Freelance Questions
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- elPaulo
Hey all:
Where do you folks pick up your freelance work? Do you use sites like elance or guru? How do you get projects in quantity enough to keep you going financially?
Thanks!
- ukit0
It seems like a good strategy, if you are a one-person operation, is to develop relationships with agencies that farm out work to freelancers. Once you have done a job or two they grow to trust you and will send you more work.
- edd-e0
i use every possible angle i can to get the freelance gig, if it means networking thru your enemies do it!!! go thru every channel there is, every head hunter every agency and call back your old jobs, go out and meet people... the more you put yourself out there the more chances you will have to land more clients.
good luck and remember that freelancers are the strongest hustlers and that you better be strong and tone in your commitments to the job.
remember the saying, "Walk or be walked upon!" this should be your motto and before you know it, you will be turning down work.
also try to hit up the bigger cities for work. who says that you have to live near the city to accomplish the job...
all angles!!! do it and get off the net and do it in person!!!
:)
- capn_ron0
nice post. This is the kind of information I've been wondering as well.
edd-e, you have the right attitude.
ukit, how do you go about finding agencies that farm out work?
- elPaulo0
How about elance or guru? Ever use em?
I like your way of thinking edd-e
- ukit0
Elance or Guru - it is kind of a race for the bottom with a lot of people from India and China competing on there. Probably not your best bet if you want to make good $.
- Soler0
I've gotten pretty steady freelance work from places I used to work, because when they're busy they want to go to someone they know 0 that gives you and edge over a newcomer. Also, tell your friends, your parents friends, your neighbors, guy at the airport - hand out cards. Check craigslist (most are bunk but I've gotten a few good paying gigs). Creative hotlist has freelance jobs, or even respond to FT openings because sometimes they're looking for either. I've also had a ton of work come in through reps at staffing agencies who've hooked me up with their contacts - some on-site and some at-home. It all adds up.
- and local AIGA chapter - go to events or check job postingsSoler
- nicelogo_com0
I agree with ukit - sites like elance and guru are not helping raise the bar for our craft or our rates. I would highly recommend not going there. I used an agency for extra work (creative circle) but I'm disgusted with their attitude towards freelancers and their crappy rates. And I learned the hard way.
Today I could call agencys and client to get work. Find a local company that may need an extra hand. Agency, studio, manufacturer - they all need help at one time or another.
- mrbee28280
word of mouth... do good work and people will find you
- skwiotsmith0
I've talked to firms in the Twin Cities, but a lot my business comes from people I know who are too busy to take on work. That, and random phone calls.
- texascris0
some good tips here.
- antigirl0
i hear a rep is the best way to get work.
anybody have one or know of a good one in la or ny?
i am looking for a rep in both markets currently.. i have some LA leads but nothing strong in ny.
- visualplane_0
I need two freelancers bad in NYC asap