EVERY designer struggling to find clients should do THIS immediately

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Tony Seets - Flow Maestro
www.flowmaestro.dev/
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Outreach Template:
I’m Jane,
I have followed your KZbin channel and Pait Digital for a while now. I recently watched your video “how to find clients” and it has been a huge help.
Anyways, I’ll be super quick because I know you have things to do!
I am a white-label Webflow developer (I call myself a Webflow-ghost). I work with agencies like yours to help you relieve the stress of managing smaller/needier clients.
I know they can be frustrating and draw your attention away from larger clients and filming more KZbin videos! But I also know it would be nice to still service those clients and not lose out on that revenue.
The way I work is you outsource the Webflow Development to me and your client doesn’t even need to know. I make this process as seamless for you as possible by:
- Communicating with you (and your client if needed)
- Building using Client-First Classing system
- Do all dev within a few short days
- Acting in unison with your team and using the tools you already use
- Guaranteeing my work
I know this might seem like a gamble but I know if you bring me in for just one project you will want to keep me forever as your go-to back up Webflow dev.
Even if you don’t have any projects now, it can’t hurt to have a trustworthy backup!
I would love to hop on a 5-min Zoom call with you to see you face-to-face and show you how easy it could be to work with me.
Here’s my calendar link.
Hope to talk soon.
-Jane
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CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:54 What is a Design Ghost?
3:14 Before you reach out to design agencies
4:15 Bad outreach examples
6:18 Good Outreach Example
9:29 Example of a Design Ghost Website/Portfolio
EVERY designer struggling to find clients should do THIS immediately

[@deduice]

Thank you, Payton. This is a really awesome video and resource. I'm an Elementor Guy. This will be perfect to send to Elementor Agencies,

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

Love it! 🔥

[@emmanuelasika1590]

Hey man, I'm also exclusively into Elementor. Would love to connect with you. Let me know when you see this

[@daniel_q40]

I've recently moved to this strategy after 2 years on Upwork. Here the upsides: - no more time spent doing obnoxious activities such as hunting new projects, sending proposals, interviews - pipeline always full - making much more than before - less stressful, easier to manage projects and less communication involved Downside: - you might feel like an employee again - it might get overwhelming at times - risk of losing your projects source overnight - if it's white labeled work, you won't have the possibility to build new pieces of portfolio/marketing content for yourself All things considered it's way better than before imho. I've also been very lucky to partner up with cool like minded people, and this is probably the most important thing to make this strategy work.

[@farzanaehsan8610]

Very well explain thanx a lot 😊

[@khanabdulrehman26]

Hey Danile, not sure if you're gonna see my message but where did you find the agencies?

[@uglyghoulgames89]

Nice work! Thanks for posting your experience here. I'm looking to leave Upwork ASAP because it's terrible. Happy to hear this is a potential path out. Good luck in the new year!

[@ryankrause4686]

This isn't new but it's definitely what we've built our business on for the past 15 years. You only need a few and then choose to either grow or just maintain. I didn't get through the whole video but everyone needs to understand that attention to detail, pixel-perfect work on all devices and response time is crucial to maintaining these relationships. If you're not customer friendly or don't believe in working afterhours and don't provide support after the work then this isn't the market for you to target. Beginners need to be careful as well unless you're working with a new agency. Experienced agencies won't have time for mistakes and won't always pay for you to learn. Billing hourly is great but you need to know when its not justified. Don't take on this client type to just get a paycheck and bill some hours. Build the relationship, bill accordingly and fair and you'll grow with a steady source of work. Help them increase their revenue by providing more advanced services and skillsets. Use additional resources that you trust and can control to deliver higher quality work. Your results are their results. Their clients are not your clients. They will adapt to your process, so be sure to have one. Be prepared so you understand the mindset. Do not post anything you do for an agency publicly as your own without permission. Best of luck.

[@tethron.]

That really is the best advice you can give to new designers. When I started freelancing my best clients were agencies that got their own clients and gave me projects to work on. and not just web design agencies but also marketing agencies, they need designers too.

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

Amen 🙏🏼🔥

[@tuams]

Thank you! I always appreciate the practical advice you give!

