There are now a lot of blogs about graphic design and if you are a graphic designer who still isn’t blogging you could be missing out. There are a lot of reasons that designers should blog. If you want to set your own blog up you can download my free guide to setting up a WordPress blog (no email or sign up required)
1. Blogging Helps Designers Get Found in Google (SEO)
You probably already know this but google loves blogs and fresh content so when you blog about design you increase your chances of getting found by potential clients. I can by personal experience say that through both this blog and my personal design blog I have received several thousand pounds of work that otherwise I wouldn’t have got. Not only can potential clients see your work but they can get an insight into your personality through the way you write and the way you interact with people that comment on your blog.
Blogging can help you find both international or local work. Most people probably see blogging as an opportunity for designers to do work for clients further afield but I also use it to find local clients. By trying to optimise my personal blog for local words such as using my county in some of my post headings I will be more likely to be found by local companies.
2. Finding Full Time Design Employment Opportunities
Just as a blog helps a freelance designer find full time work it can also help a designer to find full time work. As I mentioned before a blog is a small insight to the type of person you are alongside a portfolio of your work. You could also go as far to create video posts showcasing you and your work. A blog is also somewhere you can direct potential employers to when you are sending out letters and emails to prospective employers. The potential employer can view your work and see your level of knowledge and enthusiasm.
Jacob Cass from Just Creative Design received a job offer via twitter which I should imagine was down to his very popular blog which you can read about here.
3. Designers Can Make friends and Contacts
The blogosphere enables you to contact any other blogging designer to both ask and offer advice. In the past I have contacted fellow bloggers who have helped me and in turn I have answered questions through emails and comments from novice designers. It never ceases to amaze me how helpful people you have never met before can be. You may also be lucky enough to find people to collaborate with on projects (not something I have done yet myself).
4. Opportunites and Design Exposure
When I first started blogging David Airey already had a fairly popular blog, though nothing like as popular as it is now. After his first blog – http://www.davidarey.com he launched his incredibly popular http://www.logodesignlove.com early 2008, which not only made him become an authority in the area of logo design and I am sure allowed him deservedly to increase his prices, but also led to a book deal with Peachpit Press which you can read about here.
Maybe not every designer blogger will end up with a book deal but there are also design magazine opportunities. Open up issues of Computer Arts and some of the articles you will find written by a designer blogger. I personally wrote a small piece “last word” for Computer Arts Projects a couple of years ago after being emailed by one of the editors. Not only was this cool to do but I got paid for it too. There are also opportunities to write for high profile websites – Jennifer Farley, Laughing Lion Design now writes for Sitepoint and John Boardley Ilovetypography writes Linotype’s monthly newsletter.
5. Extra Cash from Advertising and Affiliate Programs
So for most of us this is probably not going to make a fortune, but a bit of paid advertising can cover your web hosting costs.
If you are writing reviews about products you like, in my opinion, there is no harm in using an affiliate link to the product as long as the review is genuine.
6. Design Freebies
Be honest, everyone loves a freebie. If you write a design blog with reasonable coverage you will probably be offered some free stuff to review whether it be free ebooks, real books software or other equipment.Personally I have received a few ebooks whichI have read. I reviewed the ones I liked but not the ones I didn’t. I have also received a couple of books, a couple of bits of software (one after I had already done a review of a trial version) and most recently a Wacom Bamboo tablet
7. Blogging to Sell your Themes, Graphics, Designs, Tshirts or Designer Merchandise
Designers who create web themes such as WordPress themes can use a blog as a way of promoting their themes. Paid themes can generate a lot of revenue for some designers such as Brian Gardner who has developed a successful business selling premium themes, blog design and internet marketing. Blogs could also be used to generate traffic to sell vector graphics, photos, prints and posters or other merchandise.
8. Turning a Blog Post into a Business
Collis Ta’eed who was previously a web designer ran a blog called NorthxEast where he posted an article on his blog about freelancing. It was a big hit and realised that a site/blog about freelancing might be successful and set up the incredibly popular Freelanceswitch, he has also created Flashden and Tuts+. You only have to look at Freelanceswitch’s advertising prices alone (to see what a good business it is) not even taking into account the jobs board, ebooks and affiliate sales. You can also listen to a podcast interview with Collis here.
As a designer, do you think it is important to blog?
For tips on freelancing straight to your inbox click hereRecommended Resources
Free guide to setting up your wordpress blog including SEO basics (from Graphic Design Blog)
Blog Profits Blueprint (FREE) : A free downloadable report from Yaro Starak on the best ways to create a profitable blog
Book: ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income
Hosting: Hostgator, A good hosting provider for a blog who have one click WordPress Install and video tutorials to get you started. I have had very good customer support from them.
