I do freelance artwork but I’m having a hard time getting the word out about myself. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can do this for free?
Well, doing it for free, but if you have a small budget then it'll definately be possible. The only free ways I can think of is references and offers. If you do a great job for someone, they are likely to tell a friend or colleague about you: if you do a good job, then this'll certainly happen. The other option, offers, might be a special price, or saying that if you refer a friend you get a certain percentage off.
You must make people know you at the industry before you start the biz. In order to build reputation,i do suggest you to offer a high quality but at cheaper price to customer. By doing this,you can build your customer base and the customer will spread the good job you have done to their friend. So,you will benefit from this
give free artwork to several people, then ask them to give feedback. put those feedback as your "about myself"
You are Mickey-Mousing around if you want to hide behind your computer and start a freelancing business. Here's how to get work and make real money: 1. Compile a list of local businesses which are likely to employ freelancers to handle their workload. 2. Call those businesses and tell them you are looking for work. Compile a shorter list of likelier prospects who say they hire freelancers from time to time. 3. Make at least 7 points of contact, preferably more. Postcards, phone calls, and emails all work. Don't try to do it all with email - you'll probably be ignored. If you aren't willing to do this stuff you deserve to be a starving artist - because starving artists refuse to do the work of the business of being in ART, which is finding and wooing buyers. Also READ books about marketing and running your own business. You are a fool if you don't and deserve to fail. Here's a good one to start with: Starting Your Career as a Freelance Illustrator or Graphic Designer I don't want to hurt your feelings, friend. You may not be cut out for the reality of successful freelancing so the sooner you start facing the reality the better.
There are many ways you can go about it. - forums - blogs - articles - social networking - social bookmarks etc. just check out my signature link. the videos explain it.
Nice website that displays previous work and customer feedback is something that will help. Actively pursuing clients is another thing you should be doing Something you may look into is stock photography, now I'm not telling you to go out and buy a camera. I'm suggesting you draw little cartoons, figures, symbols and whatever and then scan them, edit them a bit with your computer so it looks good on a computer screen and then add it to stock photography websites. Lots of work but it isn't that hard to draw a hundred figures or symbols a day, don't know if you're up to it, but if you are, it can earn you a bit of extra money. (which can be used to get your main business going) greetz, jobic ps: what kind of art do you do?
The first thing I would do is build a portfolio site. Then look around forums looking for your type of services then post your portfolio there. Prove you have what it takes to be hired by these people.
You can spread the word via your network of friends in social networking sites...I suggest Facebook. You can also make a blog about yourself and your artwork.
Artwork is very sought after. YouHaveAProject.com is the place to be for artists to have projects commissioned and to sell what they have already created. This site is focused around helping individuals such as yourself advertise their work. Someone can see your profile and commission you for what they need whether it be a painting, a mural, illustration or anything. This is considered a website for contract work. You will be able to have people bid on the services that you are offering and choose who you would like to start a part or full time job with. YouHaveAProject.com is a freelance site online used to help you acquire work on your own terms. It is focused mainly in Canada ,but depending of the project you can find people outside of it. Sign up, create your profile, advertise your skills and away you go. You can start bidding on the jobs you want and getting the word out about yourself.
Do something crazy and/or unusual. Then post a video of it on Youtube. If you are a web graphics guy, participate in a few contests here at the Digitalpoint contests forum.
Yep. When I was in college, I would just walk into shops with laptop in tow and offer to redo their lame window flier. I would goto Kinko's, sit down and draw up their artwork, print copies, and go get paid. The money is there for the taking - just need a good salesperson you) who is willing to step in front of the customer with a great pitch. Good luck!