This document provides advice for designers starting their own business. It recommends focusing on a specific market through research rather than trying to appeal to everyone. The summary should define a competitive advantage based on the target market and communicate this clearly through branding. Taking action is emphasized over excessive analysis to avoid procrastination. Designers should limit distractions and work with an accountability partner to stay on track starting their business.

1. Doing Business as a Designer:
Getting Started
(Slide-u-mentary Version - made in google docs)
By Jae Xavier of KnowledgeCity.com
Blog: jaexavier.wordpress.com
Twitter: twitter.com/jaexavier

2. Introduction
This is the first part of a series.
A popular limiting belief amongst artists is that you need
business experience or a business degree to start a business.
This is total shitake.
If you truly love what you do, you will do whatever it takes to
start your business and run it successfully. All you have to do
is start, don’t give up, and take action.

3. “But where do I start?”
First off, do not start:
Building your website
Naming your company
Designing business cards and flyers
...just yet.
The reason why you may not be getting any business is
because you are not effectively communicating to anyone.
There are a lot of “generalist” designers; they are a dime a
dozen, they are everywhere, and most of them are going
nowhere.

4. Market Research
Lets start with market research first. 8 hours of it is all you
get. Literally.
If you aim for every market, you’re going to be too distracted
and you will need an advertising budget the size of a mega
corporation. Each market has different needs, different views
of the world, and different customers. Therefore, you will
need to communicate to them differently.

5. Marketing research for designers
1) Brainstorm and pick 5 to 10 markets that you would see
yourself ENJOY doing design work for. If you do not ENJOY,
you will produce below average design and quit doing
business altogether.
2) Narrow your choices down to 1 or 2 markets
3) Scope out your competition in those markets. How will you
compete against your competitors?

6. Marketing research for designers
4) Define your competitive advantage.
Here is a very basic example:
You find out that the majority of your competitors are
offering low prices as their competitive advantage.
However, their design quality is much lower and all the
design work looks generic.
A possible competitive advantage you can offer is "High
quality, custom work at a reasonable price."
Therefore, you are most likely going to attract businesses
or individuals who have more money, care more about
quality, and value your design expertise greatly.

7. Marketing research for designers
5) Communicate to your market(s), your competitive
advantage clearly and effectively. Now this is where your
business cards, websites, company name, company motto,
and company image will communicate your competitive
advantage to your market.
For example, I will be using the competitive advantage “High
quality custom work at an affordable price”
(Next Slide)

8. Marketing research for designers
5) (continued from last page)
My company image will not look generic. I will project my
personality and design philosophy in everything I say, do,
and design. This is one way that I can differentiate myself
from the competition.
I will use specific design elements that my market can
relate to. This will further communicate to my clients that
I’m a credible designer. In other words; I’m an expert
designer, in this specific market, and therefore will
generate remarkable results.
Therefore I will not be perceived as generic to my market.

9. Marketing research for designers
6) Take action and get started right away. Stay focused like a
laser beam. Put yourself on a schedule if you have to. The
more action done, the more results produced. Results tell
you what you need to do next.

10. Combating Analysis Paralysis
Limit the amount of time you do market research. Too much
analysis will cause paralysis and will lead you to wasting time.
This is where 92.599999% of would-be entrepreneurs get stuck
and quit. Just doing a small amount of research and going
straight into the sales process will get you more results faster
than researching for a year. GO! GO! GO! GO!

11. Eliminate Distractions
Turn off the T.V. Logout of FaceBook. Turn off your cell
phones. Get to work. GO! GO! GO! GO!

12. Still cannot start?
Get yourself a drill instructor or someone who will hold you
accountable for your actions. GO! GO! GO! GO!
There are a lot of “generalist” designers; they are a dime a
dozen, they are everywhere, and most of them are going
nowhere.