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56 Comments
Hi Tara. Well said. I often receive emails asking for advice from young designers wanting to break into the profession. The tip I offer most is to start a blog, for many of the reasons you mention.
Hi David, thanks and I hope the book is going well – I bought a copy myself and notice you have lots of good reviews on Amazon.
Thanks very much for buying a copy. I’ve had some fantastic reviews on Amazon, no doubt. I hope you picked-up a tip or two.
Thanks for the post, Tara. It completely underscores the basic reasons why a designer should start a blog, but starting one isn’t enough; consistency is the key for those Google ratings you talked about. I started my blog last year, and the more I write, the more views my website and portfolio get, so it works! Do you have any suggestions for attracting more commentary to your blog?
Sometimes it feels so difficult to start a blog with so many great ones out there… But what the hell, the worst that could happen is that a few people read it.
Great article!
Very Good advice for Beginner who want to start career in design also best Help for professional I appreciate your work Well Done !
Hi Lisa, Thanks for your comment. I made a big mistake of not blogging for about a year – I just seemed to get writers block perhaps because I was trying to blog too frequently, I even used to set up blog posts to publish while I went on holiday. Stopping blogging definitely lost me a lot of my regular readers and commentators so I think to pace yourself and just write once or twice a week (unless you have loads to say) and keep your regular readers key is important. I found that commenting on other peoples blogs (not just the big ones) also helped me get more commentators. Linking to other bloggers (although that seems crazy as you think might lose work to them) also makes them more likely to want to link or tweet about you. I also try to leave an open question at the end of many of my blog posts for example on this post “As a designer, do you think it is important to blog?” to try and encourage comments. It is far easier for someone to answer a question than just think of something to say.
Hi Enrique, I know what you mean, it takes some time and effort but you will start to get visitors the more you write.
Thanks
Tara
Lisa, two great tips there from Tara on how to promote chat on your blog:
1/ Comment elsewhere
2/ Link to others
That’s good blogging practice.
Hello all,
A great article! I have a question for anyone who might like to answer.
If your relatively new to design and are by no means a mastro but rather a solid worker, what could one write about. All the blogs I read are written by incredibly talented people!
Thanks
Hi guirigales, You can write about things as you learn them, which is what many people do. You will find that you know a lot more than many people who will be keen to learn from you. The more you design and blog the better you will get. It also depends who you want to target your blog at – if you are writing to attract local business the chances are you will know a lot more about design and the web than most small local business owners and will be able to help them.
This is really great write-up. As I struggle to get my blog to gain some momentum this is a great article full of great advice. I’ll have to put this in to practice! I have to remember – take time to write every day!
I started a blog being a designer student and doing *some* freelance work. It helps ideas flowing blogging about jobs. Also, it’s FUN! Mine is on tumblr nothing overly special just yet.
I do agree that blogs are a great exposure for designer they should start blogging
Tara, many thanks for that. I am giving it serious thought. I have another question. What do you think about interviewing the local competition for my blog. Is it counter productive, interviewing the enemy?
Any thoughts?
thanks
HI guirigales
I have written interviews etc on this blog with other designers because this blog is primarily aimed at designers. On my business design blog I wouldn’t want to interview other local designers as the sole purpose of my business blog/website is to get business. So I think it all depends what your blog aims to do – is it to crate a community of designers or to purely sell your services.
Hi Jake, I am glad to hear you have started a blog and you make a good point nine I missed – 9. Blogging is fun
Thanks
Tara
Hi Rob, Thanks for your comment. I think it is more important to write regularly than it is to write everyday so you don’t get blog burn out. At the beginning it is a good idea to post very frequently to build up some content.
Tara, whats the URL for your business design blog? I think my market is very niche as I live in Madrid so perhaps would be slighty silly to interview the competition…shame, I liked the idea.
Hi guirigales, My business website blog is http://www.roskelldesign.co.uk/blog/
Your right about that. If more designers wrote about what they are up to and how or what they are using. They would be able to brand themselves as professionals faster.
I especially liked the idea of making money off your blog. Freelance Switch had a great site – good stuff. I’m definitely going to join the blogosphere.
Hi,
Tara thanks for your advice. I am really amazed to study your tips. I am new in this proffession and I have just finished my designing course in photoshop, corel and to let you know I ‘m very much passionate to this design feild as I am fond of art & design from my childhood. I wnt to acheive a success in this feild and I am wondering how to get it. i am trying in few freelance web sites like Design.com, freelance.com but your tips helped me a lot to start a new horizon. I would like to prefer your further tips in this feid in future.
Thanks again.
Amitabha
nice post, lots of good info.
Designers should definitely blog. Even programmers, I think. Blogging is a great opportunity for everyone to build their brands, increase exposure, and promote their product or service.
