Jun

five ways to make your case for consideration in a crowded marketplace

tips

Graphic design is avant-garde-so market yourself in avant-garde fashion. Find ways to stand out from the rapidly-growing cadre of unemployed and under-employed designers who have been laid off or cast out from their previously plentiful jobs.
Whether you’re a longtime entrepreneur or newbie, following are five ways to make your case for consideration in a crowded marketplace:

1. Set yourself free. Offer a pro bono demonstration of your abilities to a desirable prospect. Without appearing needy or desperate for business, you can create the perfect showcase for your work. Impress, and you’ll be more likely to be invited back on a paying basis.

2. Solve a problem. Do some research, identify a graphic design problem-such as inconsistent branding-then offer a solution. While you initially may receive a less-than-welcoming response (people, after all, don’t always take kindly to “constructive criticism”), you can plant a seed that will ultimately come to fruition.

3. Provide a business connection. Help them, and they will help you. If you can demonstrate ability to be a valuable resource, your value may skyrocket. Opportunities to show your worth range from forwarding compelling articles about a prospect’s industry to introducing desirable strategic partners. If, for example, you’re courting a foodstuff manufacturer in need of creative labeling solutions, you could partner them with a progressive digital label printer.

4. Do a personal favor. Find out which decision-maker’s third-grader needs help with an art project, and offer to assist. Obviously, this needs to be in the context of a broader discussion, but helping out a prospect’s family or friends will help you build “community” with that prospect.

5. Research and report. Research a topic salient to a prospect, then report your findings. Providing insightful information that can help a company’s growth demonstrates that you offer more than graphic design-oriented services-bolstering your case as a trusted advisor.

Thinking out-of-the-box may well get you in the door.