Do free/cheap work for a few non-profits. Almost every area will have some highly respected non-profits in the area that will be greatly appreciative of upgrading their web presence. You get a network, a portfolio piece, and a testimonial. The keys are:
* Craft your story from the beginning. Think about the before and after and how you can best spin this for your services, and make sure your work is based on feeding that storyline.
* Be explicit about how they can help you. Are there sponsorship opportunities? Who's connected on the board? Non-profits typically understand how this works and will be willing to work with you.
* Be explicit about scope. They'll want the world, of course. Make sure you table their wish-list to "Phase 2" and really focus on a defined deliverable you can include in your portfolio.
* Most importantly, do a damn good job.
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Do free/cheap work for a few non-profits. Almost every area will have some highly respected non-profits in the area that will be greatly appreciative of upgrading their web presence. You get a network, a portfolio piece, and a testimonial. The keys are: * Craft your story from the beginning. Think about the before and after and how you can best spin this for your services, and make sure your work is based on feeding that storyline. * Be explicit about how they can help you. Are there sponsorship opportunities? Who's connected on the board? Non-profits typically understand how this works and will be willing to work with you. * Be explicit about scope. They'll want the world, of course. Make sure you table their wish-list to "Phase 2" and really focus on a defined deliverable you can include in your portfolio. * Most importantly, do a damn good job.