PROMO ALERT – Allison is a wonderfully positive, smart, good-looking, generous, thoughtful, creative, fun, talented, avid scrapbooker, accomplished chef, screenprinting, ex-journalist, Journey-loving, hard-working graphic designer who, depending on your personality, work ethic, good looks and morals would like to work with you!

Now that I am relying solely on myself to bring in business, lately I have been researching the different ways that I can market myself without being too cheesy, spending too much money, or plastering my picture and contact info to free Frisbees. So, naturally the first thing I did was google “Self Promotion for Designers” and look what I found: 120 Self Promotion Ideas for Graphic Designers and Freelancers It couldn’t be more easy than that. Thanks AllGraphicDesign.com!

While a few ideas on this list are quite inventive I think some ideas are worth discussing, because really, how far should someone go for some (shameless?) self-promotion? Lets discuss, shall we:

7. Shave your logo into your hair, or get a logo tattoo.

Sure to start a conversation, but while someone might start asking questions about your business, what they are really thinking is “What the *&%!? This dude’s gone done and went crazay! Where else is that logo shaved?”

11. Attach a magnet to your vehicle.

For me this suggestion is a total toss-up. On one side, I can see how this might work, but only if it was an AWESOME sign, because usually when I see car magnets they are for a maid-service or a repair shop. However, would a potential client really call you based on a car magnet or sign alone? I know I don’t have the agility to write down an address or phone number while I am driving, so all of those signs are lost on me. I want to know what you think! Has anyone had success with this?

28. Holiday Promotions

This is the only bit of self-promotion I currently do. I design a custom Christmas or holiday card with my contact info and  URL and then send them to family, friends and anyone I have worked with. So far I have attracted one client from this method, but mostly this is just a way to say “Hi! Merry Christmas! Don’t forget about me!” Plus, making cards is fun. I suggest going the extra mile and hand addressing each one. Downside to awesome holiday cards: Keeping track of addresses.

110. Print bookmarks and leave them at a local coffee shop or book store.

I LOVE this idea! I keep bookmarks forever because post-it notes or old receipts just aren’t as fun, so this promotion idea would totally work on me!

120. Be amazing and all the work will come to you.

True this, mamazita! (And a chipper attitude also never hurt anyone!)

What do you all think? Does anyone else have super fun self-promotion ideas or tips?

Thanks to AllGraphicDesign.com!