As a product designer how one looks for clients?
I have 2 web sites and advertise with most deisgn directories. Used to use google as well but the result was not good. I also do networking.
3 Answers
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Hass, the fact that you didn't list your web site address suggests you need to think more about your communication.
I found the address by typing your name into google and AID ltd came up along with a host of other directory entries giving information about AID Ltd. So you have done a good job of promoting the name in directories on the web. If that's not you then apologies igniore the rest.
I had a look at your web site the basic deign is clean it's easy to read. But the content didn't work for me, I think it needs to be worked on.
Some suggestions for the site:
The landing or first page: this needs to be changed it doesn't resonate with me and it doesn't really say AID is an innovative design firm. The company title is the same text size as the welcome line. Why?. The main panel doesn't say design from a web perspective (don't take this the wrong way) it says home made. Nothing wrong with home lade but you need to do your home work.
Move the logo's of the affiliations off to one side and make them smaller - the chamber logo need is blurred and looks awful. Little things like that, send messages when people look at a web page, and will turn people away.
Put a couple of your designs on the front page. Crisp clean shots and maybe a sketch from concept to product, you need to tell a story.
On the achievements page do a proper profile with a picture, people buy from people. You have the qualifications and experience your just not presenting them to the best effect. Have a look around at other web sites and see how their senior teams present their profiles. For that matter have a look arond and see how other design firms present themselves and do some creative swiping of ideas and put your own spin on them.
The words in many of the sections really don't tell prospects anything. In a few areas the wording is questionable. In one area Brain storming you say "All the client has to do is to provide the idea..." Is that really true?
Take one or maybe two designs and create a case study with drawings, pictures of models etc. Create a story.
Your contact number is a mobile, get a land line it looks more permanent. I use skype its cheap about GBP40 for the year plus calls. I have it set to forward calls to my mobile so when I'm out I still get the calls. It also means if clients have skype we can use that instead. It means I can use it in the office or at home. I also use it to share computer displays with collaborators from all over.
You get the idea.
The web is only one part of the marketing mix. PR, get yourself in to trade press it's one of the best and least accessed ways of promoting your brand. On the subject of brand you may want to change the name AID sounds like a charity, it doesn't connect in my mind with design. Suggest a story to a magazine how a small start up is surviving in the recession anything get your name out there in print. It adds credibility to your offering.
That's some of the indirect marketing stuff. The other thing is simply pick up the phone and speak to those you network with. Write letters, give a few throw a way's to get the relationships going. When you say you network is that networking or attending a few chamber meetings where everyone is a sales person all trying to sell to each other.
Membership of the IOD costs. But they have local meetings where you can present, those that attend I have found tend to be more senior and in a position if appropriate to to engage in meaningful dialogue. If you do present don't sell directly it will go down like a lead balloon. I find a case study taking some the audience through the process and how issues were resoled works best.
Hope that helps. No quick fixes apart from the site, but it should help to get the sales pipeline flowing.
If sales is an issue for you, see if there are any freelance sales people who would sell your services on a commission basis, they do exist.
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Thank you for your effort and support David.
I had some of your suggestions in mind but was not sure or did not have time for them however I have already followed some of them. And working on the other ones. Case study I was doing something about it as I intend to add it to my web site.
you are also right about my communication and because of that I been thinking of getting a business partner who can communicat NORMALLY. (haha)
Do not know what IOD stands for.
My customer service is OK, I follow on after delivery of my design to see how they getting on.
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Hass,
IOD stand for Institute of Directors.
Another avenue to consider is the formation of a cooperative. There is quite a bit of information on the web re coopperatives. I'm personally a big fan of coops.
A start point is http://www.scribd.com/doc/19769342/Starting-a-CoOperative
Regards
David
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