I too am a graphic artist for 25+ yrs and went into business for myself.
To start, you will need a good nest egg to tide you over for the
initial 4-6 mos. and a well-thought out marketing/business plan.
I would suggest advertising in local biz/artsy publications, sending
out press releases to all newspapers, and having a creative website
with your graphic samples. Be sure your business card GETS ATTENTION
WITH ITS CREATIVITY and give it to everyone you meet! I targeted
printers/copy shops who may not have their own in-house full time
graphic artist or who may have lots of overflow work. Marketing firms
hire independent talent. Also new businesses (you can get a list from
the newspaper announcements) always need lots of design and print
work. Try to get 50% up front for initial design work from start-ups.
You can start by first calling to introduce yourself. Don't be put off
if you cannot speak directly to the art director/marketing
person/owner, just get their name, telephone extension and email
address and send them a follow-up intro card or email. Now you can
call again and speak to them directly. Compile a good list of
businesses you would like to do work for and hit them again and again.
Keeping your name out there is very important and may take time, but
will pay off.
Also, a creative little newsletter with tips and tricks and
interesting tidbits is a nice printed piece to be mailed or emailed
and will keep your name front and center.
I cannot stress this enough that all your introductory stuff, bcs,
cards, press releases, etc. should be triple-checked for accuracy.
Typos are not a good way to get attention!
I hope this helps. If you have any other questions or thoughts, please
don't hesitate to email me!
Good luck,
Renette
--- In entrepreneursathome@yahoogroups.com, "wfhlembo" <wfhlembo@...>
wrote:
>
> Ok, I'm new to the group, but not to the entrepreneur "feeling" if you
> know what I mean.
>
> I'm at a cross way with my life right now and could use some advice. I
> currently work about 32 hours for an insurance company and am loosing
> my job in September. I've been a graphic artist for about 21 years+
> now, and had continued it "on the side" for about 8 years now. So, now
> I'm at a point where I'm loosing my job, and could either 1: get a new
> job or 2: go into business for myself - pushing the graphics....... so.
>
> I would love to push the graphics, go out on my own..... but I don't
> know where to start. I've got the talent, and the references, but jobs
> have always come via word of mouth. Now, though I would need them to
> be for my main source of income. Where do I go out and get jobs? Do I
> walk into small businesses and introduce myself, or what would be my
> first step - kinda a stumbling point for me right now.... any
> suggestions? Thank you in advance.
>
> Andrea
>
------------------------------------
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