Problems Capturing those Clients? Get Our Top Tips Here!
Being a freelancer designer can be quite a challenging task for any of us. Not only do you have to keep up with the high pace evolution in the business but you also have the responsibility of taking care of every aspect of business – including getting new clients. In this article, you’ll get some tips on how you easier can get some of those clients to choose you ahead of all your competitors.
Picture by Philip MacKenzie
Remember that the tips can vary a bit depending on your niche and the market in general, but you will be sure to find a few helpful points in this list!
Give good offers!
Many times designers give offers that they’re expecting to negotiate over and over until they settle for a price. Give your best offer right away. This means that if the potential clients have checked with a number of other designers, you could be standing out as an affordable option.
Offer customization
Even though clients don’t necessarily ask for a very customized offer, take the time to give it. Make sure to include some room for redraws/rewrites, and include personal feedback and follow up.
Include all costs
Picture by Flavio Takemoto
Being honest and including all costs related to a project will make you stand out as serious. This can many times be something that tips a client in your direction.
Don’t be too pushy
Some clients will have to be convinced, that’s just how it is. But be aware of the thin line between a healthy sales pitch and being too pushy. You could end up with people NOT choosing you, with the reason of you being a bit too pushy.
Be friendly
Picture by Sergio Roberto Bichara
By keeping a friendly language and appearance, you always have a better chance of getting new clients compared to those who play experts and are cocky. The clients are the ones actually paying your bills, so you should treat them that way as they’re very valuable to you.
Never talk bad about others
If you’re trying to stand out by talking bad about your competitors, you’re on the wrong track for sure. If you want to be liked by your clients and have a good reputation in the market, one of the first rules would be to not talk bad about anyone else to try look better yourself. If you’re good, your work will talk for itself!
Get a capturing portfolio
Like mentioned in the previous point, your work will more or less talk for itself if you’re really good at what you’re doing. One of my hottest tips would be to take the time and effort required to build a good portfolio that does your work justice. It may take a day or two to get it done to perfection, but it’ll pay you back many times if it’s done correctly.
Those were today’s tips on some things to remember to capture new clients. As long as you always remember that you have to be humble, friendly and honest, – you have gotten a head start.
Picture by rore_d
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Good luck! 
August 3rd, 2010 at 4:03 am
Some great tips here. Building a good portfolio and an equally good reputation are the key attributes for a long term successful career as a freelance web designer. You have made a really good point abouk t being friendly and honest, your much more likely to get repeat work from clients and therefore spend more time designing and less time chasing clients.
Thanks for posting…