This is part two of a post, How to Start a Graphic Design Business from Home
Getting Started
The first steps of your home business can define your future success. It’s important to build a strong foundation.
Consider these steps to get started:
- Evaluate your graphic design skills. Do you love art and frequently fill entire notebooks with designs? Or, do you simply doodle once in a while on a napkin?
- To succeed in graphic design, you must love art and computers.
- You must also have the necessary skills to create logos or brand images for clients and businesses.
- Examine your skills in an unbiased way. You may want to ask friends, family, and other graphic designers for their opinion. Talent and effort will be required to be successful.
- Consider extra classes or certification programs. Investing in education early on will help you build a stronger graphic design business and compete successfully with others. If you already have a degree in graphic design or a related field, then you can skip this step.
- If you have a degree or are certified, clients are more likely to choose your services.
- You can find online classes and certification programs in graphic design.
- Consider picking a niche. Do you only want to work with restaurants? Do you prefer to work with small businesses? By picking a niche, you can make your business more focused.
- A niche can help you target the right clients and make you an expert in their eyes. You can get referrals easier and build your clientele.
- Make a portfolio. Graphic design is a visual business, so you need a strong portfolio filled with your best images. Even if you’re just starting out, clients will want to see samples. Offer to make samples for friends and family to build your portfolio.
You have several options in creating a portfolio- a website portfolio, a PDF which is similar to an online catalog, a slideshow or a physical binder containing your printed designs.
- Check out the competition and think about pricing. As you look at your competitors, take note of their rates. How much are other graphic designers charging in your niche?
- Handle your location’s home business legal matters. Does your city or state require you to get a business permit, even for a home office?
- Consider the tax implications. You may want to meet with an accountant or tax advisor.
- Think about your business name. You’ll be competing against many graphic designers online, so choose a unique name. You may want to use your personal name or something else that has meaning.
A graphic design business takes thought and effort. Get started on the right foot by taking the time to cover all the basics.
Finding Customers
An online graphic design business depends on the internet for customers, but you can explore multiple options.
Consider these tips for finding customers:
- Create a website. Having your own website will help you attract clients who are searching for graphic design help.
- Search on social media networks. Join groups that are in your niche and looking for designers. Join Facebook groups, Twitter chats, Pinterest group boards and others.
- Through social media, you can build trust and a reputation with potential clients. Often, other designers will have overflow work that they share.
- Search online job boards. You’ll find a wide variety of online job boards for designers. Search for clients in your niche and stick to your rates.
- Ask for referrals. Ask every client. This will help you get more leads and grow your business.
- Look for local clients. You can still do the work online, but your clients can be local.
- Do you know any businesses that struggle with logos, handouts, brochures, or other design needs?
- Attend graphic design conferences or other events. You may find new customers.
Finding the right customers is a crucial part of your graphic design home business. For the best results, focus on areas that have your ideal clients.
Marketing Your Business
Use several methods to find customers:
- Advertise online. Buy ads for your graphic design business and show them on different search engines or sites.
- Join graphic design membership sites. If you join these sites, you can advertise your business.
- Partner with other businesses. Do you know a copywriter who hates to make images? Do you know an IT genius who can help fix any error or problem online in minutes?
- Partner with other businesses that aren’t direct competitors. You can refer people to them, and they can refer people back to you.
- Leave your business card everywhere. Leave cards at local shops, stores, companies, and libraries – anywhere your potential customers or business partners might frequent.
- Use direct mail. Creative postcards, fun magnets attached to fliers, and other ideas will help you stand out.
- Use cold emails. You want to send these emails to businesses that need your services and could benefit from your work. For best results, find the name of the person you need to write to, and then follow up your email with a phone call.
- Use cold calls. Contact companies that may need graphic design help.
- Give a presentation. Giving a presentation can help you reach new audiences. You don’t have to be paid for the presentation, but ensure that you can share your business cards and information with the audience.
- Check local business groups and meet-ups for presentation guidelines.
- Use the presentation to talk about the importance of graphic design while giving value to your audience. Include a call to action at the end.
- You can use both online and in-person presentations to your advantage. Online webinars are a popular way to grow your business.
- Advertise on social media. Purchase ads on Twitter, Facebook, and other networks to sell your services. Remember to target your ads to your niche audience.
- Reconnect with old friends and other businesses. Do you know someone in your past who can help you grow your business?
- Offer free online consultations. You can use this to sell your graphic design services.
- Provide value without giving away all of your graphic design secrets.
- Show potential clients how you can help and what you’re capable of creating.
- This is the opportunity to answer their questions and build trust.
- Partner with charities. Nonprofits often need graphic design help.
- You can offer your services in exchange for exposure and testimonials. You can also ask them to add your links to the finished designs, so people know where to find you online.
- Join local business associations. This will allow you to network and talk about your business. Meeting other business people will give you new ideas and valuable feedback about your own work.
- Focus on groups that are likely to have potential clients. Be active and attend frequently.
- Attending events as a speaker can help you tremendously.
- Help community events. Your community may have multiple events throughout the year that need your services. Offer your graphic design skills in exchange for something of value such as exposure or testimonials.
Marketing is an essential component of any graphic design business. Your home business depends on effective marketing tactics to grow your profits.
Conclusion
A graphic design home business can be a fun and successful venture. You can show off your skills and help people with their design needs.
You can create a profitable business that sustains your family and grows over time.
You can make graphic design your entire income or a side business. Whichever one you choose, it’s important to be committed for the greatest success in this exciting endeavor.
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