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I've been a freelance designer for 7+ years and worked with companies of all sizes and clients from about 8 countries. Sharing what I've learned to help you get started with freelancing.
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Firstly, I wouldn't recommend anyone to start their design career with freelancing. A good way would be to start while you're studying or already have a job. Spend your extra time freelancing, get a taste of it. And then take the leap when you feel the time is right.
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Few reasons why this is important:
• Learn the craft before the business
• Understand the basics of freelancing
• Get a few projects in the pipeline
• Lower the risk by saving some cash to help you survive through a rough patch
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• Learn the craft before the business
• Understand the basics of freelancing
• Get a few projects in the pipeline
• Lower the risk by saving some cash to help you survive through a rough patch
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When freelancing, you're often going to get hired for your hard skills (ui, ux, motion, illustration) but it won't help you retain the client unless you look to improve on your soft skills (communication, writing, presentation). Actively work on getting better at this.
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I've found documenting and sharing my work to be the best way to find clients. The majority of my clients approached me after seeing my work online. A good number of them also came from referrals and they kept coming back because they found value in my work.
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Use services that make you look professional. I used @bonsaiinc for proposals & contracts and @WaveHQ for invoices. If you want people to take you seriously, you've to take yourself seriously.
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Things can often go wrong and you would miss the deadline, more than once. But you're only going to make things worse by keeping the client in the dark. Keep them informed and communicate honestly, they'll appreciate that.
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People hire people they can trust. If you aren't accountable and don't take ownership of your work, you'll lose value and the client would start seeing you as a disposable asset. They would soon replace you for someone better, you don't want that.
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You don't have to stick with a single pricing model. Hourly, project-based, value-based – they're all relevant and useful. Be flexible with how you price depending upon the project requirements.
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Give your clients a few pricing options to pick from based on the services you offer. Not everybody needs everything, giving them an option to only pick what they need makes them feel in control. And it's a win-win since you only have to work on what's important.
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After completing the project, ask your clients for feedback and a testimonial. This is the right time since their memory is still fresh and you're still talking. I ask them to write me a LinkedIn recommendation and I use the same testimonial elsewhere.
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Connect with other freelancers for feedback & advice and to share work. You could rely on this network for direct help with projects and other indirect help. I can recommend @TheFreelanceEdu, which is a community of expert freelancers 
https://gumroad.com/a/778155123
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https://gumroad.com/a/778155123
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Listen to podcasts and read blogs from other freelancers to learn how they're going about their business. My friend @mattolpinski recently released his free ebook with advice from his 11+ year long freelancing career
https://mattolpinski.com/newsletter/
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https://mattolpinski.com/newsletter/
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Talking of podcasts, I recently talked to @Iruhdam24 on @hireworthy podcast about my journey so far as a freelance designer working remotely while traveling in Asia, Middle East & Europe
https://anchor.fm/hireworthy/episodes/07--Being-a-Freelance-Remote-Designer-with-Darshan-Gajara-ed5qmg/a-a20rrt0
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https://anchor.fm/hireworthy/episodes/07--Being-a-Freelance-Remote-Designer-with-Darshan-Gajara-ed5qmg/a-a20rrt0
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I tried covering some of the repetitive questions I've received in the past about freelancing. I hope this helps and let me know if you've got any follow-up questions.
P. S. I've taken a break from freelancing after moving to Berlin last Dec.
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P. S. I've taken a break from freelancing after moving to Berlin last Dec.
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