I'm a freelance graphic designer in need of work, what can I do to get more jobs?

[Matty B]

1. Get your own domain and website. Having your portfolio on a free site doesn't really scream professional. I wouldn't trust a designer without his own site anymore than I would trust a mechanic who rides the bus everywhere.

2. Develop a solid identity and brand, then market yourself. Participate in the design community on twitter...facebook...linkedin and so on. Start a blog. Get write on another designer's blog. Whatever. Point is to get your name out there.

3. STOP giving sites like 99designs any of your time. These sites and the business model behind these sites is the diabetes of the design industry and whether you realize it or not you're making my job and your life harder by supporting them. http://www.no-spec.com/

4. STOP......WORKING....FOR FREE. By charging nothing for your time and work you're telling clients that either you don't have enough confidence in your work for them to pay you for it, or worse, that good design isn't worth anything.

5. Look for freelance jobs at places like Authentic Jobs or Freelance Switch.

6. Look locally. Find a small business with a bad logo or crappy twitter page and try to sell them your services. Half of graphic design is sales. First selling the client on hiring you and second selling them on your ideas.

7. Be patient. Freelancing is extremely hard work and most people cannot make it happen. At least not so well as having it be their only source of income.

Keep your chin up and hustle your a$$ off.

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