I recently received an email from Rafael Caicedo (who is currently working on his website so I can’t link at the moment). Rafael wanted to know if I had ever written about how to find freelance work. Rafael has agreed that I can show his email-
…I was wondering if you had ever written an article on how Freelancers find work.. Or if any of the Freelance websites work for people.
I’ve been working freelance for about a year and in my experience I have found work through referrals,.. but have never used elance.com or guru.com or any other web freelance site. I am wondering if these sites are better suited for designers that are based in other countries with a cheaper economy, like India, Eastern Europe,.. or Middle East… who can afford to charge less,.. as it seems like people bring down their bids quite a bit in order to compete with others… Or at least that’s how it seems to me,..
So I am new to these websites, never having used them before, so I am kind of skeptical, if it would work for people in the states, canada or UK..
I have found a few jobs using Craigslist.org, but these are also from time to time, as a lot of people who post, want work done for peanuts or almost for free. What has helped me during this past year, is finding a couple of long-term clients who keep bringing me work, so I’ve built a good working relationship with them and this saves me time having to be looking for more work all the time,.. although I do always keep my eyes open for other opportunities.
My thoughts are similar to Rafael’s. When I first started freelancing I looked at sites like Elance, but quickly saw that there was no way I could make a living competing with people from countries who’s cost of living is far lower.
The way I found work initially as I may have mentioned before is by writing letters and sending emails to both design agencies and companies I had worked for in the past and local design companies that I found online. On one occasion when I first started out I emailed a small local company regarding freelance design work and they asked me to do holiday cover for their one and only designer while she was on holiday. It must have gone well as from this the company owner gave my details and recommended me to another company who I have been working for (from home) on a regular basis ever since. So recommendations is a definite way to build up your client base.
One thing I have noticed is that the design industry is incredibly incestuous (at least it is locally where I live), you can more or less guarantee someone at a company you work for will know/or know of someone at another company you work for so it pays to make a good impression.
When I first started freelancing I also signed on with a couple of recruitment agencies. I have in the past found full time work with recruitment agencies but didn’t find any freelance work this way when I needed it. The two agencies I signed on with probably contacted me with freelance work about 6 months or so after I signed on with them but by this time I was busy anyway. I am sure other people have more success with freelancing through recruitment agencies but it didn’t work for me.
I have recently been receiving quite a lot of enquiries through my blog for quotes for design work which is great so I would definitely say it is worth setting up a website with blog and portfolio.
There are several online design related job boards (I have signed on with some of them but not actively sought work through them so cannot comment of success rates) – the UK ones I am aware of:
http://www.freelancers.net
http://www.creativepool.co.uk
http://www.creativematch.com
http://www.viewcreatives.com
How do you find freelance design work, do online freelance sites work for you or do you use other methods to find freelance work?
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32 Comments
That’s great that you receive plenty of enquiries through your blog. It’s similar for me, and I’d highly recommend anyone with a website, to incorporate a blog.
You rank very well for graphic design-related terms, Tara. Well done!
Thanks David, I have been taking some of your advice about not getting blacklisted by Google – some good advice you have. It is a bit of a mind field so I have my fingers crossed all is OK. I’m glad to hear you’ve turned your problems with Google raning around.
Hi Tara,
thanks for the links and your recommendations too!
I will be working through recruitment agencies in London and find this the easiest way to get steady work in along with assignments through networking. It’s also a good way to quickly build/extend a portfolio since you will be working for a variety of clients/companies on short-term projects.
[ps the third link 'creativematch.com' doesn't work
]
Hi Tess – good luck with the freelancing. Thanks for letting me know about the link too – should be fixed now.
Hi Tara,
Rafael states some valuable concerns in his article — many online marketplace sites attract providers from India and Eastern Europe. That being said, some clients prefer hiring someone who is a native English speaker (or completely fluent in English) or who is in the same time zone (to ease communications), so you might still consider posting a profile. on oDesk (http://www.odesk.com), you’ll find providers from all over the world — not just the regions Rafael stated. Clients can search by time zone or even country, so you might get some clients who are looking to work with someone based in the UK. Many American-based providers, for example, have done very well on oDesk, despite competition from abroad. oDesk is free to join and there’s no cost to browse through jobs.
