Going solo
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- jondj240
exactly!
- Nairn0
My motto for 2007:
If in doubt - copy.
- Concrete0
If in doubt - copy.
Nairn
(Jan 17 07, 06:35)Check the 'Logo Trends' thread.
- jondj240
and thanks for statement Concrete!
- chossy0
make sure everything you do is straight and true :D
- Concrete0
Choss, have you been listening to a Carpenters box set all day again?
- shn0
ha!
The Carpenters are great.
- mimeartist0
keep up to date with your taxes.
- MSTRPLN0
This is all fine and well, but here's my question:
How do you get clients interested in working with your newly founded studio, if you newly founded studio's website doesn't list any clients (because it's new) ?
Usually the credibility of a studio is judged by the clients it keeps, which is just as important to prospective clients as the quality of work that is outputted, so how is a newly formed studio with no clients able to overcome this?
How's about that for a paradox....
- nocomply0
Lots of good comments here.
Right now I work part-time at a steady studio job, and I freelance part-time. I think I got pretty lucky with the way things worked out.
I've only been doing this for 2 months so far, after 2 years of working full-time at boring companies.
I don't have many clients of my own at the moment, and they ones I do have are friends/family (which is the best way to start out IMO).
If you don't have many clients to start out with, I would definitely be looking for some part-time work to fill that initial void.
- Soler0
How's about that for a paradox....
MSTRPLN
(Jan 17 07, 21:25)list in your client list the name sof clients you worked on while at other agencies... ie. what would be in your book
- mimeartist0
just be honest. if you've no clients then explain your background and the clients you serviced while you were at your previous job.
and don't post up photos of grafitti you saw while on holiday in barcelona or something, as everyone and their dog does that to pad out their site.
- version30
rent a small cheap studio to start with. it looks more serious (for you ànd clients). plus: back home in the evening you're away from 'work'.
i'd prefer that.
stewart
(Jan 17 07, 04:30)worked out of my home for the past 5(ish) years, clients don't care, they don't come here, plenty of places to have meetings in public. to think of all the cash i've saved that way too, then again i like working when clients aren't calling, not answering the phone the first half of the day makes me look "busy" when in actuality i'm sleeping
- doddster0
- get your website setup.
even if its something pretty simple but illustrates what you can, and have, done. If you're not great on the tech side, get someone to help.- get some savings behind you!
iits scary enough not knowing what your paypacket is at the end of each month. even more so if no pay = no food/life. never underestimate how much pressure this will relieve you of.- get some financial advice
even if its speaking to others in your position who can help inform you of the basics like tax/accounting. save yourself a fright when you do your first tax return!- speak to people
i've been incredibly lucky, in 2 years I've never had to ask/look for work, but have fostered relationships with friends/people i know. wether its people you have worked with in the past, went to uni with, family, friends , let everyone know you're available. word of mouth can be very powerful.- work hard!
you'll be fine - good luck with it!!! drop me a line if you have any questions.
- Concrete0
Thanks again everyone for the incite and insight. I really didn't expect to gain this much feedback.
I feel really motivated now to get things of the ground.
MSTRPLN, as some have already mentioned you can use work done by yourself under a previous studio, but I hace done a lot of work for free or on the cheap to gain experience and build a portfolio. Think of every project as a showcase of your ability/talent.
- meffid0
"working from home" is never productive as you'd like. There's always distractions no matter what. Your mate takes a sickie week and wants to go drinking everyday and wants you to go. You've got no excuse to say no really because you've got about an hours work left. So you trundle off and spend cash you're not earning.
It can be a bottomless pit for cash. You always need some new equipment or other to complete the latest job.
Looking after your own accounts is daunting and chasing invoices and non payers SUCKS balls.
Have a good portfolio and have SOMETHING DIFFERENT. Studios come and go, a few designers keep reinventing but not many. You're only as good as the next guy who'll work for less and is more than likely faster and better than you.
I gave up the idea after the first failed 2 in 2 different countries. I'm not a quitter as such but honestly I gave into a corporate that doesn't fulfill my design needs challenge wise, but awesome hours, good pay and can work anywhere in the world whenever I want/feel like.
I guess on that note, sort your goals, what you want to achieve; awards, money, recognition in design or happiness? Once done, the answer to go it alone will present itself rather quickly.
- version30
"working from home" is never productive as you'd like...So you trundle off and spend cash you're not earning.
meffid
(Jan 18 07, 02:58)uh responsibility issues maybe? your obvious shortcomings are not typical. Just saying no can apply to many things.
- meffid0
uh responsibility issues maybe? your obvious shortcomings are not typical. Just saying no can apply to many things.
version4
(Jan 18 07, 03:02)Definitely the first to admit I'm irresponsible at the best of times. Motivated, but that's not always enough.
- moth0
I found working from home was very productive. I got to play my choice of music and people can't wander up an ask you stupid questions. Better coffee too.
- doddster0
yeah I'd second Moth on the home thing. I really enjoyed it - for about 18mnths, but then craved seeing society again as not leaving the house for days doesnt do you that much good.
the lack of phones ringing/people talking/answering stupid questions, can be very productive indeed.