Being a full-time freelance graphic designer can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it's not without its stressors. As you probably know, one of the most common concerns among freelance graphic designers is simple: just how do you find a gig? Although finding clients and gigs may be a stressful part of freelancing, fortunately, it's far from impossible. Read on to learn a few useful tips that can help you land a great job as a freelance graphic designer — and keep lining up jobs in the future.
Put Your Best Self Forward
Before you start searching for new jobs and potential
clients, make sure that you have a killer website that shows off your portfolio. A good
portfolio should include examples of past work that you've done, as well as
your work experience and credentials. Be sure to include any special skills you
have or any unique experience that might make you desirable to potential
clients looking to work with freelancers. Anyone who visits your website should
come away with a sense of who you are, the type of work you're qualified to do,
and a sense of your aesthetic vision.
Perhaps most importantly, don't forget to include clear and
easily accessible contact information on your website. No matter how beautiful
your work is or how perfect a fit you'd be for a given client, it'll never come
to fruition if your potential client has to spend hours searching for your
email address or phone number on your website. Including a page of clearly
visible contact information on your website will help your potential clients
get in touch with you as quickly and easily as possible.
Check Out Freelance Websites
Freelance websites and job boards are great places to search
for gigs. Job boards allow clients to post gigs on which freelancers can then
bid (by submitting a project proposal along with their fee), and some also
allow clients to connect directly with freelancers by giving freelancers a
space to show off their portfolios. If you're new to the world of
freelance graphic design, freelance websites and job boards can be an easy
place to start your job search.
However, it's best to approach job boards with caution.
While freelance job boards can be good places to start looking for potential
clients, many websites can hurt freelancers by taking a cut of their accepted
fee (in many cases, between 10 and 20 percent). Additionally, because many job
boards rely on forcing freelancers to compete for gigs by bidding on projects,
it's possible (and extremely common) for freelancers to undercut each other by
offering to do the same work for increasingly less money. Although spending
some time on job boards may be a necessary evil in the world of freelance
graphic design, they can have a strong impact on your future earnings and make
it more difficult for you to achieve financial stability as a freelancer.
Build a Strong Network
When you're looking for a leg up in the freelance world, who
better to help you out than a fellow freelancer? Networking can
have a ton of benefits that might not be obvious to you at first. Not only can
a group of like-minded colleagues help you out with logistical concerns, such
as figuring out where to look for jobs and how to craft an impressive
portfolio, but surrounding yourself with people who are familiar with your work
can increase the chances that they'll recommend you for future jobs. That
doesn't just apply to other graphic designers — making connections with
writers, coders, or other freelancers can definitely come in handy if they're
ever asked to recommend someone who is great at graphic design.
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Joining professional groups, such as those on platforms such
as Facebook and LinkedIn, is also a great way to make connections with
colleagues who can help you land freelance jobs. Surrounding yourself with
strong, knowledgeable freelancers is a great way to learn more about the ins
and outs of the field, as well as to learn more about specific skills you may
want to develop to help you look desirable to potential clients.
Stay Active on Social Media
Social media is a great way to see and be seen — and it's
also a great way to land a great graphic design gig. For starters, your social
media presence is a continuation of your personal brand. Don't be afraid to use
your Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts to build a loyal fan base and
show off your skills. By updating your profiles with new art every day — and
occasionally adding some personal details or graphic design tips that can help
your followers get to know you — you can show the world who you are and what
kind of art you can create. Even better? Social media is a great place to add
to your professional network by interacting with fellow designers as well as
potential clients.
In addition to being a great place for promoting yourself
and making connections, social media is also a great way to keep an eye on
what's happening around you, as well as in the field of graphic design. Are
past clients of yours looking for someone to help them embark on a rebranding
effort? Reach out to them early and offer to help them with their project. Are
you keeping an eye on the latest big trends in graphic design? Knowing what's
hot and what's not can impress potential clients further down the road when
you're helping them with a trendy new design. Social media can certainly be a
powerful tool for furthering your personal brand and landing freelance graphic
design jobs.
Landing Freelance Graphic Design Jobs Is Possible
Beginning a career as a freelance graphic designer can
certainly feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there are ways to land great graphic
design jobs that can help keep you financially stable and continue to expand
your presence in your field. By designing a great portfolio, creating a strong
professional network, and connecting with colleagues and potential clients on
social media and job boards, you can increase your chances of generating leads
and finding great job opportunities. No matter how long you've been a freelance
graphic designer, these tips can help you bring your career to where you want
it to go.