How far can you go as a Freelancer?
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- breadlegz
I'm curious.
Some would say that the point of business is to start one, build it, then get people to do what you did and then eventually move out of it, get someone to run it, or sell it...
However... when freelancers start a business, they mainly do it because they love design, writing or whatever... so the plan is just to do MORE of that.
So, how far can you really take your freelance business? Are they all destined to have a ceiling?
- neue75_bold0
If I would have stuck to freelancing, my aim would be to be recognised for what I do best and be commissioned either by studio/agency or client to do that job that comes up that I'm better suited to execute than anyone else... A hired gun in essence... The idea would be to position yourself as an industry leader and have enough potential work coming in that you can pick and choose what you want to do and who you want to work with...
Maybe I'm just stating the obvious though as I'd imagine this could be the major drive for anyone to choose freelance vs fulltime...
- supersalzman0
The worst kind of businesses are the non-scalable ones, where you're selling your time.
There's only 24 hours in a day and you'll always hit a ceiling selling your time.
- It is very scaleable when you get busy enough to get others to help you with the workloadckentish
- PonyBoy0
You take it as far as you wish to... anyone who tells you otherwise is a fool... how do you think any massive business came into existence? Someone started it somewhere - whether their intent was self preservation as a freelancer orrrr... perhaps they had no intent at all - but rather plenty of passion and just kept taking the next step... you take it as far as you wish to take it.
- neue75_bold0
I suppose the difference here is what reasons you have to be in this industry, doing great work, or just looking to build something up for the purpose of selling it off... I'd tend to think if it's the latter, you'd be better off in property development...
- blaw0
Exactly what PonyBoy said. Every business starts somewhere, with design/photography/illustration... it's generally as a freelancer.
On the other side of the coin:
My boss at my first design job freelanced on the side and eventually quit the main gig and has worked full-time freelance ever since. He gets plenty of work, but also plenty of time to work in his garden, go fishing, etc. There is no way you could ever get that guy to add staff.It amounts to what your goals are, I suppose.
- blaw0
Also, the idea that you get to do more design, writing, etc. when you are the one running the show is inaccurate. You do, however, get to add sales, marketing, billing, etc. to your daily tasks.
- Amicus0
If certain types of work tickle your fancy as a freelancer you can always farm the other work out and still make some dosh. Eventually you'll find people you work well with and this can lead to partnerships or other formalised business ventures that can grow anywhere, leaving you with a business where you are doing what you love, but also building a saleable or willable business.
- MondoMorphic0
I disagree, blaw. When I worked at a company, I literally sat in meetings all day long and only started doing actual design work once I got home at night. Now, I have few meetings and spend the vast majority of my day designing. Yes, there are other tasks that need to be performed like sales and bookkeeping, but for me at least, that's way less than the amount of time I spent sitting in mindless, soul-draining meetings.
- stewdio0
This is one of the most mature and productive threads on QBN in recent memory. Cheers.
- lukus_W0
... from bed to desk with a kitchen stop in-between.
- breadlegz0
I'm interested to know some of your goals when you started as freelancers and what they are now?
- lukus_W0
Initially, I wanted a higher quality of life, more interesting projects and just enough money to live.
I've found it's difficult to realise this dream. I find client negotiations tough, basically because I don't have enough experience with this side of things - and I don't think I've experience all flavours of client yet .. some are obviously a complete nightmare.
Of course, there's a need to wear multiple hats as a freelancer - you have to be a business person too, and deciding _where_ you dedicate your time is just as important as completing good-quality work.
I think this year I'm going to need to start stepping back to consider whether it's feasible to take a job on - but when you're keen continue a flow of work, I've found there's often a desire to accept everything. Some jobs really aren't worth it.
Also - get an office. Working from home is a complete and utter nightmare. You'll probably get cabin fever.
Now I want more straightforward projects, enough money to buy everything I want - and a nine to five existence. Freelance might become part time again in 2010 - I'll either get another office-based job or start working for an agency part time.
- lukus_W0
I think in terms of professional goals, a lot of designers are able to build up a personal brand - and the pursuit of industry/community kudos is definitely something that's compatible with freelancing.
Maybe if you start freelancing, it could be worth aiming to get invited to a few conferences to speak? That kind of route could be a interesting journey maybe.
- dog_opus0
Freelance work to me is a huge bonus, since I live in rural/suburban Massachusetts, far from any major metropolitan areas. I can't support myself with it, so I teach and work two part-time design/production jobs. I'm still very happy overall, though, to be in the field I love, especially nowadays when so many people are looking for work.
- breadlegz0
How many projects are you simultaneously working on?
- pascii0
no career. no boss. more freedom. handyman.
- breadlegz0
Thank you all for the great replies