I have a graphic design company myself so I know what has worked for me. You really suggest that you become more of a marketing expert...It's troubling to me that you have a hard time finding clients and expect clients to hire you to help them with their marketing. So 1st, get a marketing book and really start concentrating on this topic you are asking about. If you learn how to get clients for yourself, you can help your clients do the same!
Anyway...Here is how you get client:
Step 1
Specialize. (Really just pretend that you specialize) Let's say you've done a website for a bakery...market yourself to every bakery in the country as the expert in bakery websites! Make marketing that positions you for that market and hit it hard. Email, direct marketing, have a separate website (or just a page), ads, and whatever you can afford.
Step 2
Don't be passive and wait for the bakeries to call you. Some may call don't just sit and wait. Call them. Call them all. You are offering exactly what they need. If they are not interested, call the next one. After a day of cold calling, you will have a few real leads.
Here's the trick. Repeat step one with another market. Maybe you did a flyer for a band. Sell yourself as the band flyer guy.
Here is some random advise.
Bill by the hour, not a flat rate.
Start at a rate you can live with, but plan on raising it as you gain more clients.
Don't give your work away.
Good luck!
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