Is there...
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- Scotch_Roman
Any sort of professional organization that exists for the sole purpose of pairing designers (legitimately self-employed designers and studios, I mean) with potential clients? Besides the typical headhunting goons like Aquent, I mean.
I'm considering joining my local chamber of commerce. I've been to some of their events, and the pure shonkiness of some people made me want to throw up... but a man needs clients. I'm starting to think going to AIGA events will amount to squat in that regard.
What sort of networking do the self-employed here get involved with? What seems to actually work for you, vs. wastes of time?
- Corvo20
Didn't it end up in crowd-sourcing? :P
- Scotch_Roman0
huh?
- monospaced0
Hey Scotch, I know we've gotten into arguments on here, but I have to say I truly admire your work; your portfolio is amazing.
My suggestion for growing a client list and getting work comes from my own experience. Knowing enough people — actually know them, personally — in the industry goes a really long way. AIGA events amount to connections, and if enough people in your industry circle (local or whatever) are aware of how good you are, you will start getting more calls.
In-house contract jobs (a week or so here and there) are awesome because they pay a lot and you get more connections. That's all.
Or, you can just pray to Jesus, because that seems to work for you. ;)
- fyoucher10
Reps...
For example....
http://aarra.com/
- Scotch_Roman0
Good link fyoucher, thanks. I've already tried contacting LLreps.com (no reply yet), since they seem to rep designers as much if not more than artists... anyone know of other reps along those lines? I'm gonna contact aarra, but being more of a print designer than web per se, I wonder who else there is... I think QBNer arthur had a good rep, I'll try to look that one up.
- d_rek0
AIGA sucks.
- You just got out of school last year. You don't know jack.monospaced
- WeLoveNoise0
as mono says - networking is one thing but if you can build personal relationships with design/marketing studios, then that can work alot in your favour and improve the "word of mouth" about your work.
I did this not so long ago and managed to gain some decent contacts with designs studios. I had to put myself out there abit but once they knew i was as good as my word then thats when more work came my way.
- totally, you make yourself and your abilities known, in person and you become a go-to guymonospaced
- Dublao70
I love your work! I'll keep you in mind if I have anything I can hand off. It's funny that you ask the way you did. I've been playing around with the idea of starting something up like this.
- monospaced0
You working on anything cool right now, Scotch?
I'm just curious.
- Scotch_Roman0
Hey, thx for the kind words and advice all.
mono, I just finished a direct mail campaign for a news organization. It looks pretty good, not really portfolio-worthy though. However, this client will bring in a ton more work, some of which will be book-worthy. Should have some interesting stuff to show for it later this year.
I did just take some shots of my new business cards... haute. Will post 'em soon.
- Scotch_Roman0
Hey what do the self-employed here think about a simple but nicely produced print promo (roughly 80% of my work is for print)? Worthwhile investment or no?
I did this several years ago. Got tons of attention from agencies/studios (7 interviews and 3 job offers), but zero response from prospective clients. Then again, the piece was a conceptual essay, rather than a little self-produced monograph which I think would be more universally accessible for non-designers.
I've pretty much blown my marketing budget for a while (website, stationery etc.) but I feel like there's other promotional work I need to be doing, besides networking of course.
- baseline_shift0
The owner of the studio i work at has gotten a lot of work for us with his connections in the local chamber of commerce. And the fact that the work stays local, it really helps word of mouth and positive references. I wouldnt overlook your CoC.
- Thanks, I'll make sure not to overlook my coc. ;)Scotch_Roman
- douchenozzle0
I never really understood the point of schmoozing with other designers, since you're more or less competing for the same work
- Scotch_Roman0
I think it's useful for one-man shops like myself to get to know the agencies who outsource work. That's really the only reason I go to AIGA events. I can get free inspiration online or at my local art museum.
- uberdesigner0
KDU? I hear they rock it