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Slide deck from a talk at the London College of Communication for Creative Enterprise Week. Topics cover setting up as a freelancer through to finding your first clients and some of the barriers you might come across.
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Crea&ve Enterprise Week
Finding Your First Clients As A Freelancer
Who the hell is this guy?
Hi, I’m Adam Ball
I run a startup….!
What the hell is that?
We connect student and graduate creatives with businesses!
Why am I talking to you?
Helping you to find your first clients!
And highlighting some of the barriers
you could face!
Before we kick off
The boring bits
!https://www.gov.uk/set-up-sole-trader!!https://www.gov.uk/register-for-self-assessment!!https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/registration/newbusiness!!
Youʼre going to need to set up as a sole trader and get set up for tax. !!Personal allowance of up to £9,440!!There are a bunch of resources online.!!Or you can call 0300 200 3310 to get advice !!!
So where do I find
clients?
A basic checklist
!Clients come to you!
!Go to clients!
!Website / SEO / Blogging!
!Search (Google etc)!
!Twitter!!
!Social search!
!Youtube!
!Online communities!
!Viral CV!
!Networking!
!Word of mouth!
!Concept Cupboard!
Do you have a website?!
Do you have a blog?!
Are you on twitter?!
Thought about Youtube?!
Create a standout CV!
http://www.rleonardi.com/interactive-resume/!
Word of mouth is huge. Maintain relationships.!
Search for local businesses!
You need to refine your search. Be more targeted.!
Social search: Find people at ʻpoint of purchaseʼ!
Find online freelance communities!
Find online freelance communities!
Your network will define your career!
Let others source clients for you!
Barriers you’ll face
For a lot of businesses this is a low priority area to focus on.!!Finance is a big concern for many businesses.!!Weʼre trying to educate them but we need your help.!
People donʼt get the value of great design!
The Design Council have some great research.!
People are the biggest asset but potentially the biggest liability for a business.!!Business owners have a lot of questions.!!What are you like to work with? !!Can you complete projects on time?!
A lack of experience!
Standing out from the crowd
Impress me!
Pitch me in 15 seconds why I should work with you!!
Have you got any kick-ass referrals?!
Lessons learned
Youʼve got be able to get knocked down 7 times and get up 8!
!
Keep iterating – Only through experimentation are you going to find the method that works for you!
!
Find some one a few steps ahead – mentor, online groups, each other!
!!
Prac&cal next steps
Get set up online!!!
Find a local business / social search!!!
Work out your 15 second pitch. First impressions count.!
!!
Join Concept Cupboard!!!
Any ques&ons?
Thank you