[@emmanuelasika1590]

Thank You so much, you just solved a big problem for me. Thank You so much Pait ❤

[@lancomtre]

I’m more like a business owner than a designer and hiring a ghost designer is a great idea to grow my agency. Thank you for this video

[@mihalisananiadis7027]

Bro whats your ig? I m owner of an seo agency and I would love to connect with you

[@itkid6360]

Hi, are you hiring? I'm a web and graphic designer. I am experienced with Figma and adobe creative suite

[@naguch4540]

Hi, I'm a web designer, I am experienced in adobe creative suite

[@ppietras97]

It’s so funny.. it’s like everyone who commented didn’t even watch the video😂

[@Jackaniel]

@@ppietras97half brained people from 3rd world countries looking to make a buck, can’t blame them

[@contra_hq]

Love the outreach examples! 🚀

[@lyshlau8809]

This is fantastic! Thank you 🙏

[@aledianin]

Amazing video. Just subscribed to all notifications. Thank you for your time!! Cheers

[@formixcode]

thank you payton this is the most value for me as a ghost web design freelancer

[@createvans]

Great ideas in this video Payton! I am a brazilian follower and I discovered your channel recently and already wondering your content.

[@Mudasirkamboh1]

its really helpful. Thanks payton!

[@dev_jono]

Man, Payton you always give the best advice. I have always learned or gained something valuable from watching your videos. I hope to be as valuable an asset to prospects and viewers as you one day. Been subbed for a long time!

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

That is super nice of you, thank you 🙏🏼

[@JustUXChannel]

Super helpful, love the channel

[@steventieulie9421]

I went all in with ghost designing & developing years ago with no regrets! It's a great way for freelancers to get consistant work. HOWEVER, now I'm trying to grow my own client base and realizing my own portfolio is beyond stale lol. So important to diversify your strategy...

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

Dang love this comment. Very wise words thank you Steven! Hadn’t thought about this

[@khanabdulrehman26]

Hey Steven, hope you're doing awesome, just curious like How does the payment structure work between us and the agency.

[@alrazisiam]

This is gold!

[@joshcesana]

Very useful advice! I will definitely be putting these tips in action. 👏

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

Thanks Josh 💪🏼

[@Lebacbemti]

This is what we've been doing for 2 years. I call it white label design and development. In that time I've managed to build my team, have a steady pipeline of projects, while not being stressed about pitching to direct clients.

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

Love to hear you have had success with this!!

[@khanabdulrehman26]

Hey Lebacbemti, Hope you're doing great. I was just wondering how the payment structure works.

[@jeremiahwaters9089]

Great advice. I've heard several people mention that reaching out to agencies is a better option for beginners vs. upwork, but I really appreciate how you shared clear, actionable advice on exactly how to do this. Thanks so much!

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

It’s a great way to get started and for some, might be the best route long-term 👍🏻 Thanks for watching

[@smitvormgeving]

Great advice!

[@chiekenwanna-nzewunwa1773]

Thank you

[@ArnauRos]

Great video as always!

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

Thanks Arnau! Excited for our video tomorrow 👊🏻

[@mavrickone22]

Really helpful video, thank you for this. Definitely going to update my approach!

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

Go get it! 👊🏻

[@khanabdulrehman26]

Hey Mavrick, did this approach worked for you?

[@samsoncolbornartinphotogra5099]

This is something that I've done for years ever since I first started out. Early on I decided that I didn't want to go looking for clients so I targeted agencies and have had good relationships with just a handful of clients. One agency brought me an average of 50 projects per year. The downside to this is that if ever you want to get your own clients, you can't really show your work on your own website. If you go to my site, there are no sample websites as I cannot show my client's work on my site. Instead, I invite prospects to view a private gallery of work that requires a log in to view.

[@sonnyjsinishajanicijevic5436]

Thanks for the great video Payton. I`m a Divi freelancer, looking for more clients, this video will definitely help me 🙏

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

Glad you found it helpful 👊🏻

[@chanakaprabuddha7762]

Great content!!

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

Ty!

[@Itsdesignerjacob]

this is super insightful. thanks Payton.

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

Np Jacob! Excited to shoot our vid this evening 🚀

[@tonyseets]

Hi fren 👋

[@khashyousefi4901]

Payton, i think you dropped this 👑 🐐.

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

😅 thank you!

[@winwinis3483]

great video

[@raeward1]

Beautiful content! I’m going to work on a landing page. I currently ghost design for an agency but would love to acquire more opportunities. One tip I will add is note if you’re comfortable being client facing. My agency client loves that I’m capable of holding my own on zoom call.

