The freelance graphic design pest: How do you stay fresh in employers’ minds without bugging them?

April 9, 4:46 PMSF Graphic Design and Branding ExaminerStephanie Orma

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Design and Cartoon by Stephanie Orma / Orma Design & She's SO Creative

 I recently emailed a few prospective freelance graphic design employers with a link to an article of mine on “The Graphic Designer’s Guide to Twitter.” I thought this would be a great way to remind them I was available for freelance work, show them my creativity was not just limited to the visual arena, and at the same time provide them with some relevant, interesting information. I figured even if they didn’t have any work for me at this time, they’d at least appreciate a useful article and think positively of me for future creative projects.

I thought this was all a brilliant idea until I received the rather harsh reply from one prospective employer. She thought my reaching out to her (one or two emails per month) was “too much, too often, from someone I don't know well enough to be interested.” Ouch! I was completely taken aback by the response. This is someone whom I had met with in person, had established a good rapport with (or at least thought I had), and seemed to truly respect my design work. I was completely humiliated and confused.

Absolutely convinced every other person on my “prospective freelance employer” email list must feel the exact same way, I dejectedly took a break and checked Twitter. No sooner did a new Tweet pop up with a brand spanking new Twitter follower. But this was not just any follower. This was the creative director himself from one of my top dream job places to work. And he was following me! He had received my email as well, and commented, “Nice article, Stephanie. Great information for a newbie Tweetard like myself.” It was the biggest compliment I could have received. In a matter of five minutes, I went from feeling like I’d been run over by a semi-trailer truck to bursting into a joyous rendition of the “Sound of Music.”

But back to reality, I was left to a state of complete and utter confusion. What is a decent, acceptable number of emails to send per month, per year, etc. where you stay fresh in employers’ minds but not so much that you really start to bug them? How often should freelance graphic designers remind prospective employers they are available for freelance work? What are the rules here? 

I think the rules are, you make your own rules. Sure you shouldn't hound employers incessantly with constant emails. But you use your best judgment and you never ever let one person's negativity stop you from going after what you want.