Most people treat Dribbble like a portfolio. But smart designers know it’s a high-converting social media network and a client magnet if used right.
We launched our Dribbble profile just a few years ago. Since then, we’ve booked six-figure projects, grown a loyal audience, and built a steady stream of leads — all by putting in strategic effort. Below, we’re sharing the Dribbble tips, posting principles, and design process tactics that actually work.
Key takeaways
- Post consistently, not perfectly. Momentum matters more than novelty.
- Design shots for clarity and scanability. Not every audience has time to hit play.
- Real projects attract real clients while polished concepts pull early attention.
- Smart tags and descriptions drive long-term traffic, especially via search and Pinterest.
- Dribbble is a sales channel. Treat it like part of your funnel.
1. Novelty is overrated. Just post
The best way to start? Start. Don't wait for the perfect project or a trending idea. Some of our most successful shots were old web projects from 2018. What mattered wasn’t the date. It was the value in the design.
Your audience isn’t tracking timelines. They’re exploring ideas and looking for design inspiration they can apply. Show your process, your decisions, and your skills.
2. Motion is powerful. But only with restraint
Motion design is a double-edged sword. We used to cram our Dribbble posts with flashy transitions and long videos. Turns out: that’s not what designers or clients want.
Instead, focus on short microinteractions. Make the essence of your shot visible in the preview image. Freeze-frame when needed. The key is clarity. Inspire other designers with ideas they can actually use.
3. Focus on interface details
Our most viewed post is a simple interface element. No hero layout. No storytelling. Just a clean, useful snippet of a design system.
Other designers come to Dribbble to discover patterns they can replicate. That’s your chance to connect. Don’t underestimate the value of small but sharp examples.
So, with the above said in mind, here is how to do:
And here is how not to do (please, don't do it):
4. 3D looks cool. But does it convert?
We’ve put hours into stunning 3D shots that barely moved the needle. Why? They didn’t align with our core expertise — digital product design.
Stick to showcasing the kind of work you want to be hired for. It’s great to experiment and explore styles, but when it comes to getting noticed, relevance wins over novelty.
5. Boosting posts? Think twice
Dribbble offers the option to boost your shots. But here’s the truth: more views don’t always mean more success.
We tested post boosts. We got more impressions — but no more likes, followers, or inquiries. If your goal is authentic traffic and real clients, focus on organic reach and strategic posting instead.
6. The first 15 minutes matter
Dribbble is a social network, and its algorithm plays by familiar rules. The more engagement your post gets in the first 15 minutes, the more it gets pushed.
We always ask our UX design team to like, bucket, and comment right after posting. That initial momentum signals quality and gets your design work discovered by a broader audience.
7. Post timing isn’t a myth
We’ve tested days, hours, even moon phases (kidding). Wednesday is peak activity. Tuesday and Friday are solid.
Want the best chance at success? Publish your Dribbble post when both your local audience and the US crowd are active. And don’t be afraid to delete and repost a shot that didn’t perform well, especially if the design deserves more eyeballs.
8. Post more than once a week
Consistency beats perfection. Posting once a week is a good baseline, but three times a week makes your style stick. It’s about being seen — again and again — until your work becomes familiar to the right people.
Treat Dribbble like a content channel, not a gallery. Plan your shots. Schedule your uploads. Create a content rhythm.
9. Forget attachments. Focus on single-image impact
We tried using multi-shot uploads and attachments. Zero results. People simply don’t click.
Instead, build your story into one image or video. Design for scroll-stopping. Clarity and visual punch win over complexity.
10. Concepts drive engagement. Real projects drive clients
Concepts are easier to digest. They often perform better because they’re polished, fun, and not tied to client constraints.
But if you want to attract actual work, showcase real projects. Balance your feed: use concepts to grab attention, and case study snippets to build trust.
11. Style your feed like a brand
When someone lands on your Dribbble profile, they should get a vibe. Use a consistent grid, tone, and layout logic across shots. It builds recognition and makes your design work feel more intentional.
Want to level up? Screenshot the Popular Feed and drop your shot in. Does it stand out? If not, adjust contrast, color, or layout until it pops.
12. Write real descriptions
Shot descriptions should do two things:
- Explain the design process and decisions
- Offer a next step (CTA, website, email)
Include keywords your potential clients might search — not just “UX/UI,” but “SaaS design dashboard,” “crypto onboarding,” or “finance mobile app.” That’s how you show up in search and on Pinterest.
13. Tag like you mean it
Your tags = your search visibility. Use client-relevant terms, not abstract ones. No one’s searching for “minimal” — they’re searching “ecommerce login,” “real estate app,” or “banking UI.”
Build a tag bank based on what your ideal clients are typing. Then apply consistently.
14. Don’t ignore SEO
Dribbble has strong domain authority. Which means: your shot descriptions, tags, and titles all affect how people find your work via Google.
We’ve had shots double in views three months after posting just because they ranked in search. Google Analytics helps prove it. Use it to track traffic, top-performing shots, and referrers.
15. Invite feedback to build engagement
End each post with a prompt or question. “Would you use this?” or “How would you improve it?” It sparks conversation, drives comments, and signals to the algorithm that your shot is active.
It also opens you up to feedback and better iterations down the line.
16. Connect Dribbble to your larger funnel
Your Dribbble profile shouldn’t exist in isolation. Link it to your Notion case studies, Webflow site, LinkedIn, or newsletter.
Dribbble brings awareness. But deals close off-platform. Use your CTA wisely.
Final tip. Be authentically useful
The Dribbble platform isn’t just for showcasing great work. It’s for sharing your process, helping the community, and giving other designers ideas they can actually apply.
In a sea of visual noise, quality and intent rise. You don’t need 100k followers. You just need to be strategic, helpful, and consistent.
We’re not done learning either. But if our tips help you skip some of the frustration and get inspired to post more, it’s worth it.
Follow us on Dribbble for more real examples and real results!
