Promoting Yourself On Client Projects - RD259

<h2>Get your name out there.</h2> <p>In <a href="https://resourcefuldesigner.com/episode258">part one of this Bootstrap Advertising series</a>, I discussed bartering your services to get exposure. This week I’m sharing more ways to get exposure by promoting yourself on client projects.</p> <p class="p1">Exposure means making people aware of your design business. After all, People cannot hire you if they don’t know you exist. So the goal here is to get your name, business name, and logo in front of as many people as possible.</p> <p class="p1">This form of promotion is called a shotgun approach. There’s nothing scientific or targeted about it. Instead, you hit the masses and hope that someone who sees it needs or knows someone in need of your services. This “spray and pray” approach doesn't cost you anything and is a great method of bootstrap advertising.</p> <p class="p1">If you’re not familiar with the term bootstrap or bootstrapping, it means promoting or developing by initiative and effort with little or no assistance. In other words, bootstrap advertising is getting your name out there with minimal effort and practically zero expense on your part.</p> <p class="p1">Let me share two methods you can promote yourself on client projects.</p> <h2 class="p1">Put your name on everything project you design.</h2> <p class="p1">My stance is if I design something, my name deserves to be on it, from websites to posters, brochures, car wraps, wedding invitations and more. If I can get away with it, I put my name on it.</p> <p class="p1">I’ve learned over the years that, as the adage goes, “it’s better to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission?” If you ask a client if it’s ok to put your name on their project, there’s a 50/50 chance they’ll say no; they’d prefer you don’t. And many times, they’ll ask if they get a discount if your name appears on their project.</p> <p class="p1">However, if you include your name on the initial project proof without asking, only one in twenty clients will ask you to remove it.