Freelance is the way forward
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- lessfloor
For the last 5 years this has been keeping me sweet
- d_rek0
2 degrees, 7 years later, here I sit, working in-house, comfy salary, good benefits, normal hours...
... producing animated gifs for half-baked campaign.
*thinks about his next paycheck.
- lessfloor0
But we are in so demand at the moment. we can work anywhere. and do what we love on the side - make animated gifs :) and post photos of japanese traffic lights (occasionally).
- hopefully your freelance doesn't inlcude copywriting.cbass99
- good one.doesnotexist
- CyBrainX0
I want to make saturday morning cartoons
- mg330
As I've been out of work for the past 1 1/2 months, I've given some thought to doing freelance work but not sure if I'd want to do it long-term. I've had two jobs in the past 10 years, 5 years each both with good companies. The things d_rek mentions are important - good salary, benefits, job security.
I just don't know where I'd start for freelance work to be honest, especially since I am mostly focused on UX/IA stuff and that's the direction I'd prefer to keep my career headed towards.
- make the jump dudelessfloor
- There is a huge need for freelance UX peeps. Where are you located?monkeyshine
- lessfloor0
UX/IA stuff pays well. like £500 per day if yr good. Honestly we're laughing mate.
- lessfloor0
Full time comes nowhere close.
- fredddddd0
It's all about work environment.
- is it? I thought it was about earning money to live.lessfloor
- well, you're wrong.doesnotexist
- Working in a fun place is better than being alone at home.fredddddd
- But working on your own is more fun than a boring office.fredddddd
- lessfloor0
Yeah - also downside to freelancing is not knowing peoples strengths. But you juts havr to make it happen and own it
- lessfloor0
Best way to build up a great body of work as you get to pick and choose.
- lessfloor0
This is the way its going as every company now needs to know exactly what yr working on - giving you no downtime to post gifs! INNIT :)
- ArmandoEstrada0
ive been freelancing for 12 years, doing web shit, working on TV commercial sets, photography sets, shooting stuff etc. Ive kept very busy. Lately concentrating on a commercial directing career but doing websites as main source of income until i get more work doing commercials.
Its been a struggle every day, not knowing when your next check is coming, but I feel blessed that the days of having $5 in my bank account are far fewer in between.
I can set my own schedule, wake up when i want to, work as long as I want to, leave when i feel like it etc. As long as I meet my client deadlines and expectations, its all good. This has allowed me to work on some amazing film and photography shoots and nurture my other creative skills.
I wouldnt trade it in for a steady job anytime soon.
- Exactly - so true. I used to shit myself when i finished a contract. But something would always come in within a week and keep me safelessfloor
- lessfloor0
Also lets keep these discussions light - someone please post a gif.
- lessfloor0
It's also about getting the job done well, keeping on the good side of people and being genuinely nice geezer to have around. (but all these things take a huge amount of effort).
- pinkfloyd0
I freelanced for a full year and enjoyed the lifestyle. Too bad it slowed down towards the end so I went back to fulltime. Now, I just chill, and freelance during evenings whenever I get something.
- ukit20
Freelancing on site or off? Pretty big difference there
- breadlegz0
mg33 - "I just don't know where I'd start for freelance work to be honest, especially since I am mostly focused on UX/IA stuff and that's the direction I'd prefer to keep my career headed towards. "
Work out the benefits of what you do for a client. Pick a market that need it the most. Target them through various means. Start conversations. Get meetings. Get sales.
- hektor9110
Freelance is the way to go. I've been doing for almost 11 years. Couple of months ago I was able to take surf lessons in the morning and work in the afternoons for a couple of weeks in cabo. But, its not all fun guys. Sometimes I do enjoy working for a company in-house.
- breadlegz0
For me, it's been over 12 years since I was employed. I handed in my notice and never looked back.
> Has it been hard? - Yes.
> Have I wanted to give up? - Many times.
> Is it worth it when you can have a day off whenever you like, schedule your own time and finish early most days? - Yes