Don't Let The Word 'No' Stand In Your Way

Don't let rejection slow you down. It should actually drive you to work even harder.

With success comes rejection. But it's how you respond to it that matters more than anything as a freelance graphic designer.

I've quickly learned that being a self-employed designer has its fair share of challenges — rejection often sitting near or at the top of the list.

There's nothing worse than being outbid or turned down for a freelance design project after thinking you may have locked down a client.

The best solution is cutting your losses and moving on. Let it inspire and drive you to work even harder so in the future, the only words you'll hear are "when can you start on this project?"

There are ways of reducing the chances of rejection as freelancer, regardless of your profession.

Here are a few tips I have learned that will help build your client roster.

1. Solve a Problem

What problem can you solve for the business or potential client you're approaching? Before you even pitch to a potential client, promoting your talents is essential, but at the the of the day, people want to know if those talents can translate to more business for them.

If you're going to discuss a re-brand, don't just mention how strong of a logo designer you may be. Discuss how the company's current branding could be dated and that a refresh could bring in more customers.

2. Build Trust

People that trust you, will hire you. That doesn't necessarily mean the potential client would have to know you on a personal note from the get-go. Demonstrating instant honesty and excitement to work with a potential client will also increase your chances of landing a gig.

Something as simple as throwing in an additional service or product into a bid at no cost could be the deciding factor in landing a deal and and getting repeat work from the client in the future. It also builds a sign of trust right from the start.

3. Build a Strong Portfolio

I really can't stress this one enough. If your portfolio is spread thin, chances are your clientele base will be too. You're probably asking yourself, "how do I build a portfolio if I don't have any clients?" The simple answer is produce projects on spec or take on work for free to start.

Reach out to organizations, non-profits or even sports teams with tight budgets. Often times they'd welcome free work with open arms, so it's a win-win for both sides.