Freelancing in web designing is a dream for many professionals with an artistic bent, but this field isn?t just about the talent you have. Successful freelancing depends on your business savvy and ability to commit and deliver on time.
Self-employment is a great thing, but many don?t choose it because of the financial and career-related risks involved. Freelance web designing could be a miserable existence if you don?t play your card correctly ? and the fact is that many web designers are already doing it the wrong way.
The most important aspect in successful freelancing as a web designer is getting the right clients, both in terms of consistency and quality. Generally, freelancing should be treated as another facet of consulting, which needs to be done right if it is to evolve into a satisfying career.?A successful freelancer is someone who has developed an extensive professional network, possesses a healthy dose of entrepreneurial spirit and stays updated on the latest development in his or her chosen industry.
A premature decision to freelance rather than engage in a full-time job could severely damage your financial and emotional health, apart from costing you the most productive years of what could have been a successful career. It certainly is a gradual process and involves several steps.
Begin With a Full Time Position
The best way of understanding the intricacies of the web design industry is by actually working with a company where you can gain-on experience in what clients really need and what it takes to fulfill their requirements. Simultaneously, it is advisable to build an appreciable technical portfolio. This will give you confidence about your raw skills, and also an understanding of what kind of work meets industry standards.
If you cannot find such a position (almost every company is looking for experienced candidates), it would help if you enroll in a professional course from a reputed institute that provides the right coaching as well as support in finding a job.
Start Building Your Network And Portfolio
When you have a salary to look forward to, you can spend the rest of your time working on your own projects. Offers of freelancing projects will come your way if you open the right channels and broadcast your availability.
Social platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook are great resources to help you build your network and showcase the work you have been involved in. Join groups on LinkedIn where other web designers congregate. This is one place where people looking for designers post job and project listings frequently.
Networking is about laying the groundwork to self-employment. When you are confident that you can get enough quality work throughout the month, you can consider leaving your full time position.
Once you are self-employed, get listed on freelance sites like elance.com and freelancer.com where you can showcase your portfolio and bid for advertised projects.
Keep Upgrading Your Skills
Technology is changing continuously, and new tools and ways of doing things are being introduced for web designers all the time. You need to stay current on the latest developments in your field because this allows you to get the best projects.
Once you are getting booked consistently, you can start raising your rates, begin taking up high-paying jobs and pass on the less lucrative ones to friends and acquaintances who are just starting out.
Specialize
Specialization is the key to becoming known and being in constant demand. Graphics designing involves several ingredients – try to specialize in one and become a master of it. Gradually, you will witness your demand growing and your bank balance showing satisfying figures.
Start early and be patient. Freelancing is a lot like interviewing for a job. But, as a freelancer, interviews are held practically every single day, and your progress depends on your dedication to the job and to growing your business
This blog post has been Digiproved © 2019 HumanResourcesBlog.in © 2014 Jappreet Sethi
Thank you Mr. Jappreet, I admire your work here. But i believe that we can encourage people for a bigger career than what you have shown. People with such skills can even become mark zuckerberg if they just start believing in themselves.