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The freelancer’s life is not that simple as it may seem. In fact the freelancer lifestyle came into fashion a couple of years ago. I don’t mean to say they hadn’t existed before that. It’s 2009 and internet technologies are developing in an amazing pace.
More and more competent players emerge, not to mention the up and coming talents who spring forth from the mist of anonymity. So I daresay freelancers have hard times ahead of them. Unfortunately, the cliches that have been being used until now do not fulfil their original role any longer. What’s more, if you take a closer look at the css galleries you will find dozens of freelancer portfolios made on the basis of the same samples.
It’s not easy to stand out of the crowd as it used to be just a few years before, but I am going to try to help you.
Let’s have a look at some of them:
- Try and be really unique
- Find your strengths (e.g. wordpress design)
- Build a brand around you as it’s yourself whom you are selling
- Create a one-off portfolio focusing on your strongest skill
- Devote time to permanent SEO
- Draft a carefully-wrought CV in PDF format
- Send your portfolio’s address to all of the css galleries
- Find job assignments on the most popular job boards
- Answer all the incoming client emails
- Write quality-posts in your blog
- Set up a Twitter account and follow the best ones in the trade
- Register at LinkedIn
- Promote yourself at popular blogs and forums
- Write comments regularly to the most visited blogs
- Run targeted advertisements
- Join one of the professional organizations of webdesigners
- Undertake jobs with professional agencies
- Don’t you ever give it up!
This is a nice simple yet powerful list. Thanks for the simple tips that can take you a long way
Thanks for this awesome post. I’m just getting into freelance web design and these are some great tips for me to follow.
I agree with Design55. Flickr offers both endless inspiration and feedback for your own work.
Check out this group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/webdesign/
You have to agree with no18. If you are in the business long enough, good things happen.
I agree, being active in the community online and in real life is essential.
Thank you guys! I will check this Flickr group!
Exceptional “rules”... not as easy as the most can think it’s the way, because take several time…
Maybe I’m wrong, but I would add #19 as be multi-disciplinary, focused into what you’re really (REALLY) good, but getting some XP over another things to do, as first nearly what you do, as a way to be a complete professional one…
These are great tips! I am in the process of revamping my image, site, and freelance opportunities. I am bookmarking this for sure to help me find success! Thanks!
Nice tips. Visiting other designer’s blogs and forums not only helps in networking, but also in learning new technical skills. You can also create an attractive ‘”About Me” section and add a few screenshots of your work. An efficient client support system is equally important as it fuels word of mouth. Thanks for the post.
This list is awesome and applicable to a variety of freelance designers (not just web, specifically). My absolute favorite is #18. Simultaneously the hardest and easiest piece of advice. Don’t give it up. If you are doing it for the love of design and for the desire to learn, you will find your way; we all will.
Great stuff! :)
I’ve only been freelance for a year now and it’s nice to see a list of tips from another developer. Checking all are met now! :-)
Definatelly a good list, one thing I would add is attending conferences such as FOWD etc. A lot of networking possabilities to be had..
I love the post. I just have to give props to the author. Awesome information and I couldn’t agree more with your ideas. Keep up the great work!
The best tutorial ever.
This is the best pull-out i got.
Thank You!
2010 January 2411:23:10
Really good ideas!
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2009 July 112:07:22
All very good tips, number 14 can be underestimated but it’s so important to be active in the community especially for networking. I also think its important to get known in your local area, passing out business cards maybe doing charity designs for a local church. Word of mouth works pretty well