First Request in 3 Days from Zero Experience! Tips for Getting Your First Order on SKIMA
When you've just registered on SKIMA, you get really anxious, thinking,
“Will I really get any requests…?” I was also nervous in front of the screen the whole time at first…💦
However, by putting a little effort into how I listed my services, how I responded, and my profile,
thankfully, I was able to get my first request within 3 days of registering👏
Once I gained confidence, requests thankfully started increasing, and by continuing to use trial and error, I was able to reach Platinum rank within half a year!✨
I usually focus on logo design, and I also create thumbnails for VTubers and cover designs for doujinshi.
In this article, I have loosely summarized, based on my actual experience, the things I did that worked well when I first started on SKIMA and the points I kept in mind to lead to orders.
“I want to do my best on SKIMA from now on!” “I’m worried because I’m not getting any requests…” I hope this will be helpful for those who feel this way!
📖 Table of Contents 📖
Why was I able to get my first request in 3 days from zero experience?
Tips for winning proposals & product pages
Relieving anxiety! Things I was careful about in the first interaction
Summary: Because I am allowed to make my passion my job
1. Why was I able to get my first request in 3 days from zero experience?
For the first month after registering, I didn't just wait; I took several actions myself.
I will talk realistically about what I thought “really worked!” and, conversely, what I thought “I failed a bit on…💦”!
① Fill the gallery with “different styles” of sample images
The first thing I did was to enrich my gallery (portfolio).
For logo design, the atmosphere clients are looking for is seriously completely different.
(Pop style, chic/stylish style, for doujinshi, for VTubers… etc.)
Therefore, I didn't stop at just one sample, but registered multiple logos of various styles to some extent.
By doing this, I think the probability of clients thinking, “Oh, this person seems like they could create a logo that matches my image!” increased.
② Commission thumbnails should prioritize visibility & variety
I also put effort into the thumbnail image displayed at the top of the product page (commission).
Rather than putting one logo stylishly on one image, I was conscious of how many sample logos I could fit into one image👀
I kept the text points bold and minimal, and made sure that at a glance, it conveyed a wide variety of styles, saying, "I can create logos in so many different styles like this!❣"
Rather than focusing on the beauty of the thumbnail, I aimed for having many items to make it look like I have a track record (= sense of security), which I feel was the key to getting clicks.
③ Used the request feature to make proposals myself
SKIMA has a feature called "Requests" where clients post, "I want something like this made!"
When you have zero track record, you won't be found easily if you just wait, so I actively went out to make proposals for these requests!
(※ Tips on what kind of proposal text I sent will be explained in detail in a later chapter)
【Side note】 The story of lowering prices to build a track record (a bit of a regret...)
Actually, in the beginning, I thought, "I don't have a track record..." so I set my prices quite low when listing my services.
As a result, this did lead to my first order, but... honestly, I regret this a little.
The reason is that when you set your unit price too low,
you tend to attract more customers who prioritize low prices above all else.
During the communication process, the balance between the customer's ideals and my own skills and workload became prone to collapsing,
and there were times when I felt anxious, wondering, "Am I really providing something they are satisfied with?"
Even if it's to build a track record, I don't really recommend selling yourself too cheaply...!
I realized painfully that it is important to set a proper price for your own skills.
(※ By the way, everyone who requested work from me during this period was a great person!!)
2. Tips for Proposal Text and Product Pages That Get Chosen
I will talk about the specific efforts I made not just to wait on SKIMA, but to go out and get jobs myself, and to receive consultation messages!
① Request proposals: Go for it and be bold, and grab their hearts at the beginning
When applying for public requests, I was actively making proposals with the spirit of go for it and be bold!💥.
However, I didn't just send out a high volume; I actually had my own specific way of writing proposal texts!
Thoroughly answer what the other party wants to know
I read the client's recruitment requirements carefully and write clear answers to "what this person is struggling with and what they are looking for."Place your strengths (appeal points) at the beginning of the text
Clients read many proposal texts, so if you write your appeal at the end of a long text, it won't be read (probably...).
