Starting Your Freelance Career

Blog post/article written for the Art Institutes' AI InSite blog, 2011

Why should you freelance?

Are you ready to make the leap to go freelance? People consider a freelance career for a variety of different reasons. Maybe your current career isn’t panning out the way you thought it would. You crave more freedom and flexibility.

For many freelancing hopefuls, the “free” in freelancing is what most appeals to them. The prospect of being your own boss and working whenever and wherever is pretty lucrative. There are definitely a lot of perks. But with these perks come inevitable instability and risk.

Melissa Ott is a graphic designer and Art Institute of Pittsburgh alumni. After working at several jobs, including a non-profit, a large manufacturer, and a small design studio, she decided to go solo and start her own design company. Now she works with a variety of diverse clients doing the work that she loves. She has also started a blog for freelancers in the design industry, sharing advice from her own experiences.

Who is hiring?

Before you go into business, it’s important that you figure out if there is a market for your skill and who is hiring. There has never been a better time to test the waters of entrepreneurship. Many companies are outsourcing work rather than hiring employees on a full-time basis. It makes sense for many employers and it might make sense for you too.

Andrea Romo is Communications Specialist at the Magee-Womens Research Institute Foundation. She has contracted Melissa for work many times and has a great perspective on why a company would benefit by using freelancers. “It makes sense to hire freelancers because you can focus your needs with a freelancer’s expertise,” she explains. “A freelancer can often add objectivity to a project. We’re engulfed in the organization and are in the office each day. A freelancer is not. They may be able to bring fresh and innovative ideas to the table.”

Are you ready?

Before you announce your resignation and dance out the doors of your full time job, a lot of planning needs to take place. First of all, chances are that you will not be pulling in a six-figure income in the first week of opening your business. “Something you learn early on as a freelancer is that the income can be totally sporadic,” says Melissa. You may need to build up a financial cushion that will keep you comfortable for six months or more. A lot of people keep working at their full-time job as they moonlight as a freelancer. When business starts to become dependable and sustainable, then they may make the decision to work at it full-time.

Branding yourself

Creating a personal brand is integral to the success of any freelance business. Set yourself apart from the crowd and create an identity for yourself before you begin going after clients. “Set up a website and be sure to get testimonials from people you’ve done work with in the past that will back up your skill level, work ethic and character,” says Melissa.

Have business cards printed that match the design of your website. “Make sure your branding is excellent and marketable because that’s going to be a major part of your image and will hopefully pique a potential client’s interest,” Melissa advises.

Social media is playing a major role in the business world and can be particularly useful for entrepreneurs. Create a Facebook page for your business, sign up on Twitter, and complete your LinkedIn profile.

Market Yourself

An entrepreneur wears many hats, and one of the most important is the marketer hat. As a designer, writer, or programmer, this might be the last thing you want to do, but the reality is that without clients there is no job. Your first few months as a freelancer will be spent rigorously trying to market yourself to potential customers. There is no way around it, but it’s not as terrifying as it may seem.

Freelancers seek out clients in different ways, and you have to try a few out to see what works for you. Compile a list of clients you’d like to target, people who you think could benefit from your services. Try an email campaign, snail mail, or cold-calling. Show your technically savvy side be reaching out to potential clients on Twitter, Linked In, and other networks.

Don’t forget about old-fashioned networking. Look for networking events in your area, and always have your business card in your wallet. Ask around; you may be surprised to find that people you know may know of someone who could use your services. Always have your business in mind.

Do the job right

You’ve landed your first client, now what? This is what you’ve been waiting for, your first paying job. It’s time to show your client how professional and skilled you are. It goes without saying that you need to do your best job, but customer service is just as important.

“I knew that I’d made it when I saw most of my clients coming back to me for two, three, four, five projects,” says Melissa. A trusting relationship with a client is invaluable to a freelancer. Many freelancers find that having a core of several clients who offer steady work really keeps their business afloat.

A client will pay you for a job well done, but will come back to you if you prove that you are reliable and take initiative. “It’s frustrating to seek outside help, then having to micro manage,” explains Andrea. Return all phone calls and emails immediately and stick to your deadlines. “Being a good entrepreneur is more than just making money. It’s making solid and long lasting relationships with the people you do business with,” says Melissa.

Sources:

Melissa Ott

Owner of Melissa Ott Design

Art Institute of Pittsburgh Alumni

http://www.melissaottdesign.com/

http://designingsolo.com/

Andrea Romo

Communications Specialist

Magee-Womes Resarch Institute and Foundation

http://www.mwrif.org/

Additional Sources:

http://freelanceswitch.com/start/a-comprehensive-guide-to-starting-your-freelance-career/