Seven Tips to start your own Graphic Design Business

If you are working for a company but you are thinking about starting your own graphic design business, this is a big step. Most people begin to freelance on the side while they are still in their full-time jobs. This is almost always the best way to see if you can cut ties with your regular job and go full time as an entrepreneur. When you start a new life as a graphic designer full time business owner, the transition can be scary, but it is necessary for your success.

Not everyone has the talent to make an entrepreneur. If you’re starting your own business, because you think it will be easier and you’re not going to have to be that responsible as with a regular job, you’re wrong. It looks glamorous and easy to be an entrepreneur, but it really means long days (and often nights), sometimes doing the tasks you’d rather not do.

When you start a graphic design business, you'll need to wear every hat necessary to make your business run properly. That means you will need to do your own books, bill customers (make sure they pay on time), manage client needs on a day-to-day basis, and a myriad of other tasks that are normally taken care of by "someone else" at your regular job. If your only real drive is to design and you would rather not deal with clients directly, chances are you’re better than working for someone else instead of having your own graphic design company. However, if you are motivated and driven, and want to make your business work, despite the difficulties encountered, you may just have what it takes to be an entrepreneur.

Here are seven tips that will make your transition from "in-house designer" to "entrepreneur" a bit easier.

#1 Name Your Business
Your business name should be something that sounds like a pro. You want to sound like a large established firm instead of a startup. Even if your “office” is just a cramped corner of your living room, you will want to sound as though you’re a larger, more established company. Clients will want to work with an established business. Often the work at home entrepreneurs are branded as “less professional”

#2 Make Your Marketing Materials Look Professional
Because you are a designer, people expect that the first impression to leave with them will be first class. Therefore, potential customers expect their documents will look polished and professional. If they don’t, your success is going to take a big hit. Design professional business cards and make sure you have them professionally printed, not simply spit out of your inkjet printer at home.

#3 Network
These days, there are many ways to network. You can join a network of organizations in your community, and you can also check online communities you can network with as well. Either way, you'll get to know other people in your industry who may be a great source of contacts as you build your business. Most people, including designers, are not comfortable simply "cold calling”. It is true, of course, that cold calling is sometimes necessary. However, you should try to quickly replace it with referral-based calls or word-of-mouth marketing through satisfied customers. Therefore, networking is one of the most important things you can do. Establish relationships with people who can help you develop your business, and return the favor in kind.

#4 Set Your Prices Competitively
Do some research in your industry to determine a reasonable hourly rate. Most novice designers prices still well below the competition. If you have the talent and experience, you can set your prices accordingly. You can also research on other companies in your market and set prices largely similar to others in the area. To give you a good idea, you should be charging between $ 50 and $ 100 an hour, depending on where your market is. If you charge less than $50 an hour, you're setting yourself up for failure. $50 an hour seems like a lot of money, it’s true, but the hourly pay for a lot of things, including computer maintenance and upgrades, computer programs and any other overhead and expenditure. In addition, of course, you want to make a reasonable profit to pay yourself.

#5 Establish Your Own Website
Potential customers and those who refer you, will want to see samples of your work. Create a website for yourself and then put your work on it is the easiest way to create a portfolio. that way, you can simply include a URL on your business cards and promotional materials. If you are not versed in web design yourself, make sure you pay for a quality web designer that will make you look professional on the Internet. Once you have a professional website, it is time to move to internet marketing so that you get your name out there in the online community.

#6 Make Sure You Get Paid
Most design companies require clients to make an initial deposit before completing the work. It's a good idea for you to do this yourself. Charge clients 50% up front before you take on a project. This will not only help to deter customers who do not want to pay, but customers will be more receptive, because they have something invested in the project.

#7 Get the Business Tools You Need to Succeed
As mentioned above, there is still much more to operate a graphic design business not only to design all day. You’ll have to do things like track your billable invoice clients, project management/customers, finding new customers, and more.

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