Best ways to get freelance work?

[artshoe]

Hey what's up?! I'm new here, but I'm really glad I foung this forum because I could use some advis'n. I'm an artist and designer who is mostly self taught,and I am actually earning a degree now. I do mostly web design work. I learned the abc's of html years ago and have since dabbled with CSS, Javascript, and implementing cgi scripts. I'm learning some programming and how to build databases now.

I really want to earn some freelance work to help build my portfolio and gain some experrience. My question is, where is the best place for someone with my experrience to start. I've searched the typical job sites, but there is little freelance work available. I did notice the job forum here. Is there anyone who can offer the best advice on how to win jobs there, maybe even offer some other resources. I would really appreciate the help. Thanks!

artshoe
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i'm cool!

[Ulysses]

Contacts. It is all about contacts.

Whether you're starting out, or whether you're actually a full blown company ... contact is fundamental to getting work. I say this because I myself asked the same thing a year or two back, and aside from persistance, building a social network will help you get on the ladder, which is where you want to be.

So, be prepared to do low-paid and/or free work to start with. Simply get what you can actually afford to do ... don't be thinking profit. If you're serious enough, be prepared to scrape for enough to pay your bills and put food on the table. Once you have a few clients under your belt, you will aquire skills and experience, that will give bigger (and better paying) clients confidance to consider you for work.

That is how it has worked for me and a few people in my network. The clients are steadily becoming more frequent, and they too can broaden your network by recommending you to other businesses in their own business and/or social network. Just cast that social net out wider, and wider, is my recommendation artshoe.

[artshoe]

Good advice. Thanks. I am hoping to get something tangible out there. If having connections is a important. Where does one begin with that. It seems like finding small jobs and getting word of mouth passed through those would work, but then where do the small jobs come from? Actually I have noticed a lot of opportunities in the right places, but I have to do a little detective work because I'm anchored in Colorado, where the bounty is not so plentiful. Can anyone relate? Are there any good organizations anyone can recommend. I've heard of AIGA. Has anyone dealt with them? They seem to have some resources but you have to pay, and I might just be seeing what they want me to when I visit their site. Again, just looking for that first step and some direction. Thanks.

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[Ulysses]

Building some contacts with local companies and agencies is only to be recommended, but I'm thinking it would be best to take advantage of more immediate connections ... friends and family. Offer do your faviourite pub or club's website ... even your local library or church. It might seem pointless, but people in larger companies (which we all towards) have a social life too. As I say ... contacts. The world is one big network of people ... so ... network ... mingle ... get talking and promoting. People are always wanting work done, but are often too busy to go looking too far. If he knows his local church has a good website, and has met you a few times there, you're very likely to be considered at the top of the list.

[coconut]

make some card and hit the sidewalk, go door to door with business' and show them what you have and what you do. New business' like to have sites, learn how to do shopping carts, if you don't already and offer that. Don't make any promises you can't keep and always get back with them on a price. You WILL get frustrated if your pay doesn't compensate your work hours. Get a good camera and learn how to take photo's.


What do I look like a smoken monkey?

[Neuro]

I agree with both of their suggestions. It's all about the contacts and networking. I am in the same boat as you. I am self taught and so is my partner (gf - Morea). We are both employeed full time but want to get our own thing going full swing. We have a few clients but what we have found is that we carry our cards everywhere and talk to everyone. Everything that you do to show your presence, helps! We haven't put too much into it and have had some return. It's very much a system of how much you put in is going to decide how much you see in return. Of course you will find you will be doing a lot more than you will see returned. It's just how it works. Just don't let it frustrate you. We have been through it and know it can be tough. There are a lot of us here on the forum. Just chat and you will learn. Stay positive and constructive with your comments and before long you will earn respect and friends on here. This is a great place for advise, encouragement and just a place to vent. Good luck and don't be afraid to show us some of your work.

Welcome aboard!

'Thats just my opinion, I could be wrong.' - Dennis Miller

[artshoe]

Those are good suggestions. Thanks for the welcome too. If anyone has anything other thoughts, I'll keep checking back. Thanks.

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[LimedDesign]

hmm.. you said that you're earning a degree? ask you're professors about possible internship jobs that might be available. some pay and they're an easy way to start off. and since you just want to freelance, you typically only have to do about 90 hours in one semester-- three weeks work and you're done.

[Driliquid]

There are alot of small web design studios out there looking to outsource work. I know a couple of web design studios that are currently looking. Including my self.

One thing is to always keep your eyes and ears open. You can land a gig anywhere.




Driliquid Studio (http://www.driliquid.com)- IdeasToReality
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