[Ball Fish]

Any freelance artists here on the forums that make a decent income be it full time or supplemental?

If so where do you obtain your clients?
Networking?
Do fee paid websites work? ie:Guru.com etc.

Thanks for any info

Randy

 

[m26gil]

I'm one... right now I'm preparing a portfolio site so I don't do to much paid work. I've never used paid websites but in the future when I'll need some more work I will try anything.

I'm preparing to do this full time, until now I've only done designs for myself or for people I know, also some paid work but not to much.

I have 10 years experience but until now I was more like a hobby artist... but not anymore.

 

[Fluid]

My business offers Freelance. (extra income) if your good and your art backs you up, you should be fine. Industry forums are a great place. Contact printers, embroideres and advertising specialty companies in your area. Youll probably get some clients just doing that.

 

[queerrep]

Yes. I've been freelancing full-time for almost 4 years and make more than I ever did at a full-time job doing the same thing (graphic design/illustration). Other than portfolios.com I don't use any other sites to find work. I obtain most of my clients through word-of-mouth or they come across my website or my portfolios.com page and then there is of course repeat business.

I used guru.com when I first started freelancing (it was creativemoonlighter.com back then). Competition is fierce there (not really talent-wise, but people willing to do work really cheap) and the general rule of thumb is you land 1 job for every 20-25 bids you make. And that was 4 years ago so I'm sure it's probably worse by now.

 

[beatbarn]

Good question... I've been freelancing for almost a decade now, and the first few years were so tough! It really boils down to your portfolio, what kind of experience you have, and a bit of people skills (yeah, I said it...). Well, after those initial 2 - 3 years of paying serious dues, I was able to sustain myself and now make a great living off Art Directing (thank god). But, again, it's not for the weak at heart, like any business, it takes discipline, hard work, and all that good stuff (plus that other part: TALENT)... Not trying to sound negative or scare you out of freelancing (as opposed to agency work), but good luck and follow-through with it...

::eace:::

 

[EternylStudios]

You can make a very very comfortable and lucrative living if you got the drive and the skills.

However don't plan on having nights and weekends off, if freelance is the way you go....definately alot more work than showing up to a job everyday, and collecting a check.....but all that more rewarding.

It takes alot of self promoting, and you have to be able to sell yourself.
since your best chance of building business, will be getting your customers to return for more, and actually have them recommend you to their colleagues....you have to give 200% all the time.....or they will find someone who does.

Always remember to charge what your time is worth, and pay your taxes....otherwise you'll end up in trouble sooner or later.

 

[KK]

can someone suggest how I can start into freelancing as a part time, maybe online, bt was not sure if paid sites would help? I am interseted in graphics, logos etc.

 

[Lifed]

I have had a few jobs in the past. Honestly if you just get o the right site, such as a forum, and find the right people, you can get a job. IE, get on a forum about web design, find someone who's making a website and offer graphical help.

 

[smutek]

I'm a full time day job (and part time night job) type of guy, but I'd like to recommend a blog that some of you might find useful:

Freelance Advice and Freelance Jobs - FreelanceSwitch

 

[carminejg3]

There is some really good advice in here. I wanted to post because in the future I will be looking for some freelance artist to help me create some designs for a t-shirt company I'm branching into. Prepare to sell yourself, create a website with sample work to show someone like me what you can do. EVEN if its super basic or a free blog site. This is one area that your skills will help command the money you make. Also consider offering a lower fee in the beginning to get more and more work.

When I seek out a freelancer, I'm going to balance the artwork and the price and build a relationship with a few select artist based on the time they have to help me.

So it might help posting for bids on the freelancing sites out there, maybe even buy some google adwords ads to promote yourself and try out with $50 to $100 dollars in your account that might get you 200-300 leads and if you could land a job or two it should help pay for it.

Also try contacting some local printing shops and see how they handle the artwork they use. Hope this helps make it easier for both artist and people looking for artwork connect.

and above all let people know you freelance.

 

[rmorales123]

check out some freelancer's blogs also to get a lot of vry useful info such as justcreativedesign.com/

 

[Daniel Slatkin]

Networking word of mouth, any and every web site that will let you create a gallery or feature your work in any way. I have found that there is always a way to reach good customers without spending any money.