How I Found My First Design Clients
In the Fall of 2017, I officially launched my professional website with high hopes, one business offering, and zero clients. My first business offering didn't have anything to do with design but it seemed like the right first step at the time.
I remember crying on my couch in the living room with my face covered by a throw pillow. I was filled with anxiety and fear and venting to my brother about my decision to freelance. Why had I decided to start an online business? Who would even want to hire me?
About 2.5 months later, I started looking into Squarespace web design and, on a whim, took a leap of faith.
Web design to me sounded exciting and I certainly didn’t mind getting paid to do it for a living.
The only problem(s)? I didn't have a portfolio.
I didn't have a background in design.
I didn’t have a sales page indicating that I even offered design services.
And YET…despite all my doubts and insecurities, I decided to take things one clumsy step at a time.
Somehow, within a month of making this decision, I managed to land my first paying Squarespace design client. I had no idea what to charge or whether or not things were going to pan out, but all I knew is that I had just booked my first project.
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Now, before I continue, I will say that it took me a whopping 3 months to make my first $1k (which is less than half of what I made monthly at my old job). But back then, I just couldn’t believe that people were hiring me to handle their branding and web design.
Anyway, you're probably wondering, how and where did you find your first client? How exactly did you make your first $1k without even having a portfolio?
I delve into this in another blog post HERE, but in today's post, I want to show you where I found my first design clients and how much I made from each initial gig. If you’re struggling to find clients (perhaps even your first client), this blog post will show you the strategies I used to get the ball rolling.
What I did to land my first Design clients:
Client #1: Facebook Group
Facebook groups work! In fact, I found my first web design client in the Bucketlist Bombshells Facebook group. Someone had announced in the group that she needed help redesigning her Squarespace site. Because we both had a mutual friend, I decided to reach out.
Although I didn’t have a portfolio to show her at the time, she did like the aesthetic of my website and thought we shared similar styles. As a result, the client agreed to work with me at a discounted price. Looking back on the pricing today, I laugh, but at the time, I didn’t mind charging a mere $90 for a five-page website. All I knew is that I needed the experience more than I did the money.
Project: Squarespace Web Design + Branding
Total Price: $90.00
Price After Fees: $86.78
Tools I Used: Dubsado, Google Drive, Squarespace, Paypal, Canva
SIDE NOTE: Looking back, I can't believe I offered web design for merely $90.00 but I’m still grateful that the client agreed to take a chance on me.
That said, some people say that when you're starting out, you should be willing to do free work. And while I'm not completely opposed to the benefits of doing free work, something in my gut told me that I should price my services and still get paid for my time—even if only a few bucks. This turned out to be a good call, as I ended up spending way more time on the project than I had estimated.
Remember: When you’re just starting out, you don’t really have a frame of reference for how long certain tasks will take you.
Client #2: Website + PeoplePerHour
With one single project under my belt, I felt that I could at least add something to my portfolio. I decided to start promoting my services on a third party platform by assembling a mish-mash of my "best" work (AKA a combination of self-initiated designs + the first Squarespace website project). Soon afterwards, I received an inquiry from a buyer on the site and she eventually became my second client.
When I asked her how she had found me, she told me she had come across my profile on PeoplePerHour (the third party platform), which in turn led her to my professional website. Thankfully, I didn’t have to go looking for my second client because she ended up finding me first!
To summarize: my client came across my profile from the third party directory on PeoplePerHour, clicked on the link to my business website, and filled out the inquiry form on my business site—thus becoming my first direct business inquiry. I was ecstatic.
Project: Squarespace Web Design + Extra Graphic Design
Total Price: $250.00
Price After Fees: $238.40 after payment processor fees
Tools I used: Dubsado, Google Drive, Squarespace, Illustrator
Client #3: PeoplePerHour
For my third client project, I submitted several project proposals for open web design gigs on PeoplePerHour. A buyer eventually responded and expressed interest in hiring me to design her website and logo. In this case, she had already prepared a creative brief, so I had somewhat of an easier time understanding her vision.
Project: Squarespace Web Design + Branding/Logo
Sale: $400
Post fees: $392.54 after fees
Tools I Used: Dubsado, Google Drive, Squarespace, Illustrator
Client #4: PeoplePerHour
I booked my forth client project after applying to another freelance gig on PeoplePerHour. I quickly received a response from the buyer and we immediately started working together and ended up collaborating on several more projects afterwards. This opportunity allowed me to finally move off of the platform. Working with a client directly, rather than through PeoplePerHour, meant that I wasn’t losing a percentage of my sales (excluding payment processor fees).
Total Price: $150 x2 = $300
Price After Fees: $290.70 after fees
Tools I Used: Dubsado, Google Drive, Squarespace
And the rest is history…
Although I worked many long hours to make what is now—at minimum—how much I would charge for a fully customized Squarespace site, I wouldn't be where I am now were it not for those initial experiences and opportunities.
The first few projects I got to work on were full of learning lessons and mistakes, and I share those lessons in my FREE e-course below.
If you're curious to know what these rookie mistakes were and how to avoid them as you book your first projects, don’t forget to sign up!
Here’s what I cover in the e-course:
The biggest mistakes to avoid when working with design clients so that they don't take advantage of you
The best Facebook groups for finding your first few design clients
What to say in your DMs to potential clients on Facebook! (a.k.a. short & sweet pitch templates)
Yes, I give you exactly what I wrote to pitch my (then non-existent) services to potential clients, as well as a list of recommended platforms and facebook groups to book your next gig.
If this formerly clueless designer managed to do it, so can you!