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STARTING AND RUNNING A FREELANCE GRAPHIC DESIGN BUSINESS

PROMOTION / FIND CLIENTS

PROJECT MANAGEMENT / DESIGN TOOLS

GETTING STARTED

Graphic Designers from our Community

LEGAL/FINANCE

DESIGN BUSINESS 101

PRICING

GRAPHIC DESIGN CONTRACTS

WORKING ON SPEC : SPEC WORK

GRAPHIC DESIGN PROJECT PROPOSALS / RFPs

PRO-BONO (FREE) GRAPHIC DESIGN WORK

MORE FREELANCE / BUSINESS ARTICLES

V I S I T . D E S I G N . F O R U M S

V I S I T . J O B B O A R D S . A N D . A G E N C I E S

PROMOTING YOUR FREELANCE GRAPHIC DESIGN BUSINESS : FIND CLIENTS

120 Innovative Self Promotional Ideas for Graphic Designers & Freelancers - The biggest list of marketing ideas for designers ever.

Best Graphic Design Career and Business Books - Ultimate List of Books for Freelancers & New Designers - I decided to compile a list of the best graphic design career and business books collected from reading people's favorites listed on forum posts and blogs. I came up with the following graphic design career and business books.

Should You Use Elance to Sell Your Freelance Services And Tips on How to Utilize Elance - Are you having problems finding prospective clients? Do you need a little help finding freelance work? You should consider using Elance’s services to boost your freelance career.

Creative Marketing Ideas for Graphic Designers - Marketing-savvy designers who complement their design service with copywriting can expect more lucrative projects and plenty of on-going work.

10 Steps to Attract New Clients for Your Graphic Design Business - Do you need more clients for your graphic design business? This article will give you a few pointers.

Tips on Managing Your Online Graphic Design Portfolio - Something every graphic designer needs is their own portfolio to showcase their talent, and work they have done in the past. This is a vital item in the success of you as a designer.

8 Ways to Find Clients for Your Graphic Design Business - You've just opened your doors for business, anxiously awaiting that first customer. Chances are they aren't going to be beating down your door right away. Here are eight tried and true methods for new Graphic Design businesses to find new clients. Choose those that you feel are most appropriate to your business and the clientele you want to attract.

The Business Side of Design Part 2 - Marketing - When starting a business, most of us will have a small client base already in place. This usually consists of friends, family and contacts from previous jobs and school. The first few weeks will be reasonably busy, you may even make a little money. Unfortunately this will dry up fast. Uncle Joe won't need any more business cards for a while.

Client Prospecting for Creative Pros Who Hate Prospecting - Prospecting for clients doesn't have to be a time-consuming and demeaning experience. Quite the contrary, do it well and you can regularly earn new business on a few well-received calls a day. Sound too good to be true? Read on.

Graphic Design Portfolios for Graphic Design - Graphic Design or graphic design portfolios should be more than just a few samples thrown into a folder. Potential employers or clients use examples of your work to help determine whether they want to hire you. The samples you choose to display and how you present them can affect whether or not you get the job.

How To Successfully Network Online - If you want to get your business name out there, nothing is better than referrals and networking. Networking is the act of passing someone's name on to another person. But, in the new world of technology, networking has taken on an entirely new face. Since this form of self-promotion could mean make or break for your freelancing career, I recommend you use some of the following pointers.

Maximizing the Effect of Your Freelancer's Bio - Your freelancer's bio is a vital job-hunting tool. While traditional job hunters have CVs and resumes, independent writers and other independent professionals have biographies.

Nine Simple Rules for Sustaining Success - Success is never guaranteed, but failure is likely if you don't heed several major business principles redrafted here for the world of the creative professional.

Portfolio Series - 5 Part Series- HOW TO PUBLISH AND MARKET YOUR ONLINE AND OFFLINE PORTFOLIO

Promote your Design, Writing, and Other Freelance Services using Technology - As a freelancer, what methods do you use to improve your marketing results? Just a few simple techniques using technology that you probably already own, may make a big difference in your marketing results.

Prospect or Client? - Here is a problem that hits close to home for a lot of us. Trying to figure out when a prospect leaves the sketchy territories and becomes a client.

Pump Up The Volume of Your Proposals - You can't get the job without a proposal. And you won't get the job unless your proposal sings. Here's a checklist for making sure your verbal or written proposals are sharp, solid, and focused.

Sell Your Services to Businesses That Don't Have Websites - Freelancers often find that they are bidding for a job along with hundreds of other web professionals. For this reason alone, some freelancers are finding that they have to bid so low that they cannot make a reasonable living. Why not take your business into your own hands? After reading this article you will have a sure fire way of attracting clients to you, so read on.

The Graphic Design Portfolio - You've worked on some graphic design projects either for paid work, school assignments, or on your own. Now you need to showcase your talents so you can land a job or sell yourself to clients. You need a portfolio...

Top 10 Ways for a Web Designer to Find New Clients - Web design business is out there -- you just have to be a little more aggressive in finding it.

