A Beginner's Guide to Thriving in the Graphic and Web Design Industry

I’m not gonna lie - I haven’t had the straight path with this career… but then again, who has? Whether you just graduated college and are eager to start your career in graphic design, or you’re thinking about a career change - these are my 5 tips to help you navigate this industry.

1. Niche Down

find your unique voice and style. Don't be afraid to let your personality shine through in your work! Think about the kinds of brands / industries / styles resonate the most with you. What naturally comes out? Who do you want to work with? When you can SHOW your ideal customer what their brand COULD look like, you’re closer to attracting them.

2. Practice Sales Calls (aka Talking to Potential Clients)

I hate calling it a “sales call” because it just SOUNDS sleazy (used car salesman much?). I think of it more as a conversation, a beginnings of a relationship...a first date. Do your services/skills line up with their needs? Do your energies match up? These calls can be stressful, anxiety provoking and awkward, but if you remove the pressure of “selling them”, it’ll get easier. And like anything else, practice helps!

3. Get Clear on Your Packages

Your pricing can change over time, but you AND your clients need clarity around what you offer and what’s included. For example, list and describe your offerings on your website, social media, or marketing collateral. Be clear about what's involved and make sure it's easy to understand. You don't want someone clicking away from your website because they weren't clear on what you offer.

4. Use Social Media in a Way that Feels Good to You.

The truth is, we hate social media. We vacillate between closing our accounts completely and going deeper with it and engaging more. It’s a never-ending battle, yet we KNOW how powerful it is and almost crucial for brands to use these days. The trick is using it and showing up in a way that feels good for you. We know our boundaries and what we can handle realistically (especially with 3 kids), and I refuse to post on social media when I could be spending time with them instead. I also know I don't like participating in trends for the sake of the trend if it doesn't feel authentic to our message and personalities. Could this tradeoff be compromising our numbers and negatively affecting the algorithm? Maybe, but we know what's important to us and that's what counts.

5. Learn, Try,  Fail, Repeat.

You try new techniques, skills and programs. Read, research and listen to podcasts. My dad always says, “it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert” so keep practicing and simply put in the hours. Don't expect to land your first 5 figure client overnight, but if you keep at it and remain persistent, it will happen in time.

Remember, success doesn't happen overnight – stay persistent, keep honing your skills, and never stop learning and growing. With dedication and determination, the sky's the limit! (haha, no pun intended)