Hi, I'm thinking about doing some freelance web design and marketing for a bit of extra cash.
Aside from cold calls what are some good ways to obtain clients?
Ask HN: How do you find clients?
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Re: Ask HN: How do you find clients?
#2Cold calls rarely work -- unless you are as good at selling (yourself) as you are as a web designer. That's a rare combination.
Word of mouth is the most powerful way to get business, of course. So the first step is to let the people you know know that you're available. Tell the people who might need your skills that you have them; if they don't need you, they might know someone who does. (This is a good use for LinkedIn.)
Have an elevator pitch ready that summarizes your tech specialties (e.g. HTML5, Dojo), business expertise ("have created several websites for realtors"), and a sense of the best match that hints at your rate ("affordable for small businesses"). Have a web portfolio ready. Update your LinkedIn page.
Depending on how much "a bit of extra cash" you can get started with sites like elance.com but my sense is that the money isn't all that great. (That perception might be inaccurate.) If all you're looking for is "a little extra" and an opportunity to expand your skills, it might still be a good idea.
Re: Ask HN: How do you find clients?
#3In general I would like to hear what company/website/.. you started and how you got your clients/users.
Re: Ask HN: How do you find clients?
#4Cold calls rarely work -- unless you are as good at selling (yourself) as you are as a web designer. That's a rare combination. Word of mouth is the most powerful way to get business, of course. So the first step is to let the people you know know that you're available. Tell the people who might need your skills that you have them; if they don't need you, they might know someone who does. (This is a good use for Link…
I am a huge believer in the word of mouth method. I've been doing web design and programming for over 10 years and have not once cold called or advertised my services.
I think there are two important aspects of "word of mouth" however. First, is you have to get the word out. Don't be shy about telling family, friends, colleagues, people you meet in a bar, etc. about what you do. Depending on your audience, be prepared to "present" your skills in an appropriate way. For people who may not be your direct client but will be acting as the courrier of your message, keep it simple – you probably won't get the business because of what you say to them but because of how they know you out of context from business.
The second important part is to give your clients a great service experience. You don't have to be the best at what you do as long as you find a way to make your clients happy. Clients can then speak to both your product and your service. Client referrals are over 80% of my new business.
Re: Ask HN: How do you find clients?
#5Build a portfolio site that houses your work. If you don't have a portfolio, make some sites for your friends for free or cheap to get started. Then go to networking events, or find businesses that do not have websites, or who have really shitty websites. Unfortunately, knowing the person makes it a lot easier than going cold, but cold also works. If you want to do something for a local business, find one with a Flash website or no website and approach them in person if possible. This works a lot better than cold calling or cold emailing, but not to say that those don't work. I send 500+ emails some days and if you hit that volume you are guaranteed at least some responses...
Re: Ask HN: How do you find clients?
#6Cold calls rarely work -- unless you are as good at selling (yourself) as you are as a web designer. That's a rare combination. Word of mouth is the most powerful way to get business, of course. So the first step is to let the people you know know that you're available. Tell the people who might need your skills that you have them; if they don't need you, they might know someone who does. (This is a good use for Link…
I am a huge believer in the word of mouth method. I've been doing web design and programming for over 10 years and have not once cold called or advertised my services. I think there are two important aspects of "word of mouth" however. First, is you have to get the word out. Don't be shy about telling family, friends, colleagues, people you meet in a bar, etc. about what you do. Depending on your audience, be prepare…
Word of mouth is definitely the best way to go about it. I have also had success by going through friends who work at smaller digital agencies and PR firms. Places like that sometimes lack technical people, but they have a portfolio of clients who may be in need of web work. They basically refer the job to you or you work as a contractor under them.
Re: Ask HN: How do you find clients?
#7I've found Linkedin to be pretty good at getting the odd job. Just connect with any one who looks like they might have occasional freelance gigs (e.g. agency directors, recruiters etc).
Once you get a couple of clients that have regular work your pretty much set
Re: Ask HN: How do you find clients?
#8How effective are ads in local papers or even online search results?
Re: Ask HN: How do you find clients?
#9I have polled many freelance devs and designers about how they find their clients. They almost always reply that they are found via word of mouth. Many that have tons of work, don't even have a portfolio.
Re: Ask HN: How do you find clients?
#10Another option is a site like elance. Some pay higher than others and I've been told elance and odesk pay higher than most sites.
This will help you find your initial contacts, and then hopefully find some ongoing/long term work.