Reading #15 +16

Self-promotion is an ongoing cycle which every designer has to continue, whether he's working independent, in studio or as an apprentice. Letting people know about your work is equally important as having a good portfolio. As a design student it helps me look at various magazines for inspiration, and ideas, but for marketing myself, I believe in attending all the design meetings, conferences, putting up on websites or even sending work in competitions helps to advance.
Design is a field of competition and the more upfront we are with the publicity of our ideas and works better response we would get. Its inevitable to say that, learning from past experiences is essential in self promotion. Because, without correcting oneself and updating regularly all efforts for publicity would be in vain.
Last but not the least is creating good work, and from my personal experience, there are no short cuts to it. Its only the creative process, the effort we put in starting from research continuing through the application of design in the real world. Hence, hard work and satisfying clients through good design will keep clients happy, which would yield money and when promoted the work is effective then everyone recognizes the true potential and automatically your business would grow. Thus the key to be a successful designer is continuous learning and hard work.