~Michelle, oDesk
I’m not a paid freelancer, but I’ve done some unpaid work for people, all who contacted me through my blog. It really is a good way to find new people. Word of mouth is also good, and link exchanges will bring traffic to your site, and these visitors will then see that they can hire you, etc. etc.
Networking = good
This takes a little time, but one great way to get some pass-along work is to build some relationships with busy designers online. Once you feel like you have a relationship established through exchanges on your blogs, etc., you could e-mail them, and let them know that you are currently looking for some freelance work. If they are turning down clients due to lack of time, ask if they would give out your name as an alternate. Be sure you have a top-notch portfolio on line so they feel confident in recommending you.
People like to work with people they know. Get to know as many people as possible through forums and blog interactions. Remind them regularly that you do graphic design work if they ever have a need.
I must say, freelance designers like me really have a tough time finding design work. The pricing’s bad at times as well.
There’s also Authentic Jobs (Cameron Moll reviews each one before it’s posted) and Freelance Switch’s job board. I’ve never used them myself, but I think the jobs are legit, though many jobs online nowadays are for web designers/developers
I really think the best way to find work is like everyone says: networking. Go to events (like holiday parties or tradeshows), even if you don’t feel like it, talk and get to know people. Sometimes job opportunities come in the most unusual and unexpected ways.
Hi Tara. I work at Elance and thought I could provide some helpful info.
Almost half of the providers on Elance are actually in the U.S., although we have excellent providers from all over the world. The businesses and people looking for your expertise on our site are relying on qualified and talented providers to get good work done, so it’s not just about the lowest bidder.
A strong online profile definitely helps businesses and people looking for help to make a decision, and as a provider, you choose the projects that you feel are a good fit for you. Most providers say it’s the relationships they build that are most important in the long run, as they build their careers online.
I hope you decide to give Elance a try. And if you do, let us know about your experience.
Hi Michelle, thanks for your suggestions
H Rachael, I would always worry about doing free stuff, unless its for a charity, in case it devalues your work, but it sounds like it has worked for you. Networking and blogging is a good idea.
Hi Randa, the idea of swapping possible work contacts is a good one. As well as through blogging this works well locally – a local friend and I usually let each other know of opportunities if we are unable to take them.
Hi Design Pinas, I think when you start out its hard and then gets easier.
Hi Cyndi, thanks for your feedback on Elance. I have used sites like Elance to find coders to help me with code for my blog etc and have had mized results. Some people are excellent and some you just can’t ever get hold of and a project takes forever to get finished. I have looked at work on Elance and in general the amounts being paid for work are no where near what most freelancers in the UK would need to make a reasonable living.
Hi Lauren – sorry your comment was held in moderation. I agree, in general I thinking blogging/online portfolio, simple writing emails and letters and networking work best.
I’ve recently started doing freelance work to pay for college, and I really dislike those bidding sites. I’d really rather not bid on fifteen different projects and contact fifteen different people and then have them pass me over for someone who’ll do it for $30.
So, I’ve had some business cards printed and I’m going to try doing it locally (i live in a semi small town, 200k+ residents, with only one graphic design agency). Wish me luck getting clients.
I’ve just found this blog, what a usefull blog it is too, well done Tara – theres lots of information tips and advice here for us freelancers.
During the last 7 years of freelancing I have only experienced a few ‘dry’ periods where there is not much work. These days my work comes from referrals and repeat business however, in the early days, I did use agencies for short term contracts. I’m going through a ‘dry’ spell at the moment so the advice with regards to these online bidding sites and freelancing networks is proving insightful.
I came across a site today offering to design logos at rock bottom prices.
How are we supposed to make a living with competition like that?
Hi Graham, glad you’re finding it useful. I removed the cheap logos link – no offense, but we don’t really want to give them any promotion
Good point Tara, no offence taken.
Selling logos for £25 or less is cheapening the whole industry.
Well Graham, anyone who sells logos for £25 is no real competition at all,as the only people who will purchase at such a price probably wouldn’t pay more anyway. Quality comes with better design pricing. Consumers still pay large amounts of cash for designer clothes when cheap alternatives exist for £25
“You get what you pay for”. A motto I swear by
Hi Tara,
Really nice and useful site!
