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Designing Your New Business – Setting Up A Design Business

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Article Overview: Many small businesses are crying out for good design at a low cost and if you are just starting out as a designer – this is great news for you. This helps them but it also helps you because you not only get experience but you also manage to build up a portfolio, some good references and still get paid!

Designing Your New Business – Setting Up A Design Business

Many small businesses are crying out for good design at a low cost and if you are just starting out as a designer – this is great news for you. This helps them but it also helps you because you not only get experience but you also manage to build up a portfolio, some good references and still get paid!

So how do you get to work for small businesses? Here are a few ideas for you.

* Logos and Business Cards:: Nearly every company wants an eye catching logo and business card but many are not comfortable in approaching big design companies for such a small project.
* Postcards: Small businesses, especially real estate agents often use postcards as part of their marketing. Design some really eye catching, appealing and or funny postcards for some key businesses such as: real estate agents, gardeners, carpet cleaners, plumbers etc.
* Marketing Materials: You could put together a whole set of brochures, paper headers, business cards etc for a company.
* Posters, Menus etc: These are always needed.
* Web Sites and Graphics: A very competitive area that is not likely to make you a lot of money in the short term – but if you have a unusual aptitude then go for it.

How to start:
1. Decide upon 4 – 5 areas you want to concentrate on. I would look at real estate, plumbers, electricians, lawn care, home cleaning, and restaurants. These have a large group of small businesses seeking to differentiate themselves.
2. Set up a portfolio of designs that would appeal to these people.
3. Set up a web site if you are able to – or barter with one of your fellow students who can do this for you. Put some of your design ideas on the site. Make sure you watermark them so that they do not get stolen.
4. Design your own business card – highlighting your skills with the design of course. Give your contact details and web site address. Send them out to likely people.
5. Leave the cards in suitable places, like the local coffee bar, wholesalers etc.
6. Set up posters advertising your services, use craigslist and the local classified ads.
7. Take along your portfolio if someone asks for more information.

Good luck

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Article Tags: aptitude, business cards, carpet cleaners, coffee bar, design ideas, design your own business card, fellow students, funny postcards, gardeners, great news, home cleaning, large group, lawn care, marketing design, marketing materials, own business, real estate agents, small businesses, start 1, suitable places



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