into a biz like that?

thats like trying to compete with the COC hack guys or the viagra sellers...... but in contrary, your average wage will be like McDonalds..

and there's a breef of 18yo doing it for free or 5$....

honestly. there aint no biz value making "shiny designs". so man up.
 
waterworks said:
Additionally, many aspiring designers don't realize the opportunity from local printers Go down to your local printers. Introduce yourself and become good friends. Printers get overflow work a lot! They also have a lot of clients ask them 'do you know anyone that designs ....'. It's usually fast work, and they usually deal with the client so it can be considered easy money. FYI, your rate will have to be lower than what you usually charge regular clients, probably.
Click to expand...

Local Printers is really good advice, never thought of that.
 
To be able to make a lot of money in this field you should be really really good and well connected with high-end clients. I have many friends who are making big bucks doing custom shirt designs, illustrations, mascots, posters etc. Some would charge thousands for a logo. Above average or basic graphic design skills won't make you good money. But if you're doing this for like 5-10 years and not doing well, you should really consider taking up something else.
 
This is kind of a depressing thread.
As a child I used to love drawing and sketching but had many discouragements and unable to pursue it.
Sad to know that some great talented artists who have dedicated 10-20+ years are still unappreciated/underpaid.
But putting yourself in the client's shoes: Why pay $100 if someone on fiverr, freelancer, upwork does it for $5? In some countries $5 will let you survive for a month.
 
Make sketches of random websites you consider that would pay for a redesign and contact the admins?
 
JZMedia said:
3) Facebook - Same story, it's a lot of competition but you can get few jobs here and there.
Click to expand...

What are the facebook groups where I can hire freelancers? I never thought of going to FB to hire freelancers for SEO/design, where do I find this groups? Anybody can provide a list?
 
Last edited:
I'm finding my clients in forum BHW and etc...
I'm not into graphic design but I'm into account creation an photo manipulation ID editing...

Maybe you can try having a social profile a page or an intagram to showcase your portfolio..

You may create a website also and drive traffic via seo (dont know about this)
Or via paid ads e.g fb, adwords etc..
You may reach to companies also offering them your skills...

Best of luck I'm just starting to find new clients via fb groups...
 
Advertise on BHW
You must log in or register to reply here.
Sign up now!

Main Menu

Home Main Forum List Black Hat SEO White Hat SEO BHW Newbie Guide Blogging Black Hat Tools Social Media Downloads

Marketplace

Account Selling Content / Copywriting EBooks / Methods Hosting Misc Proxies For Sale SEO - Link building SEO - Packages Social Media Social Media - Panels Web Design More

Making Money

Affiliate Programs Hire a Freelancer IM Journeys Making Money Pay Per Click Site Flipping Want to Buy

BlackHat World

Dispute Resolution Forum Suggestions & Feedback Introductions Lounge
Back
Top