You can make the most amazing designs in the world but if no one knows what you did, then you won't get recognition for it. It is a fact that marketing is just as important to the success of a creative business as the work that is produced. Find out how some of the most well known interactive shops have become as well known as they are (hint, it's not just about the work!). This session will focus on the various techniques we can all use (from studio to freelancer) to market our work, promote our skills, and attract the kinds of clients we want. We will also discuss the role that awards and contests play in the art of promotion, as well as some ways to make yourself a guru in the eyes of your clients.

1. Marketing Your
Skillz
daniel schutzsmith
@schutzsmith on twitter

2. Presentation Slides
& Worksheets:
http://fitc.graphicdefine.org

3. Who Are
You?

4. Freelancer?

5. Work in
a Studio?

6. Studio
Owner?

7. Student?

8. Other Design
Professional?

9. Why Marketing?

10. • attract
the clients
& talent you want

11. • attractthe clients
& talent you want
• shape your image

12. • attractthe clients
& talent you want
• shape your image
• create a following
of ambassadors

13. Where Do
We Start?

14. • define your mantra

15. • define your mantra
• know what your
real product is

16. • define your mantra
• know what your
real product is
• target clients

17. • define your mantra
• know what your
real product is
• target clients
• make a plan

18. Define Your
Mantra

19. A short, descriptive
sentence that sums up
what your company is
all about.

20. “Can your secretary tell you
what it is? If so, then you’re
onto something meaningful
and memorable. If not, then
it sucks!”
- Guy Kawasaki

21. “Don’t be evil”
- Google

22. “Peace of mind”
- Federal Express

23. “Authentic Athletic
Performance”
- Nike

24. WORKSHEET:
Define Your
Mantra

25. What’s Your
Real Product?

26. Hint: It is not
your skills!

27. It is: The thought
response that you
give clients.

29. Humor

30. Peace of Mind

31. Attention
to Detail

32. Target Clients

33. Define who your
clients are first,
and then
go get’em.

34. • list
the industries
you like

35. • list
the industries
you like
• define ideal traits

36. • list
the industries
you like
• defineideal traits
• make a targeted
list

37. WORKSHEET:
Client Wish List

38. Make a Plan

39. WORKSHEET:
Marketing Plan

40. 1) What is your
objective for this plan?
Be specific and use
dates.

41. 2) Who is your target
audience? What
industries are they in?

42. Clie
Wis nt
2) Who is your target
hlis
t
audience? What
industries are they in?

43. 3) What is the
message you want to
convey to this market
about how you can
help them?

44. Ma
ntr
Pro a &
3) What is the duc
t
message you want to
convey to this market
about how you can
help them?

45. 4) Which marketing
tools will you use?
What are clients
reading and watching;
where are they going?

46. 5) I can spend ____________
per week and $___________
per month.

47. 6) Make an action
plan of steps over a
period of time. Put it
on your calendar!

48. Marketing Tools

49. Leave Behinds

51. Blog

53. Give Away
Your Secrets

54. Blog

56. Build a
Web App

58. Give Away
Your Work

60. Start a
Conversation

62. Make Friends
With Journalists

64. Write an
Article

66. Help a
Reporter Out

68. Use Press
Releases

70. Use Social
Networking

71. Implementing the Personality
Social
Network
Profiles

72. Implementing the Personality
Social
Network
Profiles

73. Show the
Personalities

76. Email

78. Start an
E-zine

80. Implementing the Personality
E-zine

81. Track the
Conversation

82. Implementing the Personality
Comments

83. Tips for
Success

84. Focus on the
Message

85. Encourage
Participation

86. Provide Useful
Content

87. Remove the
Bullshit

88. No Sales Speak

89. Stay Consistent

90. Listen to
Feedback

91. Be Humble

92. Have Fun

93. Presentation Slides
& Worksheets:
http://fitc.graphicdefine.org