One of the business goals I have for 2009 is to become more established throughout the city and region I currently work out of in order to grow my 80/20. This means I have to take steps to reach out and network in my area so that I will meet new people and retain them as clients. Being that I made my jump directly into freelancing straight out of college, I didn’t have the advantage of working with a design agency that would allow me make connections. That is why I decided to join the chamber of commerce for my area. Most chambers will taut all kinds of benefits and perks for those who join their ranks (that’s on top of the box of chocolates once you pay the hefty registration fee). The biggest is networking. One of the primary goals of any chamber of commerce is to help connect and promote local business. This happens through various committees, “leads” groups and social events that meet during the year. On top of that, these types of organizations are fiercely loyal to their members and will go out of their way to bring in potential business. Yes, it will cost money… but if you put more than just money into the membership, in the long run you will get a return on the initial investment.

So, in order to make sure my membership will be profitable, I set some goals:

Through my involvement with the chamber I want to set myself apart from other designers in the region in a few specific ways:

1. Through the quality of my work (can’t have a “me too” style).
2. Build a reputation for practical, solution-based designs.
3. Establish myself as an expert and resource to other businesses.
4. Build a reputation for being a true creative and objective thinker.
5. Some one who is truly a professional graphic and web designer (artistic eye), and not just a “guy with a laptop.”

Already, I have stumbled upon two other web designers who work within blocks of me that I didn’t even know about (the competition! haha). After making a quick stop at their online portfolio’s, I am going to see what ways I can differentiate from them. I have gotten mixed feedback about whether it was a good business decision… (all within the first day). On an unrelated note, I believe Seth Godin just posted a blog about not seeing new business opportunities because they are outside your normal “rules of operation"… worth the read!

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