{"id":2071,"date":"2024-08-15T07:00:59","date_gmt":"2024-08-15T07:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/suimy.me\/?p=2071"},"modified":"2024-08-21T17:08:43","modified_gmt":"2024-08-21T17:08:43","slug":"which-clients-matter-more-new-vs-existing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/suimy.me\/index.php\/2024\/08\/15\/which-clients-matter-more-new-vs-existing\/","title":{"rendered":"Which Clients Matter More: New vs. Existing?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re a freelance designer serving a target market that seems to be shrinking or not providing you with quite enough business, maybe it\u2019s time to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/fire-freelance-clients\/\">change up your client base<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>This can be done in a number of different ways, but usually involves making a decision about whether to <strong>seek out new clients<\/strong> or <strong>upsell and strengthen your relationships with the clients you already have<\/strong>. We go over the pros and cons of each strategy so that you can determine which is right for you.<\/p>\n<p>In the meantime, check out some of these <strong>freelancer-client relationship<\/strong> posts previously published:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/deal-with-clients\/\">5 Ways To Tame Difficult And Problematic Clients<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/work-better-with-freelance-clients\/\">How To Work Better With Your Clients<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/ways-to-lose-your-clients\/\">5 Ways You Are Losing Your Clients<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/when-design-gone-wrong\/\">What To Do When Your Clients Turn Against You<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/bad-chemistry-with-clients\/\">How Bad Chemistry With Clients Can Break Your Career<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Market Health<\/h4>\n<p>In the past decade, the design industry has been both a buyer\u2019s and a seller\u2019s market. More individuals and businesses are seeking professional design services, while the number of working designers has also increased. This creates abundant opportunities for designers who specialize in a specific niche.<\/p>\n<p>To refine your client base, regularly assess whether your current clients align with your desired market niche. If they don\u2019t, it might be time to let them go and focus on attracting clients that better fit your expertise and goals.<\/p>\n<figure data-lazy=\"\"><span class=\"img-ratio-placeholder\"><img src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"graphic designer at desk\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/suimy.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/designer.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"graphic designer at desk\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1119\" data-lazy-src=\"http:\/\/suimy.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/designer.jpg\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"><span class=\"img-ratio-placeholder__fill\" style=\"padding-bottom:74%;max-width:1500px\"><\/span><\/span><\/figure>\n<p>Finding the right clients is essential for business growth. Explore <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/trust-building-practices\/\">trust-building strategies for small businesses<\/a> to establish strong relationships. Additionally, consider implementing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/guide-to-client-pursuing-you\/\">strategies for attracting ideal clients<\/a> that align with your design niche. With countless potential clients out there, the right approach can help you thrive in the competitive design market.<\/p>\n<h4>Focusing Outward<\/h4>\n<p>Focusing on <strong>acquiring new clients<\/strong> requires more time and effort in terms of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/be-productive-when-out-of-job\/\">marketing and reaching out<\/a>. But it can result in a <strong>more lucrative freelance career<\/strong>. Not just because you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/be-productive-when-out-of-job\/\">raise your prices<\/a> with ease as you accrue experience, but also because you\u2019re constantly <strong>exposing yourself to new people<\/strong> to work for, who also <strong>bring with them new possible opportunities<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure data-lazy=\"\"><span class=\"img-ratio-placeholder\"><img src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"designer&#039;s portfolio on desk\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/suimy.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/designer-portfolio.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"designer&#039;s portfolio on desk\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" data-lazy-src=\"http:\/\/suimy.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/designer-portfolio.jpg\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"><span class=\"img-ratio-placeholder__fill\" style=\"padding-bottom:66%;max-width:1500px\"><\/span><\/span><\/figure>\n<p>Say you do some work for a brand new client that\u2019s really nothing special. But that client happens to be <strong>closely associated with another influential person<\/strong> in your niche that you\u2019ve been dying to be introduced to for a while, but who has eluded you thus far.<\/p>\n<p>Well, impress client A enough and scoring an introduction to potential client B will be a breeze.<\/p>\n<h4>Shrinking Budgets<\/h4>\n<p>Sometimes, clients cut back on the number of design services they accept due to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/paying-for-good-design\/\">financial reasons<\/a>. In this situation, it\u2019s helpful to <strong>seek out new clients<\/strong>, rather than simply hoping your current clients pick up steam again.