When I talk to new side hustlers, one of their first thoughts is how they can look professional. A strong brand and logo can be the one piece that differentiates yourself from your competition. If the logo you promote and attach to your business is strong and memorable, it can have a gigantic impact on your business. However, good graphic artists can be expensive and free online logo makers are tacky and unoriginal. But what if I told you it is possible to obtain a free logo design that looks professional from a graphic artist? Do you believe it is possible?
The first place most of my students go to when thinking of logos is Google. Their initial search typically looks like this:
This is a good starting point if you want something generic. But what entrepreneur wants to be generic? They typically seek out a logo that can compete with the ones in the forefront of our minds. Free logo makers won’t do that for you.
In fact, I initially turned my student side hustlers to free logo makers. Until I found out there is a much better way that requires minimal design work on your part.
Free logo design is at your fingertips. If you are willing to put the work in, you can also have a professional-looking logo without spending big money.
Intrigued yet?
Leveraging Social Media for Free Logo Design
Graphic designers are everywhere on social media, but especially on Instagram. Because Instagram’s main purpose is a content sharing platform, graphic designers with either one or one thousand pieces of content have a home to share their creations.
And because Instagram is also a platform that people try to leverage to increase their following, many graphic designers are looking to build their personal brand.
With proper research, you will be able to find graphic designers who have minimal work posted, but their work is done in a style that you enjoy. This may take some people more time than others. However, I bet you’ll find a few that have designs similar to what you’re imagining with your own brand logo.
Don’t just stick with one and hope for the best. Find a few that you really like. After this, the negotiation tactics must begin.
Step 1: Have Your Ideas Ready
To save yourself a major headache, ensure you have an idea of what you’d like your logo to look like. This step doesn’t require a detailed sketch. Sometimes all you need is your colour choices, text choices, and certain imagery you’d like to include in your logo.
My suggestion would be to not get too detailed with your ideas. Many graphic designers love to put their own spin on their content. If you get too controlling, they may decide the task is not for them.
Remember, you’re likely dealing with someone new to the industry. Although you should have the final say on your logo, it is also important to give the artist some creative freedom with it.
Step 2: Make Your Case for Free Logo Design
This is a crucial step. Anyone performing a service for you will want to be compensated for their work. Keep in mind, these artists are side hustlers too! However, pushing other factors can be more important than money at this stage.
Initially, it is important to remind the artist that a vast portfolio will open up more opportunities for them in the future. Graphic design is a very competitive field. Many companies with large design budgets who are looking for freelancers will want to see a large display of previous work. Without that portfolio, their attention will go to more experienced designers.
If this isn’t enough to convince them, the next step is pushing the philanthropic piece of providing free logo design.
Some designers may be willing to provide you with a free piece of art if there is a reason why you cannot afford one. That is exactly what some of my high school students did. After explaining to the artist their current educational and financial situation, he was more than willing to provide a logo to benefit both parties.
This may not always work, so don’t bank on this. You may be able to get a free logo design, but you might at a discount!
Step 3: Obtain the Logo and Promote the Artist
If the above steps work, great! You have just accomplished something many do not. However, don’t become a ghost when the artist provides you with quality work for free or a low fee.
It is important to give back to the artist in other ways.
I encourage side hustlers I have shared this strategy with to promote the artist in every way possible. Did someone compliment your logo? Did someone say something nice about your branding? Let them know how it was possible.
Being able to provide more jobs for the artist will be beneficial to both yourself and the artist. If they are able to gain referrals through you, they may be more willing to help you out in other ways. I have personally seen graphic artists promote the businesses they did design work for more heavily through helping each other out.
Who knows, maybe you decide down the line that you want to re-brand. If you and the graphic artist continue to grow side-by-side, you may be able to leverage some free logo design again in the future.
In Closing
This strategy does not work every time. It requires a lot of dedication to not only find the right artist who is willing to provide free logo design.
If you can accomplish this quickly, congratulations! If not, do not give up. The right person is out there.
Graphic design continues to be a growing occupational field. With projections showing that more than half of the US workforce will be freelancing within the next decade, teachable skills such as this will be readily available.
However, each one will want to stand out from the rest. This is where you have control.
Please comment below your experiences in finding cheap or free logo design, and if this strategy worked for you.
Good luck with the hustle!