[Lone Akita]

im struggling to get work basically...
i see plenty of jobs advertised, but not the right kind of ones.

for starters, i really wanna focus on the design side of things...i used to think i would have to have some programming knowledge, but then i was told i wouldnt really need to, and i can focus on being a designer and be ok.
and on top of that, i figured i could always get someone else to do required programming stuff, and give them a cut of the pay, as im sure thats what some others do.
and i also really dont wanna get involved with any agencies or anything like that...even for brief periods...i wanna
keep it as personal and friendly as possible...me and client, and thats it.

i know the work is out there, but it's just a question of where and how to find out, so please help in anyway you can.

and btw, i know i just described some quite specific conditions up there, but essentially i'll do what i have to do...if what i want isnt possible, then i'll do what i have to, but im trying to do things like i said above.

[pandadoodle]

whats your target market? and dont say everyone

[Lone Akita]

pandadoodle, on 20 October 2011 - 12:08 PM, said:

whats your target market? and dont say everyone

hmmm...everyone i guess...no im kidding.

well at the moment mostly just small businesses i guess...or more personal pages for individuals...
i dont wanna take on anything too big, im not that experienced.
i like to do anything nature related too, but i guess thats very limited HAHA

[pilgrim_fgau]

I am not an expert myself so dont shoot me if im wrong, but maybe part of your problem is that you are only DESIGNING the website without having anyone to then CREATE the site? I know if I was someone looking a website made and someone said to me, I can design you a website, but I cant make it for you, someone else will have to do that for you. I wouldnt be interested in working with you at all, sorry. And I dont mean that to sound harsh, I am only looking from a clients perspective.

I see plenty of advertisements for people looking websites created, but honestly, I have never came across any that are only looking for a designer, and not a developer

[pandadoodle]

Why would you tell them you cant make it?

Ok so small business.

How far is your closest town or industrial estate with business / shops? Walk in and ask them, take a business card or two

[Lone Akita]

pilgrim_fgau, on 20 October 2011 - 12:30 PM, said:

I am not an expert myself so dont shoot me if im wrong, but maybe part of your problem is that you are only DESIGNING the website without having anyone to then CREATE the site? I know if I was someone looking a website made and someone said to me, I can design you a website, but I cant make it for you, someone else will have to do that for you. I wouldnt be interested in working with you at all, sorry. And I dont mean that to sound harsh, I am only looking from a clients perspective.

I see plenty of advertisements for people looking websites created, but honestly, I have never came across any that are only looking for a designer, and not a developer

well i can make a whole site in XHTML and CSS...completely. im fully capable at that.
i just cant do PHP and all that scripting stuff...i can make a page, with all the fancy imagery and stuff, and position everything...you name it...it's just the more advanced functions that require scripting i cant do.

pandadoodle, on 20 October 2011 - 12:34 PM, said:

Why would you tell them you cant make it?

Ok so small business.

How far is your closest town or industrial estate with business / shops? Walk in and ask them, take a business card or two

im actually in a town...so i guess i could get some cards.

[pandadoodle]

Lone Akita, on 20 October 2011 - 12:52 PM, said:

im actually in a town...so i guess i could get some cards.

theres your problem there then to why you aint getting work its all down to attitude, if you cant sell locally why do you think you can sell nationally?

[Lieto]

If you are struggling to get work there are 3 things you may want to try
1) get better i guess
2) lower your expectations
3) adopt to the market you are trying to sell yourself on

This post has been edited by Lieto: 20 October 2011 - 01:24 PM

[Lone Akita]

pandadoodle, on 20 October 2011 - 12:53 PM, said:

theres your problem there then to why you aint getting work its all down to attitude, if you cant sell locally why do you think you can sell nationally?

i guess i dont really like where i live, that makes a difference HAHA...

[pandadoodle]

but whats that got to with your business and making a living? I don't like where I live, but I work hard to move..

do you expect work to fall on your lap?

This post has been edited by pandadoodle: 20 October 2011 - 01:44 PM

[MikeChipshop]

Being a successful freelance or business owning web designer/developer is 20% building/designing actual sites and 80% selling yourself and marketing.

You could be the best designer ever but you'd never get any work if you just sat at home all day telling yourself that.

Point in case is these terrible template website resellers with absolutely no skills in designing or developing a website but manage to sell thousands a month, they rely on pure marketing to fob people off and get customers through the door.
Now i'm not saying you have to be like them but step up your marketing a gear.

[Lone Akita]

pandadoodle, on 20 October 2011 - 01:43 PM, said:

but whats that got to with your business and making a living? I don't like where I live, but I work hard to move..

do you expect work to fall on your lap?

no, i just wasnt sure what the best methods were...

like i posted alot of adverts on different sites and got no response, and figured it just wasnt the right kinda places to advertise.

MikeChipshop, on 20 October 2011 - 02:48 PM, said:

Being a successful freelance or business owning web designer/developer is 20% building/designing actual sites and 80% selling yourself and marketing.

You could be the best designer ever but you'd never get any work if you just sat at home all day telling yourself that.

Point in case is these terrible template website resellers with absolutely no skills in designing or developing a website but manage to sell thousands a month, they rely on pure marketing to fob people off and get customers through the door.
Now i'm not saying you have to be like them but step up your marketing a gear.

what would you say the best methods of promotion are?