How do I supercharge my graphic design & printing sales?

Question

I work full-time as a graphic designer for a commercial printing company. I also work as a freelancer on the side.

My design rates are more than reasonable, and also I go through an online printer to sell the materials to my clients. My prices for printing absolutely crush any local printers (and most online ones too, like vistaprint on most items). I've send out hundreds of emails to new chamber of commerce members in several states but hardly anyone is biting.

I need to stay away from local clients because I don't want to step on my company's turf. How do I find the right potential clients to market to, and how do I reel them in?

My website is http://www.webster-media.com/. Thanks.

Answer 1

Make appointments with potential clients and show them what you can do. Much business is done because of personal relations - if the client knows you and trusts you, you will get business.

An e-mail is most likely put in the trash.

Plus your website does not say where you are located - is there even a phone number listed? Most small businesses like to work with people in the local area.

(And I know you won´t want to hear it, but your website is dull, boring and uninspiring. Work on the design.)

Answer 2

I don't really have any answers for you, but as a fellow graphic designer I offer my sympathy and a little feedback:

I do agree that the design & printing packages you offer are extremely reasonable. Unfortunately, I agree with the other answer that the personal connection / word-of-mouth is often what gets clients in the door, plus I think people have a lot of trouble trusting some anonymous person on the internet. My only advice is to send out some of those 4/1 postcards as a self-promo instead of an email. Send them to smaller businesses and focus the content on how they can get a really professional logo & letterhead without paying top dollar to a big design agencies -- that's what you've got going for you. Maybe feature that package deal you have advertised on your site. Yeah, and not advertising that you are in Maine is probably a good idea, since it just advertises the fact that you are FAR away (from me anyway!).

I wouldn't worry about your website right now; it was better than I expected from what the other answerer said and the average non-designer customer will like it just fine. The content comes across as very professional and user-friendly.

Congratulations on your baby and good luck!