How Designers Can Obtain Bigger Clients
Business knowledge goes a long way…seriously.
Let’s face it, as creatives the idea of ‘business’ is kind of a turn off for most of us. We want to create. We want to produce. We want to make a change. And we want to do all of these things while getting paid.
What if I told you that the secret to making a change, and a positive impact in your clients business is to truly understand how it functions and runs first?
As a freelance designer myself, I was thrown into the pits of learning how to speak to potential clients, how to close deals, and how to provide value. Let me tell you, I failed many many times to do either of those things. I normally spoke to small businesses. But I wanted something more. I wanted to work with bigger clients, who had bigger budgets and were trying to make a large impact in their respected industries.
I saw a trend when talking to these ‘dream clients’. I was missing something that would set me apart from my competitors. I wasn’t able to speak their language and ultimately understand how their business functioned and what would help make it successful. My offering felt the same no matter who or what business it was for. Frankly, it did not sit right with me.
As a designer, before providing a solution to your clients problem, it’s imperative that you understand said problem first. However, the problem is only as clear as the context that surrounds it. This is where having a basic understanding of business comes into play. Understanding even the simplest of basics can help designers navigate problems a lot more clearly. Thus allowing them to provide a much more laser focused solution.
Understanding Your Clients
As a brand designer, I want nothing more than to make a positive impact on my clients’ businesses. But like most things, you need to have the correct puzzle pieces in order to create the whole picture. A brand identity alone will not drive success for a business. It needs to be encompassed by the right elements in order for it to have success.
During my time at ThePowerMBA we’ve covered many topics that make up a great business model. From what makes a scalable business, to different type of business models all together and how they function.
I’m not telling you that learning all this stuff will help on your next meeting with your prospect. But it might. After learning these concepts I implemented them into my process. It helped me understand what types of businesses my prospects had. And for the ones that did not know, well guess who just positioned themselves as someone who can help move the needle for them?