I put strengths like "I am good at XX design and can deliver within XX days!" in the first few lines.Utilize a portfolio site
I summarized my work on external portfolio services like litlink or foriio, not just the gallery within SKIMA, and attached the link to my proposal.
It's really recommended because they can see a list at a glance!
Create your own "proposal text template"
Since it's difficult to think of the text from scratch every time, I prepared a core template and customized it slightly according to the other party's recruitment content before sending it.
② Creating a product page that eliminates all confusion
For commissions where you wait for inquiry messages, I thoroughly focused on making things easy for the client so they wouldn't get lost.
Include a 'Request Template' on your product page
To eliminate the 'I don't know what to write' state, I wrote out a hearing sheet that they can copy and paste.
🍀Example (Logo Design)🍀↓↓↓↓↓
Request Template ――――――――――――――――――――
◎Desired delivery date
◎Usage (Title logo for a fanzine, name logo for streaming, etc.)
◎Text for the logo (title, name, etc.)
◎Information to include in the logo, such as furigana, alphabet spelling, character names, pairings, event dates, etc.
└You can leave this blank if you have no specific preferences
◎Desired atmosphere (cute, cool, elegant, etc.)
◎Colors or motifs you want to include
◎Font style (Mincho, Gothic, rounded, etc.)
◎Logo layout (horizontal, vertical, diamond, oval, etc.)
◎Content of the material to be used (plot/theme for fanzines, activity details/genre for circle logos or names, etc.)
◎Reference materials (if you have cover illustrations, streamer character art, etc.)
◎Permission to publish the work as a portfolio piece on SKIMA, other SNS, or personal portfolios
（If not permitted, an additional fee of 1000 yen will be charged）
――――――――――――――――――――――――――Clearly state the process until delivery
By clearly writing out the process—hearing, rough draft submission, revisions, and final delivery—even first-time clients can feel at ease, thinking,
'Oh, so this is how it proceeds.'Don't be vague about option fees
I made sure to clearly specify things like 'Adding XX costs +XX yen,' striving for transparent pricing that is easy for both me and the client to understand.
③ Proactively suggest 'necessary options' when you receive an inquiry
If you make your product page easy to understand, you'll find it easier to receive inquiry messages!
When a message arrives, don't just answer the questions; I made it a habit to proactively suggest necessary or recommended options based on the client's goals.
For example, saying things like, 'If you are using this for commercial purposes, I recommend this option,' or 'Should I also provide the XX data format for this usage?'...!
Being attentive and making suggestions builds trust, and as a result, it also led to an increase in the average order value!☺️
3. Relieving anxiety! Things I was careful about during the first interaction
I've summarized what I actually keep in mind after a request is confirmed, in order to lead to high ratings and repeat business!
① Fast response time equals trust! Just reply with something for now
The thing I am most conscious of when interacting with clients is the speed of my replies.
Even if I can't provide a detailed answer that same day, I basically never leave them hanging.
'Thank you for your message! I will check the details thoroughly and get back to you tomorrow!'I make sure to reply immediately with at least that one sentence.
Just by doing this, the client feels very relieved, thinking,'I'm not being ignored,' or 'They saw my message.'
② When reporting progress, tell them 'when and at what time' you will provide it
I am also very detailed when reporting progress, such as when submitting rough drafts or providing revisions.
The trick is not just to say 'I'll send it tomorrow,' but to be specific about the time, like 'I'll submit it tomorrow evening!'
※Actually, I often end up submitting things late at night... I have nothing but gratitude for my clients🍀
Not only does this reassure the other party, but it also serves as a reminder for me so I don't forget the deadline!
③ Check SKIMA like it's a diary! (You might be surprised at how often your login history is checked!?)
Actually, SKIMA displays your last login time on your profile and product pages.
