You are now a graphic designer. Creating graphics for individuals, businesses, etc. is your thing. You are ready to start working as a freelancer. Freelance work is what you want to do. But do you know what you need to start a freelance worker?
A freelance worker is an individual who is hired to work on a project or project for a client. In your case, it would be graphic design. A company could hire you to make graphics to help advertise their business. They ask you to make graphics for their website or even an event. It’s interesting to see all the possibility
Contract Templates:
Having pre-made contract templates will help you be prepared to start working with any client. Having pre-made proposal contracts helps you have proposals ready for your clients. In contracts, set up all the rules and regulations ahead of time. Make sure your client knows what you expect of them and what they can expect from you. In addition, having invoice templates. When you have presented invoices you are all ready to be paid on time. In this way, all you need to do is add in your hours and what you are expected to be paid then you add it into your invoice and you can send it to the client. Your contracts will help you have all the information set up ahead of time. In this way, you can keep track of all your clients and what work you have completed.
Keeping Track of Your Hours:
When you are a freelancer, you must have some way to prove your work. You don’t want to end up guessing what hours you worked and how you will prove what hours you worked. Two easy ways you can track your time are with excel sheets or a Word/Google document. In these two formats, you can simply add in what day you worked how many hours you worked in the day, for example, your start time was at 2 pm and you ended at 6 pm making your total hours worked for the day 4 hours. You simply add your information into the excel sheet with the title of the project. Now you have proof and you have dates and times you worked on your project. This makes it easy for you to add up your hours with your pay rate and then you can add this information to your invoice and send it to the client to be paid.
Portfolio:
When looking for clients and people to hire you for your services, some clients may ask for your portfolio or just look up your information to see if you have an online portfolio. In a portfolio, you will have projects you have worked on. For example, let’s say you created a website for a blogger. You could give a link to a blogger’s website, have screenshots of the work you completed, and an example in detail of how long it took you to complete the project and what work was completed. Your portfolio is needed as a web designer. Clients see what your skills are. What projects you have completed. I believe having a portfolio will help you stand out as a freelance worker.
Website:
You are a web designer, why not have your website? Your website can be your portfolio. Your website will show your skills. You can make your website to represent you. You can make your website stand out. You can pay for ads and show clients your website in this way your future clients will get to see your skills. In addition, you can show your certificates to show you are certified as a web designer. There is a certain certification you need to have as a web designer.
Legal:
It would be wise to get legal counsel when starting to create templates, contracts, and working with future clients. You want to make sure you know your rights and what you are legally allowed to state in contracts. Even simple bloggers must have certain legal statements on their websites. Getting the right legal advice will help protect you and your career as a web designer.
You are now ready to start your career as a freelance graphic designer. All of the information above will help you get ready to start your work and legally protect yourself as a freelance worker. It’s important to have all your information set up ahead of time before you start getting clients. This way it will help you to be prepared and ready to start working with clients.
Networking:
Start connecting with other graphic designers. It would be good to create a LinkedIn account and start networking. It’s good to connect with the graphic designs. In this way, you introduce yourself to your community. The community of web design, graphic design, and web development. By connecting with your community, you are starting to build business connections and your community can help teach you tips on how to be successful.
Create Your Brand:
Now that you are a freelance worker you are running your own business. You are creating your brand. When you are setting up your portfolio and website you are showcasing your brand. Your freelance work will start small but you will grow. You are growing your brand. Make sure you know what you want your clients to see and know about you. What makes you stand out against the other graphic designers? What makes you special. Why should they work with you?
Show Off:
Now that you have your website, legal work, connections, etc. You now must make your online presence known. You have to start advertising and using social media, going to events, and making your brand your freelance work now. You have to make it known that you are a freelance worker. Showcase your knowledge and skills. Show off and make your online presence known.
Make Goals:
It’s okay you will make mistakes along the way and you will learn from them and move on. But make sure that you make goals. Take breaks and make sure you see all the progress you have made. In this way, you can set realistic goals and move up.
Budget:
When you start your freelance brand you must budget. Make sure you know how much money you will make, how much you will spend, and how much you will need to invest. Having premade budget templates will help you stay organized and ready to go. You can discuss budgeting with your legal counsel.
Now you are ready to start your freelance work. Quick tip, check Indy, this app has helped many freelancers by having templates created for every occasion.