Successful Freelancing: Top 10 Tips!

At <a href="http://www.cgindia.org">www.cgindia.org</a>, we often get email from people who are considering leaving a large firm to go freelance or to work in a small freelance studio. Here are some tips we can offer. Of course, not all the tips apply to all designers. But we think many of them will be useful for freelancers or small studios working the areas of graphics, design, 3d animation, architectural visualization and computer graphics. Financial Security Going freelance is quite a tough decision to make, mainly because of the financial issues. Can you afford it? It's important to review your current financial standing and support system. You'll will want to have ample savings because freelance income is not regular. Also, discuss your decision to "go freelance" with your family to make sure you have their support and willingness to help you financially until you break even. This is an important reality check. Having some savings, and family support, will give you the peace of mind you need to work efficiently. Projects In Hand If it's the case that you have been working for a company and you have been offered some outside projects, you may start to wonder if it's time to go out on your own as a freelancer. At this point, you will want to evaluate the advantages of working on your own with respect to your current job and working conditions. Consider your financial security (as explained above). Also, check to see if you can get more projects once current projects in hand are completed. If you decide to make the move to freelance work, don't leave your current job without notice. Try to finish your pending work. And if the company wants you to stay, offer to work independently on their projects if possible. What's In the Name Once you make the decision to freelance or form a freelance studio, you'll want to choose a name for the new business. This is an important step in creating a professional identity. You will want to consider whether you should use your own name or a studio name such as "xyzx studio." If you are using a studio name, look for one that defines your "thinking" or "style of work" as a design team. Or pick a striking or tech-savvy or futuristic or may be even animal name. If you are going out solo, choosing you own name rather than a studio name may have some advantages. For instance, the client won't expect you to have great infrastructure. In addition, you are building your own name. Keep in mind that you may be able to charge a bit more if you work as a studio rather than as an individual.  Self Promotion To freelance successfully, you must be prepared to promote yourself, online and offline.  1. Create on online portfolio. The first step in promotion is to build your own professional portfolio website. It's best to buy your own domain name and pay for hosting space, because this looks more professional than using a sub-domain name on a free hosting website. But, if for financial or other reasons you can't do this, the next-best option is to have your portfolio site hosted on a reputable domain, preferrable one that hosts other professionals in your field and which which minimizes annoying ads (an example is <a href="http://www.coroflot.com">coroflot.com</a>).  2. Email prospective clients. Once you've set up a site, email prospective clients and give them the link to your portfolio. In your email, describe the services you offer, advantages of hiring you, competitiveness of your rates, references, your skill level and special expertise. In addition to promoting yourself online, you may want to create an interactive CD/DVD for your portfolio and send it to your perspective clients. Caution: Never repeatedly mail (or spam) using any bulk-mail delivering services. 3. Enter <a href="www.cgindia.org/search/label/competition/">competitions</a>. They give you the opportunity practice your skills and display your talent, as well as a chance to gain recognition and prizes. Networking: Networking is essential to freelance success. If you don't think of yourself as a social animal now, wake up to this reality (or, as we say in India, "one tight slap!"). First, tell everyone you know that you are in business. Then join online forums, groups, and business and social networking sites to expand your network. It's important to interact with people in the same industry. If a project isn't exactly right for you, pass the business along to a freelancer friend. Ideally, this will become a two-way process and you will get projects referred from them. At times, you may be able to take on big projects by forming a collaborative team with one or more of your freelancers in your network. Infrastructure Of course, bigger is always better. But a freelancer is rarely able to start out with much of an infrastructure because of financial constraints. Start with the necessary hardware and software. After that, your priorities should include stationery (visiting cards, letterhead, etc.), high-speed Internet, mobile phone, and a fax machine. As you climb the ladder of success, continually build your infrastructure. Organize and Time Management: For a freelancer, being your own boss has both benefits and pitfalls. You will need to closely manage your time and organize your work, since no one will be there to remind you. You may feel isolated and even lonely away from the social environment of a company. The solution for this varies from person to person. You can always go online to explore and learn new things (or take classes); socialize online and offline; and even take breaks with computer games. Offshoring / Outsourcing vs. "Elancing" Keep in mind that terms such as "offshoring" and "outsourcing" refer to work at large companies. If you are a small freelancer, even if you are working remotely for international clients, the most accurate term for what you are doing is "elancing" (electronic freelancing). Think of yourself as a member of a global community of designers, rather than as cheap labor. And when you promote yourself to prospective clients, don't talk about outsourcing — just show the competitiveness of your rates. Patience, Persistence and Hard Work Freelancing requires patience, persistence, and hard work. In addition, you must truly love your work, and be self-motivated. Even if you experience times when you are without projects, this is not necessarily bad. It will give you an opportunity to explore, to think, and to be creative. But then you need to return and re-dedicate yourself to growing your freelance business. Success is just a few steps away! 2008-01-19T20:40:56Z

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successful-freelancing-top-10-tips

2008-02-01T18:52:12Z

Top 10 tips on how to succeed as a freelancer.

Successful Freelancing: Top 10 Tips!

2009-02-24T09:42:56Z