How I Landed My First Client

When I was starting out, I didn’t have an extensive portfolio or a line of clients waiting for me. So, I did something simple— I reached out to a friend. I asked if I could design something for him, with the agreement that if he liked it, he could pay me whatever amount he felt was fair. This approach helped take the pressure off both of us. Since I was still a rookie, I wasn’t confident about charging upfront, and this gave my friend the freedom to decide the value of my work based on his satisfaction.

01. Reaching Out to Friends

That’s how I landed my first commission: a logo design for HoneyBee Construction®. I put my all into that project, making sure the design reflected the brand’s identity and goals. The logo didn’t just end up on their business cards—it was used for their entire fleet vehicles! And because my friend liked the work so much, he paid me well beyond what I expected. More importantly, he recommended me to others, and that led to more commissions. One project turned into several, and that experience gave me an upper hand when I started applying for junior graphic design roles.

02. What If You Don’t Know a Friend Who Owns a Business?

If you don’t know someone who owns a company, don’t worry. You can still take this approach with anyone who is self-employed. Whether it’s a freelancer, a small business owner, or someone you know who’s starting something new, you can simply ask if they need a logo, website, or any other design service. If they agree, you can offer the same arrangement I did—let them pay you what they feel is fair once they see the final product.

This can be done in person or online. Send a polite email, shoot a message on social media, or approach someone in your local area. The key is to be genuine and clear that you’re still building your portfolio but are willing to give your best effort.

[ Fig. 1 ] HoneyBee Construction Fleet

03. Give It Your All

Regardless of how you land your first project, always make sure you give it your best. Even though you might not get paid much—or at all—early on, the value lies in building your reputation. If the person truly likes your work, they will pay you something, and even better, they might recommend you to others. Word of mouth is powerful, especially when you’re just starting out.

That’s exactly what happened with HoneyBee Construction. The logo I created led to additional work for the company, and they recommended me to others in their network. Those referrals opened doors for me that I couldn’t have accessed otherwise.

[ Fig. 2 ] HoneyBee Logo

04. Taking The Leap

Of course, this is just my approach, and it might not work for everyone. Not everyone is comfortable reaching out to friends or strangers, and that’s okay. But for me, starting small and putting my all into each project helped build my network, confidence, and skills. If you’re willing to take the leap, you might be surprised at how far it can take you.