In the 21st century, especially in technology industries, more and more companies, especiallysmaller organizations, are relying on contract, rather than permanent, employment. Even though it is likely that the days of working with one company for decades are far behind us, this new age of freelancing has opened up tons of opportunities for those who want to be their own boss and work on their own schedule. There are many advantages to being a freelance web-designer, but there are also just as many pitfalls. Here are a few tips for starting out your web design freelance career the right way.
- Stay organized.
For those who tend to be disorganized, jumping into the world of freelance will be doubly difficult. The competition is fierce, and not being able to manage all your projects quickly and efficiently can make you lose clients. Make sure that you have a clean work space at all times. Make sure that you constantly back-up files so you don’t lose any work that you have done. Use applications like the project manager Base Camp, the note-taker and organizer Evernote, and the To-Do list manager, Remember the Milk, among others, to keep you on track. - Don’t take on too much work.
Taking on too much work, especially when you are first beginning your freelance career,is a common pitfall among newbies. Of course, you will want to say “yes” to every new project or offer that comes your way, but remember that your freelance business will grow not based on the number of projects you net but on the quality of your work. In other words, initially focusing on only a few projects is the best way to go because it will help build your reputation and someone who puts a lot of time and care into each project. - Develop relationships with clients. Go for the smaller ones first.
Since freelance web design is a very competitive field, when you are first entering into the market, it is best to start from the bottom and then slowly work your way up to bigger clients.Starting with smaller clients is also advantageous in that smaller clients are usually very enthusiastic about your business if your finished product is good. This enables word-of-mouth advertising, which can give you potential leads to other clients. - Establish payment details before and follow up after.
Of course, most of the clients with whom you work will want to get the best deal. And sometimes, they will be unscrupulous if you aren’t very upfront about your payment scheme.Make sure that you have all the details about payment expectations worked out before you begin the project, and make sure that your client understands them. Put everything in writing so that a client cannot contest what you had asked for in the beginning.
These are only a few considerations that starting freelance web designers should consider beforejumping into the very turbulent, but eventually rewarding world of freelance work. The most important thing to remember is that you work for you, so put your interests first, and you’ll be sure to succeed!
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