First Contact
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- 32 Responses
- tesmith0
I would consider helping out with printing a mailer as you offered constructive advice on our website. Within reason and as long as you take care of shipping. At the same time we may be able to use the piece as a sample for our own self promotion (with your permission of course)
- Scotch_Roman0
Took boobs' advice. Made a few phone calls... got one meeting for next wk so far, seems promising. I feel a bit better about doing this cold call thing moving forward. It would help to have a print promo to send as a follow-up to phone calls, but I can't wait for that... and I can't give away my design samples. That's why I need a mini printed portfolio.
You guys are totally right, I simply can't rely on the warm introductions, even though that's been my best ally to date.
- boobs0
Once you've done a few cold calls, it will get much much easier. Once you've met with a couple people in person, that will get much, much easier too.
And following up with an email that has a link to your site will make you look golden. Your site looks really good.
Another great thing to do: when you finish a project you like, it gives you an excuse to call these same people up, and go show it to them.
- designbot0
You could dance around in a chicken costume on the side of a major road (make sure it's during rush hour) with the url to your new site :)
- Hmm. Maybe I should return those assless leather chaps.Scotch_Roman
- hahah!designbot
- Scotch_Roman0
Yeah... once I have my foot in the door, I almost always do well. I've been on so many freaking interviews in my life, I can sell my work in my sleep. But you're right, I think with time the cold calls will get easier.
Good idea about staying on people's radar. Thanks for the input :)
- effort0
great thread. glad you're having some success scotch. i'm taking notes meanwhile.
- Scotch_Roman0
^ Sounds awesome tesmith. You've got mail.
- Andrew_D0
Sorry to hijack this thread, Scotch, but tesmith, would you be willing to do some self promotion involving illustration, as well? You cut me some slack(within reason) on my prints and I'll let you use them for promo?
I can bring some other work your way as well, currently designing an 150 page report for the Ministry of Health that'll need printing and bounding.
- uberdesigner0
don't act desperate. show your work here and we can guide you.
- yeah. take it from the unemployed guyCALLES
- hahahaOSFA
- lolStitchy_Lizard
- hahahahaMeeklo
- uberdesigner0
hey, I've worked at over 10 firms, some of them top flight
- johndiggity0
do you have a self promo/credentials mailer? emails and phonecalls are easy to dodge, but a physical piece makes a presence.
- Scotch_Roman0
I've done all that uber. Featured twice on QBN's EC, Surfstation, Dirty Mouse, Site Inspire.... the list goes on. I just entered a bunch of work into the ADC Young Guns show, and I feel pretty good about my chances.
I just feel like there's some competitive edge within my grasp that I'm failing to recognize.
- contact the CDs directlyuberdesigner
- You're not paying attention. I'm not looking for a design job. I'm looking for clients.Scotch_Roman
- Unless you mean finding agencies AS clients.Scotch_Roman
- seriously though this is the proper answer. don't be nervous.uberdesigner
- uberdesigner0
jd speaks the truth. My card took me 25 years to make.
- Die cut. Foil stamped. It doesn't fit into a rolodex because it doesn't BELONG in a rolodex.Scotch_Roman
- Strathmore 60lb...crapuberdesigner
- Scotch_Roman0
JD, I don't have such a piece. I did something like that several years ago and it got pretty good results. Things were different then though, I was looking for a job in those days whereas right now I'm looking for clients to grow my own business.
You think it's worth dipping into savings again just so I can have a portfolio mailer to send out? I've already got an idea for that, just not sure if it's worth fronting the expense right now.
- cannonball0
Press a big plastic foot with your resume tattooed on it and jam it between someone's office door.
- harlequino0
Thought this was another Star Trek thread.
SR - anything come with trying the cold call route, or are you going this way first?
- tesmith0
Not quite applicable as we are printers, not designers and it only works locally. I knock on doors in person, establish a contact, follow up with a mailer and then a phone call. You would be shocked how well this works. I offer a free sample to prove our capabilities, very few people abuse the opportunity.
- Scotch_Roman0
Meh, I've been procrastinating with the cold calls and focusing instead on building connections through friends and colleagues. I've got a list of cold call candidates that I've been building sporadically. I plan to get a fair-sized list, enough to take a couple hours or so to work through, and just rip off the band-aid.
Someone told me I need to focus first and foremost on getting local business, and then strike out from a position of strength to get more long-distance work.
- Nairn0
Time for a pact with the devil...