How To Start A Graphic Design Business

Published on this site: May 29th, 2008 - See more articles from this month

The decision to go from worker bee to your own boss is often very scary. Most new entrepreneurs in this field begin while doing "freelance" work on nights and weekends. This is most always the first step to test the waters and see if you can truly be your own boss. The switch from nighttime freelancer to full-fledged design entrepreneur can be a scary transition, but is a necessary step to becoming a success.

Not every designer has what it takes to make it on his or her own. If you are starting your own business because you want to escape responsibility, you should seriously rethink this decision. The world of an entrepreneurship, while free and glamorous to onlookers, is often riddled with long days and often-uncomfortable tasks.

When starting out on your own, you will be responsible for making sales, dealing with clients, accounting, billing, and a number of other tasks. If you prefer to design and not have direct contact with clients, you will be better suited to work for someone else. On the other hand, if you are driven and motivated to make your business work at all costs, the world of entrepreneurship will be a good fit for you.

Here are a few tips that will make your transition from "in-house designer" to "entrepreneur" as painless as possible.

1. Business Name
   
   Pick a professional name for you business. The key here is to make yourself appear larger than you actually are. Even if you are working from a cramped desk in your bedroom, you will want to create the illusion of being a larger company. Clients want to work with established businesses and there is often a stigma that is associated with home based businesses.
   
   
2. Marketing Materials
   
   You are a designer, so the first impression that you leave with prospective clients is going to have a big impact on your success or failure. Make sure to design professional business cards and have them professionally produced.
   
   
3. Start Networking
   
   Join business-networking organizations in your community. You will meet and get to know other business people who may be a great source of potential business referrals. Most designers, and most people for that matter, are not comfortable with cold calling. While sometimes necessary, a good amount of cold calling can be submitted by good old-fashioned relationship based selling or word of mouth marketing. So get out there, network, form relationships, and watch your business grow.
   
   
4. Price Competitively
   
   Make sure to start out with a fair pricing structure. Most designers starting out on their own price themselves way below their competitors. Be confident and know what your services are worth. Research other firms in your market and price yourself accordingly. You should be charging anywhere between 50 to 100 dollars per hour, depending on the market. If you are charging less than 50 dollars per hour, your business will be destined to fail from the onset.
   
   
5. Get A Website
   
   Most of your potential clients and referral partners are going to want to see samples of your work. A company website is the easiest way to show your portfolio off. If you aren't a web designer, do invest in a quality designer that will give you a professional image on the web. Once you have a professional site, move forward with an Internet marketing campaign. Work on your site's SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and set up a pay per click campaign. If you aren't familiar with this type of marketing, hire an Internet marketing consultant.
   
   
6. Get Paid
   
   Most design companies charge an initial deposit before any work is completed. Adhere to this practice, by charging clients 50% before taking on a project. This will weed out clients who might not pay and will ensure that your valuable time is spent on work that you will be paid for.
   

These are a few tips to consider when starting out on your own as professional graphic designer. The road to entrepreneurship can be difficult, but will offer you many rewards. If you work towards your goals with diligence, you will be on your way to success.



Leslie Miller: Good Work Marketing And Design is a New Orleans design studio that specializes in web design, branding, and marketing consulting. For more information on New Orleans web design, please visit http://www.goodworkmarketing.com.