How Doing Free Stuff Can Increase Traffic and Attract Clients
Published on September 20, 2009 / Freelance
“Do cool free stuff that doesn’t make you any money. It will totally grow your brand and get you clients” said Jeffrey Zeldman, founder of Happy Cog Studios, in a July .net interview. When reading this statement, a past experience resonated in my mind.
I am a frequent user of iGoogle, a customizable web portal, using it as means of organizing my workday. Over a year ago, I saw an opportunity to enhance the look of iGoogle by creating a custom theme design, one that would provide a visually-relaxing user-experience and enable a smooth transition through a stressful workday. So my theme Phantasea was born. I continued experimentation and created Phantasea Renewal, an upgrade from my previous theme, and put many uncompensated hours into theme creation.
Phantasea Renewal became a quick success and, at one point, gained as many as 200,000 iGoogle users. In Fall of 2008, I was contacted by Google, who asked for permission to use my theme on a major project that was under development. In return, I asked for some form of credit for my work. Google obliged and, in November, launched Gmail Themes. Phantasea Renewal became 1 of 18 Gmail themes offered to the world of Gmail users.
The first full day after launch brought in 11,000 unique visitors to my website via the credit link from Google. This was a massive spike for me. I received emails from all over the world, ranging from foreigners asking me to visit Iraq to potential clients inquiring about work. I acquired a new freelance contract, which ended up paying for the time I put into theme creation.
iGoogle may presently be a worn-out option for attracting new clients with its high-volume gallery of user-created themes. However, there are plenty of alternatives, like designing a desktop calendar for Smashing Magazine subscribers. Use your own judgment and think of something small that has big potential and go for it. Design for a community without the expectation of receiving something back. Lastly, always have your website prepared to handle a rush of new traffic!
What methods have worked for you?
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Great post, thanks
Your work is superb. I am just seraching for the iGoogle Themese. The one in red was beatiful
God Bless
Kally
Thanks, Kally!
nice creation
I loved the Phantasea theme and when I just upgraded to the new Gmail look, I was very sad to see it was not there. I think I speak for a lot of other people when I say that I would really like to have Phantasea for the ‘new’ gmail
I would also like to see Phantasea become available for the new Gmail look. It was my favorite theme. I switched back to the old look just so I can continue to use it. I’m dreading the switch to the new look if it doesn’t have this theme…
Definately, please bring back Phantasea for the new Gmail. As above, I’m not switching to the new version without my favourite theme.
I just came by your blog in fact to say how much I had appreciated using Phantasea as my theme, ever since it was introduced.
The new Gmail (now in public testing) currently doesn’t include it, which is very disappointing. I left them feedback (that the theme Oceans is too bright and doesn’t cut it as a substitute). If there’s any way you can keep this theme available in the new Gmail, I for one would deeply appreciate it.
All my best,
David
Like the folks above, I also am frustrated that the new gmail layout isn’t offering Phantasea any more. In fact, that’s my #1 gripe with the new look. I agree with David that the new theme they seem to think is a substitute is way too bright and I just don’t care for those colours. If there’s anything you know of that we can do to encourage Google to make it happen, please speak up!
Thanks!