Freelancers
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- ian00
I am considering making the the move to going completely freelance. I'm living in NYC and it seems that there is a good market for freelance designers. I am still a little apprehensive - I guess i place a good deal of importance on job security. Anyway, I was wondering if you fellow freelancers would be kind enough answer a few questions (if they aren't too offensive or blunt).
How far do you typically see down the road? Do you have projects lined up for longer than 3 months?
How many days do you work in a good year? What about a bad year?
What is an average rate you charge?
Do you typically work for clients or agencies?
How do you go about finding new work?
Any info is a great help. Thanks very much!
- JoshClancy0
How far do you typically see down the road? Do you have projects lined up for longer than 3 months?
Two months average with odd jobs coming in and out every other week or so.
How many days do you work in a good year? What about a bad year?
I work for as long as it takes to get something done. Sometimes it is only three days a week sometimes it is seven days plus an all nighter...
What is an average rate you charge?
Totally depends on the project, client, budget, and timeline. 60% of the time they need something rushed so make sure to tell them they will have to pay for that. Always make it seem like you're busy and not desperate for work but don't forget to follow up with any potential offers (even if you are too busy).
Do you typically work for clients or agencies?
Both! Money is in the agency work but sanity is in the fun clients work. You have an option too that way. If you're good with money don't do as much agency work. I know agencies are always looking for reliable freelances so hit them up with an e-mail. I have another secret to share with you that will help you out a lot... I don't want to paste it in here because it could get me in trouble so e-mail me about it. Seriously ;).
How do you go about finding new work?
Word of mouth. Do a good job and follow up with clients. If you're reliable then they will respect you and keep feeding you.
Any info is a great help. Thanks very much!
This is a great time to freelance. There are sooo many people that are all about promotion these days so there is a lot of potential to make money. I think you just need to be passionate about it and you have to show them you're going to do whatever it takes to please them. Be organized... deliver your invoices, quote sheets, e-mails, comps and ideas in a professional manner (unless the client could care less.)
It is hard to get started at first but word of mouth is your best friend and the only way that happens is if you do a good professional job the first time.
Best of luck! Hit me up with an e-mail.
- spl33nidoru0
Exactly what JoshClancy said.
One more thing, be careful with clients who suspiciously treat you like a friend or like you're part of the team and end up asking for things here and there, like you're expected to do them the favor.
Be nice but make sure that you charge for everything you do. There can be friendship in work as long as there's respect for each other's work and time.
Favors to demanding clients is the best way for your freelance experience to miserably fail, more so in NYC. Believe me, my stupid kindness has jeopardized my financial and work situation way too many times, repeatedly bringing me back to square one while everybody was moving forward, benefiting from my work.
Also, be very strict when it comes to timelines (even with yourself), even more when it's pro bono work. These free gigs can end up taking MUCH longer than you first expected, and you'll often learn that people only give a shit about your work/time when they pay for it. The less they pay, the more they expect and the more they take for granted.
Last thing, be careful to not underestimate the time something is gonna take you. Client says "it's JUST this" or "I JUST need that" and you can be sure it's gonna take 3 times as long as you first thought.
Best thing to do is to never give direct answers when it comes to money or time, but instead always get back to them with a proposal once you have all the cards in your hand and have been able to really estimate things for yourself.
Sounds pretty negative :)
Freelance in NY is great but you gotta learn to protect yourself or it can really quickly turn into a nightmare with you working 24/7 with no time left for anything else and without even being able to pay your rent.Good luck!
- grafiske0
Biggest hurdle I thought was how some companies do payroll.. not sure if agencies are like this, but a couple labels and a couple clothing companies I worked for the contracts give them 30 days after the project is complete to pay. So you need some money saved up in some cases especially when starting off.
However I am a fairly unsuccessful freelancer so I am not justified to give tips!
- ian000
sunday bump*
thanks JoshClancy, spl33nidoru, and grafiske for the words of advice!
