Freelance practice...
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- jbucks
I've worked in a studio for a couple of years, now I'm thinking of going freelance. But I don't know how it actually works: do freelancers book days of the week at studios? How does it work, do you have an interview, agree to freelance, then work per project? I'm looking for advice on the business aspect of being a freelancer...
- rasko40
agencies call you when they need you, ditch you when they dont.
You would obviously have to go and see them before you start but its not really an 'interview' as such, afterall - you are self employed.
- Dancer0
yeah, I get calls from agencies, but I do not rely totally on that. I send in my CV to agencies that are local to me and explan that the style of work they do is similar to my book.
I also have a number of my own clients to keep me busy at all the other times.
Never turn down a job, and always make people aware of what you could do for them
- mbr0
What do you guys get paid by agencies, or what is the norm? It's been my understanding that they essentially double what you ask for - true or false?
Just curious.
- seventys0
Well, that really depends on your experience, and how much you make now. I don't know of anyone who's asked for anything over $100/hr and has gotten it. But you can expect to get paid more per hour as a freelancer. How much more is up to you and your client to decide.
- Dancer0
Haven't had the need to use an agency yet.
Hoping that I won't have to.... ever.
- contra0
What do you guys get paid by agencies, or what is the norm? It's been my understanding that they essentially double what you ask for - true or false?
Just curious.
mbr
(Mar 22 06, 04:56)Me: I want 300 a day...
Agency: Would you accept 600?
- e-pill0
as a freelancer you must always remember a few things.
you must tax out yourself meaning at least 38%-40% from every every check and out it aside [this money belongs to the govt for taxes] as a freelancer you must claim your wages in advance [meaning you must estimate your future earnings] quarterly. this is done because a freeelancer can have lots of work or none at all and every week is different.
always get it in writing. i cant stress enough to get it in writing, get every action you make in writing. al wages, all work, all comps get it all down, and dont hand write it either, type it out professionally. if you need contracts goto:
Graphics Artist Guild
http://gag.org/good luck!!!
also everything is a complete write off, meaning your rent your food, your fun, your supplies, anything you spend is a write off or at least half of it.
welcome to the world of more money!!!!
- BONE0
Found this book quite interessting to read.
"How To Be a Graphic Designer"-Adrian Shaugnessy
Well worth the money.
- e-pill0
about agencies...
i would stay away as much as possible unless they are your reps.
usually an agency needs to ask for a greater fee which is money that should be going to you if you didnt use them.
the problem is once you sign with an agency you can not talk to the company on the side. be careful, especially if they give you time cards. [on most time cards - small print its a binding contract] be careful if you want to freelance in other design firms b/c this contact may hold you back from working in other houses.
word of mouth is usually my best way to land the big bucks and the big accounts.
a working freelancer who is an ok designer will get a job quicker than an advanced non-working freeelancer. this is a tough field and the business of so many hungry and so many designers in the mix causes for so many bumps.
always ask for a number that may seem extreme to you. you never know and the company may just want to dish out a larger fee for a short term worker.
never stop looking for work. as a freelancer you must always be hungry for work and always tell your clients you have other clients, it makes them want to keep you in their environment longer and possibily can lead to a great and prosperous friendship wit hyou and future clients.
again good luck!!!
:)
- gpop0
I'm not sure everything is accountable against the tax! Rent and food is an iffy one! - though buy as many design mas, toys, and gadgets as you want!
I freelance but I also work for a London based design agency, I have worked in the studio with them but 98% I work from home - this often depends on the agnecy as a lot like you at their desks - that's not really for me!
I also have my own clients besides the agencies but this takes up a lot more effort with chasing invoices, payments etc - but then the money is more this way so pays for the time (if you make sure its in your estimate!).
Depends how you wanna freelance! I would recommend going through agencies until you nail your very won clients or you have to put in some hard graft to get them on your own.
always keep up with old clients! even ones you have worked with through the agencies! it never harms and youll find things fall ino your lap that way!
\right - a nice smoke, a walk, a lego shop, and a funlance afternoon for me! :)
- joyride0
Listen to ePill about the taxes... that is the sooo important. Then you won't have to bitch come tax time like most. I've learned my lesson last year, even though it wasn't that bad. It still sucks estimating, making quarterly payments and still oweing money at tax time. Keep GOOD records!!! And rough out a business plan (at least), it will help guide you and is good practice.
- e-pill0
gpop makes a great point:
"I would recommend going through agencies until you nail your very own clients"
freelancing can be difficult but it takes learning to get it done, once you figure out [your own niche] then its easy and you may question how you were so naive.
get a great accountant... and let them crunch your numbers.
the single most important thing a freelancer must do is to prove your spending. meaning RECEIPTS RECEIPTS!!!
meaning each time you goto the ATM, buy food, supplies, goto the movies, rent, bills, utilities, anything get a receipt and save it. come tax time you may need it in case you get audited. i personaly havent ever been audited but i am not scared either as i have a receipt for every action i do and my accountant always gets me back at $5000 at tax time and usually i am taxing out at a higher tax bracket than i should.
this is something that shouldnt be taken lightly. as a freelancer claiming your quarterly earnings and lets say you are claiming that in 1st quarter 2006 you made $30k but in 2nd quarter you make $35k and now you have to claim for 3rd quarter and you estimate $33k but you dont work and well lets say you only earn $12k. you must pay the amount you claimed weather you made it or not.
this can be an issue for an automatic audit. its a scary feeling. thisis why an account is needed, they need to be there to crunch your earnings into real time money. you have so much that you can do to keep your earnings that we just dont know the laws but an accountant dose and believe me there is soooooo many loop holes in keeping your money...
yes its your money!!! not the govt!!!! always they pay me and i keep all!!!
thats the freelance way!!!
i tripled my earnings last year as i started freelancing and left the full time world.
its not the best life in terms of work but i am working hard and i am now in a new tax bracket and so happy!!!
i am smiling everyday!!!!
when i was fulltime i was stressed and moody and cranky...
:)
- Dancer0
What gpop said apart from when I worked fulltime, doing freelance on the side was a big no no, people still did it but most contracts(UK) state you can't work for anyone else.
I love freelancing but ultimately I will take on a full time job as I love the atmosphere in good agencies. The beauty is I now have the luxary of picking who I want to work for.
Gpop how are you finding London after moving down from the N.E. I miss Newcastle alot :(
- e-pill0
ok..this kid i used to work with from man y years ago just called me asking for some help.
now i placed this kid wit ha client of mine who i share a strong bond with and this kid walk off the job and now is asking me if i have any more work for him.
i told him that he ruined his own rep and now he has to fihggure it out on his own and help is now over. and that his relationship with myself is also over.
my advise to you is to never screw up any relationships ever no matter what!!!
you never know how it will effect your relationships with other clients going foward.
this kid doesnt understand what he did wrong. he has an attitude problem and now he is suffering for it.
again good luck!!!
- jbucks0
Awesome, thanks for the helpful thoughts!