How do you find your pigeons?

[Jason Batten]

By pigeons I mean clients :D

As a budding webmaster trying to bite into the prime time by building web sites for others but how does one find clients? Are there that many people willing to contract someone else to build them a website? I'd like to think yes.

I have scored work through a 3d art and architectural company. Not exactly sure how many more jobs will generate out of it but I have two so far. Naturally in the future I would like to start my own business which I am planning with my partner.

What are some methods of putting yourself out there?

[thorpe]

mine is all generated through word of mouth. a happy client talks to a friend who might be intersted in having some work done etc. as long as you try to keep all your clients happy, and dont burn any bridges... away you go.

i find it fairly easy in a smaller township aswell. there are'nt too many web developers on the coast here.

[Jason Batten]

Your location says Sydney *waves from the other side. I would have thought there would be a lot more work over there compared to here :confused:

[leatherback]

Here it is all word-of-mouth & good quality / swift work /cross-browser - platform production.

One of the main features I now offer is a tool for maintaining their own content. Contrary to what you might think, people come back to you when you give them the tool, and ask you to expand their site.

J.

[vaaaska]

Originally posted by leatherback
Here it is all word-of-mouth & good quality / swift work /cross-browser - platform production.

One of the main features I now offer is a tool for maintaining their own content. Contrary to what you might think, people come back to you when you give them the tool, and ask you to expand their site.

J.

Yep. Totally. Service with a smile (in the most genuine way).

It all begins with a conversation. If a client trusts you they will ask you to help them. You can get leads whichever way, but trust is key.

If you happen to be the kind of person who talks like a used car salesperson then you're best off looking to work with used car salespeople.

Every project I've ever had was via word of mouth or via a conversation. "Sales" is almost easy when your objective is service and not money.

[leatherback]

Hey Vaaaska,

what are you saying? You need a website for used cars? eeehmm.?

:D

[Elizabeth]

Originally posted by vaaaska
Every project I've ever had was via word of mouth or via a conversation. Ditto for me.

[thorpe]

I would have thought there would be a lot more work over there compared to here

im actually on the central coast, about 45 mins nth of sydney. there is a few freelancers around but not many. and just at the moment, there is quite a bit of work.

though i must admit, most of my work i have done in the past has been asp. only really been toying with php for around 6 months. i have a client though,(that ive allready developed a site for) that is looking to re-do there application, and currently im in the process of talking them up to php vs asp.

well see how that goes then. but it is nice to know they came back to me.

[Jason Batten]

Do you guys/gals have enough clients to keep you running for full time work? does it come in waves or what? :confused: