freeeeeelance!
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- RoyBoy0
don't burn any bridges.
Go for it!
- spifflink0
how do you typically go about getting jobs and clients? i am networking and everything whatever, I can do, but how do you guys do it?
- spifflink0
thank you so much guys, that freakin rad advice. but the place i worked before wasn't a place that i could get jobs from really, they are a shitty web hosting/design packaged as one supercrappy corporate deal. lame. there arent very many agenciess around here, in fact i can only think of one. but i will start looking i suppose. what do i do to set up relationships with them if i have never met them before?
- forcetwelve0
well done! i posted the same thing here a while back and havn''t looked back since.
make a good solid contact in a studio that you can rely on (even if the work is not that great) when things are quiet. having some work instead of none does wonders for your stress level.
keep money aside from every invoice for tax or you will hate yourself later.
dont be afraid to work 3x the hours for a client if you believe the relationship will be a winner.
good luck
- honest0
do not throw ANY receipts away.
get hooked up with a decent accountant.
promo is never a waste of time
when a job sounds too good to be true, think twice before accepting it
- ryoshu0
To add/reinforce the other posters:
0) talent - you have this or you aren't freelancing
1) contacts - you need at least one. It can be a former employer, an agency you've worked with, etc. You need one source of work. If you don't have that, then you have to be a hell of a marketeer (for yourself).
2) accountant - otherwise you will be suffering at tax time. You never pay for a good accountant. Find one that knows how to deal with freelancers.
3) contacts - you need more. Don't burn bridges[0]. Clients can be really rough, but work through it. Freelancers don't get alot of respect. But we get to make our own schedules, so it all comes out in the end.[0] - unless it's CPB. Burn that bridge. Actually, dust that bridge with thermite before you cross it and strike up the magnesium. But I may be biased.
- davey_g0
Have some ample savings in the bank + a few cases of ramen noodles for the rough times.
- Dancer0
when a job sounds too good to be true, think twice before accepting it
honest
(Aug 8 06, 01:26)I disagree. Never say no to a job ya never no when you are going to have a quiet period.
- doddster0
if a job sounds too good to be true then ask for half payment up front - if theyre serious it won't be an issue and at least then you're part covered.
theres quite a few posts on here abou different bits off advice from people (including myself) who have done the same.
best of luck!
- forcetwelve0
also know when to turn down a job if it's not the type of work you would like to be doing - especially if it's going to take all your time and prevent you from doing other better work.
- Crouwel0
when a job sounds too good to be true, think twice before accepting it
honest
(Aug 8 06, 01:26)I disagree. Never say no to a job ya never no when you are going to have a quiet period.
Dancer
(Aug 8 06, 02:08)no. i know exactly what honest means.
for instance people that come up to you with something "prestigious" and actually talk you into a lower fee etc. and/or they promise you so "much more opportunities" after this one, while in fact, you won't hear anything.
there's cunts and bitches without any morals out there, that solely hire you over a big studio for the fact that they can "mold" you.....
BEWARE.
that's all i am saying, and i think honest too..
- normal0
1. Learn to persevere.
2. Start making contacts with suppliers:
a) Printers in your area get them to give you a meeting find out what they do and get a contact there
b) Small agencies in your area that may be able to push work your way when they are too busy
c) Anyone else that may be necessary down the road such as back-end developers for web projects and the like3. Always get money and an inked contracted as soon as possible from new clients. That will easily seperate the time wasters from the serious ones.
4. Always charge something for what you do no matter what, especially clients who say it'll be good for your portfolio.
5. Be firm it is better to state what you want/deserve and not get it then to get screwed.
6. Friends will inevitably have projects for you, accept them based on your best judgement but treat it as any other business and make sure to charge.
7. Realise that a large part of your time will now be taken up by business adminstration, responding to requests, putting out fires, and chasing invoices.
8. Know that you will inevitably get screwed over at some point and learn to move on.
9. The more boring the work, the better the pay. Inevitably 80 percent of what you do will be crap work initially. With luck and experience that ratio will change.
10. Know that you will make mistakes, try learn from them.
11. Spend as little as possible on equipment until it becomes absolutely necessary to have it and then look for ways to make it pay for itself.
Good luck.
- honest0
when a job sounds too good to be true, think twice before accepting it
honest
(Aug 8 06, 01:26)I disagree. Never say no to a job ya never no when you are going to have a quiet period.
Dancer
(Aug 8 06, 02:08)Dancer's point is valid and true, my comment was referring to the situation whereby your buddy calls you from Dubai selling you this wonderful six month art director vacancy only to arrive with your luggage in a sandy town in a non-air conditioned hut with two work experience students one of whom has a problem with her head stuck up her backside and the other guy not know which is his elbow and which is his ass.
Do some research first!!!
- blastofv0
network like crazy
tell everyone you know and everyone you meet that you're a solo designer
bring business cards with you everywhere you go, and don't hand out the ones with beat up corners
traditional direct mail, cold-calls, print advertising is mostly a waste of money, as hardly anyone sees an ad and then decides they need a new brochure
join your local/regional chamber of commerce, and get friendly with everyone
- _salisae_0
i'm impressed .. excellent advice given
- epill_0
receipts and write offs!!!
good luck!!
:)
- letters0
Practice safe design – use a contract!
Cant say it enough. Write up a descent contract (rights, permissions, costs, revisions, cancellation fees, etc.) and use it every time.
Be sure to get money in advance. 50/50, 30/30/30, some arrangement.
And remember, you're defined by the work you DONT do, as well as the work you do.
- Dancer0
when a job sounds too good to be true, think twice before accepting it
honest
(Aug 8 06, 01:26)I disagree. Never say no to a job ya never no when you are going to have a quiet period.
Dancer
(Aug 8 06, 02:08)no. i know exactly what honest means.
for instance people that come up to you with something "prestigious" and actually talk you into a lower fee etc. and/or they promise you so "much more opportunities" after this one, while in fact, you won't hear anything.
there's cunts and bitches without any morals out there, that solely hire you over a big studio for the fact that they can "mold" you.....
BEWARE.
that's all i am saying, and i think honest too..
Crouwel
(Aug 8 06, 02:52)Ok, this can be true. I suppose I have never had a client yet that has done this
*touches Woody*
One thing I do make sure is laying out the costs right form the start and keeping them informed of any additional cost as I go. I generally do not budge on prices unless the client has give me more jobs, contacts, etc...
BTW Have fun!! Being a freelance is great when the goings good, really fel like you are running your own life and making proper money without completely selling your soul.
- blastofv0
something to add here: don't sell yourself short, and don't give the work away on the cheap. if you promote yourself as 'affordable', it'll be harder and harder to break that mould. it's hard to turn down quick and cheap work when you're starting out, but you'd be better off valuing your skills and expertise, and turning down the shit jobs. better jobs and higher commissions will follow.
- honest0
buy a games console and take up snowboarding/surfing