If you’re not generating enough income to sustain your web design business, then it’s time to consider an additional source of income. Landing clients in a tough economy is hard to do, but landing a job might be easier. One way is to apply and work for a temp agency. They can bring the jobs to you, and in the process you can network and develop your skills while getting paid.
Pros of Working for a Temp Agency
Many temp agencies hire you as an independent contractor. In a sense, that temp agency becomes your client. They take on the risk and headaches of finding work, and all you have to do is “show up” and do a good job. That can be a relief to you if your sales are hurting, and if business is slow. Here are some more pros for working for a temp agency:
Paycheck – You can take care of the bills and inject cash into your business to keep it going.
Get Testimonials – Your employers may be willing to give you a testimonial, which you can leverage to get more sales for your business.
Beef Up Your Resume – If you don’t have enough experience to convince clients of your expertise, you can show that you’ve worked for multiple clients on a variety projects just by working for one agency.
Future Clients – The clients you temp for may be future clients for your own business down the road, if you prove yourself and do a good job.
Choose Hours – You don’t have to give up your flexible schedule just because you’re temping. You can do some jobs remotely, and employers may allow you to select overnight or early morning shifts if you want.
So why isn’t every creative professional working for a temp agency? The reason is that while there are some benefits to working with one, there are also some pitfalls that you need to consider.
Cons of Working for a Temp Agency
You might decide that working for a temp agency is a waste of your time and energy. The pay rate is going to be much lower than what you can charge on your own, and the jobs that are available might require you to commute to someone’s place of business. There are some other cons as well:
Sporadic Jobs – Don’t rely on temp agencies to be your perfect sales force. Some agencies can be just as inconsistent in obtaining steady work.
Reduced Hourly Rate – The temp agency makes its money by taking a percentage of what you earn. The less money they can pay you, the more money they can make.
Increased Expenses – You’ll incur costs for traveling to work every day, in addition to fuel costs. You may have to pay for lunches, coffee, child care and other costs you may not have worried about as a business owner or freelancer.
Time Lag before the First Job – You won’t always get your first job as soon as the hiring process is over. You might be on a waiting list for a little while, which defeats the purpose of pursuing this route in the first place.
You’ll have to decide whether these cons still make working for a temp agency worthwhile. One thing to keep in mind is that it is temporary. What you don’t want to do is end up in a situation where you’re paying to work, because the costs associated with commuting and childcare are so high.
Before you finalize your decision, create a budget to include the additional costs that you’ll have to take on. Don’t do the math in your head. Get it down on paper so that you can take an honest look at whether working for a temp agency is right for you.
You’ve probably realized how much harder is to land a new client for your web design business, than it is to have a previous one come back to you for more work. You can get so caught up in marketing methods that you forget a simple and effective truth: Repeat customers help to keep your business alive. If you’ve neglected your previous customers, it’s time to make a change. Here are tips for getting more work from repeat customers:
Tip #1 – Educate Clients on SEO
The major concern for your clients after you design their websites is getting web traffic. You may have helped them initially with some search engine optimization strategies, but they will need to know more. You will remain at the top of their minds for future work if you’re willing to provide them with some information that will educate them on their options, such as in a white paper, free report or newsletter. Seminars are also an effective educational tool that can lead to repeat business. You can conduct them in person, over the web or via the telephone.
Tip #2 – Follow Up
You should never complete a job and hope that your client is happy. Following up with your clients is an easy way to get more work. You should call them to make sure that they like what you have delivered and to make sure that there are no outstanding issues or questions. You can ask them for referrals as well as sell additional services to them. It’s much easier to get repeat business after a job well done than it is to market the same service s to a complete stranger.
Tip #3 – Ask for a Link
You may not get work directly from a customer, but their customers may ask you for work. People who like your design will want to find out which web design business was responsible for such great work. Ask that a link to your website be included at the bottom of pages, near the copyright information. If there is a list of resources and your business is a good fit for that page, ask whether yours can be included. You may need to offer an incentive in exchange for the link, such as a referral fee or a discount on your services for the link. It may be worth it to you, because that’s less marketing that you have to do on your part. The inbound link to your website may also help you rank better in search engine results.
Tip #4 – Make Cold Calls
With everyone texting, tweeting and using email auto responders, you’re sure to stand out if you make cold calls to clients. You may have fears about doing that, such as a fear of rejection. Overcome those challenges and call the clients you have not spoken to in a while. Find out about how things are going for them and try to determine their needs. Pitch your services to them on a follow up call or email.
It still takes hard work to get repeat customers, but not as much as getting new customers through the “door.” Incorporate these tips in your marketing strategies to improve your financial bottom line.
Learning how to get incorporated will help you to create a separate business entity and a shield for your personal assets. A corporation offers business owners several benefits, but the most popular one is the ability to protect against personal liability. If a client sues you for negligence as a result of the graphic or web design services you provide, then they are limited to the assets that your corporation owns. They cannot, in most cases, successfully sue you for your house and personal property because these are not owned by your corporation. Here’s what you need to know to get incorporated and to take advantage of the benefits of incorporating:
Do-It-Yourself
The least expensive way to get incorporated is to file your own paperwork. The thought of creating your own legal entity can be intimidating, but it’s easier than you think. The tough part is deciding whether to incorporate in the first place, and what type of corporation is best for your business. There are many legal resources on the web that have great information on the subject, including www.findlaw.com and www.nolo.com. You can also consult with a small business attorney, but still incorporate your own business. The steps to get incorporated are:
Choose your state of incorporation
Select directors for your board
File “Articles of Incorporation” or “Articles of Organization” with the Corporations Division in the state or the Secretary of State’s office
Pay the fees of incorporation
Once you take these steps, your business will be incorporated. These are only the first steps though, because you’ll need to work on getting licenses, writing bylaws for the corporation and the major legal agreements that you’ll need to operate your business.
Incorporation Services
A more convenient option is to get incorporated through a business filing or corporation service. These companies hire paralegals, legal assistants and other professionals to file the necessary paperwork for you. Some incorporation services are founded by and run by attorneys, which has some advantages. For example, you won’t have to figure out the appropriate paperwork that you need for your corporation type, because they will file what you need. You can also incorporate in another state a lot easier when you let them do it for you. The advantages of using these services include:
Fill out an online form instead of paperwork that you’ll file with a state
Get guidance on the proper paperwork to file
Incorporate from the comfort of your home
Have a registered agent for your corporation
You’ll have to pay for the convenience, but many incorporation services offer competitive prices. Consider all of the bonuses and perks that each service offers to help you make the best choice.
Small Business Attorney
The best way to get incorporated is to let a small business attorney do it for you. It’s also the most expensive option. Lawyers know that they are competing with incorporation services and many have seen the light and offered a lower fee to clients. What you should avoid is an attorney who wants to charge you by the hour to incorporate your business. Find one who will take care of your paperwork for a flat fee, so that you know what to expect. The primary benefit of using an attorney is the advice you’ll get along with getting incorporated.
It’s important to understand the legal obligations associated with launching and maintaining a corporation. You need to determine whether it’s a good idea to get incorporated, and then decide on the best method of incorporation based on your budget.
