Task 3: How will I promote myself – what do they want to hear?

From the view point of an emerging graphic designer, a marketing strategy is possibly one of the most important stepping stones to a career. It is my opinion that a dialog between client and designer needs to be personal, and individual to produce the best results, I would personally prefer to go for a marketing technique that reflected this.


Direct selling and Direct marketing are both personal techniques that allow one to one communication between client, or potential client and designer. Though similar in name, the two strategies have set differences. Direct selling can be achieved by meeting with the client, the more often the better really. In the case of gaining exposure, Johnny Cupcakes is a brilliant example. His story revolves around one on one customer interaction, from selling his shirts himself, to offering free cupcakes and other goodies at promotional events and even remembering individual customers by name, giving him a hugely devoted fan base. 


My ambitions as a designer are to work freelance, maybe alone at a later date, but hopefully with a small group at first. Either way a similar marketing strategy must be formulated to help the collaborative grow. A personal approach would be the best tactic at this early stage, direct marketing would take the form of business cards and informations/welcome packs, specifically rendered to appeal to different client groups. Where as direct selling could take the form of a sample of work, like an update every month, to potential clients or colleagues.  Promotional events could also be a great way to gain exposure as a young graphic designer. Give aways with certain purchases, or a free one off print to each visitor would be great ways to gain clients and develop a group of followers. All of which leads to viral communication between targeted groups of people. To get people talking is the best marketing technique of all.