Thanks for all the replies. This thread is now marked read-only

I think the very best way is to strategically plan the marketing stuff details and start from basic. Firms that are successful in marketing invariably start with a marketing plan. Large companies have plans with hundreds of pages; small companies can get by with a half-dozen sheets. Put your marketing plan in a three-ring binder. Refer to it at least quarterly, but better yet monthly. Leave a tab for putting in monthly reports on sales/manufacturing; this will allow you to track performance as you follow the plan.

Congrats on your new endeavor .... As a new kid on the block in the graphic design business, it is hard to lay the foundation and have business stability. The best form of advertisement is still by word of mouth, so you should look inside your own inner circle and ask them if to help promote your business through there own inner circle. Also try to use traditional advertisement like newspaper, radio and television, together with online advertisement like networking, social media and bookmarking. As others have point out, having 20 designer in your payroll as a start up company is a bad move. You should try to expand as project start to flow in and not have enough designer expecting that project will flow in. You will be bankrupt before you know it.

I have heard about graphic designers using agencies to find a job for them. Agency will responsible for connecting to the company who need graphic design services, preparing contracts, follow up with customer and do more to smooth connection. You just have more connection with several agencies, this may help you get more customers. They get commissions when customer paid, may be 30% or up to your agreement. Agency services may be your answer. Orawan i-smartbuy.com Affiliate Marketer since 2006

chuckviccente has some great suggestions.  I'm going to use some of the ideas. Have you thought about bidding on jobs like getafreelancer and rentacoder websites.  When I needed my first website designed and installed, I went there to hire the professionals.  And through the years, I've keep going back to use the same designers.  Some really like hiring from another country.  I always preferred to find the USA workers, eventhough they are usually a little more expensive.  Anyways, good luck.

It is a tough field to compete in, particularly as the software tools needed to do it are affordable to just about anyone now.  (It's the skill in using them that differentiates, right?) It doesn't sound like you have a solid-enough marketing plan.  I'd start considering one that includes: a website (even if it's just informational in nature) a free listing in your local online business directory a free Facebook page, and later add Twitter'ing free product of some kind (as previously suggested) participation in local high-visibility events participation in local / online graphic design clubs and forums consider joining your local Chamber of Commerce marketing to both local (small) and regional (med) businesses It eventually comes down to any capital constraints you have to work within.  Be successful 'small' first and let your 'lessons learned' grow it in size over time.  Best wishes!

This is a tough field. I know because I started out in a graphic design business designing brochures, logos, post cards, etc.  I didn't start making any real money until my 5th year but I stuck it out and learned a lot about marketing, especially in the early days. I'm going to share what helped me get in the door.   In the beginning would visit local printers, ad agencies and other graphic design companies and offer to design their first project for free. This way they get to experience your work and work ethics. This is an investment but it works.

You should offer free design the first time and when they need more you can receive money. Or you can offer free desing if the bring you a client.  There are many ways.  And of course offer something different.

Maybe you have to optimize the advertising of your agency: Web is the best solution. You could also focus your activity only on a few ambits, like web design and posters, and see what kind of business is well...

Wow, like some asked before, you have 20 employees and you have been open for a week?  That seems like a lot of overhead, do you pay wages or is it on a commission basis? I didn't noticed if it was mentioned where you live, but hopefully it is in a good area with lots of potential clients.  Maybe you could assign each of your employees to go out and find one job.  That would at least get you started and then word of mouth along with internet marketing would be helpful.