How to start as a freelancer ?

Every freelancer has their own way to work, with this post I will be elaborating mine.

There are few things that you will need to start off:

Portfolio

I can give you a basic list you can put in your portfolio :

Figure drawing, story illustration, school projects, etc the list can go on.

But the best advise I can give would be to make your portfolio based on the job you want.

If you want to illustrate of children’s book do it now and put that in your portfolio.

Send a lot of emails

Tell everyone about it.

Send a lot of emails to companies, agencies, magazines,etc saying you for available for freelance. Tell your friends, family, co workers etc.

Personal projects.

Have patience, work will come. Till then keep working on your personal projects.

Eg. You always wanted to illustrate a your favorite story book; Harry Potter.

Just do it yourself. Or every time you go to someone’s  wedding  or birthday party bring them a portrait of themselves as a gift.

After Graduation, I worked in a company as a background artist for children’s book. After work hours I took out time to practice and do some personal projects. Even if couldn’t show my professional work for a long time. I had personal work to attract clients.

Social media

Be active on social media. As a freelancer you have many jobs, you have to work as well as promote it yourself. You dont need to be on every social media available. Just pick one.

Clients are not going to hire you if they dont see what is your potential.

If you are working on a personal project, just dont show the end result. If the clients gets to know you in someway they also might like to see your work process. For that you need to have a presence.

Be constant and consistent, leave an email ID or let people know how to get in touch with you.

Note:

There is nothing wrong in asking for a job, or letting people know you are looking for one.

Charge Fairly

Always charge for the work, Don’t work for free.

Your charge should be based on how much time and work you will need to put on the project, details required, no of color samples, Who the client is and how the project will weigh on your portfolio.

While overpricing could be a worry, under pricing could be equally unappealing for the client.

You can also ask the client what their budget is.

Charge for your skill.

An illustration for you might take a few minutes, but dont forgot you have been working of years on developing this skill. It may be in school or by yourself. You have put days and many hours in doing so.

Market price.

How much to charge the client can be a constant dilemma. You should know where to start. Its okay to start with the “market price”. You can increase your price as you grow and gain experience.

Good opportunity

While working as a freelancer a client might offer you work, saying this is good opportunity. Taking the work is upto you. The client might thing this is a great opportunity.

Be your own judge, don’t let others decide what is good for you.

Advance fee.

Do not start a project without an advance fee. If the fee is a big amount divide it over three sections over the course of your project.

Final Payment:

I never deliver the final file before the final payment is done. If incase the client wants to the final artwork in full resolutions sent it over with a watermark.

Terms and conditions:

Make a document explaining how you work. The process step by step.

The number of corrections you do. The fee if the changes go above a certain no. 

Accepting work

Before accepting any work clarify what is need to be done for the project.

How many illustrations are required

Request a brief

Timeline of the project

No of changes allowed/ set no of changes for the project. Charges of the corrections if it goes beyond the set changes.

If you have the conversation over the phone or in a meeting always send a follow up email and have everything confirmed over email

Work Process:

While working of a project show the client step by step process of your work.

Share every stage; idea briefs, rough sketches, final line work, color choices.

Show your work so the client can give you feedback on every stage. Communication is the key. Keep the client informed about your timeline, when will you submit the corrections or the next draft.

Be Nice

Be Nice to your client, colleague and other freelancers.

You never know who might recommend you for a project, talk about you or make you a part of a group project.

It id very important in this career that you build yourself a good reputation. Art world is very small, with social media even smaller. Everyone knows everyone so be nice.

If you have any more questions you can email me at aditiskakade@gmail.com