Tips for a Beginning Freelancer

Hello Stefllz,

You're approach is simulair to mine. I started for friends and family as well. The most important advice I can give you for this is: charge them if they are real customers. I started doing things for friends and family either for really nothing or not much, because they where friends. But I'm still working for them and they are still earning money from my designs as well so afterwards I felt as if I should have earned more. I still learned but in the essense there was no difference between working for them or real customers which you do not have any relation with.

I freelance for Australia as well now (I did 6 month of internship in Sydney) and while it depends on talent and quality I suppose a 2nd year student can charge 20-30 dollars an hour, but I don't know anything about your qualities as I havn't seen a portfolio.

Anyway, most problems in the whole world are about money. This is for freelancing too. Make clear agreement about what you are going to do and when, for how much money. Do this before recieving any payment and before starting the job.

PS: I love Australia, it's the best country in the world ;-)

Australia kicks ass, hey! :)

I've actually done a bit for a 19 year old, a few complete corporate packages for free for businesses that still use my designs, and like you said, i feel a bit cheated when their companies are recognized by my designs, yet i never received any cash recognition. Lots of birthday invitations and flyers for events etc, I'm not sure whether I should be charging people like (for example) $20 an hour or say $50 for a poster design and $10 for each adjustment made (or something along those lines) you know what I mean?

I've been approached by a few different people lately and want to come across as professional and prepared when they ask for a quote. I guess my best bet is to find a freelancer in Melbourne doing the same sort of thing and find out from them!

Thanks so much for the website really helpful at first glance! Looking forward to getting everything up and running very soon!

You price the job according to what the market will bear. One day you'll know what that means. In the meantime, can I make a recommendation to both of you? I know you're dying to get out there and show the world your creativity - but I would highly recommend you spend at least a few years at a regular job. Freelance in your spare time, by all means - but get out there and find a job that offers some good experience. Meet people, make contacts, pick their brains, get exposed to real design projects from concept to finish and read everything you can get your hands on. School is just the start of your education - you still have a lot to learn. Get a regular paycheck, learn what it's all about, how to charge for projects, etc... then go it alone when you have the experience and work to justify it. You'll know when that day comes because people will be telling you it's time. As always... jmho.

So far as the fam? Do what I do. I'll work for free (hey - it's family) but on my own time. That job might get done tomorrow... or next month - depending on my work load. ;-)

You're spot on Art.

At the moment its mainly for some on the side work, I'm also trying to get myself some work experience in an ad agency around Melbourne at the moment, as well as a regular paid job in some form of small design firm too. I've had a lot of approaches recently from friends and strangers, and wanted to take the freelance thing more seriously.

Thanks for helpful tips :)

Glad to help fellow artists. Two things to remember - one is get a job where you'll learn something. If you need a paycheck - take whatever you can get. But - in the meantime - keep looking for a job where you'll learn something and/or meet people (preferrably both). Then when you're ready to go it alone, the last thing you do is sit down and add up the money... how much do you need to live? Because once you let go of that regular paycheck - you need to replace it with freelance money. Think about that for a moment. If you're making $500 a week on the job (for example) - that's a nice little freelance job you have to find EVERY WEEK - 52 weeks a year. See what I'm saying? You need a continual flow of money just like a regular job.

Vacation? What is that?