How to Land your First 3 Web Design Clients as a beginner (no portfolio)

Summary

This video script offers three effective methods for new web designers to secure their first clients. It emphasizes the importance of trust, suggesting starting with friends and family who can vouch for your work. The script also recommends approaching local businesses in person and leveraging past professional relationships to build trust. Additionally, it covers creating a strong portfolio, even without client work, and highlights the value of networking events for building business relationships and finding potential clients.

Takeaways

• 🚀 Building trust is crucial for new web designers to land clients, as people are hesitant to work with strangers without a proven track record.
• 🤝 Leverage your network by starting with friends and family, who can introduce you to potential clients through their connections.
• 🏘️ Local businesses can be a fruitful source of clients; visiting them in person can help establish trust and rapport.
• 💼 Working with companies and professionals you've previously paid can build trust, as they are more likely to reciprocate the trust you've shown them.
• 📲 Utilize a QR code linking to your portfolio as a convenient way to share your work with potential clients.
• 💼 Joining a school program can offer direct support, resources, and community for new web designers looking to grow their business.
• 🤝 Networking events are valuable for building business relationships and finding potential clients or partnerships.
• 📈 Creating a portfolio with example designs can showcase your skills even without prior client work, helping to establish credibility.
• 🌟 Highlighting your skills and how you solve customer problems on your portfolio site can attract clients looking for specific solutions.
• 📈 Getting reviews and testimonials from clients and showcasing them can significantly enhance your credibility and trustworthiness.
• 🔑 Scaling your business involves partnerships, referrals, outreach, and content creation to attract inbound clients.

Q & A

What is the main challenge for new web designers or online businesses when starting out?

The main challenge is landing the first couple of clients, as it can be difficult to establish trust with potential clients when you have no prior work to show or a proven track record.

What are the three methods suggested in the video to get clients for a new web designer?

The three methods are: working with friends and family, approaching local businesses in person, and leveraging companies and professionals from whom you've bought services or products.

Why is trust a crucial factor in acquiring new clients for a web designer?

Trust is important because people and businesses are more likely to invest in services from someone they trust, especially if the service provider is new and lacks a portfolio or client testimonials.

How can friends and family help a new web designer get clients even if they don't own businesses?

Friends and family can help by referring the designer to other people they know who might need web design services, leveraging the trust that already exists in their relationships.

What is the advantage of approaching local businesses in person rather than through phone calls or emails?

Approaching businesses in person allows for a more personal connection, making it harder for the business owner to say no and easier to establish trust, which can lead to more successful sales.

How can a new web designer build trust with companies and professionals they've bought from?

By becoming a customer of the company or professional, the web designer automatically gains a bit of trust, as they have shown trust in the other party's services or products.

What is a QR code and how can it be used by a web designer to showcase their portfolio?

A QR code is a quick response code that, when scanned, can link to a website or portfolio. A web designer can use it as a convenient way for potential clients to view their work instantly.

What is the importance of creating a portfolio even if a web designer doesn't have past client work?

Creating a portfolio with example designs is crucial as it demonstrates the designer's skills and capabilities, helping to build trust with potential clients.

How can a web designer use networking events to find potential clients and build business relationships?

Networking events provide opportunities to meet and connect with other professionals and potential clients in person, which can lead to partnerships, referrals, and new clients.

What are some strategies for scaling a web design business to reach higher revenue goals?

Strategies include asking for referrals from satisfied clients, forming partnerships with other professionals, conducting outreach through various channels, and creating content to attract inbound clients.

Why is it important for a web designer to collect reviews and testimonials from their clients?

Reviews and testimonials serve as social proof and help build trust with future clients, showcasing the designer's ability to deliver quality work and satisfy customers.