Five quick tips for getting new clients

Dear jay,

I’m presently working full time at a design shop. Problem is, I’m bored to tears. I do have a few freelance clients that I work with the weekends and after work, but to feel comfortable, I’d like more.

Could you please give me some advice on getting just a few more clients?

A simple question without a simple answer but here are five quick tips for getting new clients.

1. Check out our Resources

Go to our BoDo Resources page and check out the articles and sites listed under
D - G: Getting Work.

2. Network: Use your clients/friends/family/neighbours

As I mentioned in my The Starting Out and Setting Up Series: Clients, Oh My! post, I have been extremely lucky with clients. These days the referral system is firmly in place and clients find me. Setting up your network can be difficult but over at Creative Latitude, Ronnie Lebow has a great article, A Simple Way to Get Clients that will get you started.

3. Marketing: Marketing, marketing

Did we mention marketing? Our Marketing resources contain lots of websites and articles to get you started.

4. Search: Try the job boards

Again, on our BoDo Resources page you will find a list of job boards.

Warning: Do not be sucked in by the ‘Logo for $50’, ‘I’ll give you more work’, ‘I need want mock-ups/concepts’ type ads found on some job sites.

For a lesson in self protection, pop over to NO!SPEC and familiarise yourself with the concepts.

5. Give probono a go

Probono can be rewarding as well as a great source of referrals, but step very carefully if you are a beginner. Creative Business’ article Pro Bono work: When does it make sense? highlights some of the pitfalls.

Parting tip: Look for new job

If you are extremely unhappy in your present job, you should consider looking for new job. Although this is another topic altogether, I’ll pass on this personal job referral exchange which just came to our attention: whototalkto.com

The site has a simple premise, “All you have to do is contribute a referral you know of, and then you get to search the referrals posted by everybody else”.

Your referral has to be to an inside scoop for a possible job, but can be for any type of position: Someone who is looking for a plumbing apprentice, to a neighbour who runs a sports store and is always looking for sales people, or if you are game, to your boss for your present job!

Good luck!

Until the next
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