How Designers Can Increase Income Despite the Covid-19 Pandemic

Coronavirus (Covid-19) has been devastating. It’s one year old, and has already changed the world. Thankfully, we are now seeing glimmers of hope.

Between successful vaccine trials, and Joe Biden winning the US presidential election, 2020 is turning a corner and we can look towards 2021 with more hope and confidence. 

However, the virus, and its economic impact, hasn't gone anywhere. Covid-19 is going to be around for some time, as vaccines, even if they're safe, take time to manufacture and distribute. For the foreseeable future, masks, hand washing, staying at home, and distancing from people is essential for keeping us all safe. 

What does this mean for designers? 

Designers, thankfully, alongside others in creative professions, can work from home, in most cases. Whether self-employed, running an agency, working in-house or for an agency, designers need a computer and space to work. It could be done anywhere in the world, providing you've got internet access and a computer. 

So from that perspective, you don't need to worry quite as much about switching to working from home (WFH). You may have already been doing that, in which case, nothing has changed. 

Unfortunately, this has dramatically shifted the dynamics of the economy. In the U.S., the second quarter of 2020 saw the largest slump in recorded history, at an annualized rate of 31.4% between April and June. In Q3, the rate of growth flipped into reverse, with an annualized rate of increase at 33.1%, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. 

That reversal doesn't mean the U.S. economy is recovered. Far from it. Right now, unemployment is at 7.9%, which is twice as high as in February, before the pandemic hit.

Bleak figures, and we aren't out of the woods yet. But at the same time, there is hope. 

Why the overall economic picture matters? 

Economics influences everything. Or rather, the overall economic picture is influenced by everything that goes on in society. For example, whether or not people eat out in restaurants, has an impact across a massive and complex supply chain. Not just food suppliers, and therefore manufacturers and farmers, but designers too. 

How confident, or not, companies are depends on whether their customers are still buying products and services. So consumer and business confidence are interrelated. What goes on in the political sphere influences the economy too, so with the election of Biden there is more hope and confidence for a stronger economic recovery. 

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All of this can have a direct, or indirect impact, on how designers can continue to win new clients and keep growing. 

The question is, how as a designer do you keep growing when the economy isn’t? 

How to keep driving growth forward? 

Start with looking at your current customers, and those in the pipeline. 

Have you lost any customers? 

Have any had to cut back? Did some reduce spending, and then come back? 

For many designers, things have either kept running as normal, or there’s been a partial slump, and then business has started to trickle back in. 

If that hasn't happened, or you need to bring some new customers in, then let’s take a look at ways you can drive forward growth. 

#1: Be more active on social media 

You produce amazing work. 

Do you show it off enough? 

If the answer is no, then between social media, your website, and dedicated platforms for designers and their work, there are numerous ways to showcase your work. 

Now is a great time to publish and promote your work, as a way of encouraging new clients to work with you. 

#2: Sign-up to Delesign 

Had to mention it, but if you aren't already working with us to reach more clients, you might want to sign-up. We have a vetting process, and if you get through you can work with a diverse and growing range of clients, which should help fill gaps in your working schedule. 

#3: Go where customers are 

Where are your customers, or potential customers? 

Are they on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn or elsewhere? 

Wherever they are, is where you need to promote your work. Demonstrate how you help businesses, what it’s like to work with you, how you add value. Avoid confining yourself to one social network or platform, only to be out of reach of your target customers and audience. 

Going where your target customers are, is the most effective way to win new ones and keep growing. 

#4: Reach out directly 

Not every designer is comfortable with direct outreach, also know as business development. It’s an essential sales skill, but not one that necessarily comes easily to designers. However, in this economy, it can prove useful. 

Business development doesn't have to be complicated. 

Take a look at who you already work with. Use this as a way of assessing who else you could work with, then take the leap. Be brave. Send them an email or direct message. Link to your portfolio. Be proud of your work, and showcase how you help clients, and why you’d be the right designer for them. 

#5: Think about what you’re selling 

You aren't selling design services, skills, or your time. 

In fact, you are selling something much more valuable. Your customers can’t do what you do. But they desperately need those skills to transform an idea, something in their heads, into reality. 

Beyond the immediate output, the “thing” you’re working on, it has a much bigger overall impact. What you create helps clients in some way. It might help them win new customers themselves, or give customers a better experience, or present something important, either in-print or online. 

Think about the end-result. The value it generates, and the role it plays in the operations of another company, whether it’s part of marketing, sales, the customer experience, a presentation, or any number of other ways your design work is used. 

Now is a challenging time for designers, and most creative professionals. We have to stick together, and support one another. Look for ways you can up-sell supporting services, and at the same time, don't be afraid to ask for help from others you know to see if they can make introductions and recommend you to companies you could work with. 

Find out more about our exclusive Delesign offer. 35% One-off Projects or Monthly Content Marketing Services (first 3 months). Providing you sign-off starting a project, or monthly services before 12/18/2020. 

Every new client always receives 1 Free Trial Article, or other comparable piece of work, before commencing. That way, you know we will work well together! 

Meta: Now is a challenging time for designers and other creative professionals. Don't be afraid to ask for help from others you know to see if they can make introductions and recommend you.