Put on the brakes for a sec. Making a profit?

[grrrafx]

A. If you are working on your own, are you now making a profit in web design?
B. How long did it take you to become established?
C. In the beginning, were you faced with a multitude of learning curves in software you were required to learn, so much, in fact that you spent more time learning than in creating and acquiring new business?

It seems that trying to make a good part-time job out of web design may be similar to mowing lawns. Everybody's doing it, though not everybody knows what they're doing. Too many would-be "clients" want something for nothing, percieving, as well, that there is a surplus of supply.
I'm far too creative for mowing lawns. Any tips?

[kemingMatters]

I think the problem falls with not educating clients/potential clients about websites in general. From my experience, a lot of clients I speak with tend to have a Field of Dreams ideology of their website. Because this logic is too good to be true they tend to not want to invest much time or money into the web or they blow 90% of their budget on SEO and scare clients away with an amateur site that may or may not have compatibility/accessibility issues, look dated or take forever to load (to name a few). Part of sales is education, you have to educate the client so they understand why spending $#### with you is a better investment than spending $### with their neighbours kid.

[PrintDriver]

C. In the beginning, were you faced with a multitude of learning curves in software you were required to learn, so much, in fact that you spent more time learning than in creating and acquiring new business?

This is why I keep saying fresh graduates or 'learners' should not be freelancing. You need to earn your chops and learn to expertly use the tools of the trade before you can call yourself a professional.

[VDM]

I feel like I started reading on page 3 of a debate, but there's no back button.

[Audentia]

Originally Posted by grrrafx

C. In the beginning, were you faced with a multitude of learning curves in software you were required to learn, so much, in fact that you spent more time learning than in creating and acquiring new business?

It's called school... and internships... and studying.
Your client should not be penalized for your lack of knowledge. You wouldn't hire a doctor to perform a surgery on you if they had a "steep learning curve" would you? So why would you expect others to be okay with it in a different industry?

[kemingMatters]

lol it seems I misinterpreted "C" as happening before going out into the real world, like in school, I spent 100% of my time learning and 0% of my time creating/acquiring new business...

So let me tailor that advice a bit more, know what you are selling, then sell it.

[garricks]

Originally Posted by VDM

I feel like I started reading on page 3 of a debate, but there's no back button.

Why? This is a continuation of a debate we've been having for years.

[Bob]

Originally Posted by grrrafx

I'm far too creative for mowing lawns. Any tips?

Word of advice? There's hardly any of us who are 'too creative' to do 'menial' work if it really needs to be done.

Collectively, we're too often just too mentally and physically lazy to look at it as anything other than 'beneath us'. Don't dismiss physical work as undignified. Some of the people I have met and respect the most have made a life out of doing a great job at actually sweating it out. There can be a great deal of honest dignity to committing one's self to physical labour. Unfortunately, it's not something non-labourers understand these days. And even more unfortunate, is that there are so few of us even willing to try.

[kemingMatters]

Originally Posted by Bob

This image makes me wonder how they groom the sides of the shrubbery, that or who's ballsy enough to sit on a riding mower hanging sideways from a crane.

[KitchWitch]

Originally Posted by Bob

My husband was talking about trying to build that type of bicycle last night.