General Forums >> Design Bistro >> Making a living as a freelancer?
Making a living as a freelancer?
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Posted 4 months ago I worked as a graphic designer in corporate world until I was downsized 18 months ago. In addition to looking for full-time work, I've been freelancing online. Turns out, I love working from home (but I'm not turning down a full-time gig) and the work is much more rewarding than in corporate. The only problem is that I seem to be competing with people in places where they can live on $1/day. I give 110% on every job and the feedback has been 100% positive ... but when the dust settles, it works out that I've made about $2 - 3 per hour or less. If I charge a decent rate, I don't get the job (at least, that's been my experience so far). If anyone is making a living as a freelancer, please tell me how you make enough to support yourself. PLEASE! Thanks. |
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| Posted 4 months ago With freelance there is the adage of feast or famine - there are times when there is too much work and times when there is too little. It sounds like what might be happening is that you don't have a solid clientele base. This could be causing you to try and scramble for smaller clients, smaller projects and playing the cutthroat game with other designers. My advice would pull your resources and focus on appealing to clients that will come back with more projects. Use the resources you have to your advantage - mainly your personal connection and a sharp folio - to establish a repoire with clients local to your place of business. Try to appeal with businesses that will have a growing need for design work and help them grow that need. Target businesses such as resturants (printwork, menues, websites), law offices (stationary, business cards, websites) and other private practices. Think of your approach to these clients as a one-two punch - your personal approach followed by a clean folio - that will knockout your prospects. Do some research to know your prospect and tailor your folio to fix them on the notion of a creative vision. Walk them through how you can help foster their public image (think PR) rather than providing short bursts of design work. A solid clientele base will be the foundation against the design famine. Simpson |
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| Posted 4 months ago I've been in the industry for more than 10 years. Started out at a offset printing factory, later moved on to shopping Complex management & now I'm working in an advertising company. During those years, I've done quite a fair share of freelancing.. The way I see it, freelance jobs are a cool way to get some extra cash.. but to do it as your day job could turn out to be quite a drag.. 1. Job offers won't be consistent. There can be too many at one time but almost nothing the other times... 2. People who engage freelance artists usually have the idea that freelance artists are cheap... so, it's quite hard to quote a fair price for the work.. too high.. and the next freelance will get the job.. too low... well...is it worth the effort? I' tired of it... Recently, me & a couple of friends (designers also) have started our very own company.. One of us already quit his job & does all the running around and run the business.. while the others are doing the artworks just like a freelance. maybe one day all of us can quit and run this small company together.. P/S: We Just landed a big job to design, supply & install signages & other graphic materials at a local mall yesterday... hmmm.. maybe I'll have to quit my job earlier than planned |
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| Posted 4 months ago I agree. Freelance has become a rather difficult business in recent years. If you're lucky enough to have a few return clients that know and respect your work, then you're moving in the right direction. Unfortunately (and I'm guilty of utilizing a few of these) there are a good number of new (and some old) sites that pit freelancers against eachother in competition to "win" projects. This is VERY good for the client, who has the luxury of picking through 20-100+ different designs from different artists, and then, ultimately paying a bargain price ($150-$500) when they find what they're looking for. Although I am guilty of participating in a number of these (hey, the chance of some extra money in the pocket can be very tempting), I actually think that this could be a prelude to the death of freelance as we know it. I'd really like to know if anybody else here has participated in any of these "competitions" and would appreciate any feedback/opinions on the subject. Best MarcusAurelius Every Saint Has a Past, Every Sinner Has A Future |