Getting Freelance Work
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- Benja82
Whats the best way to get freelance work, do you find cold calling works? Any other tips?
- akrokdesign0
having a working online portfolio is always good.
- evanburke0
go for something a little more natural, and less forced. Cold calling makes you come off like a salesman, someone only interested in money. Instead, find opportunities or events that can actually let you relate to people, make small talk, make jokes, and find out what problems their business/organization are facing.
This might be your local chamber of commerce meetings, professional events and trade shows, and even community social or political events that would draw out business owners.
It sounds like a lot of work, but it's really not. One such event might bag you 10 potential clients.
- WeLoveNoise0
as the phonics used to say "Word Gets Around"
[they also said "more life in a tramp's vest" but dont think that applies in this case]
- tangoxray30
It never hurts to hit up someone that does work for you. Theres half a chance your mechanic or your carpet cleaner needs something done.
- vaxorcist0
Hang out with people who are more likely to be your clients than your competitors....
- gramme0
Yeah, what vaxorcist said. AIGA stuff can be useful if you want to meet other designers for solidarity etc., but you won't find potential clients that way.
evanburke's advice is good too; I need to do more of this stuff myself.
Agree about cold-calling too. In a field so driven by subjectivity and the intense opinions and personal interest people take in the brands of their organizations, cold-calling just doesn't do any good. Relationships are everything—the more people you know in general, and know well, and who can vouch for you—the better your chances of getting work. You never know where you'll meet potential clients. This reminds me, I really need to start going to gallery openings and so on.
Case in point, my biggest client right now is a good friend with whom I got to know through my church.