Marketing and promotion as a freelancer

Janko · #1 02-17-2009, 01:08 PM

Hello all, I am new here this is my first post.

First of all I want to say that I am excited to join this community and look forward to discussing and and giving/receiving advice from fellow professionals.

I recently launched my site and started working as a freelancer full time, before that I worked as a retoucher in a stock photography production house, and in prepress retouching. All together I've been doing this for just over 5 years. At this point I am mostly working with established photographers and some small time direct clients, but my goal is to get in front of art/creative directors to work in advertising.

So I my question is... how some of you guys that are in these positions got there... I am considering putting together a direct mail campaign to local ad agencies and following up with periodically with email blasts or phone calls. Has anyone taken this approach and how successful was it? I know this is a tried and true method of marketing for photographers but I am curious if it would be as effective for a retoucher?

I am looking at getting a contact list from agencyaccess.com or adbase.com, and it will be quite the investment, so I was wondering if anyone used them for getting retouching clients, and if it was worth it.

Thank you all for your feedback!

twopoint0 · #2 02-17-2009, 02:42 PM

Janko-
Let me address just one part of your question. You mentioned that you did prepress/color retouching. I think you should exploit that part of your background. Agencies are, and have been bringing work in house to bypass prepress. If you can bring premedia color workflows into an ad agency, such as good separations, dot gain compensation, color management, and certified proofing, and demonstrate the savings to them, you'll get hired. Great retouching is terrific, but practical, useful experience will set you apart.

w23 · #3 02-17-2009, 07:46 PM

Hey Janko - - -

Really excellent work on your website. You also raised a very good question about marketing your talent. While I don't have any answers for you I look forward to hearing from other members of RP, especially if they've used services like adbase.

Quantum3Studio · #4 02-18-2009, 01:12 AM

The picture about the puzzle is amazing!

Quantum3Studio · #5 02-18-2009, 01:30 AM

And the before and afters are unbelievable!!!!

Tareq · #6 02-19-2009, 02:54 AM

Nice works!
Sometimes i don't like to retouch too much, and keep my shots original and natural, but for markets and clients i know many there have to retouch in different styles.

Keep up your work!

Janko · #7 02-19-2009, 12:42 PM

Thank you all for the compliments.

twopoint0- thanks for your input, I should definitely exploit that part of my background... i suppose the trick is to provide as many services to as many people as possible.

Sinisa · #8 02-19-2009, 05:26 PM

great work janko!

sinisa

Janko · #9 02-23-2009, 12:06 PM

Thanks sinisa, or I should say hvala, i ti isto...

sonny7 · #10 02-27-2009, 09:51 AM

Janko, Great work. I agree with twopoint0. You should exploit your pre-press skills, obviously your retouching skills are spot on. Agencies want and all around person. My experience in the BIG ad agencies in NYC were retouching AND pre-press. Good luck.

twopoint0 · #11 02-27-2009, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonny7

Janko, Great work. I agree with twopoint0. You should exploit your pre-press skills, obviously your retouching skills are spot on. Agencies want and all around person. My experience in the BIG ad agencies in NYC were retouching AND pre-press. Good luck.

I like people who agree with me. They are smart. And good looking. Great comments Sonny!

shift studio · #12 02-27-2009, 03:20 PM

No comments on your question - sorry.
I just wanted to say l like the case study implementation on your site!

Swampy · #13 02-27-2009, 03:49 PM

Janko... Marketing yourself. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. Your web site is excellent and can serve as a base to get your talent seen. I've been in the advertising business for 30 years and can vouch for personal contacts. It will increase your direct mail cost, but find an ad specialty item to include in the mailing. A small "zip" letter opener, a business card magnet, a flexible ruler, anything light to fit in a standard mailing. Have them printed with your name, web page/email and a phone number. Trust me, it will hang around more than 5 minutes on the recipient's desk. It acts as a tangible sales call.

It also gives you an intro when you start calling your contacts... "Hi, I'm Janko, graphic designer (what ever). I sent you a brochure of my work along with a magnet/ruler/letter opener...." Although they've never met you, they feel _some_ connection and an obligation to listen to your spiel. Your opportunity to toot your horn. Maybe even set up a personal interview.

If you do get that interview, Take along another small gift of a little greater value (pen, coffee cup, monitor "dust brusher", USB thumb drive) again imprinted with your name etc. When you are looking for a job, you are a salesman. SELL YOURSELF. Leave a reason for them to remember you. Even if they don't have a current opening, they will think of you when they do.

Good Luck!

Janko · #14 02-28-2009, 07:36 PM

Thanks all for your kind words...

Shift - I remember going to your site the other day in from another thread and thinking how excellent your site was, the level of interactivity is top notch, and it runs super smooth. Did you develop the site? If you did I would consider selling or licensing a template. One thing I noticed though, every time I click on 'see ad layout' it crashes firefox for me.

Swampy - thanks for your advice, I will definitely think about how to stand out. Ever since you posted I've been thinking about a few ideas that I might try out.

shift studio · #15 02-28-2009, 09:09 PM

Hi Janko.
Thanks for your kind words too. I designed the look/interface and conceived the implementation/functionality of the site. Then I worked very closely with a Flash programmer to get it built. There is actually a whole list of things in the works to make the site better/faster (the Firefox issue being one of them - although I can't make it happen myself - would you care to PM me with the specifics?), but the programmer is too busy right now. No, I wouldn't consider selling/licensing it, because I put too much effort into it to make it unique (ish).

Sorry to be off topic here. I'll try to post a little description of how I've gotten work in the industry. Just not right now.

thanks,
--Sheldon.