Freelancers: where do you find work?

Or does everyone already have a site?

[dickbaker]

I've been in the advertising industry for just over 25 years, and got into developing websites about two years ago. As a professional, I would never offer any service that I cannot deliver on.

Well, I think I've reached the point where I can guarantee a good-quality website with some extras that some designers can't: an extensive background in photography and Photoshop; a solid background in writing ad copy; a good working knowledge of Flash, ASP, MS Access, SQL and other aspects of website development that many designer types don't have.

What I don't have is a clue as to where to look for clients. As a photographer, I always approached advertising agencies and found my work there. But, in trying to find web work, I look at newpaper ads and see that every business right down to the local hamburger stand already has a website.

So, without giving away your sales secrets, where do you go to find new leads for your web business?

[Maynard]

In response to Mark_A's previous comment I would also confirm that for many organisations it is a group of people (a committee) that decides on investing in a new website. My own organisation - a non-profit - numbers only 26 and yet there are 6 people involved in decision-making on web issues (I'm the web manager) across the departments. We are tendering for a redesign and it's taken us several (3-4)months just to come up with a shortlist of companies to approach with the tender document. They'll be another month or two to decide on our preferred designer. In all, the decision process from first consideration (of several designers) to final choice can be 3-6 months! I could never give a designer an instantaneous answer over the phone.

Hope that helps.

Maynard.

[LABachlr]

Dick,

Since you are a photographer, why not concentrate on your own kind...photographers! They definitely need sites to showcase their work. Because you are one yourself, you will know exactly what they need for their site, will be able to come up with some killer custom scripts for that vocation, and will know exactly what buttons to push to sell them your services!

You could also broaden the market and market your services to any profession related to the visual arts: artists, cameramen, directors of photography, sculpters, etc. Don't think that small businesses are the only ones that need your services. Sole proprietorships need you as well. They may not want as extensive a website as some small businesses may want, but you will more than make it up in volume.

I'm sure you know how to find photographers already (not even referring to contacts in the business that I am sure you have), but just in case, join professional organizations for photographers. Then...start networking! Another place to network is your local Chamber of Commerce. If you do not live in a well-populated area, then go to a nearby town/city that is, and join theirs (I believe that is possible, but not sure; you could at least get a list of their members).

Another idea is to contact businesses who deal with photographers all the time, and set up a deal with them. They refer you business, and you either give them a finder's fee, or you refer business back to them.

You can also start going to trade shows that photographers go to, and start networking there. If you have some cash on hand, you could even partake in the trade shows! Buy booth space, and promote your business there. Just one trade show would generate enough business to keep you busy for a while.

And start checking out some art gallery showcases as well. Not sure what the industry term for them is, but you know when art galleries showcase the work of a specific artist or photographer? Start going to those and press some flesh. They are great networking. An artist at that level will definitely need a website.

You could also approach agents for photographers & artists, and offer them a great deal for their entire client base! Not sure, but I assume they have agents.

Another thing you could do is find some photography forums online, and start giving them free advice on website issues. Just remember to put your info in your signature. ;)

Of course, you can apply this advice to any vocation, but why not start with one you know best. As they say, send a [photographer] to catch a [photographer]. ;)

Hope this helps!

Good luck!

[mysticalapollo]

I read here that someone mentioned Architects. The A/E/C- Architecture/Engineering/Construction industry is just crying out for site development and redesign work. Why do I know this? I am the Director of marketing/Business development for one! The funny thing is that I am very new to web development, but I am redesigning ours. I have spoke to many other professionals in that field and there has always been those that say "our web site is under development" or "we are making changes to it" or "we PLAN to update it" or something along those lines. The thing about these firms, is that they RELY on the sites and pics to sell their services and to show their experince, which is done in great part through pictures. When we market to other firms the forst step to getting in the door is to have them look at the site.

Go to thebluebook.com and you can search by multiple categories, ex. in the search for just type architect, engineer, or construction and it will give you a list of thousands and thousands of those types of firms. You can also narrow your searches by location.

The other great thing about this is that since you are a photographer, I would definitely mention that to them, you may also be able to get work of taking the pics and doing the website. You could make an offer where you would take pics for free (to get yourself in the door or at least offer a discount)and use them in the site. But the one thing about this industry, or any other for that matter, you need to sell what you can do for them, why should they use your services. I think using the photo and site development angle is a great one to consider. Hope this helps. More specific or additonal questions feel free to sticky mail me.

[mysticalapollo]

Oh and one other thing, if youre low on experience and looking to establish yourself I would use your local or wherever the geographic locale is you want to target and find the minority and woman owned enterprises, also check the SBA's 8(a) and SDB. The way to find them is to search the area, like california for the sake of argument and find their Minority, woman owned directories. These firms are usually just starting out and may have a very primitive site that you can really help them upgrade, plus it gibes you more creds and experience. With the SBA, just go and find the SDB 8(a) firms and they should have a list, these are also very small and disadvantaged businesses but they are for federal work as opposed to the state and local levels. Good luck.

[Fenceman]

Ok, LABachlr gave away all my marketing secrets. I'm going out of business ;)

Seriously, there are some great tidbits in this thread. I think you're best off going after the photographer angle. Whether it's building site for photogs or utilizing your skills to land contracts that would benefit from those skills.

But, if you really want to go after the small businesses in your area, building relationships is the key. One of the things that works out well for me is marketing through computer network consulting firms. There are a bunch of them around and they--for the most part--don't deal with the web at all. But, companies talk to them about their computers, so they ask about web design. Because, hey, they're a 'computer guy', right? :)

Anyway, get on their good side and reap the benefits--they're going to recommend someone, might as well be you.

[anallawalla]

Find a magazine editor who could use a story about your "successful" change of career and use the freebie clients as case studies.

Google a bad web site that contains a "Design by" string and check out the designer's portfolio, then call all the clients.

Network at places where future customers go. At the recent Comdex in Las Vegas I sat in on two seminars by Google (tip: their "Advanced SEM seminar" is at kindergarten level for WW regulars). I spoke to a chap who asked a good question and thanked him for it (spoke to two of them, one at each). He was impressed by my knowledge, bought me a coffee, got some free tips. He just rang me (I'm in Australia) today and handed over the phone to my newest client - and he has a couple others up his sleeve.

My best client is also a referral from someone I had only known electronically.

Ash