Wanna Be a Creative Freelancer? Here’s How
- Written by Taylor Machuca-Koniw
It can be hard to find a job where you can flex your creative skills. But if you’re like me, you aren’t willing to give up your passion for a routine 9-5. That’s where freelancing is your new BFF.
As a freelancer, you can work for yourself or for someone else. You have complete control over your schedule and you have the chance to market and sell your work to people all over the world.
Disregard what your friends, family, teachers and society tells you. You CAN get a job and make a decent living from being arty. Whether you’re a writer, graphic designer, photographer or someone who paints tin cans on weekends with aspirations of making it a full-time enterprise - here’s how you can make it happen!
Get clear on your goals
Having passion is one thing, but having a purpose is what’s going to keep you going when you’re down to your last dollar and contemplating switching to a “normal” job.
Creative freelancing can be a tough gig at times. But as long as you have a clear goal, those days where you’re making no sales or suffering from creative blocks will do nothing to stop your drive!
What is your goal? Do you want to turn your side gig into something full-time? Do you want famous people wearing your designs? Do you want to publish a book and become a world-renowned author? Are you hoping to get your name/work “out there” in hopes of securing big clients and an even bigger “bag”?
Write it down and visualize it. Use this to fuel your fire.
Build a good portfolio..or gain some experience
Before becoming a creative freelancer, you need some work to show off.
To bring in new clients and showcase your talents, you should build a good online portfolio. This will give you credibility within your field, and allow people to see the full scope of your creative skills.
Writers, photographers and designers can all benefit from their own website, Blog or social media platform. It’s here you can display your work and sell your services.
If you haven’t got enough experience under your belt to start a portfolio, then go out and gain some! If you’re a photographer, start snapping! If you’re a writer, start a blog or gain experience as a volunteer writer so you can show that you’ve been published.
Get enough work and experience so that you have a decent amount of stuff to show and sell.
Market your skills
One of the hardest parts of being a creative freelancer is finding work or finding people to sell your work to.
Some of the best ways to get work, sell work and market your skills as a creative freelancer include:
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* Starting a social media page and advertising your work on there
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* Entering your work in local and online competitions
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* Selling or exhibiting your work at local markets or creative expo’s
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* Advertising/selling your work on popular sites like Etsy, eBay, Amazon and Shopify
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* Marketing your skills/services on professional sites like LinkedIn, Freelancer.com, Upwork and Fiverr
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* Handing out flyers, business cards and promotional material to friends, family and neighbours
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* Advertising in local newspapers and community magazines
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* Volunteering
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* Connecting with other creatives in your industry through networking events and online platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Reddit
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* Browsing job boards like Indeed, Seek, Gumtree and CareerOne for freelance jobs requiring your skills
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* Email potential clients outlining how your services can help them
Social presence and extending your network is key to gaining a greater chance of securing steady work. The name of the game is Persistence with a capital ‘P’.
Be self-motivated
Hate to say it, but being a creative freelancer means you can’t rely on a boss or alarm clock to get you up and going each day. Being a self-starter is everything in the freelance world. You’ve got to find motivation on those days you’d rather be watching Netflix or when you’re feeling as creative as a stale chip.
Don’t be afraid of hard work (and disappointment)
Freelancing your creative skills is hard work. ‘Nuff said.
There will be times where you’ve got more work than you can keep up with, while other days you’ll be living off a steady supply of 2-minute noodles. So is the life of a creative. At the end of the day, hard work and patience will be your allies.
With freelancing, there will be some sacrifice. It can take weeks, months and sometimes years to develop a steady workflow or client-base. During this time, you have to be prepared to put in the hard yards and take some creative risks. Whether it’s pitching to a new client or juggling multiple jobs and projects at once to stay financially afloat, experiencing difficult situations will be part and parcel of the freelance life. Don’t let that discourage you.
Freelancing really is a learn-as-you-go profession. If you have the passion, creative skills and purpose to take your ideas/product far, then you are in for a rewarding career! As a freelance creative, you have full autonomy over your business and can spend your days doing what you love - with the added bonus of sharing your talents with the world! Yes, freelancing your creative skills can be hard and, at times, even defeating. Yet with the right attitude, idea and goal in mind, you’ll eventually gain a thriving business with a lifestyle that many will envy!
