Discussion: Public Relations for Freelance Designers
I notice from time to time that some of the designers and developers that I follow get asked to do things like write articles industry magazines, speak at events, give comments for the media about our industry, and a variety of other PR type things. From my experience and what I read on others blogs is that typically this sort of press finds you. Thats all fine and dandy if you don’t mind waiting around for them to find you.
But what if you don’t feel like waiting?
What I want to know is what sort of PR work do you do as a freelance designer? Have you ever done any magazine articles, been on tv/radio, quoted in books, etc? If so, how did you do such a thing? Did you find them or they find you?
If you have never been featured on a public forum, what is stopping you from approaching any of these media outlets? Have you ever considered using a PR firm to help you out?
Has anyone ever used a PR firm to help get their name out there?
I have been using press releases for two decades to announce new clients, completed projects, awards won, work being published in books, mentions in articles and more. I send them to design publications, industry websites, business magazines, trade publications, clients (past, current and potential) and local newspapers. Making use of public relations tools, like the press release, has led to feature newspaper articles, being asked to writer (or be a source) for magazine pieces, interviews/podcasts by design and business sites, speaking engagements across the country, work being featured in books worldwide, being asked to write design books, and a lot of design work coming my way.
In most situations where media exposure of some kind has resulted, it has not been instantly. It is necessary to develop a relationship with the editor, writer, producer or whomever over a period of time. I’ve been known to email editors/writers out of the blue and ask if they need my help on any upcoming stories. In local cases, I’ve called up editors/writers and asked them out for a cup of coffee.
One source of a great number of my recent PR opportunities has been the resource HelpAReporterOut.com (HARO). By registering at the site, three times a day you receive emails about press/media professionals seeking resources on specific topics. Responding to such postings has led to being included in several books, being interviewed for magazine articles (including the Feb. 2009 issue of Entrepreneur) and being included in numerous business blog features.
Coming from a family of PR professionals, and having a journalism education background, I have always done my own public relations. My “Toot! Toot!”* press releases have been one of my most effective marketing tools. As I always say: *”If I don’t ‘toot!” my own horn, no one else will.”
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I read you post today about using public relations in your work as a free lancer. I am a may I suggest to your readers the book “Attracting Perfect Customers” The Power of Strategic Synchronicity, it is fantastic will help you tremendously in helping to get your name out, and attracting the customers that fit your style and personality, they know exactly what you do, who you do it for and how you work. That way we don’t get stuck with clients that really aren’t a good fit for us, nothing ever good enough, they want it yesterday, always have you on the phone, etc. It’s a really great read.
Attracting Perfect Customers
By: Hall & Brogneiz
ISBN 10- 1-576375-124-4
Most of my time is spent learning and trying to get a decent portfolio together. It’s hard though, between poorly written content and thoughtless design requests – it’s not every site that I can include in my folio… I’ll get to the industry promotion in a couple years…
“like write articles industry magazines” … woah – can’t even get through the first sentence without a writing flub. It’s a good thing writers aren’t forced to become designers in this economic climate.
Kindly kidding.
I’d have to agree. Press releases to all current and past clients as well as looking up local news outlets and online promotion.
To be honest I have found that if you do great work for your clients and make it an enjoyable and creative experience for them also, the will recommend you to their peers and this alone can secure you more work than you can handle!
Ps. Danny, I’m loving your blog. I have decided to set up my own focussed on design couture! watch this space!
Keep up the great work.
’d have to agree. Press releases to all current and past clients as well as looking up local news outlets and online promotion.
To be honest I have found that if you do great work for your clients and make it an enjoyable and creative experience for them also, the will recommend you to their peers and this alone can secure you more work than you can handle!
Ps. Danny, I’m loving your blog. I have decided to set up my own focused on design couture! Watch this space!
(Link Included but not shamelessly plugged)
Keep up the great work.
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