How can a designer get a freelance job?
I'm a graphic and advertising designer, and i want to earn some extra money, i hear my tutor telling about freelance job, but i dunno how to get one. Is there any tips? I'll be grateful if anyone could give me some advices~ Thanks~
Drawing & Illustration - 6 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
The first thing you need is a Rate Card, that lists your services & rates. Eg. Design rate per hour, or per project, rates for logo, brochure, ad, etc design. And of course your contact details. If you're not sure how much to charge, ask around to see what the current "market rates" are. There are recruitment/job websites that sometimes post freelance job opportunities. You can also get freelance work by networking - asking around, telling your friends to tell their friends, meeting people at networking seminars, etc. Another way is to "market" your services online, on online Classified pages, and even better if you have a website that showcases your work. But don't publish your design rates on the web. And you can also get a list of target businesses/companies in industries that you prefer to design for. Search Business Directories or Yellow Pages for these companies' addresses, and better still, get the name of the company's Marketing Director or person-in-charge. It's usually better to target small companies as the bigger ones already have agencies designing for them. It's also good to target other ad & design agencies 'cos they always need freelancers during busy periods. Then you can mail or e-mail your Rate Card and a few samples of your work over. Some people just throw it away, but sometimes... you never know... Note: If you are really serious, then you should also have Terms of Agreement for your services, to protect you in case a client rejects your designs at the last minute or refuses to pay. And other little details, like who holds the Copyright to the designs once it's given to the client, etc.
2 :
Take the cue from that tutor of yours! You could try teaching graphic and advertising design to beginners/novices. For example, I'm sure you are good at some graphics software that others may want to learn. Become a tutor! A private one-on-one tutor can charge a higher rate but you are restricted to specific area - smaller market of potential students. If you tutor online, the rate is lower but you can have a worldwide market of potential students. Try some online tutoring sites like: (1) http://www.tuitionplaza.com/tutoring/ (2) http://www.tutor.com (3) ... many other sites (use search engine) Think ouside the box and you'll have more options! Good luck!
3 :
Freelance online marketplaces are one of the easiest and most convenient ways of getting freelance work.You could check this out http://www.pcworkathome.in/onlinefreelancemarketplace.html
4 :
www.sologig.com
5 :
A good website with good number of assignments which can also showcase you past work and projects.
6 :
make a cool design and sell it into a public media, maybe its useful for someone who need some design for her works (Your name will be famous and maybe he/she will buy ur design) .. Or, Design a web, maybe. Can you
