Studio Sales Work
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- fyoucher10
LinkedIn.com.
I get one or two inquiries a week from it. The only other networking I can think of that's even somewhat effective would be conferences.Then it's a matter of keeping in contact with your contacts.
The remainder is just doing good work and getting your name and rep out there.
- lambsy0
the thing that has consistently worked for us is attending Venture Capital Seminars. they are usually from 50-150 dollars to attend and most people there are looking for money to start a business.
the results are not immediate, but if you make a good impression, and give them something nicely made to take with them, they will remember you when they receive funding and need web/marketing services.
we made 8x3 printed portfolio cards which we put inside really nice envelopes with a cool sticker across the outside. it was clean, simple, and the business dudes go nuts over that stuff.
if you have an iphone, put your demo reel on it. when you're walking around doing the meet n greet and someone asks what you do, tell them a bit about your company and ask them if they'd like to see some work you've done, whip out your phone and show your reel.
dress cool. don't be a spaz. most of the people you want to hit up are the middle-age older guys. not the young ones. don't network with young people if you want to make serious money.
- lambsy0
i forgot to add that if your salesperson at your side is an attractive female you won't have to do much to sell, business guys are interested in what you're selling instantly. and they will give you business just because of this.so hire an attractive female saleslady, or take your girlfriend and coach her on what to say.
- gramme0
fyoucher, I've been on LinkedIn for a couple years and I've only been approached by a potential client once. Granted, I didn't have much of a profile until this year when I launched my studio. Is there anything you do w/ LinkedIn that's above and beyond what most people do?
- fyoucher10
Spend some time on your profile and actively use LinkedIn. Personally, I have the LinkedIn plugin for Outlook on my PC. Every time I get an email from someone, I can also see if they use LinkedIn. If they do, I just send an invitation. It also has the option to scan all of your emails. That's pretty much it. A lot of folks that connect with me, know someone that I used to work with. Once you amass a lot of contacts, it becomes easier for people to find you too and I guess you show up on top searches.
Looks like we're already connected too.
- HAYZ1LLA0
Make sure existing clients and even your friends and family know everything you can do. So many clients say stuff "We didn't know you did logos, we thought you were our website guys" for example.
Seems obvious to us. Small thing, but if we're forming a list!
- jimzy0
jim,
senior web designer + partner,
190k + benefits,
give good head.
- r0b0c0p0
bumpy bump bump
- formed0
HAYZILLA makes a good point, I can't tell you how many times clients have said "oh, we knew you did 3D, but didn't know you did animations (even though they go hand in hand)" or "so who will do the website you are proposing?" Well, that would be us too!
So LinkedIn works well? I've done a pretty good job of ignoring it altogther, and maintaining my anonymity (like on here)....hmmm.
- erikjonsson0
ffs man. just outdo the competition and post / get posted in places in a resonable manner so you dont overdo or overexpose your work. not that complicated
- THA0
bump
- Josev0
There have been a lot of comments about referrals, which I think are a good way to get work, but I think it's worth mentioning that the method can also be limiting for you. There's a design/business consulting firm that published a paper that basically said that if you relied completely on referrals you'll be defined by what comes to you instead of choosing the work you WANT to do. I thinks this is good advice and is actually my problem. I've been pretty busy since I started working for myself, I typically have 4 months of work lined up, but I havent been that excited about what I'm working on for a couple of years.
- oh, man, I should have read/edited before clicking "broadcast live", sorryJosev
- boobs0
Here are 3 golden networking ideas:
1) Take a banker to lunch, and learn about start-up businesses in your area. Then develop relationships with the people starting those businesses.
2) Go to "business accelerator" type events with your local Chamber of Commerce, so you can meet people starting businesses.
3) Go to any Venture Capital companies in your area, and learn about their portfolio companies. Find out from them who to contact at their roster companies.
- r0b0c0p0
Hey there is a bump on my....
- gramme0
A related question: are there any designers here who use representation to generate work? I know it's standard for photographers and illustrators to do so, but I've only encountered a handful of designers who have a rep. Granted, most reps are sharks and one has to be extra careful.
I got in touch with Hugo & Marie a while back, asking if they have room in their stable for another designer to represent. They were booked solid at the time, but said they might be able to help if things open up or they decide to grow...
- r0b0c0p0
@gramme
Your work is too good for reps. Just get into marketing a little bit more like mentioned in these threads. It does have it's downsides, once you start putting yourself out there some more, people will hate on you. But people will love you too. This is definitely not the place to market yourself, too many haters.