- ian000
monday morning bump*
- mrbee28280
Totally expect that 30 day pay thing. Never expect to get paid on the day you want. Companies won't make extra work for HR and you are just another bill. You will get paid on their 30day bill cycle when they cut all their checks. You'll be right next to the rent and power. So Just know if you bill they will pay 30 days after on their cycle. If you bill the 15th, you'll get paid the 30th of THE FOLLOWING month. So just know you're money will come and have some padding. Always be worrying about the next project.
- blaw0
regarding grafiske's comments on payment... i always give 30 days past delivery of invoice. several clients wait until 30 day, no matter what. makes sense. why should their money be sitting in my account?
i've been considering offering a 2% discount for projects paid in full within 10 or 14 days. at least it gives them a reason to write that check early.
- ridiculous0
I have also found that teaming up with a few other like-minded freelancers can help out tremendously. You guys can watch out for each other and help with the project management tasks.
- kerus0
great thread, thanks for the insight
im gearin up to make the jump here myself as well
- blastofv0
Great thread for anybody gearing up for full-time freelancing. Josh – I just bugged you for that mystery advice on email.
And everybody needs to get familiar with some contractual basics – get your hands on a sample contract for creative services, and use it every time.
- edd-e0
regarding freelancing in nyc payments...
NYC STATE LAW is 45 days NOT 30 days.
make sure you re-adjust that into your life and re-figure your funds.
- Daro0
My tips:
1. Always try to have a signed contract before starting a project.
2. Never work for friend and family, in my experience they are the most stressful clients.
3. Is better to have a few clients that pay well than to have one hundred that won't, don't undersell yourself.
4. Like mentioned before, try to outsource for a design firm/agency and try to get a few constant clients.
5. Sell, sell, sell, as freelancers you have to learn how to sell your work.cheers
- nocomply0
i'm relatively new to the whole freelance deal, but here are a few things i've noticed...
working for friends/family is ok! in fact, i think its the easiest way to start out since they're the easiest sales to make. however, all pricing needs to be discussed and understood upfront. you can give these people a deal, but you still need to charge what you're worth. otherwise you will wind up hating yourself. its a hard line to draw, but if you set the terms up front i've found that it generally works out. basically i tell these people look...i normally charge X amount per hour, but for friends and family I charge Y amount per hour.
i have this one client who is a family friend and she's annoying as hell but she pays me on time and does not question my hours. i charge her a discounted rate that i feel is still very fair to myself. in my opinion i'd consider this person a pretty good client to have.
lesson #2: have a good-looking invoice/estimate system. this may seem like a no-brainer, but having a professional looking estimate that i spent some time on really impressed a client of mine.
i'll post more stuff as i think of it.
- material-10
dang, i miss the freewhelling(read: freeballin') days of freelance. The fat cash, working for home, no commute... did I mention the fat cash? yeah I miss that.
Still do some but I miss fulltime freelancing
- akoni0
get a good system down for working hours and stay focused, also find other hobbies that can keep you away from work briefly. You will want to soothe your frustration levels.
- edd-e0
its only fat cash because its not taxed out...
something most freelancers miss when they receive they large checks...40% of it MUST goto the government for taxes.
like for instance now i just got a huge check for a job i did half a year ago, and the check was mega late, but all that money i didnt havee yet i apready spent, plus 40% of it must goto taxes, so now im rushing to make up for the taxes and for the money spent leaving me with not just nothing but in debt with myself.
freelancing is dope but this headache is constant and i would take a full time gig anytime over it.
:(
- material-10
still made fat cash even after taxes.
Remember to save receipts for everything including fun stuff like magazines, lunch, entertainment
- kerus0
speaking of freelance expenses what can and cant be expensed?
services i assume:
- cellphone
- internet access
- web hosting
- cable tv (?)
- magazine subs (?)a list of things you might not know you can expense would be huge
- material-10
anything remotely design related or work supplies.
If you are working at home:
% of your rent/mortgage
% of your auto/insurance/gas
- edd-e0
mag subs- yes
cable tv- maybe, can be research
web hosting- yes
internet access- yes
rent- half of it