How to get freelance projects
- Started
- Last post
- 11 Responses
- whendog
Does anyone just go "door to door" looking for work? Anyone have ideas on how to drum up some freelance work?
Thanks in advance
- arthur0
I sometimes go "email to email."
- fyoucher10
Use LinkedIn. There are a ton of ad agencies on there, even direct companies if you think you're up for the task. Look up some of the folks that do the hiring/outsourcing (like talent sourcing folks, internal recruiters, or CD's). Just be polite and ask if you'd like to connect and if they have any projects that you would be suitable for.
Search Craigslist: Believe it or not, a lot of the big agencies make posts on here. I'd use one of the search tools where you can search multiple cities.
Say hi to some of your old clients. A lot of times you hear from a potential client but nothing comes out of it. You don't email them and they don't email you for like 2 years. Shoot them an email just to say hi and give a refresher. You never know. They may have something for you.
You've got serious skills, I'm sure someone could use you.
- thisispillowhead0
i second craigslist. ive pulled some great jobs from it by searching LA and NY.
you have some great work... shouldnt be too hard for you.
- funny...the highest-profile work usually never mentions the firm name...that's what to look formonospaced
- bump790
There's a great creative staffing company that is trusted by most advertising agencies for freelancers, in the city, called CGR seven.
- Brian_Piper0
Great work Andrew. Here in Seattle, seems like there's still work to be found in interactive. I'd send your portfolio to:
http://www.razorfish.com/ (hiring full-time as well)
http://publicisinthewest.com/ (hiring full-time as well)
http://www.blastradius.com/ (putting together a new studio here)If you want, find me on LinkedIn so I can someday (hopefully) feed you some work as well. Good luck!
- u got some awesome work in there, Brian - Check your linkedinwhendog
- thank you man!Brian_Piper
- nocomply0
I know it's not exactly the most helpful advice, but I've found that the best way to get new work is to make my current clients happy. Almost all of my work these days comes by way of referral from someone who I've worked with before.
So every time I make a website for a new client, I look at it as advertising for myself.
I feel lucky to be in this situation, but when it does get slow I start emailing or calling my old clients just to "check in."
If you don't have any clients to begin with, I think you'd best be served by having a nice 'folio and talking a good game to anyone and everyone you meet.
- whendog0
Thanks everyone - I do get a lot of inquiries on Linkedin, and it definitely is becoming more and more a tool to get a lot of work.
I was just curious about other people's techniques at getting some work...Thanks!
- akrokdesign0
i usually goes after other agencies so first i hunt them down then drop them a nice email. hopefully they respond.
- funkgawz0
Get plugged into your local scene via AIGA, Tweeter, LinkedIn, or any other local social ave. You don't suck, reach out a little and things will begin to pick up.
- boobs0
I've gotten some of my best contacts talking with bankers. Not tellers and clerks, mind you, but actual bankers. Bankers know the business scene in an area, and they can give you the names of the people who really make the decisions at the businesses that are hot.
Take one out for lunch, and say, "Here's what I do for people. Who around here would have need of something like that? Who has an up-and-coming business around here that might need a web site, or some promo materials designed?"
Plus, the people that the banker turns you on to, can in turn turn you on to a few more people--pretty soon you know everybody, and nobody thinks to do anything without calling you.