Freelance webdesign service advertising?

Question

I'm a freelance web designer looking for some ways of advertising my services. I don't have my own website, so usually I show people the projects I've done recently. And I'm looking something like craigslist's free ads or any effective ways to attract people's attention.

Could you give me a piece of advice or some links?

Answer 1

I own a graphic design firm, and regularly use freelance folks. I cannot imagine hiring a freelance web designer who did not have at least some sort of minimal web site.

I've also hired off Craig's list. It's a cheap place to advertise, but you get tons and tons of responses that you have to blast through at high speed just to get through them all. A web site (or at least a link to a portfolio oriented web service) is essential.

Sorry, but when you tell me you're a web guy with no web site... that just sounds to me like you're not yet serious about what you're doing.

Nothing personal,
Rex

Answer 2

A few free resources – check out the sources box for links:

1) Create a blog pertaining to your field

2) Use Yahoo! Local & Yahoo! Groups – Be sure to read the TOS for each one!

3) Write articles pertaining to your field and/or expertise.

I listed a few handy sites & articles relating to marketing, promotion & advertising. Here's some book titles that are relevant:

* The Complete Idiot's Guide to Marketing Basics by Sarah White
* The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing by Al Ries, Jack Trout
* Creative Advertising: Ideas and Techniques from the World's Best Campaigns by Mario Pricken
* Entrepreneur Magazine's Ultimate Small Business Marketing Guide: Over 1500 Great Marketing Tricks That Will Drive Your Business Through the Roof by James Stephenson
* 301 Do-It-Yourself Marketing Ideas: From America's Most Innovative Small Companies by Sam Decker

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 3

Design your own website! The most effective way to show that having a website is a great marketing tool is to use your own! Create a brand and a style that suits you. Keep it simple, clean and professional. Don't show off every code or every flash you can do - just put forth your most promising look.

Also, word of mouth is the hottest way to build a business. Join a networking group like http://www.bni.com or your local chamber of commerce and start working the room. Get a few books on how to be a successful networker and learn the way to network successfully.

Good luck!!!!!

Answer 4

You know web sites not only have to look great but they have to work.
A piecemeal web site that has no viewer participation or says too much is of no use to anyone.
Great web sites are the ones that entice the viewer to want to know more through a series of "closes" leading to BUSINESS.

All up web sites that give everything rarely work.

I other thing if I may add. Always welcome the viewer to the site.

Now the fact that you design but haven't managed to attract anyone to your sight, suggests that you are doing something wrong.
If you want to present your services then get yourself what you are wanting to sell.
If you want some help with the creative then get in touch with me.
http://thebaldchemist.blogspot.com By The way always have some elements of fun.
Take Care.
The Baldchemist

Answer 5

I just started a small business and this is one of the websites I found. Since you dnt have a website yet I'm assuming you target customers who reside in your area to show them your designs. Well any way this site lets you advertise for free, but only in your area. Of course they have different fees if you u want to expand your horizons. Good Luck.

Answer 6

If you want (or anyone) want to promote business/website, visit http://marketingdreamz.tripod.com/
or contact [e-mail].
The cool things about this website is that it is ran by college students and so you could try to offer your own advertising rate, because they just sarted, so am sure, they'll advertise for really reasonable rate.!

Answer 7

I agree with Rex. You need to set up a web site to show off your stuff. After that try some Google adwords to drive traffic to your yet-to-be-developed web site.

Answer 8

There are many online market places in the internet, you can join with them and provide your writing service.

Answer 9

- create your own website, on free website (paid is better, choose cheapest package that suits your need, small money anyway but more professional)

- link a blog to your website

- submit your website to most popular search engine, and important to give good "description" about your website, search engine will use words in your "description" as the keywords, read more info about this in the links below

- update your blog often, it will help your blog to be found/submitted in popular search engine. dont forget to place your blog in popular blog website

- mention your "key words" and company name more often in this Y!A, as it will aso be submitted to search engine...

- provide links from your website to other excellent websites, that way people might save your website in their favorites.

- make your website as clear, informative, simple and to the point. easier to understand. most people only glance at websites in the beginning...

Answer 10

Dude. You need to have a website if that is your product. Worry about the rest after you realise the imprtance of this.