Going Freelance.
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- Spix
I'm getting really tierd of driving 3 hours everyday to get to work, of my boss un realistic expectations and I would like a more flexiable schedule, so i have serious considerations of going freelance.
Other then to have a good online portfolio, what should I do to make it? what are some of te things to think out before making the step?
- Nairn0
"I'm getting really tierd of driving 3 hours everyday"
I hope you don't have an SUV.
Bear in mind that any 'flexible schedule' involved in working for yourself actually entails eating up much of your existence until you get settled.
- Spix0
haha...no, i got a small car, that gives me about 37 mpg, still it get expansive....and time comsuming.
to be abel to get eough clients to pay the most importent bills in the begining is scary...
- contra0
'unrealistic expectations' - please meet your new clients.
If you're expecting an easy life don't go freelance. And it's you that will need to be flexible, unless you can manage it really well it's easy to end up doing nothing for a couple of weeks and then squeezing a lot of work into the next two to make up for it.
Freelance has it's benefits but so does a 9-5 job. Maybe you should be looking for a job that doesn't involve the 3hr drive instead?
- Nairn0
well, get used to the consuming hours by researching a potential client base in your spare time. you could even begin to do your thing in tandem with your main job.
Figure out how little you could live on each month - if you weren't commuting you might be at home - so lower mileage costs, less $ spent on bloody expensive lunches (if you're like me anyway) and more time to actually spend DOing.
it'll always be a pain the ass to get it started - but if you want it enough then you'll know what to do; to put in.
- Nairn0
is the humidus thing yours?
- Spix0
Contra: yeah, I know, the grass is always greener on the other side...But I understand that it invloves hard work to get the clinet and so forth, and that they can be asholes, hard to deal with.
Perhaps, finding a job closer would be good and it is something I also try....but I think I rather go freelance...
Maybe I shoudl try to get 1 or 2 clients while I stll work where I work...and then see how it goes.
- Spix0
Yeah, Humidus is mine...so my ultimate goal is for that to provide for me completely....right now it gives me a good extra income...
- contra0
What's your local area like? Many businesses that are potential clients? And would there be much competition from other designers? Worth checking out that sort of stuff.
- Spix0
I acctually think that where I am is a pretty good area for freelancing..it seems like it is not to much competition, and there is alot of new business starting up, that could be potetial clients.
- Nairn0
ha.. I'd just bookmarked your site the other day! Gut Schtüff - i like the Yellow 'Happiness' tee 'specially.
Nice work - i wish you luck, man.
- Spix0
thanks Narin :) I got a few new shirts coming out soon...so keep looking.
- contra0
I was lucky when I started out freelancing - I was made redundant and got a decent payoff from that then immediately was asked to do a small website with a stupidly big budget :)
That's probably not normal though, just make sure you have enough money saved to keep you going for at least a couple of months and get to work. Finding some clients before you leave your job would be a good idea too.
Good luck man, and keep knocking out the tees. I think I sent you a list of a few potential distributors in London a year or two back, did anything come of it?
- contra0
oh yeah, this might help too, a few templates and example business docs... http://www.sitepoint.com/books/f…
- Spix0
yeah, i remeber that...nah...I was not ready for retailers then...but now I am. I got all stuff sorted out. Most of my buyers are acctually from UK, so it would be cool to get a few retailers there... I making a small prined catalog to send out to them...
- Spix0
thanks for the business kit man :) much appreciated.
- de4k0
don't want to drop clichés but you really do only live once.
Better to regret trying something etc etcA little talent and a lot of ambition will do the trick.
Do it Spix, and don't look back.
- Spix0
yeah, I think that I will...in jan 2005. it will be a good time to start.
- Spix0
yeah, I think that I will...in jan 2005. it will be a good time to start.
- gabe0
you live in greenville?
i grew up in charleston... loved it there. hope one day to go back for good!
- Spix0
yeah, I been here 2 years....going down to charleston next week. It is such a nice place. Would not mind ot live there at all.