Starting a Freelance Career

I have been freelancing since last March and have been pleasantly surprised at how easy it has been in the main. I can fully vouch for the lazy method which involves finding yourself a good recruitment agent to work through so they find all the work for you and are also sometimes set up to help you with payment.

I'm in London and used about 6 agents all together, to give myself options. If you want to know more info on them, get in touch and I'll pass on their details.

But basically, if your fed up with your day job, go freelance, there is loads of work out there!

I have been freelancing since last January, 2006, and it's tough. Not that I don't recommend it, but if you have debt & bills (like most people) it can be a struggle to get those clients, etc. Can you freelance simultaneously while you're working at your job, or do you have a contract through your current employer that doesn't allow you? I know with my last job, in my contract, I just couldn't design work that was related to the business where I was an in-house designer—but otherwise, I was able to freelance as much as I wanted—of course, as long as it didn't interfere with my job.

As far as having a website goes, YES—you definitely will need one. In this day and age, there are clients and even employers who inevitably ask to see samples via a link. I find this is very easy and convenient for both you and the prospective client. It definitely reduces the stress of having to schlepp your portfolio with you everywhere.

I am still in the midst of uploading my portfolio onto my website, and believe me, I have been receiving nothing but slack for that. So get on the ball with that, for sure.

Otherwise, don't be so quick to quit your "day" job until you have a substantial clientele beforehand. Unless of course, you're living at home with your parents and not paying any bills. Then that's a whole different scenario. I hope it works out for you. Good luck!

Suzanne J. Maestri :: Graphic Designer

Hi, Thanks for the replies.

I wish I still lived with the folks, but its my girlfriend, myself and our two cats (sky & Walker). The plan is to keep the day job as such for awhile yet and build the client base in the meantime.

Speaking of which, What is the best way to establish a Client base?

As for the webpage, I will be working on that this weekend, inbetween Super Bowl Shows

Trevor

Hi Trevor,

Well, I would take the advice of mijlee and possibly hire an agent??? I'm embarrassed to say that I have never heard of such a thing; at least for a designer, that is. I have, however, heard of hiring a head hunter when you're looking for a JOB, not clients. I know there is a temp agency here in Colorado (I think they're national, too) that caters to creatives (i.e. photographers, designers, illustrators, etc.) called The Creative Group. That's a good place to start, as they primarily list jobs that are contract only. You never know.

As far as how to find clients? Networking is HUGE, not to mention joining a local chapter of the AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Artists) or Art Director's Club. I apologize if you're not in the states, so I'm not quite sure what would be the equivalent of the AIGA.

Otherwise, word of mouth is always a good thing for clients. I had a woman call me yesterday from North Carolina (and I live in Colorado) and wants to hire me to design the cover of her children's book. Apparently, I recently designed a logo for her sister and she just recommended me to her. Repeat business is what has been good for me, but believe me, I'm still struggling financially. It's tough. Hang in there.

I've been freelancing since 1996 in the Nashville and Middle Tennessee area and I'll pass these bits along for what it's worth.

1. Making the switch from full-time job to full-time freelance is never easy. It's sort of scary because you've never done it before and there are many unknowns. Do your homework. Read as much as you can. Talk to other designers in your area. Some areas are saturated with freelancers looking for work, while others may offer more opportunity. Although it may be a bit scary to take that first step, I've never heard anyone say they regretted making the move. I do hear, however "I wish I would have done more research beforehand." So study-up, then just do it, but only when you're ready. It's difficult to be creative when you're stressed-out, so do your homework and just do it.

2. Use your time wisely. You'll notice immediately that you have a lot more time on your hands. :) Use this time to seek out prospective clients. Look for companies that you are impressed with or that you find interesting. This work will be naturally easier to develop and ultimately more enjoyable. Work up a proposal and pitch it to them. Make contacts. Do some lunches. Meet some photographers, illustrators, coders, etc. and stay in touch. These folks will be as invaluable to your business as you are to theirs.

3. Choose your clients and projects wisely. I can't stress this enough. Each time you accept a job, you're setting precedence for the next one. If you take a nightmare project for a cut-rate, you can expect to get more of the same the next time they drop the ball and need someone to bail them out. Initially you're going to be "hungry," but don't let this tint your judgement. I remember how liberating it was the first time I told a (bad) client that I was too booked up to "help." You'll thank me for this one later. :)

4. Read "The E Myth." This book starts out by saying "The only reason to start a business is so that one day you can sell it." Run your freelance business like a business. Otherwise, you'll end up stuck in a job you hate, with an idiot for a boss. Only this time, the idiot boss is you. :)

5. DON'T DO SPEC WORK! If anyone calls with "We have no budget for this one, but if you do it, there's tons more work down the road," just politely decline and hang up unless they're willing to put you on retainer and submit their promise in writing. Don't submit your work to contests in hopes of "winning" and getting paid. Read up at No!Spec for more about this.

I'll stop here, and wish you great success, and when you achieve it, send me some work. ;)

Just a quick note to add to what mijlee said. An agent is really a recruitment agency which will probably interview you when you contact them and if they like your work they will put you forward for various contracts which could be just one day or a few months. They normally take a cut of the fee from the client and most often you get paid weekly although this can vary. Most bigish cities or towns have them in England and I know they also have them in New York where I worked for a bit too. Another plus apart from being lazy is that you don't need to promote yourself and have your own website, but you do get paid a little less than you would probably charge for the same work if you did it for your own company, but you don't get the hassles... Good luck, and I hope that it works out!

I would take to heart the time management advice the most. Also, pick clients who will pay you. My biggest pain is collecting. You lose the client and you spend all sorts of time doing things that aren't design related. When starting out, don't go outside your skill level. Save the learning curve for things other than paying clients. You will end up spending too much time and working for $1 and hour. Never promise something that you cannot deliver.

I have a problem that i am available to do the work for my client that i started months ago, but they are too busy to give feedback... so its not just us that need to manage time... anyone got any ideas. I really should get my contract details sorted, but I haven't. Does anyone have a draft or know where I could get one so that I don't miss anything out? Thanks in advance.

Freelance advice podcasts. While it doesn't cover how to get started, it may offer some handy advice regarding the work itself.

Apppreciate the link, much appreciated, will check it out.