Here’s an idea to get some gigs
If you’re just starting out, or in a wee bit of a slump, here’s an idea to get some gigs on the project roster.
(Bear with me. I’m having an alliteration attack this morning.)
Look around. There’s no shortage of deficient design, foolish photography and wimpy writing. Use it to your advantage. Pick an niche. Maybe it’s an industry or a type of project. Either way, it should be something you’re interested in and can connect with. That just helps to make the job fun. Next, roll up the ‘ole sleeves and start doing your homework. Seek the bad stuff and you shall find.
Let’s say you do site design. Pick an industry and Google up some sites. Nab the contact info off the ones you think could use some help. If you’ve been itching to do some package design, go shopping. Find some companies with bad box in your marketing area. Maybe you’d like to help out restaurants suffering from menu malaise. Go out for lunch at some different places. Annual reports up your alley? No problem. Fire up Firefox and swing over to a site like InvestorCalendar.com. You can download report for free or have them mailed to you. As luck would have it, they’re sorted by industry. How handy is that?
You get the idea. The same goes for writers, photographers, illustrators and such. Look for the garbage and find ways to fix it.
Pretty quick, you’ll have a groovy list of peachy prospects. Next, whip up a letter to introduce yourself and let them know you have some ideas for their what ever you’d like to discuss during a brief meeting. I like to use the word “ideas” in intro and sales letters. It tends to pique interest if they feel you may be able to provide a benefit that will help them. If you have a promo pack, CD or maybe a press kit, add it to you mailing. Some tear sheets, or better, a quick read case study or two about how you saved another client’s neck will help reinforce your case.
Send off your package and follow up by phone a week or so later. Just because they didn’t scramble to call you (and some probably will) doesn’t mean they aren’t interested. If their stuff is that bad, they’re probably busy trying to get customers and keep their business afloat.
Doing this accomplishes a few things. First, it gives you something to do to pass the time when you’re slow. It definitely beats playing Solitaire on your computer waiting for the phone to ring. Second, you’ll build a list of prospects who need what you find interesting. Working on stuff you enjoy is better than working a gig you hate. Finally, over time, it will help you build a reputation in a certain industry or for a type of project.
(Bear with me. I’m having an alliteration attack this morning.)
Look around. There’s no shortage of deficient design, foolish photography and wimpy writing. Use it to your advantage. Pick an niche. Maybe it’s an industry or a type of project. Either way, it should be something you’re interested in and can connect with. That just helps to make the job fun. Next, roll up the ‘ole sleeves and start doing your homework. Seek the bad stuff and you shall find.
Let’s say you do site design. Pick an industry and Google up some sites. Nab the contact info off the ones you think could use some help. If you’ve been itching to do some package design, go shopping. Find some companies with bad box in your marketing area. Maybe you’d like to help out restaurants suffering from menu malaise. Go out for lunch at some different places. Annual reports up your alley? No problem. Fire up Firefox and swing over to a site like InvestorCalendar.com. You can download report for free or have them mailed to you. As luck would have it, they’re sorted by industry. How handy is that?
You get the idea. The same goes for writers, photographers, illustrators and such. Look for the garbage and find ways to fix it.
Pretty quick, you’ll have a groovy list of peachy prospects. Next, whip up a letter to introduce yourself and let them know you have some ideas for their what ever you’d like to discuss during a brief meeting. I like to use the word “ideas” in intro and sales letters. It tends to pique interest if they feel you may be able to provide a benefit that will help them. If you have a promo pack, CD or maybe a press kit, add it to you mailing. Some tear sheets, or better, a quick read case study or two about how you saved another client’s neck will help reinforce your case.
Send off your package and follow up by phone a week or so later. Just because they didn’t scramble to call you (and some probably will) doesn’t mean they aren’t interested. If their stuff is that bad, they’re probably busy trying to get customers and keep their business afloat.
Doing this accomplishes a few things. First, it gives you something to do to pass the time when you’re slow. It definitely beats playing Solitaire on your computer waiting for the phone to ring. Second, you’ll build a list of prospects who need what you find interesting. Working on stuff you enjoy is better than working a gig you hate. Finally, over time, it will help you build a reputation in a certain industry or for a type of project.
2 Comments:
Couldn't find your email contact, so I hope you read comments. I clicked on the link to your design website. Immediately after the page loaded, my antivirus came up and said my system was infected with the js.petch virus. Just wanted to let you know that you may have a virus attached to your graphics site.
I'm constantly discovering ugly design that I would just LOVE the opportunity to tack a crack at doing a makeover on. The trick for me is in exactly HOW to approach these companies. My challenge is in finding a way to tacktfully say, "Hey, I couldn't help but notice your design looks like crap. Let me help." :)
This becomes especially difficult with smaller business where there's a chance that, for example, the logo was designed by the owner's niece, or perhaps even the owner themselves. In those cases, suggesting that they could benefit from a redesign is often seen as an insult to the previous designer. Do you have any suggestions on how to go about minimalizing those problems when making cold contacts?
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