Over
the many years I’ve spent developing content and helping firms
establish online marketing strategies in the graphics designing
industry, I have observed novice designers are very worked up about
marketing their skills (probably because they thought making good
designs and taking them to people will make them end up with lots of
jobs) and come to take it as a set of ideas and practices that they need
to follow to get clients. They seem to think marketing their skills is
the only way to grow their clientele.
Networking: The Other Face of the Coin
When
such designers consult me for strategy, I show them the other face of
the coin. People on this side of the river call it networking, the other
half of making a reputation and business.
By networking, I mean connecting with other designers, not looking for clients directly but for the purpose of building rapport and collaboration. Why? That’s a layered question, but here’s the answer:
- To build peer recognition: Unlike what you may be thinking regarding forming relationships with your competition, it is imperative for your success that you not only get to know who you are competing with, but as a freelance professional, it makes a lot of sense to build as many bridges as you can to increase chances of finding jobs (We’ll discuss below exactly how you can achieve that).
- To share business prospects and ideas: When you make a network of designers, you are bound to get a collaborative angle out of the situation. Other designers may have prospects that could do with your specialties in design. Also, you may have business ideas that you may bring to reality with the help of other designers.
The Most Important Precondition of Networking
Networking is complex business. You can’t just start networking with other designers by sending them emails to say hello. A lot of thought goes into the process before you pick your strategies and start building your network.
However, there is one very important prerequisite you should be clear about. Do you know your career’s direction clearly enough? Do you understand exactly what aspect of designing your career will focus on? Knowing this answer is one of the most crucial aspects that can help you decide what strategies to use and whom to get connected with.
What Strategies to Use and How
Once you know your goals, plan the path to achieve them. Social networking in the online world is much the same as in the offline world. The simple rules of communication work here, as well – be truthful, talk about the things that interest the person you’re talking to, be helpful and flexible rather than being self-righteous and imposing, listen before you speak, don’t be ambiguous, and the like. Yet, when it comes to online social networking you must plan some strategies to target the people you are trying to build your network with. Here are a few good tactics you can use to build a successful professional network and get the exposure and opportunities for your business expansion:
- Join Design Networks
These design networks will give you a place to meet new people from the creative world, to get your designs critiqued and praised by people more experienced than you, to get inspiration for new designs, and to learn tips and tricks to improve the quality of your work.
- Write Blog Posts to Share Your Opinion
When writing posts for these blogging websites, whether as a paid or guest blogger, make sure you write interesting and useful information. Don’t brag and vaunt: self-praise is no recommendation. Instead, share the knowledge you have gained from your experience and observation and always give honest opinions.
- Invite Fellow Designers on Your Personal Blog
- Make Some Handy Comments on Other Designers’ Blogs
The first rule of making social network is to stay in touch. You can’t write blog posts every single day but you can comment on other blogs and works on a daily basis. Write clear, concise and useful comments. Don’t be over-critical or ever-praising – give constructive opinions, instead (Add value for the readers of the blog). Raise or answer any important questions the blog post doesn’t address, make suggestions to others commenting in the same threads, share views, and use positive sentiments, like thanks and best wishes. All these little things will make a big difference for your network.
- Make Contact in Your Niche
The
most important people you need in your network are the ones who share
some interests or business prospects with you. You’ll not only enjoy
talking to a person who is working in a similar market and is having a
similar designing approach, but also that person can give more expert
opinion on your work or can share more relevant information with you.
You can share your business plans with them and, best of all, can even
reach a point of understanding where collaborative efforts or ventures
are possible with them.
Have an on-and-off chat with them on the latest happenings in the design world. Give feedback on their work and share your work with them. Make a two-way connection: help them and get helped. Expand your circle even further by connecting to their contacts. The stronger your relationship, the more and better opportunities you are going to get.
So, go get busy!
Have an on-and-off chat with them on the latest happenings in the design world. Give feedback on their work and share your work with them. Make a two-way connection: help them and get helped. Expand your circle even further by connecting to their contacts. The stronger your relationship, the more and better opportunities you are going to get.
So, go get busy!
