young webdesigner looking to get clients

[ericleach]

I am a 21 year old webdesigner, i currently work for an agency called JESS3 started by Jesse Thomas a DC entrepreneur. I work from home in CT but i am wanting to grow as an independent designer but i am not sure of the best ways to build a client base. how do i quote a job? how do i find people that need work? is there ways to get investors?

I have a website but its all basic work that was self-incited so no real heavy work. I am in the process of making it as professional as i can. Also trying to create a 'brand' if you will for myself.

Any help or previous experiences that you would be willing to share with me? Would love some feedback and guidance on how to grow to be a successful design entrepreneur.

[dmetcalf50]

check out 99designs.com

I'm always looking for designers because I outsource most of this. Send me a PM with your personal email.

[Fire_Tiger]

Eric,

As for how to quote a job, that's simple. Guesstimate how long it will take you and put a price on how much you want to earn per hour. Multiple and you got your quote.

As for finding work, go check out guru.com, eLance, GetAFreelancer.com, and other job sites. Find a project you think you can do and bid. To improve your chances of winning the bid, do not give a standard post to each project listing. Write an original one. That will show the potential client that you actually read their project listing AND you can customize your pitch to them for better effectiveness. I have hired people from these services and I have never picked the lowest bidder. Not that I want to pay more but all the ones I did pick customized their pitch to my project listing.

As for getting investors, forget it. People just don't invest into new webdesigners.

As for your own website, this is EXTREMELY important since you're a webdesigner. How could it be anything but? Of second importance is client websites you have done. If your own website hasn't turned off potential clients, the next hurtle is websites you have done. Showcase a variety. Not just styles but clients. Ideally, if they had a website, how what it was and then what you did. Before/after sort of thing.

Good luck!

[dcfauno]

Best of luck.

[visua]

Eric,
I am also 21 (and in CT), but started my own company, and got out of the web design business. I was the director of interactive development for a mid sized marketing firm here in CT a few years back.

I always do some web design on the side to pay for things i don't need, but really want

Its a super competitive market. I have a very, very long list of "prestigious" creds. and still never landed every job.

I think a good solution would be to figure out a niche market for yourself. OR, build a brand around one specific thing your good at. For instance, I was always big into flash development, and within 2 years right out of high school i landed a high paying job as a creative director doing specifically interactive and flash projects.

Try specifically doing something you good at, like commerce. If your great with commerce systems and can design / build them fast. Do that - build a name for it.

Also, push maintenance contracts. When the clients aren't rolling in, you still have a source of monthly income.

Don't take investments even if its offered. If you have a website, and 50$ your good to go. Be creative with your advertising, your a designer. It's a positive to hand someone a rock with your name written on it. "Wow, this guy is really creative"

edit:

Here's a tip that has helped me in the past, and still to this day. Develop a 'devkit'. Maybe 5-6 templates that you built and make them easily re-skinnable. Set them up as full websites ready to rock. When a average, run of the mill client comes in - your ready to rock and roll a site in a day or two tops.

By the way, email me if your interested in a CT media project i have going on.