The Advice For Going Freelance Is Very Consistent

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