New
Business Development for Small Design Firms and Freelancers
School of Visual Concepts
Fall 2002
Course Outline
November 5
Session One: Planning
- Building a basic new business plan: the essential elements
- Analyzing your career and business goals
- Determining your brand personality and business philosophy
- Living your brand personality in all aspects of your business
- Measuring new business success
November 12
Session Two: Positioning
- Finding alignment between you, potential target clients and the economy
- Identifying your target markets and ideal clients
- Writing your elevator speech and marketing messages
- Asking for feedback from clients and suppliers
November 19
Session Three: Promoting
- Determining your marketing resources
- Using sales staff or outside services
- Designing an effective portfolio
- Mailing prospects for greater exposure
- Getting attention through publicity
- Using new media to showcase your work
- Speaking engagements for increased credibility
- Earning design awards for promotional opportunities
December 3
Session Four: Prospecting
- Designing a prospecting system
- Sticking to a prospecting system
- Organizing your database
- Scoping resources for client leads
- Networking to make connections
- Building an advisor network
- Volunteering to make an impression
December 10
Session Five: Presenting
- Doing your pre-pitch homework
- Answering RFPs
- Orchestrating and rehearsing creative presentations
- Maintaining connections with prospects
- Keeping the business you have