Blogging is awesome!! Definitely the way to get started if your into design!!!
Great post!
Hi Tara,
another great reason to blogging as a designer is that by writing you get to shape your ideas a lot better. I usually start writing about a pretty vague idea, but by the time I publish the actual post, I’ve spent several hours reasearching bits of information, other possible perceptions, maybe even browse through some of my books that relate to that idea. It’s also a great exercise in language (let’s not forget that not all of us are english-native).
In the end, it feels great to read your well-written post, it makes you feel as if you’ve done some brain gymnastics. Tiring, but full of satisfactions.
Regards.
iancu
Hi Iancu, What a good point I hadn’t though of that it really does make you think things through. Its great too for keeping all your reference material in one place – i sometimes actually refer back to my own blog to look something up.
Indeed, writing it down is always great for future references. It’s also nice to browse your posts from some years ago, you rediscover things you liked yet again
And another thing: looking at your way of thinking from some time ago is very important. You can see very easily how much you’ve learned, what’s better or, why not, what’s not — or still the same 
Funny thing though, I’ve been blogging for almost five years now, and the hardest part of all was to write the About section this very week
Iancu, Writing about yourself is like trying to design stuff for yourself – a nightmare!
Tell me about it
)
Designing for yourself is not quite as intense as giving birth, but I’m sure as hell it takes a lot longer. And it never really ends — good thing you don’t get to make changes or ‘improvements’ to your kids later on
Funny example:
the third design company (judging from the annual income in 2008) in my country is completely unknown, nobody’s heard of them except a few that worked there or knew some of the employees. And they’ve done visible work for the second biggest Telecom provider, they’ve designed most of the mineral water brands. But they never seem to “find the time” to make a small website, at least. And now they’re wondering why business is so bad, since the recession. They simply don’t exist for the rest of the world.
Hi Tara
Thanks for the mention and link in the article. Yes my writing job for Sitepoint would definitely not have happened without first writing (for quite a while) on my own blog. Blogging has opened other doors too, including meeting other designers online including yourself : ) who offer good advice and help.
Hi Jennifer
No problem. My most popular blog post, wordpress as a cms from a couple of years ago was a post you contributed to. Loving your illustration stuff on laughing lion design too.
Tara,
A really useful and informative article. I had no idea how much I was missing out on. I’ll definately have to start my own blog now. Thanks for the push!
Hi Simon
Let me know when you have got it started so I can have a read.
Tara
its more like blogging on design subject, not just any subject.. if you are a designer, and you blog about designing, you create tutorials for example, it can bring you both seo, and clients at the same time.
Wow! I didn’t realized blogging can be this much powerful for designers.. hats off to you and your post.
Autostol!
I do a bit of blogging basically around our work and things that we come across… but I have real problems motivating others here to contribute to our blog any suggestions.
Hi Jake, That;s a difficult one I guess – It depends if the other people get any benefit from blogging. I don’t know your situation but I guess if the other people just work for you you could set up an incentive scheme for any clients you get through the blog or a monthly internal contest for the best blog post of the month with prizes – maybe a day off or small cash prize
Yup, that’s what it’s all about. You should really preserve some time for it otherwise it won’t turn out fine. It absolutely worth doing but not easy
My reason number 9 would be: Blogging can help with one’s professional development and knowledge as a designer. What I mean by that is, writing something on a subject for public consumption often means you’ll look into that subject in more depth that you might have done otherwise. It also helps to cement opinions and thoughts in one’s own head too by writing them down.
Hi Oskar,
Good point and one I hadn’t thought of, but very true. I personally have learned a lot through blogging,
Some more great tips! Blogging is definitely beneficial, it’s just finding the regular time to do it is the challenge…
Just checked out Logo Design Love – what a great website!! I particularly love the How to Create a Sh*tty Brand… LOL. Very entertaining!!!
fsffsssssssssss Just checked out Logo Design Love – what a great website!! I particularly love the How to Create a Sh*tty Brand… LOL. Very entertaining!!!
is there a chance i can blog without paying, you see i am a student and i really got no incoming for now, Thanks, this article really motivated me, greetings from Mexico.
I think its a great idea to blog, just started a product design blog and it helps so much towards driving traffic and brand recognition.
Hi Juan, You could use a free platform like WordPress.com if you wanted which is free and you could always move it over to paid hosting later
Good luck with your blog Josh
Tara,
Thanks for the great info. As an aspiring freelancer for art and design, it seems that word of mouth is the most common recommended means of acquiring jobs. So I’ve been looking into ways of gaining better exposure and being more pursuant in social media marketing and networking and this information is awesome. Lots of great insight and concepts and your references help to see that it’s not just lofty potentialities.
Thanks for your help.
Levi