-1

I've started to use a freelance website. I was able to handle the first four jobs that I received on the site, but I haven't been able to get jobs lately. Invitations keep coming in, but the potential clients aren't awarding their projects to me.

What do I offer a client in a Graphic Design project proposal?

Improve this question
6
  • 1
    Hello! Could you please edit your question to clarify exactly what's going on? As it stands, this is rather vague. It sounds like on a freelancer site, you've completed a few jobs, but are having trouble landing additional projects. You're asking, then, for suggestions for what else to offer to a client. Is that right?
    – Chris Forrence
    Aug 12, 2014 at 19:07
  • I have edited and you are right. I am asking "what should I offer client in proposal".
    – Murtaza
    Aug 12, 2014 at 19:20
  • 1
    What does your typical proposal look like? I still think the question is vague; I have no idea what you're currently doing to attract clients, so I don't know what you've already tried.
    – Chris Forrence
    Aug 13, 2014 at 0:02
  • I'm with @ChrisForrence on this; I've attempted to answer the question (as I've seen this before and I think I understand what you're talking about), but more information on what clients are asking for in proposals, what competition is doing, and so on would be quite helpful.
    – Amelia
    Aug 13, 2014 at 15:54
  • You might check out what 99designs is doing. They broker many design projects.
    – Jeff-Inventor ChromeOS
    Aug 14, 2014 at 3:44

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
3

In a proposal for a website, you should never just throw a mock-up out there.

When creating designs for a client, it's pretty important to work with them and find out what they need. Any client who simply takes a mockup offered from proposals is usually skipping the entire decision process and hoping that they can get a free (or at least cheap) design that they like from freelancers offering mockups.

Try and look for clients who are requesting graphic designers with portfolios. Provide live, previous examples of work you've done (with previous clients' permission), and build a portfolio to sell yourself to a client.

Any work you do should be paid for, in general; in some cases offering value to a client can be a good thing (and will possibly help them to reconsider you for their next piece of work), but when a client is fishing blindly for freelancers and saying something along the lines of "Make me a design like x, and show me a mockup", and posting this on a bidding site, they are hoping that they can cut as many corners as possible.

If I were you, I'd stop sending a mockup in a bid and instead send a strong portfolio and a resume with references when bidding for these proposals. Act professional, and in your bid explain your experience and previous projects, and possibly how you handle the design process.

Improve this answer
2
  • +1 for good point but not the answer of my question. I am not talking about worthless client who just bother freelancer, I am talking about a decent client. Mostly I discuss with client and before I am awarded, the client awarded project to someone and can't figure out what that freelancer has offered him. I am proving links to portfolio, attaching samples and etc.. but I don't get job. What you usually do to attract client and what you offer him to get job during discussion.
    – Murtaza
    Aug 14, 2014 at 5:48
  • @Murtaza ah, I was trying to guess the context from your initial question
    – Amelia
    Aug 14, 2014 at 12:28
3

Why don't you ask for feedback? Simply say,

"Sorry to hear I didn't get the job, but I'm glad you found someone who you're comfortable working with. To help me with my future proposals, would you mind telling me where I went wrong?"

Asking this question will tell you everything you need to know.

Improve this answer
-1

You should only provide a mock-up if you are asked anything, and the mock-up should be in the form of a low resolution picture.

Never provide a web-visible, HTMLized proper mock up. Its easy to just grab it from there and skin it into a template/website.

The picture you give should be low resolution, so that slicing it and skinning it into a website should not easy.

There are some who even try to grab the design from low res pictures, or copy the main elements in the design and evade paying.

Improve this answer
10
  • Wrong! @unity100, you are suggesting work "on spec". If the OP is asked for any work product, including a mock-up, then the OP should be pressing the client for a signed contract before doing any work.
    – Xavier J
    Aug 12, 2014 at 22:17
  • Which will mean he wont be able to get any jobs. As you see, he got 3-4 jobs, then he cant get anymore. which means that his reputation is not enough to get jobs solely on his past history. which means, there will be a lot of people rightfully asking him to provide some proof of his capability and his grasp of what client wants. only after he has some good number of jobs and feedback under his belt, he can get jobs on name alone.
    – unity100
    Aug 12, 2014 at 22:21
  • 1
    I still disagree. A GREAT portfolio can get work.
    – Xavier J
    Aug 12, 2014 at 22:24
  • 1
    Then he's got work to do :)
    – Xavier J
    Aug 12, 2014 at 22:45
  • 1
    I think what @codenoire is referring to (and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) is to create work where there is none. That is, think of a project and execute it. Once it's finished, there's another project for the ol' portfolio (and I bet you can get permission from the "client" to use it in the portfolio)!
    – Chris Forrence
    Aug 13, 2014 at 0:09

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.