5 Things I've Learned as a Freelancer

Be Patient.

Freelance is like a rollercoaster. You may start off with multiple promising freelance job opportunities and are ready to quit your 9-5 DON’T. Yet. Keep that consistent income until you are bursting at the seams with side hustle work, cash flow and a strong presence online and in your community. If you work hard, you can make that transition into full-time freelance!

Be Kind.

I have worked with every type of client as a designer in freelance and for graphic design position at a stationery shop. From the sweetest, simplest clients who would be happy with any design you create, to the “bridezillas” who create and cause stress and just are plain impossible to work with. Be kind always, but be consistent in your verbiage and stand by your designer client agreement. It is important to have a designer client agreement before beginning work to avoid any unpleasant conversations down the road. Even if you end up down that road, I believe the customer is not always right, but the client always comes first. Whatever you do be pleasant. You don’t want a reputation that would hurt your business. Be able to put yourself in the clients’ shoes. Most of your clients need your constant guidance and insight with their creative needs. Lastly, have thick skin. You may have moments in your career where you are shut down or rejected. Not everyone has the same vision and that is okay and important to recognize. You want to work with people that fit with your passions and style.

Be Active.

Be active in your community and online. Many creatives think that you will be mostly designing when you go into freelance. This is simply not true. Much of my time is spent emailing, on the phone, driving around, research and setting up invoices and book-keeping, and networking with creatives. To keep that creative flow steady, involve yourself in the community, creative groups and associations. I, also, am constantly editing and expanding my online presence and reaching out to Instagram friends to create closer connections with people. You can’t wait for work to fall into our lap, you have to create and sometimes hunt for the work.

Be Professional.

Big name clients don’t want to hire someone who doesn’t have their shit together. Create the necessary documentations for your clients to show them you mean business. I start with a questionnaire for my clients to fill out. After they answer the form, I send a proposal with the job details breaking down my process. If they decide to proceed from there, I send an invoice for 50% of invoiced amount. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT beginning working on any design before receiving some sort of deposit. I have been screwed over by friends and strangers as a young designer and had to learn the hard way. By taking money before beginning work, it proves to the client you mean serious business and you will take the job more seriously knowing you have the funds and time to focus completely on the client.

Be You.

In a world where it feels there are no new ideas, just be the youest you that you can be. Other designers and artist constantly inspire me, but I still stick to my personal style and interests. If you try to be something you’re not or take on a style that is simply copied from someone else, people will notice. This, also, will help you in finding the perfect client if you build a strong portfolio with your own unique style instead of trying to complete a job that is the furthest thing from what you do.