7 places to find clients as a freelance graphic designer
As an independent graphic designer who shares my work and stays pretty busy, people frequently ask me where to find clients as a freelance graphic designer. When I first started out, I took a lot of advice from more experienced freelancers on where to find clients and it’s paid off. I'm sure I'll continue to grow and shift this list, but here are 7 places I've found a lot of success landing awesome clients for my freelance graphic design business.
1. FRIENDS, FAMILY & FORMER CO-WORKERS
Stay at the forefront of their minds by sharing your work and confidently talking about your freelance design business. Word of mouth referrals are one of the most effective ways to drive business, so make sure your biggest fans think of you and have clarity on what you do when someone they know is thinking of hiring a graphic designer.
2. OTHER FREELANCERS
Whether it’s another freelance graphic designer or a freelancer in a related field, sometimes a project just doesn’t fit their skillset or schedule and they’ll need to make a referral. Don’t be afraid to get your name out there, even to “the competition”. I believe that having more supporting connections is never a bad thing, when it comes to building a business.
3. AD AGENCIES & CREATIVE STUDIOS
Let established businesses find the clients for you! A lot of agencies keep a staff just large enough to cover the work they have on their slowest months and hire graphic design contractors during their busy months. Their favorite contractors are ones who are easy to work with, do quality work, and can take on projects consistently.
Creative studios have been my biggest source of freelance work by far! I consistently do contract graphic design work for a couple of creative agencies, including a multi-disciplinary architecture, interior design and graphic design studio. Since I have a background in architecture, collaborating with them on graphic design work is a great fit! I provide a niche service called spatial branding, which is graphic design for interior and exterior spaces. With influences of interior design and architecture, I bring the client’s branding alive within their space using signage, murals, feature walls, window decals, custom designed finishes and wayfinding. Where could your particular mix of experiences fit into the services other businesses are providing?
Creative studios have been my biggest source of freelance work by far! I consistently do contract graphic design work for a couple of creative agencies, including a multi-disciplinary architecture, interior design and graphic design studio. Since I have a background in architecture, collaborating with them on graphic design work is a great fit! I provide a niche service called spatial branding, which is graphic design for interior and exterior spaces. With influences of interior design and architecture, I bring the client’s branding alive within their space using signage, murals, feature walls, window decals, custom designed finishes and wayfinding. Where could your particular mix of experiences fit into the services other businesses are providing?
I bring the client’s branding alive within their space using signage, murals, feature walls, window decals, custom designed finishes and wayfinding. Where could your particular mix of experiences fit into the services other businesses are providing?
4. SIGN & APPAREL PRINTING COMPANIES
A lot of these businesses offer design services but don’t have an experienced graphic designer on staff. They might be able to tackle a simple project in-house but if a robust design package is needed, they’d rather partner with a skilled graphic design contractor than turn it down.
5. FREE WORK
Some people will tell you to never donate your services. I disagree! Limit/spread out free work and plan ahead on what exceptions you wish to make. For me, I make exceptions for clients that are doing humanitarian work I’m passionate about. At the beginning of each year, I set a specific amount of hours I plan to donate. So then during the year when I’m saying yes (or no) to donated projects, I don’t feel guilty about it because I know it has always been part of my plan and budget. Read more of my tips for Generosity Ideas for Freelancers.
Pro tip: It’s an integrity move to treat free or discounted projects with just as much care, passion, & professionalism as paying ones!
Pro tip: It’s an integrity move to treat free or discounted projects with just as much care, passion, & professionalism as paying ones!
6. PAST CLIENTS
It’s so much easier to retain a client than onboard a new one. So put your all into every new project, no matter how large or small. With each new project a relationship is growing. You’ll begin to earn the trust of your clients and show them the value to their business that your creative services bring.
7. Special Niches of your Interests & Hobbies
If you’ve read Aaron Draplin’s book, Draplin Design Co. - Pretty Much Everything, one thing stands out about the stories he tells about his career. The world you’re in (your interests, hobbies, passions), will always be a huge opportunity for landing clients as an independent graphic designer. Maybe you know a lot of people in the music industry and can get your foot in the door with some record labels, consistently designing album art and band merch. Or maybe you have a background in the theme park industry or healthcare or architecture or ministry. Think of areas of graphic design where your unique blend of interests, connections, and experience can be the most useful. From my experience, those niche spaces within design (like designing wall graphics, signage and murals for interior spaces) are the most lucrative because there are fewer creative professionals who excel in them. The truth is your value is greater in these niche areas where you already know the lingo, the obstacles, and the players!
AUTHOR
Hi! I'm Tiffany Kelly, owner of The Honest Pixel, an independent graphic design studio in Winter Garden, FL. I've been a creative professional all my adult life. I have a Master's Degree in architecture from RISD and over a decade of experience in graphic design. I've learned so much about design, freelance, and owning a business since starting The Honest Pixel in 2022.
I aim to be a trusted and authentic coach for other graphic designers, freelancers, or owners of small studios. I share honest tips and wisdom about things I'm putting into practice within my own business. My goal is to encourage and build up other creatives in a real way that broadens your community and impacts your success.
I aim to be a trusted and authentic coach for other graphic designers, freelancers, or owners of small studios. I share honest tips and wisdom about things I'm putting into practice within my own business. My goal is to encourage and build up other creatives in a real way that broadens your community and impacts your success.
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