Freelancer Focus is a regular feature, where freelance designers are invited to answer a series of questions about themselves and freelancing.
This week Belinda White (pictured left) is the freelance designer in question.
1. Your name?
Belinda White
2. Where are you are based (Country/Area)?
Newcastle upon Tyne
3. What type of work do you do? (design for print, web, multimedia etc)
All aspects of creative design – illustration, flash design, website design, packaging, advertising, retail display, literature, direct mail, logos and branding, magazines, presentations, motion graphics and flash games
4. How many years had you been working in the design industry before you went freelance?
20 years
5. How long have you been freelancing?
4 months
6. Why did you decide to go freelance?
Flexible working, I have two beautiful children, a four year old daughter and a one year old son.
7. How did you market yourself (find design work/new clients) in the beginning – (online portfolio/brochure/direct mail/email/phone etc)?
Website, direct mail, networking events, telephone calls.
8. How do you market yourself (find design work) now?
As above.
9. How did you decide what to charge? What was the process?
Work out all costs and outgoings and look at local market forces.
10. Do you work from home/have an office/work inhouse at design agencies?
Both.
11. How do you organise your workload, do you work long hours?
I have a bespoke Excel worksheet planner and I work long hours.
12. How much holiday do you give yourself?
None.
13. How do you keep up to date with what is happening in the industry?
Trade magazines, networking events, online.
14. What blogs, magazines, podcasts etc do you subscribe to?
Creative Review, Computer Arts, .Net, Design Week, Drum plus networking sites online.
15. How do you generate ideas/what techniques do you use to stimulate creativity?
Visits to art galleries, general design magazines including architecture, interior design.
16. What about the business side of things, accounting, invoicing, bookkeeping, how do you manage it?
I have a complex Excel spreadsheet set-up.
17. What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to someone starting out freelancing?
Promote yourself as much as possible, try to find different business angles and network, network, network!
18. Would you ever go back to fulltime work?
Yes. When my children are older.
19. Any thing else you would like to add?
Its hard work, but great to feel in control. Plus I get lots of family time.
20. Where can we see some of your work (URL)?
http://www.arttia.co.uk
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73 Comments
Get nice, Thank you Melinda ,you give inspiration to jump to the future with own business.
Nice site, and nice to know you Belinda…..
Thank you
very inspiring, more like this please
Hello,
Making money online is a goal of many, but most don’t know where to start. Freelancing is a broad term given to those who sell a service or skill on the internet, or off for that matter. A freelancer is self-employed and takes on clients. He or she performs her skill or service for current customers and then moves on to new clients, occasionally repeating the service for existing patrons.
I was definitely interested and reassured to see that Belinda markets herself the same ways I do. Glad I’m on the right lines! A good read all round
Being a full time freelancer is my dream. No boss, I can set my own working time.
Just drop by,nice blog.
Hello, im an architect. I think belinda’s idea is interest. I will try to do that in my town in indonesia thank you Belinda. Inderabisnis.com
I think the best thing about being freelance on the internet is it doesn’t matter where you live, as long as you have good internet
Its a great idea to post something about yourself as a freelancer. Its not easy to be a freelancer, but it has lots of advantages other than being an ordinary employee.
I think one of the greatest advantages is that your in control of your destiny, it’s hard work but the rewards are so much better, plus of course in todays climate your job as an employee is put at risk almost as much, so manage yourself instead of being micro managed.
There are lots of up and lots of downs – being in control of your own destiny is great, but you also have the responsibility to ensure you have enough work and that you keep your roof in place!
Nice to hear of others who are doing what i am trying to do.
Enjoyed the post. Recently I started freelancing and I believe network is the most important thing to get work. If network is there means we can expect works from the same person again and again. I felt so happy when I got my first money online…
Its not easy to be a freelancer, but as mentioned before being a freelancer has lots of advantages
Wow! No holidays. Freelancing can be very stressful at times, I would suggest at least a week off every 6 months or so.
Super! Nice site Belinda. Freelancing is a great way to have time with the kids. Its a lot of work though, but if you put your mind to it, it will work out nice for you.
that nice , freelancing is good to care the children at home. btw Belinda you must have some time for holiday. don’t over time on your job.
Nice to see a freelancer.
May u get a lot of work u look to be a experienced designer.
Oh Elance, I love that, and also iFreelance.com. There are many good places for freelancing these days, plenty to choose from. Certainly if one is feeling inclined to make a living from freelancing, can do so quite easily.
Great to see more freelancers each day. Takes courage but it’s worth it. It feels great to get your first paycheck and it’s the best way to be have a career and still be a full time mom.
Take the leap of faith and be in control of your destiny. Be in a job where you set the standards…make them high and you will always have work.
Great to see that freelancing is still gaining ground even in these tough times. People are realizing that companies are not a safe as they once were and that freelancing at least puts you in charge of your own destiny!