I know so many incredibly talented designers through my Designer Strategy Chats and the Brand Strategy School who are absolutely killing it when it comes to their design work, but who are struggling when it comes to booking their dream design clients time and time again.

So today, I want to spend a few minutes talking through three actionable ways you can book your ideal design clients. I promise sweet friend, you too can get in front of your dreamy ideal client in a sustainable and authentic way!

TIP #1: BE WHERE THEY ARE

First, it is so crucial that as a designer you are where your ideal client is online.

What I mean by that is this—if you are spending tons of time on social media, writing incredible blog posts or adding content to Pinterest but you’re not thinking about where your ideal client is organically spending time online, then there is a pretty solid chance you are going to miss them altogether.

You need to understand what platforms your ideal clients are using and then show up where they are in that way.

Despite what might be your personal favorite way to consume content—maybe through podcasts, blog posts, free webinars or your go-to social media platform—it’s important to find out where your ideal clients like to spend their time online.

Do some research and really dig to figure out where they are.

Then, organically be there too.

TIP #2: RESONATE WITH THEIR DESIRES, GOALS AND VALUES

The second tip for booking your ideal design client is to showcase work you’ve done that really speaks to their desires, goals and values.

As a designer, I completely understand how every project looks different for every client (as they should!) But this also makes sharing past work that resonates with your future ideal client difficult.

Let’s say you created beautiful work in the past, but that project doesn’t quite align with your current ideal client’s underlying goals for their brand.

And although this previous work is beautiful and definitely showcases your ability as a designer, it won’t resonate with your ideal client because they will struggle to see their own desires, goals or values reflected within that work.

It’s important that through your marketing—especially in places like social media—to showcase examples of your work that very clearly outlines what you’re capable of from a design standpoint and how your work can empower them to really reach their definition of success.

Instead, showcase a past project that shows how your work enabled a client to do business with confidence because they now have a beautiful brand to stand behind. Or showcase the brand you’ve recently created that reached their sales goal hours, days or weeks after launching.

If you can showcase how your work really resonates with your ideal client’s goals and alleviates their pain points, then you have a better chance of truly drawing them in and capturing their attention as to how working together will elevate their brand.

TIP #3 ACTIVELY EDUCATE YOUR IDEAL CLIENTS

The third tip to booking your ideal design client is to actively educate them and share more of your process as a designer along the way.

Use this as a great opportunity to share what they can expect when they choose to work with you. What do you offer that is different from other designers?

When you share your biggest strength as a designer that helps your clients experience different results and a unique experience.

Actively educating your potential clients—even before they get it touch with you—is a crucial way to really shape the quality of inquiries you’ll receive.

A great way to actively educate is through social media, blog content or the emails you send your list.

Look at your design process and ask yourself, what is unique about my process that I can use to educate my ideal clients?

And here’s the thing, don’t overlook the simple things that make you unique. You may think something different about your process is an “industry standard”, but a new client probably doesn’t even know that. Use this as an opportunity to come in and actively educate them. Make it so clear to your potential clients what your design process is like, what they can expect throughout working together and the types of results that you deliver.

When they get in touch with you they will have more realistic expectations and a better idea of what you need from them in order to do your best work and deliver results that will reach their goals.

TIPS FOR BOOKING IDEAL DESIGN CLIENTS

Actively educating fellow creatives and designers has become such an important part of my work, not only because it allows me to share everything I know with others, but it also elevates our industry as a whole! When we all pour into one another as a community, we all thrive.

Which is why I’m peeling back the curtain on everything I’ve learned over the past six years as a brand designer and strategist for creatives, and sharing it with you through dependable, totally free educational content.

If you are interested in learning more actionable ways to grow your design business for free, then join me for Designer Strategy Chats. A bi-monthly, pitch-free live training series that is designed to elevate your design business.

From live trainings to content-packed blog posts, I’m answering your biggest questions about being a designer, creating a profitable business, serving your clients well, and everything in-between!

Join the fun below and never miss an upcoming live training or free resource for designers.

HERE ARE MY TOP FAVORITE DESIGNER STRATEGY CHATS SO FAR IN 2018:

How to communicate your value to potential clients

How to set your client projects up for success

How to create clear boundaries with your design clients

My system for stress-free web design projects

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