How Kenyan Creatives Can Score International Gigs

Anne is always looking around for design talent to collaborate on projects. It’s becoming easier than ever for her to work with creative talent remotely.

In theory, that means creatives anywhere can get projects.

The reality though is that it is hard for creatives to break through internationally.

We speak to Anne to learn how creatives can get a better shot at scoring international gigs.

Creativity ni unpredictable. Ukipatia msee job you don’t always know what will come out on the other side. That means you utahitaji ku-to work with people you know and trust, or watu who have done good work in the past.

For creatives wanaanza, it is very hard to build a (international) network of clients. You need good work in order to get work, but you can’t get work without being able to show work.

I'll share some tips on that later.

Hivi ndio Anne hufanya:

• I start with an online search on Linkedin.

• I will do a post on Linkedin describing the kind of talent I am looking for. I get comments with recommendations from people who have hired good talent or hands up from creatives themselves.

• If I don’t get recommendations, I do an online search on platforms for creatives.

• I go to websites like Behance or Pinterest for graphic designers and illustrators, and Unsplash for photographers.

• I go to websites like: Behance or Pinterest for graphic designers and illustrators, and Unsplash for photographers.

Kama anahitaji more technical skills such as infographics or SEO copy writing, she will look at Upwork

These platforms are great for getting found by people like me.

I look for three things:

1. great creative work and

2. professionalism and

3. some social proof.

A portfolio is a fancy word for a collection of samples of previous projects you’ve done. It clearly shows the images or videos you created.

I never hire a creative without seeing his or her portfolio. Your work is proof of your talent.

I love it when there is also a short description of the briefing from your client and the way you approached the work. This helps me understand how well you would respond to my briefing.

If I can give one tip: always have an up-to-date portfolio ready. I need to build teams fast, and I can’t wait a week for a portfolio.

Then for the second, I look for evidence that someone is professional. I try to find out a little bit about the person online. Do they have recommendations from previous clients? Do they have a professional presence?

Lastly, I look at something called ‘social proof’. If a creative has recommendations from previous clients that always is a good thing. If you want to work internationally, make sure the recommendations are in English.

Anne anatushow unaeza create 'fictional’ assignments for yourself ndio u-show off your skills.

For instance: if you are an illustrator or graphic designer, make book covers for your favorite novels or create album covers of your favorite artist.

You can find lots of examples on pinterest of creatives who design book covers and album art for their own favorites.

If you are a packaging designer, (re)design packaging for a favorite product.

If you are a UX designer, (re)design a website or user interface of an app. Check out this project where a UX designer redesigned the safaricom app.

You can put these assignments in your portfolio, share it on socials, or even share it with the companies behind the products. Just make sure you describe clearly that this a personal project, not a commission.

Some freelancers are successful in getting the attention of brands by posting about what they would do for them. With a bit of guts you might catch a fish!

You can build a portfolio in a pdf, on a website, or on a social channel.

Behance, Pinterest, Upwork, Fiiver, Instagram, are all places where you can easily show your work. I don’t think you need a super fancy custom website for yourself.

Keep that money in your pocket.

It’s much easier to keep a client than to find a new one. Once I have found someone I love working with I will come back to them time and time again.

Here are some tips to create a good working relationship with international clients:

Pro-actively communicate if you can’t make a deadline. When promised me work would be ready on Friday, I will be upset when it is not there.

If you tell me on Tuesday that it won’t be possible to deliver on Friday, I respect that and I can adjust my expectations and plans.

Ask for feedback, not just for praise. "What could I have been done for this to be even better?” is a great question to ask. You will earn my respect when you do. I’m also always very happy to hear what I could have done better for the cretive.

Keep in touch. It’s easy to forget the name of someone you have worked with after moving on from a project. Saying hello every now and then can be a great way to keep your name in their brain.

We don’t have any roles at MESH open for creatives at the moment. But that can change.

You can follow MESH on Linkedin for job updates.