What a great list of helpful resources! I’m a young designer having just entered the industry. I’m still learning a lot about everything, but more recently, the business and networking aspect that goes into getting clients at the firm I work at. It really is a lot more involved than I first thought! The way you break down all the different options is really helpful. You explain referrals in a way that I actually reverse my viewpoint and put myself in my potential client’s shoes. I definitely would be looking for a pleasant, intelligent and quality company to do business with. Thanks for all the great insight!
Great article – very relevant points and, from my perspective, very accurate and reflective of the real world.
Networking and referral business is by far the biggest source of business for us. Depending on the market your targeting (small businesses / mid-sized / corporates) will obviously dictate which business channel works best for you – but for us – the small business and mid-sized market – it’s definitely networking / referral.
The thing which is critical in generating new business is the relationship you have with the potential client. Generally, there not so concerned about having the latest and greatest – there more concerned about having a trusted partner so that when things do go wrong – you always have to assume that they will – they have the trust in you to sort it out quickly.
I was surprised by the accuracy of this article, the “two key points” are absolutely the right answer. The funny thing is how often people fail at either one of these items.
I’ve been performing business and operation consulting for many years, and frequently any process that I advocate for in a company SOP is designed to mitigate the innate tendency for team members to fail at either doing good work, or working well with one another. Emotional intelligence is king in today’s business world.
I’ve been a fan since seeing your “F**k You Pay Me” presentation. Thanks for taking the time to write this book and help us designers with the business of design. Solid information = more confidence in dealing with clients and contracting.
Luckily i am now no longer frightened to step up to new potential customers. But i recognize the feeling. The first time i took the phone and started calling companies in the direct neighborhood of our new office location that made me a little nauseated and wee in my stomach
Best thing that helped me was thinking; we got a great team with a great product and we can actually help this person or company better then anyone else in the neighborhood.
Believe in yourself and your product .. it makes all the difference! And of course; there will always be customers who dont buy .. but as long 4 out of 10 do WHOCARES.
I do share your views about getting clients. That is the part I hate the most. I only want to share my experience with Linkedin. I use it quite a bit to maintain relationships. I do not market my services there, although I maintain an adequate profile, but I linked my profile to my Twitter account. I try to publish 1 tweet per day, at various hours and those appear when my contacts to to LinkedIn. This way, my contacts are reminded that I exist and what I do. I have received a number of projects from contacts I has no communication with for years. It works.
Cold calling works if done right. If you don’t want to do it then hire a commission based freelance salesperson from one of the freelance sites. You have nothing to lose.
Your book is moving me forward to work on my relationships to improve my referral meter. Thanks for taking the time to order your thoughts for designers like myself. Design surgery begins with pleasant relationships.
14 Reader Comments
Back to the Articletom.sarduy
I really enjoy this chapter, I love the way you write! I’m buying the entire book!!!
TOVO
Thanks for your post, Mike. Networking is HUGE for our company. To me, it’s really the beginning to good referral/client relationships.
Danielle Hill
What a great list of helpful resources! I’m a young designer having just entered the industry. I’m still learning a lot about everything, but more recently, the business and networking aspect that goes into getting clients at the firm I work at. It really is a lot more involved than I first thought! The way you break down all the different options is really helpful. You explain referrals in a way that I actually reverse my viewpoint and put myself in my potential client’s shoes. I definitely would be looking for a pleasant, intelligent and quality company to do business with. Thanks for all the great insight!
Hot Lemon
Great article – very relevant points and, from my perspective, very accurate and reflective of the real world.
Networking and referral business is by far the biggest source of business for us. Depending on the market your targeting (small businesses / mid-sized / corporates) will obviously dictate which business channel works best for you – but for us – the small business and mid-sized market – it’s definitely networking / referral.
The thing which is critical in generating new business is the relationship you have with the potential client. Generally, there not so concerned about having the latest and greatest – there more concerned about having a trusted partner so that when things do go wrong – you always have to assume that they will – they have the trust in you to sort it out quickly.
After all – remember – people buy people.
Good article
lockandneck
1.Be pleasant to work with.
2.Do good work.
Two key points.
Brice Lucas
I was surprised by the accuracy of this article, the “two key points” are absolutely the right answer. The funny thing is how often people fail at either one of these items.
I’ve been performing business and operation consulting for many years, and frequently any process that I advocate for in a company SOP is designed to mitigate the innate tendency for team members to fail at either doing good work, or working well with one another. Emotional intelligence is king in today’s business world.
crosner
I’ve been a fan since seeing your “F**k You Pay Me” presentation. Thanks for taking the time to write this book and help us designers with the business of design. Solid information = more confidence in dealing with clients and contracting.
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Luckily i am now no longer frightened to step up to new potential customers. But i recognize the feeling. The first time i took the phone and started calling companies in the direct neighborhood of our new office location that made me a little nauseated and wee in my stomach
Best thing that helped me was thinking; we got a great team with a great product and we can actually help this person or company better then anyone else in the neighborhood.
Believe in yourself and your product .. it makes all the difference! And of course; there will always be customers who dont buy .. but as long 4 out of 10 do WHO CARES.
jraucci
I have followed ALA for many years and they alway keep up with the current trends, and provide great information. This article stays with that theme.
marc-poulin
I do share your views about getting clients. That is the part I hate the most. I only want to share my experience with Linkedin. I use it quite a bit to maintain relationships. I do not market my services there, although I maintain an adequate profile, but I linked my profile to my Twitter account. I try to publish 1 tweet per day, at various hours and those appear when my contacts to to LinkedIn. This way, my contacts are reminded that I exist and what I do. I have received a number of projects from contacts I has no communication with for years. It works.
Professional Web Design Company
Cold calling works if done right. If you don’t want to do it then hire a commission based freelance salesperson from one of the freelance sites. You have nothing to lose.
James Best
Your book is moving me forward to work on my relationships to improve my referral meter. Thanks for taking the time to order your thoughts for designers like myself. Design surgery begins with pleasant relationships.