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Promote
Step 1: Promote

Effective promotion is the first step to becoming a thriving designer.

It is often the most crucial and yet overlooked step, because people feel that if you are a “good designer”, then the jobs will follow as soon as you hang out your shingles. Unfortunately, it’s not always the case; which is where the “starving artist” syndrome comes from.

How we'll help you promote your way to success

We’ll provide you with all the articles, checklists, templates, and worksheets you need to help you in your promotional efforts. We'll you:

  1. Marketing and advertising: Build respect as a proficient designer by learning the latest marketing techniques to help put the word out about you and your company. You can immediately put these strategies to use in your designs for clients and in your quest to expand your market. These time-tested techniques will help you realistically analyze and identify your market and target your marketing efforts effectively towards them.
  2. Networking: Successful networking helps you build referrals, builds your contact sphere, and gets word of mouth going about you and your firm. You'll learn the techniques to retain, resell, and upsell previous and current clients. We'll show you how to keep your business on everyone's lips!

Enjoy immediate access to the following promotion resources:

Topic ideas for graphic designers who blog
by Roger C. Parker, Looking Good in Print
Topic ideas for graphic designers who blog More and more graphic designers are learning the importance of marketing with blogs. Blogs offer an easy way for designers to keep their web presence fresh and up to date. Unlike articles on websites, blog posts can be very short. Visuals can be added, creating informative "mini-articles" that don't take long to prepare, but help you keep in touch with clients and prospects. . . . READ ON >
Marketing Calendar 2009
Marketing Calendar 2009 Another year, another calendar. Let's make this the best year yet! Remember: "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail" The reason this is a popular expression is because it's true. Don't make you success accidental… Plan for it. And then you act on your plan. Simple. Here's where you create it... . . . READ ON >
8 Topic ideas for client & prospect newsletters
by Roger C. Parker, Looking Good in Print
8 Topic ideas for client & prospect newsletters Experience has taught me that the hardest part about writing a newsletter often is choosing the topic. That's why I encourage graphic designers to create a 12-month editorial plan for their newsletter before setting down to write the first issue. . . . READ ON >
5 ways graphic designers can increase profits by sharing copywriting ideas & tips with clients and prospects
by Roger C. Parker, Looking Good in Print
5 ways graphic designers can increase profits by sharing copywriting ideas & tips with clients and prospects What do you do when your client or prospect needs some copyrighting ideas or tips? Many times, projects fall behind schedule, or are canceled, because the client, or their copywriter, can't provide the necessary copy. Although a lack of copy for an advertisement, brochure, or newsletter isn't your fault, you ultimately lose. . . . READ ON >
How to proactively market your design firm
by Roger C. Parker, Looking Good in Print
How to proactively market your design firm Graphic designers are often noticeably reticent about taking the initiative with prospects and clients. All too often, at great cost to their creative satisfaction and earnings, the careers of otherwise-accomplished designers are held back by a failure to act proactively. . . . READ ON >
Essentials of permission-based marketing
Essentials of permission-based marketing Permission-based marketing is a term coined by Seth Godin. It means that you need the approval of the prospect prior to adding them to your list. You need to make sure that it is indeed them that requested it and not some spammer. Build your list by offering prospects an incentive and then market to them consistently with autoresponders. . . . READ ON >

Does your website claim or educate?
by Roger C. Parker, Looking Good in Print
Does your website claim or educate? Is your web site a "brochure" site -- a "brag and boast" exercise designed and written from your -- rather than your prospective client's -- point of view or does your web site pre-sell your firm's competence by educating your clients and prospects, offering truly usefuladvice and assistance? . . . READ ON >
Is it time for your marketing makeover?
Is it time for your marketing makeover? Do you feel that your marketing could use a lift? In this article we will examine how you can revamp your promotional efforts. There are always things we can improve in our business. Use this as a guideline for deciding what needs to be done (and how) so that you can improve your marketing efforts. . . . READ ON >
Uh, oh! How to deal with having few or no professional samples in your portfolio
Uh, oh! How to deal with having few or no professional samples in your portfolio Whether you are applying to an ad agency or going out on your own, you will definitely need a portfolio of your best pieces. There is but one consideration for the pieces you want to select: choose quality over quantity. . . . READ ON >
How to write effective copy: everything you need to know, you were taught in English class
How to write effective copy: everything you need to know, you were taught in English class Is there a difference in writing a composition in English class and writing an effective sales letter? There's no difference in the process of writing a composition or for writing a sales letter. With anything you write, you want to communicate in a clear, compelling, high-impact and succinct manner. Let's examine those things we learned and apply them today. . . . READ ON >
Find out which Grammar rules you should NEVER apply when writing copy
Find out which Grammar rules you should NEVER apply when writing copy What is the sole purpose of grammar rules and punctuation? It's to facilitate communication. Sometimes the worst thing to do is have an English teacher read your copy. In copywriting, you sometimes have to set aside proper grammar rules and write as you speak. Whenever you are writing something, it's to connect with your audience; build a rapport with them. Sometimes the rules get in the way. . . . READ ON >
What you can learn about your customers through understanding advertising principles
What you can learn about your customers through understanding advertising principles Constantly evolving, advertising can be online or in print, paid or free. Most advertising materials carry a specific message meant to educate, inform, persuade, promote or sell a brand or service. You can learn a lot about people this way. . . . READ ON >
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