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Networking
Think of it as this: you’re at a social function. The only way to get people to acknowledge that you’re there is to talk to them. And, hey, before you know it, you may become the life of the party. Well, this isn’t possible if you don’t shed the shell, have people learn your name, and detail what makes you different than anybody else. Now, if we translate this to designing we can hypothesize that the same results from talking and making yourself visible, will deliver greater recognition. For this to happen, the new designer will have to contact the more established members of the industry- basically, reach out. Let them know who you are, what you offer, and why they should know your name. Through networking, many business associates can be built, and that is very helpful if you ever need a favor, or you’re in a pinch.
Display Who You Are
In any profession, Homogeneity is the rule, not the exception. Everybody latches onto someone else and that person adheres to the recycled ideas of someone else. It can be a sterile field for creativity, and that is where you need to make your entrance. You need to provide life to the homogenized, unoriginal aspects of the design industry. The first step is to display how you diverge from everyone else. This is crucial for the “new kid” because this the primary opportunity to separate from the rest of the pack. Show why you’re different. Maybe you have a design that you find mind-blowingly unique. You may see something that is fatigued in the industry and playfully put a new spin on it. The goal is to exhibit your identity in the most cogent of ways. If not, you’ll be absorbed into an amorphous blob that so many minds reside in.
Social Media: The advent of social media has created so many exciting opportunities for the designer. For one, he can build a fan base for virtually no costs. Facebook and Twitter profiles require mostly time (unless you want to invest in Facebook ads, which, I believe, is a good idea.) Everyone and their dog has a social media account; it’s easy to connect to your clientele and ethically advertise to prospective customers. It’s a great way to sell yourself: let the world see how responsive and communicative you are with others. Also, in conjunction with social media, you need to build a blog or website (if you haven’t already.) This provides a base where all of the needs or questions for a customer are to be met. You can talk more freely and descriptively of your craft, which is always a plus.
Ultimately, it is how one markets himself that determines whether he will survive. The three steps listed above will help to pervade your brand. All you need to do in invest the time.
