How will I promote myself – What do they want to hear?

Whether I become a freelance graphic designer when I graduate, or go into a business, I need to learn how to promote myself and get myself noticed. I will need to let people know who I am, and the areas on Graphic Design I specialise in.

If I was to become a freelance Graphic Designer, I would need to be constantly getting in contact with businesses and building up relationships with potential clients. General chats on the phone, as well as organising face-to-face meetings where I could potentially hand out my business card and gain contacts. Getting my work out there in exhibitions/fairs etc would also prove useful in getting myself noticed. I could not only sell my products, but also my services.

When applying for a job, something that I will need to take great consideration of is my CV. Having a well laid out creative CV could not only be what determines whether I get the job or not, but could also be something that if it's not what they're looking for, can pass along to someone who is looking.

The Internet is now very popular, and is even the main source of contact for some businesses. It is a great place to show your work through an Online Portfolio (website), which is something I am currently working on www.heatherbradley.co.uk. Not only does it allow me to show my work, it can include shopping facilities, which if successful, could allow me to create a profit from it. Having a well laid out and attractive webiste could allow me to gain clients. In terms of promoting this website, it would be something that would be on the back on my business card.

Making myself a member on websites such as Behance.net (http://www.behance.net/HeatherBradley) and other websites where I can create a portfolio, allows me to get noticed as designers/business members search on there on a weekly basis looking for employees.

In terms of a business card, this again would have to be well laid out and look attractive. It should somewhat show my skills and encourage designers to want to see more.

These are all things I should be beginning to do now, not just when I graduate. Building up an image and gaining contacts is something that would put me in a better position, not only when I graduate, but also when looking for work experience throughout this year and the next.