<\/p>\n<p>This way, you\u2019re not <strong>left hanging if one of your important sources of income suddenly dries up<\/strong>, which I\u2019ve seen happen to a lot of designers. The moment you catch a whiff of things heading south, dust off your business cards and find some new business.<\/p>\n<figure data-lazy=\"\"><span class=\"img-ratio-placeholder\"><img src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"graphic designer working\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/suimy.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/graphic-designer.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"graphic designer working\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1224\" data-lazy-src=\"http:\/\/suimy.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/graphic-designer.jpg\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"><span class=\"img-ratio-placeholder__fill\" style=\"padding-bottom:81%;max-width:1500px\"><\/span><\/span><\/figure>\n<p>However, do keep in mind that <strong>the best clients are always the ones you form real relationships with<\/strong>. If you\u2019re not doing your best to provide value and create a raving fan in each new client, then there\u2019s no point in seeking out new business.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll get stuck with one-offs and clients who don\u2019t really care about you. They see you as merely a commodity \u2013 an Adobe technician for hire \u2013 which is the absolute worst place for a designer to be. <strong>Commodities can\u2019t negotiate or make a good impression<\/strong>, and they always must take whatever work or compensation is offered.<\/p>\n<h4>Getting Referrals<\/h4>\n<p>Don\u2019t overlook the potential of your existing clients when it comes to growing your business. You can encourage them to refer you to others by providing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/calculating-flat-rates\/\">additional value<\/a> that shows appreciation for their loyalty.<\/p>\n<p>Since you already have established relationships with your current clients, it\u2019s easier to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/asking-busy-people-for-favors\/\">request client referrals<\/a>. However, many designers hesitate to ask, fearing rejection or feeling it\u2019s an imposition. In reality, most clients are willing to help when they\u2019ve received exceptional service.<\/p>\n<figure data-lazy=\"\"><span class=\"img-ratio-placeholder\"><img src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"person referring a friend\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"http:\/\/suimy.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/refering-a-friend.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"person referring a friend\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" data-lazy-src=\"http:\/\/suimy.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/refering-a-friend.jpg\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"><span class=\"img-ratio-placeholder__fill\" style=\"padding-bottom:66%;max-width:1500px\"><\/span><\/span><\/figure>\n<p>Occasionally, you might encounter a client who is reluctant to refer you, which can be a sign to reassess the relationship. Remember, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/more-clients-with-testimonials\/\">leveraging client testimonials<\/a> and asking for referrals are integral parts of the freelance process. If a client is unwilling to provide this support after benefiting from your services, it might be time to move on and focus on clients who recognize your value.<\/p>\n<h4>Conclusion<\/h4>\n<p>In conclusion, choosing between new clients and existing clients is a matter of personal preference and what makes sense for you. It all <strong>depends on your individual situation<\/strong> and <strong>the relationships you have<\/strong> with your clients. However, it\u2019s wise to always maintain a watchful eye for <strong>new opportunities<\/strong>, so you won\u2019t fall victim to any sudden, nasty surprises.<\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/new-clients-vs-old-clients\/\">Which Clients Matter More: New vs. Existing?<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\">Hongkiat<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re a freelance designer serving a target market that seems to be shrinking or not providing you with quite [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2073,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[15],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/suimy.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2071"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/suimy.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/suimy.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/suimy.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/suimy.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2071"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/suimy.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2071\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2078,"href":"http:\/\/suimy.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2071\/revisions\/2078"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/suimy.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2073"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/suimy.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2071"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/suimy.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2071"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/suimy.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2071"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}