In Freelance designing, what are the best ways in producing business for yourselves?
Designer looking to get into freelance to i’ve start business or improved the possibility of proper full time work with a company.
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Not sure what training you have, I am currently in school and we are doing a corporate identity, pretty much annually now. They get more and complex. Really a portfolio piece, the companies don’t exist. Bringing me to the portfolio, so important. Just keep working, when you can. I will take any small contract, menus for a restaurant, flyers for random local businesses, friends are a great resource. Who doesn’t benefit from a great looking advert or press kit about their company.
Basically just keep building your professional portfolio up. Especially if you freelance. You can try putting adverts in the paper , I have had mixed success with that. Some cities are better than others, mine is currently small and not very design-centric, at all.
As for getting into a company, haven’t figured that out yet. But I assume a solid body of work will definitely be an asset.
I’m a freelancer. I’ve been one for 14 years. I’ve got work up to my eyeballs with great clients who trust me and pay me very well. My work is creatively fulfilling and I’ve got flexibility to make my own schedules, work from home, etc. (of course it also comes with a lot of stress, deadlines, all-nighters, etc.)
I’d say the best way to improve your business in the early stages is to constantly set up meetings to show your portfolio to art directors at ad agencies, magazines, corporate art departments, etc. You can find these places by doing google searches using the name of your nearest city (i.e.”San Diego Advertising Agency”). You can’t be shy. Just say “hi I’m a freelance designer I’d love to come in and show my portfolio. Is there an art director I can speak with?” Then just show up and show your stuff. The whole goal is to pick up on other names of art directors (ask!) and then visit them as well. Sooner or later someone will latch onto you.
Step 2 is to say “yes” to every project that comes your way. Even if this means you need to spend days learning new software and sleepless nights working to deadlines. The goal at this stage is to always be on time, always deliver what’s asked, and always bill within budget (even if you eat some hours)
Also:
Make sure you have samples of your work available online. And post an ad on craigslist every couple of weeks if you’re slow. (if you live in the sticks, post in big cities like SF, LA, NY and say you work remotely. But you know, freelancing is definitely an urban career… You’ll always do better if you can show up to meetings at a moment’s notice)
So basically – always be on the lookout for new clients, always be showing your portfolio, always be adding to your portfolio, always say yes, always be learning new software and techniques, and forget about sleep!