Doing This Agency Thing For Real!

I’ve been working as a website designer for several years. In that time I’ve developed my skills massively, and there’s also been a genuine acknowledgement of the divide between web developer and web designer. For the last few months I’ve been working as a freelance contractor for a great fun client, allowing me to start building up a more professional portfolio. It seems the right time to decide that the freelance thing is very much what I want to do. I want to turn fog of eternity into a strong and viable design agency.

There’s a lot I need to do to make the transition from that guy who does web design into a professional agency. I want to chronicle that, but more importantly I want to call on people to help me out. I haven’t done this before, and other people have. I’ve got the skills and the know how to make this a success but I’m sure that I’ll make mistakes along the way.

A Personal Journey

Resources around the web for freelancers are excellent, some excellent guides and blogs. But I think everyone’s freelance journey must be to some extent personal, moving from an individual to a brand and looking to work the way that they love. I’m enthused about the move I’m making, and probably further fuelled by nervous energy as well!

I’ve found the medium I love, I have a talent for it. What do I do next to win more clients, make myself look cooler, improve my image and website, and grow a business beyond just a single individual?

What Should I Do With My Website?

I turned this website into more than just a blog a little while ago. I’m reasonably happy with it, but what can I do to improve it? I’d like to give it some more visual punch, make it more accessible and engaging to a potential client immediately it loads. How can I make the portfolio section better, to best showcase my work? I like the minimalist slant to the site, but I don’t want that minimalism to come across as dull or lacking in flair. What else can I do to increase its functionality and interest?

Do I Need To Change How I Blog?

My blog features some technical pieces, which I try to write in as plain English as possible. I talk about my design inspirations, and sometimes showcase great sites that I think are worth highlighting. I also intend to talk more over time about the growth of the business. Right now I think the blog is focused on a web-savvy audience. Should I also be aiming for my blog to be something that engages potential clients, and does that mean changing the approach?

What Resources Can I Use To Be Most Effective?

I have my design tools, I know about a number of management tools online for project or contact management. I’ve no doubt that I’ve missed many though. What can I use to make myself as effective as a business as I know that I can be as a designer?

This is an exciting time, and it’s very much following a dream. In a year or two I intend to look back from a position of having fulfilled the early parts of that dream. Any help that you can provide will be very much appreciated, drop me a line by email, on Twitter, or in the comments.