5 Ways To Earn More As A Graphic Designer

If you are a student and looking to get a graphic design diploma or you want to enhance your skills, this blog is going to help you. In this blog, we have talked about some of the ways through which one can increase their income on both a short-term and long-term basis. Whether you work full-time or you are already a freelancer, you can benefit from these ideas.

Have Your Own Website

It is extremely important for every graphic designer to have their own website to project their work. A functioning website can do wonders for you as a graphic designer because it can connect you with potential clients, industry professionals, and help you in networking. Even if you are a newcomer, you do not need to shy away from this task; instead, it is more feasible for you to do so that you can make a strong first impression in the market. And if you already have a website, keep it updated with your current work so that your potential clients know which kind of work you have been doing over the months. If you want to create your own brand, do not forget that a well-functioning website is your best bet to achieve this goal.  It is true that some graphic designers get business only through social media and through friend circles, but if you want to look more professional and authentic, you have to have an attractive website. A good website gives you an immense space to showcase your taste and your specific traits, and this is crucial to building a strong customer base. All in all, a good website stands you out in the market.

Networking, Networking, and Networking

Just like so many other professions, networking can do wonders for graphic designers. The reason why networking is critical is because it provides you opportunities to learn from other professionals, give you industry insights, and most importantly, connect with new potential clients. Sometimes, you get offers of full-time jobs during networking events such as conferences, seminars, launch events, and workshops that are usually not advertised by the companies.

You can also have networking opportunities through online platforms like LinkedIn, Dribbble, and Behance, etc. If you regularly post your work and new ideas on these platforms, there is a much higher chance that you develop a strong network of like photographers, web developers, and writers and grab the attention of new clients, industry officials, and other people related to the graphic design industry. Your network of photographers and web developers can create new opportunities for collaboration and provide you with more business opportunities by pitching a project jointly to the clients. The benefit of being active on social media is that you can get clients from other countries, too. A strong network of international friends on your online platforms can provide you with new opportunities outside of your country.

Print Your Business Cards

Print your business cards and keep them with you all the time. Business cards not only stand you out in networking events but in daily life too. Sometimes you meet people on the go and do not have time to share your social media details or contact details, and in these situations your business card can help you. Take out some time, contact any good printing company, and get your cards printed. Do not worry, you can recover this investment in just one client deal!

Build Reputation

There are thousands in the market who are marketing themselves; if you want to grow steadily and reach the top, then keep in mind that the most important ingredient to success is to build your reputation. To build your name and your unique brand, one needs to not only work hard but also think strategically and have a long-term plan, and that takes time. Once you have a reputation for doing quality work and respect your deadlines in delivering the projects, then you can automatically get more opportunities because your old clients can not only trust you but they can also refer you confidently to others. Remember, a significant number of graphic designers do freelance work, and in freelancing, your reputation plays a fundamental role in fetching you more work. Initially, you may face difficulty because you do not have experience and work to show; however, gradually you will be in a better position due to your reputation.

Go for Specialization

Graphic design has so many specializations. If you want to be in a niche market and earn more than others, then you will need to develop a specialization in those areas where most people do not enter or where it is difficult to develop expertise. For example, you can develop expertise in UX/UI design; with these skills, you will be able to sell your services to so many industries, such as technology companies, etc. Targeting niche expertise also helps you build your identity in a short period of time because it becomes easier for clients to recognise your work, and hence you get more work opportunities.

Conclusion

Graphic design is a technical field, but in order to succeed in this field, you also need to develop good marketing skills, financial skills, as well as project management skills. As a freelancer, you pitch your services to clients, and from pitching a project to delivering it, you need to use all the above mentioned skills. All in all, graphic design is a career that is all-encompassing; the more strategically you approach this career, the better opportunities you get.

Join the Graphic Design diploma at ABM College

ABM offers a 53-week diploma in graphic design, which provides a comprehensive package of both theory and practicum. The diploma includes fundamentals of graphic design principles and usage of Adobe Creative Suite so that students can create their own portfolios before their graduation. Students will also go through a 4-week practicum at the end of the course so that students have work experience on their resume.

Pictures by Freepik