Creative professionals can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their niches are safe from the threats posed by generative AI and an unstable global economy. The demand for creative services (from ghostwriting to animation) is still steady due in part to the heavy reliance on the quality that industry professionals are capable of producing. However, there’s still no better time to start a creative practice than now.
The market for creative freelancers and job-seekers is still heavily saturated by both veterans and those who have just entered the field. You will need all the time and resources you can get to become more visible to clients and companies who need your creative prowess. The guide below should give you a workable blueprint for promoting your services as a creative and survive the challenges that lie ahead:
1. Bank on a personal brand
As a creative professional, you are your brand. What that means is you have control over how you can set yourself apart from other creatives in your field. Competition remains tight and clients and companies are dying to know what makes you and your output different from all the others. It all starts with defining who you are as a brand.
For this, highlight the uniqueness of your style and the distinct creative process you’re using. It’s also important to establish what clients should expect from you. You can set this through a unique value proposition. With a well-crafted personal brand, it won’t be difficult for you to find (or get found by) clients.
2. Enhance your social media presence
Probably the best thing about working as a creative is the fact that you get to have total control over your social media interactions. Since it’s free to create a professional page on Facebook or LinkedIn, you have a cost-effective way to promote your recent works and collaborations and reach out to people who want to recruit your creative mind. You just need to post consistently.
Use your social media presence to talk about your latest projects, document your creative process, and talk about the creative industry as you see it. You can also join social media groups where you can share content and network with potential clients.
3. Build a portfolio website
For you to attract high-value clients, you need to come across as a professional in your niche. The best way you can accomplish this is by building a website that functions as your portfolio. This platform not only features sample works but also lists down companies and clients you’ve worked with before.
You can also add a downloadable portfolio in case visitors want to add you to their shortlist of candidates. In case you lack the technical knowledge to set one up, consider reaching out to an agency offering digital marketing services, including web development.
4. Foster valuable connections
To succeed in your creative practice, you will have to rely on others who can vouch for your skills and experience. For this reason, the best way to promote your professional services is to go out there and network with the right people.
Consider joining industry events or attending workshops and in-person or online talks. These educational opportunities also offer immense value in getting your name across. From there, you will be able to develop word-of-mouth which snowballs into a compelling presence.
Endnote
For you to thrive in the marketplace for creative skills, work hard to get your name out into the open. With these tips in tow, it won’t take long before you start getting commissions and projects left and right.
