case studies
5 Ways Designers Can Keep Clients Coming Back for More
You’ve got your office set-up, your business plan created, your creativity is running high… there’s just one thing missing: clients!
No matter how incredible you are as a designer (and we’re sure you’re stellar!) finding clients can be tough. But never fear: we’ve put together an easy-to-action list of simple, yet effective ways to boost your visibility, and land some amazing clients that are excited to work with you. Let’s take a look!
1. Create a picture-perfect portfolio
If you’re new to the game, you might be wondering how the heck you’re supposed to create a portfolio without client work. Never fear – your portfolio doesn’t just have to house commissioned work. It should be a beautiful collection of projects you’re proud of, from the birthday card you hand-painted for a friend, to the pair of earrings you created one rainy Saturday.
Provide details on your inspiration, how you created the piece, and client info if you have it. A word to the wise: ensure your site is mobile-friendly: 57% of customers won’t recommend a businessif their mobile site isn’t great.
Since design is such a visual medium, social channels like Instagram or Behance also offer an easy, relevant way to showcase your work, and can act like mini-websites.
Here, you can show off more than just the finished project: add a reel with a timelapse of creating a piece, snap a selfie of you covered in paint, or share your mood board. Potential clients will love seeing the artist behind the work, and it gives you a chance to show off who you are. For tips on styling your socials, check out our post here.
From finding you on search engines, to word-of-mouth referrals, the first thing a potential client will want to see is your work. Make it easy on them by upping your online presence, noting that you’re available for hire, and having a clear way to contact you about working together. And it goes without saying – share your links with friends and family to spread the word!
**2.**Show off your unique style
Is your work brightly colored and off-beat? Simple pastels and clean lines? Whatever the common thread in your work is, create consistency and a brand story throughout your images and sites.
This benefits you for a few reasons. One, it helps keep your work recognizable, creating brand consistency. Second, you get to do the work you love! While it’s great to be offered work, it might not be as great if a client wants you to create something that doesn’t inspire you.
When you let your unique style shine through, it’s a true representation of who you are as a designer, and starts to pull in the clients who will truly value your work - and that’s who you really want to work with!
Illustration by Jess Moorhouse
**3.**Spread the word!
It’s the infamous catch 22: it’s hard to get clients without reviews, but you can’t get reviews without clients. More likely than not, your clients are going to want some kind of guarantee that you can deliver solid work on time, and on budget.
If you’ve got previous clients who can drop a testimonial on your site, great! Bonus tip: reaching out to them is also a convenient way to see if they’d like to purchase one of your products again, and remind them how awesome you are!
A few ways to encourage new customers to leave a review:
**Bonus tip #2:**if you really want to boost your reviews and repeat customers, incentivize reviews with a promo code on their next order.
To add some legitimacy as you build up your reviews, have friends, family, and past collaborators leave you a testimonial. Their words will go a long way to show you’re talented and great to work with!
4. Create a magical unboxing experience
Unboxing is where you really get to add some sizzle to your brand, and set yourself apart from the competition. There’s nothing customers love more than a little surprise and delight as they open something they purchased, and everything from the packaging to the product itself is notable and on-brand. Enter: the unboxing!
Think about every detail you send to your customers with intention. Is sustainability part of your brand? Consider using compostable mailers or packing tape. Does your product require a little explanation on how to use it, care for it, or display it? Include a little note on branded cardstock that provides a personal touch.
For designers working with industrial or tech clients, you might find inspiration in how a well-designed marine control panel or industrial machine switch is packaged—clear instructions, durable materials, and a professional finish that reassures the buyer. Similarly, if you’re creating a custom boat wireless fuse panel for a client, the unboxing experience should reflect that same level of care and precision.
Here’s a Few Ways to Personalize Your Experience
From stamps, to stickers, to cotton tote bags, there’s so many ways to add some individual flavor to your packaging. Make every step of the experience delightful for your customers, and they’re sure to come back for more!
Consider adding a small, branded light wireless controller or a gate wireless relay as a bonus sample if you work in automation design. Even a simple mhz transmitter module or mhz remote circuit switch can be packaged with a handwritten note explaining its use—turning a functional item into a memorable touchpoint.
**5.**Leave them wanting more
When your customers have a great experience and love your product or service, they’re more likely to a) tell their friends, and b) order from you again. Maintaining current clients is always easier than hunting down new ones; by creating magical moments for them, you’re ensuring you’re the first person they call when they need more help!
A few stats on the importance of a great customer experience:
Make it easy for your clients and customers to share your work. We mentioned notecards with your social handles and referral links above, but it also pays to stay engaged with them.
If they tag you on social, leave a comment, and consider sharing in your own stories online. Link their website if they have one, and reciprocate with great reviews if you like their product or service.
Big project just completed, and think there’s more work they could use you for? Consider giving them a teaser of future work with a mini-mock-up of a potential web design or a custom stampthey can utilize.
For instance, if you just finished designing a Star Delta (Y-Delta) Starter Panel for a manufacturing client, follow up with a concept sketch for an AC 220V Wireless Switch that could streamline their next upgrade. Or, if you built a water pump wireless controller for a farm, send a quick mock-up of a wireless farming automation system that integrates a farm remote automation setup. These small gestures show you’re thinking ahead and keep you top of mind.
For more awesome ideas and advice, check out our Creative Community. Have some fun ideas you’d like to share with us? Hit us up onInstagramor in the comments!
Hailing from Canada, Shannon is a copywriter with a love for making your brand sound as human and joyful as it does in your head. Likes: craft beer, terrible jokes, sustainable clothing. Dislikes: deforestation, frizzy hair days, and the patriarchy. Check out shannonmulligan.meor find her on Twitter at@shannmulligan.
