Freelance web design: Taking the plunge.

My quick guide to how to go freelance..

After nearly ten years working in the web site industry, I've gone through the rather scary transition of switching from a fulltime (or at least secure) job, to freelancing a couple of times. It's scary, people call it "taking the plunge", "going out on a limb", "the big step". My aim here it to point out that if you know your stuff, it's not really that scary! The big secret to going freelance is really having a backup plan - mostly just to make yourself feel comfortable.

If you're currently working a well paid job, and you want to try your hand at freelance (since you've heard the money is better and there is more beach time..), then my biggest piece of advice is: think hard! Everyone has had a freelancer for a friend and been envious of their "free" time and their "freedom" - but freelancing isn't all about freedom... in fact... having worked jobs and freelance, I can confidantly say that freelance is much harder, more stressful and often less rewarding (at least on a shallow level). Now, backup plans! If you have a steady income and you're thinking about freelance, then the first thing you need is some cash put away. So, work out how much a month's living expenses, rent etc cost you.. then save twice that. "Yes mum" I hear you saying... but I'm serious! I've seen people decide to go freelance only to have minor nervous breakdowns within to weeks because their bank balance is shrinking. Two months savings is easy to raise and should give you the buffer zone you need to land on your feet and start running.

To really make it work, you need contacts - if you're a programmer and you like to work without the lights on, wearing a darth-maul tshirt and have 3 facial piercings (or for some other reason you find social interaction challenging), you may find it harder to freelance. You need to give a friendly yet professional impression to your potential customers (who are EVERYWHERE.. ALL THE TIME!) - I've often given my business cards out in clubs, bars, ice cream shops.. you name a place and I'll hand out my card there. On a side note.. it helps to like talking about yourself... you'd be amazed how easy the conversations go:

me: "Hi, I'm rex" them: "Hi... I'm -name-" me: "nice to meet you... what do you do for work?" them: "i'm a -insert boring job-, you?" me: "I'm a graphic designer, and i make web sites" them: "really? we need a website!"

Clock one for the freelancer. Of course, 3 in 5 times... you give her your card... and she never calls you.. and that's the end of that. But the more cards you give out.. the more exposure you get. You'd be amazed how people will come out of the woodwork, months later, "Hi.. my friend had a friend, she gave me your card..." - bam.. we're back in the game.

Anyways, taking the plunge... you've decided to take the plunge, and you're ready to save 2 months of expense money. Get your business cards... get them now... make them simple, personal - give your email and mobile. If you don't already have a website then put up a simple one, dump some portfolio in.. whatever, it doesn't need to be too fancy to begin with - but you need the site and your own email address to get a card. Don't use your hotmail, or your gmail as your email address... buy a domain name (they cost about 10$ a year - don't be cheap.. you have to spend money to make money!). Ok, so you ordered your business cards.. they arrive.. what do you do? Start giving them to everyone you meet. Give your friends 5 each, give your parents 10 each... The more of those cards that are out there... the more exposure you are getting. So.. you work the last month of your job.. and spend every waking moment trying to find ways to give people your business card. You go for drinks after work.. buy a pint and ask the guy at the bar if they have a website (assuming you make web sites) - give him your card... whether or not he says no.

Ok, so enough ranting about giving away business cards, what's next? Let's jump ahead to our first day of freelance 'work' - what do you do? My first suggestion is: sleep in. The whole point of putting yourself through the added stress of freelance is to improve your lifestyle; work to live, don't live to work... and all that jazz. SO: sleep in, get up.. go up to the local coffee shop and have a big breakfast, then head home and fire up your computer. Check your email... maybe one of those business cards in the pub on Friday night will have paid off (although it's unlikely ;). So? Now what?

Now i have to do some real work.. so tune in for the next instalment ;)