Freelancing is an area where choices between jobs are truly diverse. Depending on your location and desired level of commitment, you may search for freelance graphic jobs regionally or expand possibilities online. You should first gain an idea of what specific type of graphic job you will pursue. In addition, you should strongly consider factors like compensation, time commitments, and employer reliability.
First, you must find available opportunities. Traditional researching and calling local prospects is still a solid option for beginning a freelance graphic design career. Smaller jobs provide a good experience background. For example, you might notice that a small area business has little advertising. You might call this business and offer a brief sales pitch as to why the owner should hire you to create fliers, brochures, and other marketing materials. If you live in a more urban area, large agencies may be more readily available that outsource extra work to freelancers.
In the electronic era, the Internet also provides a valuable resource for job opportunities. Many sites are designed specifically for freelance job postings, and a quick search will likely bring up sites devoted exclusively to freelance graphic jobs. You should choose sites with a solid reputation, as the owners are more likely to evaluate job advertisements and delete questionable postings. Quality sites will also have registration requirements and forms that provide abundant information about available opportunities, such as specific job duties and employer background.
Many times, a freelancer will competitively bid on freelance graphic jobs. This means that the prospect provides a resume, potential references, and a pitch for why he or she would be best for the job. Individuals will also usually submit a proposed payment rate. If the employer appears more interested in giving the job to the individual with the lowest payment bid, then the job is probably not worth the time or effort. A good employer will treat a freelance project just like a regular job, and pay the employee a fair and reasonable amount for output.
When a freelance job comes with an already-set rate, you should weigh the amount of work versus the compensation for the work. Many freelancers take this step by determining an hourly rate, estimating how long the project will take to complete, and then multiplying the two figures. If your projected salary falls below the given compensation, then you might want to look elsewhere, as clashes between the employer and yourself are more likely. Freelancers also need to take into account how requested revisions will be handled in regards to funds and time spent.
Specialization will likely help any freelance career. If you are pursuing freelance graphic jobs, you should determine where your skills and expertise are best served. A graphic designer may work on many types of projects, including website design, brochure creation, or video advertisements. If you are proficient with computers and online coding, you should probably focus towards website work. A strong marketing background, on the other hand, might mean that your skills will mesh well with advertising agencies.
Your background and level of commitment will largely guide your freelance jobs search. If you are pursuing work as more of a hobby or a source of extra income, then you might consider lower-paying or volunteer jobs to gain experience. A career in freelance graphic jobs will necessitate a stronger foundation and a knack for self-promotion, however. Degrees in graphic design from accredited institutions and design internships will better build this foundation and perhaps provide you with more credibility.
