Freelance bidding sites

they are a great idea, but generally it is impossible to get work from them.

The majority of people working on their are form India, Pakistan, Asia etc and do crazy projects super quick and crazy cheap! I only use those sites for actually sub-contracting i i need somethign done quickly and cheaply and don't have time my self

unless you want to do full sites for less than $100 don't bother

Create a portfolio site of your design work, get it listed on Google, hawk it around via email to the kind of places you think would want your services. Post a link to your work here. Print postcards, flyers. Get marketing yourself.

Word of mouth from existing happy clients is also a big factor in my experience. And don't be afraid to approach clients if you think their current site is rubbish or needs updating or bringing in line with accessibility guidelines. Just do it tactfully

design-is said:

Word of mouth from existing happy clients is also a big factor in my experience. And don't be afraid to approach clients if you think their current site is rubbish or needs updating or bringing in line with accessibility guidelines. Just do it tactfully

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Exactly, and once a place is happy with your work, they won't bother looking elsewhere because the relationship will already be in place.