I am a professional photographer and videographer and also have a background in social media and graphic design. I’m looking to get some referrals and first clients in my area, but feel that I don’t have much of a reputation or portfolio outside of the work I do for the ad agency I work at. I have a full-time job, but have really been itching to branch out to do some freelance work.
Some companies I’d like to appeal to are residential / commercial services such as Pest Control, Water Treatment, Electric, Plumbing / Septic, Attic Insulation / Crawlspace Encapsulation, Landscaping, etc. I am curious if any business owners in this industry (or any others where relevant such as dining credit restaurants), would favor working in “trade” instead of writing a check. For example, say you own an attic insulation company and you insulate my attic insulated in exchange for creative services of similar value (commercial, social media content, printed materials, etc.).
Would this appeal to you as a small business owner or would you rather just write a check and call it a day? Just trying to get a consensus from other business owners before I start reaching out and offering it as an option.
If you dont have physical goods being created just Graphic Design is either a very low paid service or an inhouse position. I would look into promotional products and apparel. Then you can offer design work with higher ticket items attached. This way instead of begging for $250 for a job, you book $12k in gross sale- keep 15% and include the design for “free”.
“Graphic design is a low paid service” is about the silliest thing I’ve read this month.
Good design and UX is worth its weight in gold, and there are lots of examples of designers making good money. Most of my design clients come in at $2500 minimums.
Dragging and dropping canva templates does not mean you’re a graphic designer.