Here we are, year two of the official economic downturn and you’re either out of work, can’t find a full time job or you simply want to get into some freelancing. Whatever your situation, gaining new clients is a great way to fill in those gaps or gain a long term source of income. Barring any headaches along the way, some pretty satisfied walking and more importantly talking advertisements for YOU too.

Why Craig’s List?

Freelancing can be tricky. You may even have to do things that you aren’t comfortable like that evil SPEC work. I don’t condone SPEC work as a rule when I know the client/company can pay, but if it falls under the category of Non-profit or “volunteer” and you are ok with that then by all means SPEC to your little heart out. In a more desperate time, I had to find work any way I could and went searching on CL.

In my home state of Michigan I found next to nothing, quite similar to how it still is today although there really are a few more jobs that have popped up. Tip #1: Look in what I like to refer to as “larger markets.” To me those would be Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, etc., even internationally. Doing a simple search for the word “freelance” or “anywhere” can turn up a few results and if the description fits then go for it, EVERYTHING is worth a shot. My experience with CL has been mostly alright.

I’ve had my share of the never return your email, respond back with a much lower price than their initial offer or the “you know, we really have NO budget” folks, but I’ve also had some truly profitable clients. Tip #2: If you attain a client whose work you’re interested in doing, but there is only a promise of more work down the road, it might be worth taking the chance. I did this with a client I found in Las Vegas and by asking for a $100 check of good faith (and after successfully cashing said check at a branch it was written from) have worked with the client for nearly a year earning several thousand dollars in the process. Not too shabby.

Community Organizations

If you live in a small town and are a designer then you’ve probably taken the time to evaluate the creative possibilities and felt like you could do wonders for the small and medium sized businesses in your area. One of the best ways I’ve discovered to get in the back door of your community is to join one of its volunteer community organizations. All you do is simply attend a meeting or two and casually mention to those in charge that you’re a designer and you’ll see their little eyes light up and when they do, hand them your card. Tip #3: If you are lucky enough to have more than one organization in your community, do some homework before deciding who needs help, evaluate their website. Chances are if their site stinks, so do their print materials, if they even have any.

I joined my local art group, did just that at my first meeting and left with a business card and poster project. And, it didn’t stop there, that lead me to my local Downtown Development Authority. For my DDA, I started out “helping” them by designing a magazine layout which eventually turned into two logos which I was actually paid for. My husband was even asked to redesign their website and was put under contract to maintain it resulting in a nice chunk of change. From there I was recommended to a local “big time” jeweler whom I’ve done a few jobs for each month. Tip #4: I can’t say enough about positioning yourself as the “only” designer in your area, it can do wonders to fill in the gaps.

Friends and Family

Don’t underestimate the power of good work and your friends and family. All it takes is one satisfied aunt and you can count on repeat business or at the very least great word of mouth advertising. Tip #5: What is important to remember is to be honest with them, if you’re doing it for nothing or next to nothing and you really don’t have the time for them, tell them that (in a nice way of course). They may not like it, but it’s better to be honest than to put out crap just to make them happy. Most of what I’ve gotten from those folks is invitations of all sorts and on some occasions constant repeat customers and friend of friend referrals. In general I do not do free work even for friends, and I can’t say I make a ton of money from them either, but hell if anything it’s gas and groceries right?

Planning Phase

Depending on who the client is, setting up a meeting with them can be difficult, but doing this is invaluable. Too many times I’ve had clients who cannot accurately define what they’re looking for via phone or email which in turn makes my job of deciphering the information I’ve been given all the more difficult. Once I get to know a client, I like to tell them, I can interpret what I think you mean, but I’m no mind reader. In other words, tell me exactly what you want, it will save you a lot of money in the long run. Tip #6: What I like to do before we ever get down to any real business is ask them a few questions like 1) What is your budget range? 2) Are other designers quoting this work? 3) What’s your timeline? and 4) Describe the objective of this job and what you wish the outcome to be. All together quite basic questions, but each one gives a good indication of what the clients intentions with you are, especially if they are direct with you about their budget.

When it comes to the budget, most clients will in turn ask you what you charge. This is where you either make it or break it, it’s crucial at this point to stand your ground and proudly dictate your rate and stand by it. For me, when I’m quoting someone in Michigan I quote slightly lower then I do for anywhere else, mostly because around here that flat rate is easier to swallow than the slightly higher figure. For some clients it’s easier, if you just need the work, to quote them one flat fee and know that you may lose on the job. Try to account for all the hours you may need though, it’s no fun to agonize over a job that just isn’t worth the low ball offer.

Getting Paid

Hopefully all this information leads you to a paycheck. Tip #7: The way I like to work it is by setting up an invoice from the get go which entitles me to 50% up front and 50% upon completion, pretty standard stuff. I don’t start until I get the first 50% and then agree on a delivery date for the first set of proofs. I even have some clients whom I give a discount to (somewhere in the neighborhood of 30% off if it is a sizable job) if they pay it all up front before work even begins. This has really worked to my advantage and disadvantage in many cases, but if you are desperately in need of money, it can be a really great thing if you have the right client. As far as proofs go I am pretty loose about how many proofs I give and as far as revisions go my main goal is to make my client happy and as long as that doesn’t get crazy, I just try to figure how many hours things will take and multiple by my hourly rate. As a side note, it doesn’t hurt to retain an accountant or get to know the IRS as best you can because you will have to pay your taxes.

Letting Go

Some clients just don’t get it. Either they want everything you do for them at the last minute when it’s least convenient for you or they don’t pay you and I’m sure there are multiple bad situations I haven’t even encountered yet. Tip #8: Learn when to let go of a client, when the relationship is unhealthy and they are causing you too much strife it’s often better to just cut ties.

Remember, your loss is their gain and bad clients will always use this to their advantage. In my experience I had a client who would inevitably need everything at the last minute, calling me or emailing me for an ad deadline that was beyond late always right as I was sitting down to dinner with my family or home by myself with my kids at bedtime. It made my blood boil and all I kept thinking about was “this is so not worth the $50 I’m making on this damn job!” Not to mention, this client was my ÒI know exactly what I want, but you’re not giving it to me and I don’t know how to express it to your client. Beyond frustrating. I finally got to the point where I was charging them for all the extra changes and apparently they didn’t like that and they stopped contacting me. I know, a bit passive aggressive, but it worked didn’t it?

Freelancing can be a blessing and a curse but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. And, it really is one of the best ways to improve your design skills, your ability to communicate with people and network, which is the main goal in business isn’t it?

Article Written By: Brooke S. Rochon

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