Many clients are quite concerned about this login history, feeling anxious like “I wonder if this person will be easy to contact...?”💦 and checking it closely!
That’s why I make it a habit to open and check SKIMA every day, even if I don’t have any business, just like a diary.
“Always logged in = a creator who is easy to reach✨”—this is a recommended strategy because it gives that kind of impression👀
4. Utilize the “PR Invitation Code URL” on X (formerly Twitter)
This is just a bit of trivia, but did you know that SKIMA has a feature that allows you to share a “PR Invitation Code URL” from your product page to X and other platforms?
I used to post this regularly on social media to guide clients to use coupons.
Creating opportunities for them to request services at a discount significantly lowers the hurdle for consultations!
5. Make extra proposals during the “pre-purchase consultation” stage!
I am also conscious of making extra proposals, such as “It might be more convenient to have this file format for this design” or “Shall we adjust this part as well?”
However, if you keep adding options after the purchase, it might make the other person anxious, wondering “How much will this cost in the end...?” So, it is kind to communicate any extra proposals clearly during the pre-purchase consultation and estimate stage!
4. Tips for a “Profile & Tags” that get you chosen
Precisely because I was a beginner with no track record, I was very particular about my profile text and settings!
I will share the points that I still consciously practice today👀
Write “specifically when you can deliver” and update it frequently
A good tip might be to write it specifically in a prominent place on your profile or creator information, like “Available for delivery 8/20🎀 August OK September OK”!
Clients are most concerned about whether you can meet their schedule, so just writing the dates makes it much easier for them to consult with you.
Also, updating the dates frequently gives them peace of mind, thinking, “Oh, this person is actively working right now!”Use tags in your profile by referencing similar creators and adding as many as possible
Tagging is extremely important to show up in searches within SKIMA!
I referenced popular creators who are active in genres similar to mine (logos, thumbnails, doujinshi, etc.) and added as many relevant tags as possible that I thought would be searched for.Convey your strengths in one phrase, such as “Professional Designer”
I write, “I am a professional designer.”
Just by including your title or strength in one phrase, it becomes the greatest source of reassurance (a guarantee of quality) for the client!Lower the hurdle by clearly stating “Consultations only are also OK”
“Is it wrong to contact them if I haven’t decided to purchase yet?” To prevent them from thinking that, I wrote, “Please feel free to contact me even if you just have questions or want a consultation.” I feel that getting that first message is the first step toward receiving an order!✨Clearly state your software, portfolio, and X (formerly Twitter)
I listed “Main software used: Illustrator” and included my portfolio site compiled on Wix and my X account.
By making it possible to quickly check “what kind of activities I do daily” and “what kind of works I create” beyond just the product page, it leads to a sense of trust.
4. Summary: Precisely because I am allowed to make my passion my job
I have talked about my journey from starting with zero experience on SKIMA to becoming a Platinum Rank creator in half a year.
But more than anything, what I feel most is “Thanks to the clients, I am able to enjoy my work like this🍀” that is it.
I have made my passion my job and am being paid for my designs.
That is exactly why I believe it is important to face each and every request with a strong sense of responsibility and care.
The more examples of your work you have, the more likely you are to be seen by new, wonderful clients!
At first, you might feel anxious, wondering, "Will I really get a request?" but
start by polishing your profile or adding just one more sample,
and take a small step you can manage today.
Thank you so much for reading until the end!✨
If you felt that this article wasa little helpful or informative,please press the 'Suki' (♡) button below; it would be a huge encouragement to me!
I appreciate your support🍀
I usually work primarily on logo design and thumbnail production.
Please feel free to take a look at this page for consultations and examples of my past work!
👉 [Click here for my SKIMA profile and listing page]https://skima.jp/profile?id=479187
👉 [Click here for X (formerly Twitter)](@00Kuma2525）
👉 [Click here for my portfolio site]https://kumarara2525.wixsite.com/00kuma2525