Thinking about breaking into the freelance/independent scene in 2009? Have you recently graduated from design school and looking to start marketing your new freelance business?
I recently came across an article (slightly outdated) in HOW Magazine written by Ilise Benun that outlines a marketing strategy for rookie and veteran freelance designers. Provides a good overview to consider for the new year. The first part will focus on beginning designers stepping into the freelance world for the first time, and will be followed by a guide for more established freelancers. I present to you a week by week calendar for beginning freelance graphic designers on how to market themselves.
January
» Week of 1/7: Transfer tasks to calendar, install contact-management software, create database; develop an outline for your website; weekly networking
» Week of 1/15: Draft copy for each web page; weekly networking
» Week of 1/21: Revise web copy; weekly networking
» Week of 1/28: Begin design of site; weekly networking
February
» Week of 2/4: Create concepts for your first self-promotion piece; weekly networking
» Week of 2/11: Take copy from website and revise for promo piece; weekly networking
» Week of 2/18: Create comp and show it to a few clients you met through networking; friends, other designers; weekly networking
» Week of 2/25: Finish promotion piece and get it printed; weekly networking
March
» Week of 3/3: Choose a target market and start with and research prospects; weekly networking
» Week of 3/10: Do more research; find networking events to attend; weekly networking
» Week of 3/17: Write simple cold calling script and email intro message to your contacts/prospects; weekly networking
» Week of 3/24: Try the script out on 5 practice prospects; weekly networking
» Week of 3/31: More practice; weekly networking
April
» Week of 4/7: List 50 prospects; begin cold calling to introduce yourself to 10 of them
» Week of 4/14: Introduce yourself to 10 new prospects; weekly networking
» Week of 4/21: Introduce yourself to 10 new prospects; weekly networking
» Week of 4/28: Introduce yourself to 10 new prospects; weekly networking
May
» Week of 5/5: Begin planning for email newsletter; introduce yourself to 10 more prospects; weekly networking
» Week of 5/12: Develop 2 concepts for your e-newsletter; introduce yourself to 10 more prospects; weekly networking
» Week of 5/19: Draft one of the concepts into a prototype; introduce yourself to 10 more prospects; weekly networking
» Week of 5/26: Revise into final draft, ready to launch in June; introduce yourself to 10 more prospects; weekly networking
June
» Week of 6/2: Launch e-newsletter; introduce yourself to 15 more prospects; weekly networking
» Week of 6/9: introduce yourself to 15 more prospects; weekly networking
» Week of 6/16: introduce yourself to 15 more prospects; weekly networking
» Week of 6/23: introduce yourself to 15 more prospects; weekly networking
» Week of 6/30: introduce yourself to 15 more prospects; weekly networking
July
» Week of 7/7: Introduce yourself to 15 more prospects; brainstorm newsletter ideas; weekly networking
» Week of 7/14: Introduce yourself to 15 more prospects; weekly networking
» Week of 7/21: Introduce yourself to 15 more prospects; brainstorm newsletter ideas; weekly networking
» Week of 7/28: Introduce yourself to 15 more prospects; weekly networking
August
» Week of 8/4: Slow down a bit but keep the momentum going; plan for a fall/holiday promotional push
» Week of 8/11: Introduce yourself to 5 more prospects; concept for email newsletter #2; weekly networking
» Week of 8/18: Introduce yourself to 5 more prospects; revise email newsletter #2; weekly networking
» Week of 8/25: Introduce yourself to 5 more prospects; final prep for email newsletter #2; weekly networking
September
» Week of 9/8: Send out email newsletter #2; think about holiday promotion
» Week of 9/15: Introduce yourself to 20 more prospects; brainstorm ideas for holiday gift/card; weekly networking
» Week of 9/22: Introduce yourself to 20 more prospects; weekly networking
» Week of 9/29: Introduce yourself to 20 more prospects; weekly networking
October
» Week of 10/6: Introduce yourself to 20 more prospects; choose holiday marketing effort; weekly networking
» Week of 10/13: Introduce yourself to 20 more prospects; develop concept for holiday effort; weekly networking
» Week of 10/20: Introduce yourself to 20 more prospects; draft holiday marketing effort; weekly networking
» Week of 10/27: Introduce yourself to 20 more prospects; finalize holiday marketing effort; weekly networking
November
» Week of 11/3: Introduce yourself to 20 more prospects; weekly networking
» Week of 11/10: Introduce yourself to 15 more prospects; prep list for holiday marketing efforts; weekly networking
» Week of 11/17: Introduce yourselfto 10 more prospects; final holiday effort prep; weekly networking
» Week of 11/24: Take a break
December
» Throughout the month: Mail holiday promo; send final email newsletter for the year; keep up the networking; plan for the following year
What’s on your marketing calendar for 2009?
Marketing Calendar for Veteran Freelance Designers to follow. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out.
UPDATE: Recently brought to my attention, the above calendar has been expanded upon and is now available for purchase.
Great advice. I like the idea of a newsletter, great idea for keeping in contact with your clients.
Sounds similar to how I started Bergan Blue some 2+ years ago now. Glad you focused on the networking because this is definitely important for new freelance designers or businesses. Networking is a must and is a great way to build solid relationships with other business owners, suppliers and clients.
I’d like to point out though that networking shouldn’t be used as a sales/marketing tactic in my book. Yes, you can find clients at networking events - many of them - but remember that networking is moreso about meeting people and building relationships. Not making sales.
A good post as always
Well done!
Jon
Thank you for share.
Thank you for the info. I am working on my two month old freelance business this article has opened my eyes to creating an overall marketing plan, instead of marketing as I go.
I’m considering to follow the guide. Who knows these might boost my freelancing business!
Interesting. Can you shed any light on what “weekly networking” implies. It seems fairly important since it’s listed nearly every week.
James,
Weekly networking implies getting social and spreading the word about your services — through local events, “warm” calling, everyday interactions, online networking, etc.
That makes sense. Thanks for your reply.
I’ve been clicking around on your site. You’ve got some really great content. I’ll be back for sure.
I realize this is an old article and all, but this would be awesome integrated into Google Calendar or available on your desktop.