Seeking Input: Best Client Outreach Strategy for Design Firm

Suzanne S. · 2025-05-27T12:30:36.419Z

Hey everyone! :wave: I have a quick question and I’d love your input - thank you in advance for being my unofficial focus group :smile: We run a small design company and we’ve been testing two different ways to position ourselves when reaching out to potential clients: *A)* Showcasing case studies from well-known clients in the supply chain and tech space *B)* Highlighting our competitive pricing (we’re based in the U.S. but most of our team—designers and devs—is in Eastern Europe) Both approaches are valid, but sometimes you need to lead with just one strong hook. What would catch your attention more A or B?

14 comments

· Sorted by Oldest

Faizan S.
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On Top it's always case studies from well known clients.
💡1
Jared R.
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Both of these are just part of the sea of sameness. Actually differentiate yourself vs do the exact shame shit. C - build differently is the only answer
Ben B.
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Suzanne S. this positioning is how I spend most of my time these days - is there something you can offer very specifically as a design company that really speaks to your team's biggest strengths? Kinda like Jared R. said about standing out in the sea of sameness, the biggest value your team adds that nobody else can fill just as well.
🙌1
Ben B.
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Mentioning this because lower pricing structure is great once a potential buyer knows what they could be paying for, and the case studies from others can build trust along the way, but that one thing your team does best. That's where it's at 🙌 Also feel free to DM if you'd prefer!
Jared R.
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A) Showcasing case studies from well-known clients in the supply chain and tech space (YAWN) B) Highlighting our competitive pricing (we’re based in the U.S. but most of our team—designers and devs—is in Eastern Europe) (BIG BIG YAWN)
Jared R.
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i'm sorry, but let's think differently.
1.
what does your small design company stand for? like really stand for - what's your POV and why do you exist?
2.
what's the villain you're fighting? see 1
Jared R.
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3. how can you best accentuate that and evangelize that
Suzanne S.
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Thanks everyone for the thoughtful input, guys! It’s really helpful to see how this lands from different perspectives. You’re right that case studies and pricing aren’t differentiators on their own - they’re supporting points, not the hook. And I agree: the most important thing is to lead with a point of view that actually means something. I actually see this as another interesting topic to explore here - like how others have broken out of the sea of sameness in their own way. 🧠
🧠2
Neil W.
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Hey Suzanne S.…of the 2 you suggested, I’d definitely highlight the case studies…But if you’re doing some kind of cold outbound I’d definitely suggest leading with some type of value…For example, redesigning a landing page, or coming up with a new logo. Something that you can deliver relatively quickly but will help you stand out over the sea of other messages people receive.
Harrison T.
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Suzanne S., Between A and B, I’d 100% lead with A — social proof and credibility from known players in supply chain/tech builds immediate trust. Especially in B2B, clients want to know you’ve solved problems like theirs before. It tells me you get the space, the complexity, and the stakes. B can be a solid follow-up once trust is established — more like, “Oh, and we’re also insanely cost-effective.” But pricing as a lead hook can unintentionally devalue the quality, especially if your work is legit. At NUMI, we’re big on partnering with teams who deeply understand our world — our product helps companies make smarter GTM decisions using external data, so we care way more about domain fluency than bargain rates. Happy to jam more if helpful — always rooting for great design shops doing it right.
Suzanne S.
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Thank you Neil W.! I think this strategy is great - it gives off a more natural and helpful vibe, which I’m all for! 🙂
Suzanne S.
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Harrison T. Our work is legit - and thankfully, our clients confirm that 😄 We’re a small team, and most of our clients work with us daily (literally—we’re in Slack with them almost every day), so we’re often deep in the trenches across strategy and execution. On top of that, we’re juggling larger design projects too. So carving out space to actually show what we do is a whole challenge in itself -but your input really helps sharpen how I think about it. Thank you again! And yes, would definitely be up to jam more - always excited to swap ideas!
Neil W.
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Suzanne S. no problem at all!..Let me know if you’re up to chat more..happy to discuss the approach
🙌1
Amy Kenigsberg
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If you compete on price, you reduce your perceived value.

Faizan S.
·
·
On Top it's always case studies from well known clients.
💡1
Jared R.
·
·
Both of these are just part of the sea of sameness. Actually differentiate yourself vs do the exact shame shit. C - build differently is the only answer
Ben B.
·
·
Suzanne S. this positioning is how I spend most of my time these days - is there something you can offer very specifically as a design company that really speaks to your team's biggest strengths? Kinda like Jared R. said about standing out in the sea of sameness, the biggest value your team adds that nobody else can fill just as well.
🙌1
Ben B.
·
·
Mentioning this because lower pricing structure is great once a potential buyer knows what they could be paying for, and the case studies from others can build trust along the way, but that one thing your team does best. That's where it's at 🙌 Also feel free to DM if you'd prefer!
Jared R.
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·
A) Showcasing case studies from well-known clients in the supply chain and tech space (YAWN) B) Highlighting our competitive pricing (we’re based in the U.S. but most of our team—designers and devs—is in Eastern Europe) (BIG BIG YAWN)
Jared R.
·
·
i'm sorry, but let's think differently.
1.
what does your small design company stand for? like really stand for - what's your POV and why do you exist?
2.
what's the villain you're fighting? see 1
Jared R.
·
·
3. how can you best accentuate that and evangelize that
Suzanne S.
·
·
Thanks everyone for the thoughtful input, guys! It’s really helpful to see how this lands from different perspectives. You’re right that case studies and pricing aren’t differentiators on their own - they’re supporting points, not the hook. And I agree: the most important thing is to lead with a point of view that actually means something. I actually see this as another interesting topic to explore here - like how others have broken out of the sea of sameness in their own way. 🧠
🧠2
Neil W.
·
·
Hey Suzanne S.…of the 2 you suggested, I’d definitely highlight the case studies…But if you’re doing some kind of cold outbound I’d definitely suggest leading with some type of value…For example, redesigning a landing page, or coming up with a new logo. Something that you can deliver relatively quickly but will help you stand out over the sea of other messages people receive.
Harrison T.
·
·
Suzanne S., Between A and B, I’d 100% lead with A — social proof and credibility from known players in supply chain/tech builds immediate trust. Especially in B2B, clients want to know you’ve solved problems like theirs before. It tells me you get the space, the complexity, and the stakes. B can be a solid follow-up once trust is established — more like, “Oh, and we’re also insanely cost-effective.” But pricing as a lead hook can unintentionally devalue the quality, especially if your work is legit. At NUMI, we’re big on partnering with teams who deeply understand our world — our product helps companies make smarter GTM decisions using external data, so we care way more about domain fluency than bargain rates. Happy to jam more if helpful — always rooting for great design shops doing it right.
Suzanne S.
·
·
Thank you Neil W.! I think this strategy is great - it gives off a more natural and helpful vibe, which I’m all for! 🙂
Suzanne S.
·
·
Harrison T. Our work is legit - and thankfully, our clients confirm that 😄 We’re a small team, and most of our clients work with us daily (literally—we’re in Slack with them almost every day), so we’re often deep in the trenches across strategy and execution. On top of that, we’re juggling larger design projects too. So carving out space to actually show what we do is a whole challenge in itself -but your input really helps sharpen how I think about it. Thank you again! And yes, would definitely be up to jam more - always excited to swap ideas!
Neil W.
·
·
Suzanne S. no problem at all!..Let me know if you’re up to chat more..happy to discuss the approach
🙌1
Amy Kenigsberg
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·
If you compete on price, you reduce your perceived value.