I was wondering if anyone had advice on where to find clients for web design that are willing to pay reasonable or high prices for designs. In case anyone was thinking that I am a "noob" designer you can check out my portfolio at 20dots.com . Thanks for any advice.
If you live in the US, contact your state government and get lists of newly formed llc's and corporations. Most states sell these filings for little money. Get some business stationary, stamps, and mail them a sales letter. Few may be looking for a high end design, but many will pay a premium for a basic web presence. Good luck. Edit: Even if you don't live in the US, they will probably sell the data to you as well.
You can also try the buy and sell section in DP to see if you could get some clients that way. I'm not sure how many high profile people are going to pay top notch dollar... but it's worth a try?
Do yourself a favor and lurk a few forums that concentrate on DIY web-building. Usually it'll be forums of the free webhosting companies (doesn't hurt to join so you can post), who give basic support and advice. In those forums, there are ALWAYS people who want to get their sites up and running perfectly, who often get ignored by more knowledgeble types (often in the "Bastard Operator From Hell" category) and they're often willing to PAY to get the job expedited. So you could make a mint from them.
Excellent idea. By the way, nice letterhead, envelopes, etc can go a long way! I had all of mine done at OvernightPrints and it makes a huge difference in the way clients see me and my company.
Put the feelers out to friends and family - a surprising number of people you "almost" know are looking for websites, or will in the future. They don't all pay brilliantly at the start, but word of mouth is worth more than the money in the early stages of business building (admittedly it's not much use in paying the electricity bill though!). Just keep in mind that it can be harder working for people you know than strangers - and that strangling people because they change their mind again is illegal!
Try a Google search for the term "offline gold". There are many techniques for gaining clients in the brick and mortar world.........
The thing I think that works best for attracting local clients is a simple business card and giving them a call or sending them an email. So many places are looking for companies that can give them professional low cost design and keep it updated for a reasonable fee. A lot of local businesses that are not as internet savy will not know how to update so you can charge a retainer fee of $100 a month minimum and that can be for one free update and for each additional update charge them $30 an hour or whatever your price may be. Main thing is to do a good job and your name will spread.
Most of the forums have relevant section like devshed/sitepoint forums where people post about such requirements, I think its worth to check.
Blogaroo has it right, word of mouth is where it is at. I would say 60% of my business comes from referrals from past clients and people I know.
posting something about yourself and what can you do. show some works you've done and get testimonials from your past clients. then just wait for future clients...
I go to the companys place of business and request a meeting with the boss/manager. Works well for me, suit and tie of course, walk in with a hawian shirt and you will be out the door quicker than you can say bankrupt.
Remember that people don't buy websites, they buy the results that you are giving them. For example, more clients, greater profile etc. So in order to sell websites, you need to find companies that need more clients and a greater profile. You can only really get realistic goals off people when you see them face to face, so work on getting in front of potential clients and asking them as much about their business as possible. Then you'll know if you can help them or not. The more value you build around your services, the more people will pay for them. Hope that makes sense.
Get a killer portfolio done, and then u can really sell it like hot cakes. I normally hire based on the portfolio, as that is the 1st and the best impression.
Good advice. Also when you have a portfolio, you would benefit from haveing case studies against some of them to show potential clients where you have taken the client from and to.