1. Set up a website / portfolio to showcase your abilities, especially because you're working in a visual medium.
2. Join related communities and start networking with colleagues.
3. Set up a blog on graphic design issues (maybe photoshop tutorials or something along those lines). Giving info away for free is one of the best ways to make people aware of you, show them what you can do, and ultimately drive a lot of business. Having a blog or content site in your industry also helps to brand you as an expert in the subject area.
4. Don't set your prices based on what you think people will pay for a new designer. Set them where you really want them. It's much easier to do that and offer sales early on, then to try to raise rates later.
5. If you can't do any coding, try to partner with someone who can, or start learning. Design free templates to be distributed for things like Wordpress, Blogger, or just some css site templates. It gives you portfolio pieces, backlinks, and exposure that can lead to custom projects.
6. When clients come in, just keep them happy. Happy clients lead to more clients, and word of mouth spreads like a wildfire. 
Jenn |
