Need advice on going freelance?

Question

I am in a crap job right now, and want to do design work. I have the skills, and qualifications for it, but no idea how to get a client base, other than mail dropping example work. Any good ideas on how to start out?
By the way I don't fancy getting a job in design working fro someone else. As stubborn as that may sound ;)

yeah that was pretty dumb of me :)

Want to do poster/flyer design, wether it be advertising, or promotion material.

2 diplomas in art
Batchelor degree in New media Graphic Design

Answer 1

First off, you're not even describing freelance. A freelancer works for others. You said you want clients so you want to start your own home design business. Fine.

1) Focus on web and not print. You can charge more and it's far easier to design for the web.

2) You get a client base by having a portfolio first. This is not a chicken-egg situation...you create a portfolio of designs for companies that are NOT looking to hire you.

Why? Because it's silly to wait for the right company to hire you for the right job...you need to establish that you're already good.

Example...find a local company that has a lousy logo. You design a new one, or ten. Send it to them unsolicited..."here's what I think your logo should look like...I'm available to discuss further customization...etc.".

They don't care? (most won't)...no problem...in your portfolio it goes because what does the company hiring you or not have to do with showing people a design you created?

Nothing. Create the portfolio without delay and have no reservations whatsoever that you have "created logos for dozens of companies". (If a company hired you to create a logo and didn't use would you not show others what you created? Of course not.)

Same with websites...find a site you don't like...make a new version.

Then get a website, buy some search engine advertising (local only!) and you'll get new clients. Start at $25-$35 per hour with a goal of 10 work hours per week.

There ya go...best answer.


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Someone below me mentioned an article about starting a design business...it's a good article except or TWO MAJOR POINTS!

1) "Logos and Business Cards:: Nearly every company wants an eye catching logo and business card but many are not comfortable in approaching big design companies for such a small project."

NO NO NO!!!

These companies don't approach big design companies because 99% of them want to pay $25 for business cards at Kinkos. I have designed some incredible business cards and perhaps only 1 in 20 is willing to pay $100 for that design.

*YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE A LIVING SELLING DESIGN SERVICES ON THE LOW END (TYPICALLY BLUE COLLAR)...THOSE FOLKS ARE GOING TO BE HAPPY WITH KINKOS.---ESPECIALLY WITH LOGOS BECAUSE YOU'RE DEALING WITH FOLKS WHO HAVE NO IDEA HOW A LOGO REALLY WORKS AND WILL PRETEND TO BE THE ART DIRECTOR. YOU THINK YOU HATE WHAT YOU'RE DOING NOW...JUST WAIT.

>> Decide upon 4 – 5 areas you want to concentrate on. I would look at real estate, plumbers, electricians, lawn care, home cleaning, and restaurants. These have a large group of small businesses seeking to differentiate themselves.

EVERY BUSINESS IS LOOKING TO DIFFERENTIATE THEMSELVES! DUH!

These are all BAD CHOICES because they either blue collar and don't care about design (kinko's mentality) or the they're going to use a niche design company (realtor) because those folks are special needs, particularly with websites.

My Advice is very simple:

Do NOT! design logos.
YES...design print materials for WHITE COLLAR businesses...financial, accountants, lawyer, photographer, even mortgages. Those folks are MARKETING, not ADVERTISING! The reason they dress the way they do is because they understand that image has meaning...wearing a tie isn't a uniform to them but part of the marketing dynamic.

YES YES YES! on websites. White collar.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Sounds like you have the qualifications. Here is one of my articles which will help you out - too long to post here.

Designing Your New Business – Setting Up A Design Business
http://www.articleshut.com/index.php?page=article&article_id=27053

Good luck

Answer 4

I see you can write nice resume and have a chance to be great freelancer. Post your resume on some freelancing sites. And don't keep just one, post on several sites, you''ll see where you have greater success.

Answer 5

That is hard to say. You didn't say what type of design work you were looking for, and exactly what are your skills and qualifications.

Answer that and I might be able to help you.