This post is a continuation of graphic design tip #40 in our article “101 Graphic Design Tips for Business Success.“
Email Newsletters
Unless you’re a designer and a magician, you probably won’t get a clientele without any kind of marketing. But, you don’t have to be magic to draw clients to you. In today’s world of easily accessible advertising, there are almost endless ways to promote your services.
If you have just been going by word of mouth, try expanding to other horizons, such as online networking sites. Facebook is a well known site that allows you to create and share company information with a seemingly limitless amount of contacts. Creating a blog can also add a personal touch to your business as people tend to write about everyday experiences relating to their field of business. Some other online options are:
- E-mail newsletters. This is an inexpensive way to keep in touch with your clients and provide value. If you don’t yet have customers yet (just out of school?), create one anyway and send it to your friends and family. Have them forward it on to people they know, to help you get started.
- Use Twitter to offer special promotions or discounts.
- Internet classifieds. Their viewership is often larger than printed classifieds, and is usually less expensive.
- Create your own products on a free online shop such as Cafe Press or Zazzle.
Freebies
People love free stuff, so design a giveaway. Create a catchy logo and place it on a magnet or memo pad. Design a desktop calendar that displays a variety of your work, and of course, all your company contact information. When thinking of giveaways think in terms of creativity, and uniqueness. Who could forget contact information on a kazoo?
Lastly, never underestimate the power of a business card. Make sure your business card is eye catching by using bright colors and bold lettering. Textures and cut outs on a card also add a unique element to what can sometimes be a rather bland piece of cardstock. If you’ve got a blank side, create a coupon or discount on it. Once you’ve got a show stopping card, distribute it. Post it on bulletin boards at local businesses and libraries, and hand them out to friends and relatives. Always have them on hand because you never know where your next contact could happen.
There are many inexpensive ways to market your business, so do it. If you put some extra time, effort, and a little money in to marketing yourself, soon you’ll be bringing in clients almost by magic!