Who Sells Your Work? - As competition for design assignments increases, many creative professionals are considering working with a professional representative.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT / MANAGING YOUR GRAPHIC DESIGN PROJECTS

Tips for Organizing Your Graphic Design Project Files and Folders - When you are in a designing environment, it is always important for you to be organized. Here are some tips for how to better organize your files and folders.

Creative Track - The online project management and job tracking tools you need to keep track of projects and manage clients. No more sticky notes, restaraunt napkins, and writing on the back of your hand! Now you can easily jot down notes, log hours, or look up clients–from anywhere with an Internet connection.

10 Tips to Rescue your Graphic Design Project - Whether you're giving a critical sales presentation to a client, producing visuals for a meeting, event, trade show or seminar, or unveiling the new company logo before an audience of shareholders, top-notch graphics will help ensure that you, your products, and your message receive the attention they deserve.

Bigger Profits Through Lower Printing Costs - Lower your bids without lowering your profits by negotiating more effectively with printers and other vendors.

Pump Up The Volume of Your Proposals - You can't get the job without a proposal. And you won't get the job unless your proposal sings. Here's a checklist for making sure your verbal or written proposals are sharp, solid, and focused.

Steps of a Project for a Web Builder - This article will take a closer look at the steps you should follow when in charge of a project.

Spec Revisited - Imagine if you will the kind of costs that are incurred when a business decides that each prospect client is to be approached by offering free sample work, tailor made for each individual client. First there is the time spent by the sales team who appr...

Speculative Work - Speculative Work The debate over speculative work and free design services has have waged even longer than the Mac vs. PC war. Yet, which is a feat unto itself!

Stumbling towards deadlines - You can't live with 'em and you can't live without 'em; well, as a designer anyway. Deadlines: the bane of any professional; that thing that looms over the horizon, rushing ever closer as a reminder that time often runs out sooner than we'd like.

Tools of the Trade - The equipment you need to start and run a Graphic Design business is both varied and subjective. As a minimum you're going to need hardware (computer and printer) and software. Whether or not what you currently have is sufficient or whether you need to upgrade depends on the type of work you plan to do.

GETTING STARTED / STARTING A GRAPHIC DESIGN BUSINESS (Graphic Design)

120 Innovative Self Promotional Ideas for Graphic Designers & Freelancers - The biggest list of marketing ideas for designers ever.

Before You Jump Into The FreeAgent Pool - With the change in our economy and the survival mode that companies have switched to, a vast number of people have entered the arena of free agents.

The Business Side of Design - OK so you’ve worked your butt off for two or four years. You’ve worked and studied hard. You’ve become a master at PhotoShop, Illustrator and InDesign and that hard earned degree hangs framed on the wall. You’re all set to take the world by storm with your cutting edge designs. You have a portfolio full of student designs, half a website and now the question is…. Now what?

The Business Side of Design Part 2 - Marketing - When starting a business, most of us will have a small client base already in place. This usually consists of friends, family and contacts from previous jobs and school. The first few weeks will be reasonably busy, you may even make a little money. Unfortunately this will dry up fast. Uncle Joe won't need any more business cards for a while.

Develop Your USP - Sell yourself and your Graphic Design business. USP is your unique selling point. Also called your unique selling pr

Desktop Publishing as a Viable Home Business - Desktop publishing is a business that is offers real opportunities - and can easily be set-up in a home office. Learn the rudiments of starting this home business - it just might be your ticket to success.

Freelance Design: Freedom at Last! - What does it mean to be a freelance designer? Well, hey, it's a bit like Christmas - ya gotta work hard and be real good!

Home Graphic Design is a very cutting-edge business right now - Find out how to start yours, right from your own home.

Honing Your Business Plan - Taking a trip? Looking for a new job? Starting your own business? When launching any new venture, it often helps to have a plan. Leading a successful business will impact almost every aspect of your personal and professional life.

How To Start a Graphic Design or Graphic Design Business - While some sources might have you believe that all it takes to start a Graphic Design business is to have some software, a color printer, and some fancy paper, the truth is that a Graphic Design or graphic design business requires the same attention to detail of any small business venture. You can start small and build up but the basics are the same.

How To Build a Successful Freelance Web Design Business - I love designing interactive Web sites, and it is fantastic that people pay me to do something I love.

How to Start a Graphic Design Business - How to Start a Graphic Design Business 123

How to start a Graphic Design business - This is an ideal business opportunity for anyone with a good eye for design and you MUST be honest with yourself about this. Almost everyone you meet will think they can design a good looking advert or letter heading, but most wouldn't come up with anything even half decent. That's why the services of a good desktop publisher can be so much in demand.

Start a Graphic Design Business Course - In 17 days this free Start a Graphic Design or Graphic Design Business Course will show you how to evaluate your skills and expertise, establish yourself as a legitimate business, find clients, and do what it takes to start making money doing something you enjoy — freelance Graphic Design and graphic design.

Starting a Graphic Design Business - Combining your design and writing skills, this business is the perfect blend for people with an eye for the artistic and an ear for the written word.

Starting a Business - Advice from the Trenches

Starting a Graphic Design Business - If you have been well trained in graphic and multimedia design and possess extensive experience in the industry, you're probably wondering how you can make your skills and professional connections in the graphic design industry work for you. Starting your own company can be a lot of fun.

