How to Make Sure You Have Clients Year Round

How To Make Sure You Have Clients (and income) All Year Round

By April Greer

In this article April Greer explores the reason why many designers have high times of business and other times are low.  Greer says, "The big problem with this statement (and similar ones) is that you’re not marketing yourself when you’re busy."  Once you run out of client work then you will have plenty of time to market because you did not secure clients when you were busy.  Failing to make sure you have clients that are lined up, even when you are busy, can lead to loss of money and loss of clients in the long-run.

I seem to deal with this a lot.  I will have three to four clients during high times and almost none during low times.  I think I should take Greer's advice to heart and start marketing for the next big project as one ends.  Instead of waiting until the last minute when all my current projects are complete, I should begin to find more work as the projects end.  This will ensure that I always have someone to do work for and have a year round income. 

One way Greer suggests you do this is to make time and deadlines for yourself just as a client does for you.  Taking time out of the day to market yourself and make sure you have an appropriate amount of clients/work will ensure a secure income.  She also suggests that you don't just make this a time block but you also focus on certain issues during this time.  Certain issues can be fixing website bugs, planning your social media strategy, or creating topics for blog posts ( much like this one).