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

I think this is super valuable thank you! 👊🏻

[@bakeraus]

So gangster it's like Ghost Writers in hip hop

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

🔥🔥

[@jackvid]

Awesome video Payton!! Can I ask, how much should I charge as a ghost developer?

[@motionmuse5684]

I find projects but they are low budget or slow to move.....See id love to be a contractor for the agencies so I don't have to find clients but have steady work but on my own terms for the most part.

[@khanabdulrehman26]

Where did you find your clients from?

[@giovanniluca6581]

Awesome stuff! I wonder: could one not have it both ways? In the sense that you are a ghost designer/developer but are still open to clients that reach out directly to you?

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

Absolutely! I probably wouldn’t limit myself to just one type of client. Great question!

[@CaterStudios]

I found a little bug in your website which I would love to share if you done mine. By the way I enjoyed this class so much, wonder what’s in for the pro plans ❤

[@munchkinm6929]

I just launched my agency. This is great idea

[@khanabdulrehman26]

Hey, Did this method seem to be working with your agency?

[@chinedunnadi96]

Awesome strategy as always, thanks Payton. One question though - when implementing this strategy, how do you determine the pricing as the ghost designer? Do you go with whatever the agency gives, or you state your own price? Your answer will be helpful. Thanks.

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

You will have to negotiate this. You will likely not be able to charge your normal rate that you would if you found the client. But this is okay because the agency will be taking on a lot of the managerial tasks so you can afford to charge less. 👍🏻

[@jishnuchandran7467]

im currently doing this but didnt know this really had a term as the name, but during this commenting my agency just texted me that.... to send them an old project so that they can work on it with their onsite employees.

[@tagdesignwebsites]

Yikes putting myself in front of the agencies is a little scary! I've been networking and have been finding my own clients thank goodness. Agencies can be intimidating and scary but I guess that boils down to my confidence in approaching the right way. 🤭😬

[@alitawfik8517]

Yeah it’s definitely intimidating, it’s great that you’ve been able to find your own clients what was your approach?

[@tagdesignwebsites]

@@alitawfik8517 face-to-face networking. Seems to be the only way to do it. Get to know people and visa versa. Then trust is built and viola

[@alitawfik8517]

@@tagdesignwebsites I don’t know why I never really considered doing that before I might give it a try! What places would you suggest networking?

[@tagdesignwebsites]

@@alitawfik8517 Erm well that depends on where you live and what networking groups your community offers.

[@mrlebanon6055]

@@tagdesignwebsitesey, “networking groups your community offers”? What do you mean by that?

[@Stephen_dominic]

How do I get I contact with these agencies💁

[@fundacelik6228]

No Autoridade Social é tranquilo pra comprar seguidores, eles tem referências CNPJ e preço baixo

[@danielpedersen1688]

but what's wrong with asking for advice? i've asked for advice for people that have way more experience than me and they give me advice. It doesn't mean i expect them to give me clients hell no, sometimes its nice to get advice and put it into practice and see what happens, so i don't see the issue of that guy asking u for advice

[@ShamsulIslamSujon]

Great content for new freelancers and those who are struggling to get clients. However, I find most of your client videos are generic for all kinds of freelancers and sometimes designer specific. Would you like to make content for web developers/programmers as well?

[@user-su4rd3ml8b]

He sells a course, of course he will never tell you how to get clients. Those generic videos are to grow the youtube channel. I downloaded for free his course and even the paid content is also very generic 😅

[@outpost31737]

The market is saturated with so called freelancers most of whom are terrible designers and developers. No wonder it's a cut throat industry. Clients will choose the best they can afford which often means Freddy Freelancer doesn't stand a chance. My advice, if you want to be a freelance web designer find your niche and make sure your design skills are the best they can possibly be otherwise don't bother and do something else.

[@mrlebanon6055]

True, everyone offers websites for as low as 30$ even free

[@khanabdulrehman26]

Exactly, most freelancers I know who design websites aren't that great designers.

[@prooyuncu20111]

comprei 100k de seguidores no Autoridade Social, Serviço de qualidade e fazem a reposição

[@abdurkdisdumrul5366]

Obrigado! Autoridade Social a melhor para comprar seguidores e inscritos

[@medeniuce989]

Recomendo comprar seguidores e inscritos sempre com o Autoridade Social

[@barannneditzz]

No Autoridade Social é tranquilo pra comprar seguidores, eles tem referências CNPJ e preço baixo