I caught wind of a friend making the transition from in-house designer to freelancer or proprietor of a small design studio and looking for advice. I’ve never truly done the freelance thing, so I outsourced the advice thing to y’all on Twitter. It’s surprising how consistent the advice is, when distilled.
Save money
Having savings and being careful about maintaining and growing it is a big theme. I imagine it’s a cashflow thing. Times can be fat. Times can be lean. Savings will get you through the lean times.
@chriscoyier save your money.
— allan branch (@allanbranch) May 5, 2016
@chriscoyier have an emergency fund so you aren’t quite so worried about cash flow at the beginning.
— Susan Robertson (@susanjrobertson) May 5, 2016
@chriscoyier have 6 months expenses saved. Gives you time to establish a pipeline or find another job
— Timothy B. Smith (@ttimsmith) May 5, 2016
Charge more money
@chriscoyier double your rate
— Stuart Robson (@StuRobson) May 5, 2016
@chriscoyier double your rate and say "no" a lot.
— Greg Smith (@elmnt) May 5, 2016
@chriscoyier I'd urge them to resist the urge to under-price themselves in the hopes of generating a customer base and word of mouth.
— Douglas Hensel (@DougHensel) May 5, 2016
@chriscoyier charge more than you think and set and working hours.
— Anisha Giri-O (@anishagirio) May 5, 2016
@chriscoyier Charge an amount you feel is slightly ridiculous and learn to pick and choose your work. Remember to leave the house too!
— Stefanie Young (@Ninzaburoz) May 5, 2016
Do networking and build relationships
@chriscoyier Always be ready with a few words about what you do, just did, want to do next. So much work comes word-of-mouth.
— Erica Heinz (@ericaheinz) May 5, 2016
@mds @chriscoyier +1000. Always be networking. Send work you can't do to other freelancers – it will come back to you. Blog.
— allanwhite (@allanwhite) May 5, 2016
@chriscoyier get an accountant. a lot time for networking to get new jobs organically, and schedule that in
— Stacey Mulcahy (@bitchwhocodes) May 5, 2016
@chriscoyier Networking, form bonds, work hard and make the move slowly!
— Ben! (@oBKSo) May 5, 2016
@chriscoyier Build and maintain good relationships. Don't burn bridges. Be patient.
— Sara Soueidan (@SaraSoueidan) May 5, 2016
@chriscoyier Tell everyone you know that you're looking for work. It's tough to get gigs when no one knows you're available.
— Dave Dawson (@davedawson) May 5, 2016
Get an accountant and think about taxes
@chriscoyier get an accountant. a lot time for networking to get new jobs organically, and schedule that in
— Stacey Mulcahy (@bitchwhocodes) May 5, 2016
@chriscoyier Get an accountant very early on. They will save you thousands in learning curve mistakes. The hustle is worth the freedom.
— Mike McAlister (@mikemcalister) May 5, 2016
@chriscoyier plan on a LOT more taxes and $ health insurance… And gray hair.
— Tory Moore (@electrodivanyc) May 5, 2016
@chriscoyier Be intentional about hanging with creatives. Charge enough to pay your taxes. And pay your taxes.
— Mike Rapp (@mikerapp) May 5, 2016
Build clients while it’s not risky
@chriscoyier stay in-house & moonlight if it's not against your contract. Save lots, network EFFECTIVELY lots. Know your habits & strengths
— ⚡ Dino Quarin ⚡ (@Dino_Quarin) May 5, 2016
@chriscoyier: start doing side work while you're employed full-time so you work out some kinks of running a biz while risk is low.
— Dan Mall (@danielmall) May 5, 2016
Know that “design” is only part of the job
@chriscoyier You’ll probably be spending most of your time doing non-design things.
— Kevin Crafts (@kevincrafts) May 5, 2016
@chriscoyier Don't underestimate the amount of time you'll spend managing your business, marketing, sales, prospecting, quoting, etc.
— Davy Wong (@nydavo) May 5, 2016
Wear Pants Sometimes
@chriscoyier don't forget to wear pants some days!
— gold (@jongold) May 5, 2016
@chriscoyier don't forget to wear pants once in a while.
— Catrina (@SoNotKidding) May 5, 2016
@chriscoyier make sure you get dressed everyday
— ReactJS Wisconsin (@reactjswi) May 5, 2016
@chriscoyier Be nice. Be connected. Do agency quality work for less than an agency would cost (2-3x your current rate). Wear sweat pants.
— Cory Shaw (@coryshaw) May 5, 2016
More
@chriscoyier Saying no to iffy projects means more availability to say yes to solid projects
— Dave DeSandro (@desandro) May 5, 2016
@chriscoyier always outline expectations and project scope before you start any work. A contract can be your friend. #freelance
— Sarah Binion (@SrhBinion) May 5, 2016
@chriscoyier Find some way of distinguishing between work/life. Never work in a room that's not your office. Define work hours.
— Ben Hudson (@BennyHudson) May 5, 2016
Suggested Reading
- Anna Debenham: My advice to aspiring freelancers
- Dan Mall: Pricing Design
- Kev Adamson: 1000
- Cameron S. Foote: The Business Side of Creativity
- Mike Monteiro: Design is a Job
Lots of great advice here, but… the last two quotes at the bottom are the same.
Yup. I’m not sure why your comment got hidden when the issue hasn’t been fixed yet.
Be good at what you do!
Todd but how can I be good in everything? I will always find things that I am ain’t good at it. Also there’s plenty to learn all the time. How can I know that I am ready? I seriously lack of self confidence. :/
Get more Interpersonal skills and never stop learning.
A timely post. Thanks to everyone who contributed!
Nice post thanks for sharing :)
Build long term relationships with businesses/people that complement your service.