| This may seem obvious but it's important: no one | | | | of the field and to convince potential clients that you |
| knows you're a web design expert until you tell them. | | | | do indeed know what you're talking about. Get started |
| Like I mentioned earlier, you have to be outgoing, and | | | | with a free service like Blogger or Tumblr to develop |
| willing to talk about the services you offer. Here are | | | | your style, and move to a custom WordPress blog, |
| some tools that will help spread awareness of your | | | | especially if you really want to learn WP programming |
| freelance web design business: | | | | and design. Having a blog has the added benefit of |
| Elevator pitch | | | | encouraging you to stay on top of industry trends, and |
| If you only had 30 seconds to a minute to explain what | | | | it also gives you content to promote on Twitter and |
| you do, could you do it? The elevator pitch, named for | | | | LinkedIn |
| the practice of pitching company execs while riding | | | | Twitter |
| with them on the elevator, is your most basic | | | | Again, you're a freelance web design expert, so |
| explanation of how you can help a person's business. | | | | spending some time on Twitter will help reinforce that |
| Practice selling yourself, and timing it, and you'll have a | | | | notion. Create and account with a custom background. |
| quick and easy way to introduce what it is you can do | | | | Search for people in your area within Twitter itself or |
| for people. | | | | with a tool like Twello. Tweet relevant industry news |
| Business cards | | | | and tips of your own. Once you have a blog up and |
| Obvious, but extremely necessary. Once you've | | | | running, you can provide links from your Twitter |
| adopted the mind set that you are indeed an expert, | | | | account to your articles. Follow industry leaders and |
| you'll learn to tell everyone you meet that you're a | | | | learn what's going on. |
| freelance web designer. Once you've introduced | | | | LinkedIn |
| yourself and given them your spiel, you'll want to leave | | | | This social network is important among professionals, |
| them you're card. Make sure the design of your card | | | | and having an up-to-date profile will help give you |
| reflects your personal brand. Are you simple and | | | | credibility in those circles. It shows that you're aware of |
| clean? fun and retro? grungy and edgy? Whatever it | | | | this avenue, and it provides more traditional |
| is, be consistent. And have them printed somewhere | | | | professionals, including those who don't use Twitter, the |
| like Vistaprint or Overnight Prints. | | | | opportunity to get to know you and vet your |
| Portfolio site | | | | experience before connecting in person. Keep your |
| Whether you use a free service, a paid service, or | | | | profile current, and solicit recommendations from clients |
| your own custom site, you must have an online | | | | you've successfully completed projects for. And when |
| portfolio with screenshots and links to your work. Your | | | | times are slow, watch the LinkedIn answers section to |
| business card should point there, as should your email | | | | see if you can help anyone with their web designer |
| signature. If possible, provide details about each project, | | | | challenges. |
| describing the situation and how your design helped | | | | Facebook? |
| overcome the problem. | | | | Facebook can be a decent place for sharing recent |
| Blog | | | | site launches and new portfolio work, but the tone of |
| As an expert, you should have a point of view about | | | | Facebook is much more personal intimate, and |
| web design and online marketing in general. A blog is | | | | self-promotion is less welcome here. Use with caution |
| the best way for you to demonstrate your knowledge | | | | when promoting your freelance web design business. |