Start Your Own Graphic Design Business - Desktop publishing is a hi-tech home business opportunity where competition is limited and profits are high, especially for someone who discovers a gap in the market for quality, published documents.

Weekly Start a Graphic Design Class - Start a Graphic Design Business in 10 Weeks. Learn how to evaluate your skills and expertise, establish yourself as a legitimate business, find clients, and do what it takes to start making money doing something you enjoy — freelance desktop publishing and graphic design.

When I Grow Up, I Want to Be a Freelancer Like You - Freelancing. Some people will tell you it's not a good word to use for ones livelihood; that it has bad connotations. Perhaps it's true - "freelance" does conjure up an image of someone who hasn't quite settled down, really isn't sure what they want to do, might fly off with the next sunset.

Work at Home Ideas - Graphic Design - Small business newsletters, brochures, sales flyers, promotional mailings - what do these things have in common? All of them are made by desktop publishers! Graphic Design is a great field for someone with computer skills and an eye for good design.

LEGAL / FINANCE / CONTRACTS FOR YOUR GRAPHIC DESIGN BUSINESS

Craft a Contract for Your Graphic Design Business - Never work without a contract

Taxes for a Graphic Design Business - Isn't there a saying about death and taxes? Well, whatever the adage it is true that if you own your own business you must deal with taxes

GRAPHIC DESIGN BUSINESS 101 - RUNNING A GRAPHIC DESIGN BUSINESS

120 Innovative Self Promotional Ideas for Graphic Designers & Freelancers - The biggest list of marketing ideas for designers ever.

Do you know your business like they do? - If you own your own business and employ, more than 5 people make sure you know what they know about your business. Let's face it; running a business is seriously hard work.

Finding Your Niche as a Web Designer - To make it in the web design world nowadays you have to have a niche.oposition, it is what sets you and your business — or you as an individual — apart from your competition. It can be an actual fact or a perceived difference or specialty. Every business needs one.

Freelance Graphic Design - Freelancing Tips

Graphic Design Business 101 - Deposits - If you're a graphic designer, you should never, never, never work without a deposit.

Graphic Design Business Structures - If you're starting your own graphic design business, did you know that there's a form of business that could cause you to loose all your money and property? If you didn't, then you'd better read on.

Graphic Design Portfolios for Graphic Design - Graphic Design or graphic design portfolios should be more than just a few samples thrown into a folder. Potential employers or clients use examples of your work to help determine whether they want to hire you. The samples you choose to display and how you present them can affect whether or not you get the job.

How to Write a Proposal to Get Freelance Work - Want to get freelance work? Write a proposal.

Independent Designer or Design Firm - Which are you more suited to? Should you strike out on your own and become an independent designer? Or is the security of a design firm more your style?

Interview with a Freelance Designer - With over 6 years' experience in Website design, Cindy Chong decided to leave the corporate environment and become a freelance designer in May this year, starting her own business as 72dpi pixelartist.

Is Freelance Design and Publishing the Right Career for You? - Entrepreneurship requires more than design talent

Low Budget Clients, Worthwhile? - You may or may not have asked yourself this question but chances are the answer effects how you run your business and how you deal with your clients.

Making Them Want It. - Making them want is as much as you do. Great skill alone won't do it.

Making the Most of Your Design Business - It is the best of times and the worst of times. Life as a web or graphic arts freelancer can be both rewarding and tough. On one hand is the indescribable pleasure of be able to charge what your worth; on the other is the often frustrating task of getting paid what you're owed.

Do You Refer Clients? - At this point personal alarm bells started going off. I had no idea what the project was about nor would I unless I cleared my schedule and met with him in person.

Recommending Projects to Your Client - You got the job, now what are you going to recommend for the project? Think about your client's needs first and your talents second when drafting your initial recommendations.

The Art of Business: Artist's Rep or Artist's Rip Off? - Artist's representatives charge too much and won't even consider you unless you're already successful, so why even seek representation? Good question.

The Art of Business: Starting Fresh in 2005 - New Year. New Resolutions. Trying to make them count.

The Graphic Design Portfolio - You've worked on some graphic design projects either for paid work, school assignments, or on your own. Now you need to showcase your talents so you can land a job or sell yourself to clients. You need a portfolio...

The Freelance Road Less Traveled - After three years, I realized that corporate life was not for me. I asked to be laid off so I could start my own business. MET Design was established in 1984.

You Get What You Pay For - Without pointing any fingers there are some web sites out there today that enable professionals to get projects on a basis of bidding against other designers. While I don't see this practice as immediately destructive I can understand why many other designers turn their noses up at the idea.

PRICING YOUR GRAPHIC DESIGN WORK : SETTING GRAPHIC DESIGN RATES

Setting an Hourly Rate for Graphic Design - Although some consider it the most difficult aspect of starting a Graphic Design business, the basic process involved in setting prices and estimating jobs is fairly straightforward.

The Pricing Wormhole - As the market of available designers continues to inflate, many desperate professionals begin to work for pennies on the dollar. They’re shorting themselves, and they’re eroding the industry.

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