I found useful to start to Bid in Rent A Coder couple of years ago and once I got worth clients I continue working with them offline RAC.
A very dissapointed thing with Rent a Coder is the arbitration system that almost always is in favour of the Buyer so be aware.
Regards
Another new website to find freelance jobs is
http://www.yourfreelance.co.uk
It’s also good to look for some work at forums like Digitalpoint or Sitepoint. The amounts people pay on these sites aren’t the best you can get, though.
There is a wealth of knowledge here. I have even begun to reference it on my blog
Randa Clay, that sounds like some good advice. I’m a few years out of design school with little work and little-to-no contacts. Everyone seems to get jobs from networking, so I must be doing it wrong, or networking with the wrong people. I have begun to reach out to people to feature on my blog, so to maintain those contacts is something I could do.
This method must work, so I will try harder. I need work!!
There is a wealth of knowledge here. I have even begun to reference it on my blog “here”
Randa Clay, that sounds like some good advice. I’m a few years out of design school with little work and little-to-no contacts. Everyone seems to get jobs from networking, so I must be doing it wrong, or networking with the wrong people. I have begun to reach out to people to feature on my blog, so to maintain those contacts is something I could do.
This method must work, so I will try harder. I need work!!
Hi all I just had a visit at your website and i got alot of information of how freelance work actually
I will keep in touch with you guys and use your pearls of wisdom to find freelance work
Wish me luck
Tara,
Thanks for the great read. I’ve been wondering the same too about freelance sites since I’m trying to increase my clientele. I’ve done the site, portfolio, blog thing. But now I’m trying to find other ways. Your advice is definitely valuable. Thanks again! Please come by and support a fellow graphic designer
A lot of people have been asking exactly that on the forums I use, especially for those new to the industry finding work can be a daunting task.
I always find that word of mouth is the best advertising, which means that if you do good work, and stay in touch with your clients and maintain a good relationship, as well as get back in touch with anyone you used to work with and let them know you are available, eventually your good work will lead to people approaching you. To aid this, I think networking events and networking online via blogs and social networks such as Linkedin can really help. I say this not because it is in vogue and should work, but because I myself was offered a 4 month dseign contract because someone saw a post of mine on Linkedin, then from there looked at my profile and my portfolio website. I do use freelance websites from time to time, however I usually just bid on ongoing contracts with an hourly rate, this avoids the ‘logo for £25′ issue raised above. Generally, just stick to your guns and don’t undervalue yourself as it sets up a precident that that is what you are worth. Quiet times are rough, but people can use them to work on their portfolio site, brand, network and blog or perhaps do some design work for charities (the only time I suggest working for little or nothing!). Or, if the quiet period looks to be a few months, go to recruitment agencies and try to get a 2-6 month contract to bridge the gap.
I have been putting together some posts and advice based on my own experience which can be found here – http://www.bubblegumkitten.com/blog/category/freelance-resources/ – I hope they are of use to your readers.
Just wanted to firstly to thank Tara for posting this blog… the article itself and the subsequent comments are indeed very insightful! Although I own a studio, I still call myself a freelancer since I am in essence a one man (or woman!) show.
I moved back from Cairo to London in 2006 and I have experience in all ways of trying to get business and here is what I have learned so far:
In Cairo I found Elance very useful. Granted it was new at the time, but it did generate some good work, and we were perhaps less expensive, but never anywhere near the cheapest of the bids. Whoever is shooting just for the lowest bid a designer wouldn’t want to work with anyway, because you know they are simply not going to understand the design process and the whole job will just be a nightmare. Furthermore, you will just come out feel sour and used at the end (I know… I’ve been there).
I would tend to agree that Elance is almost useless for people particularly in the UK. For one, there simply aren’t enough UK or European buyers on Elance, which makes it impossible for us to be competitive in such a global marketplace where our cost of living is pretty much higher than anywhere else in the world!
Now that I am back in London, I have found that networking and face-to-face introduction really works best. Carry business cards EVERYWHERE and whatever you do, follow up those contacts the next day. Call, write an email, whatever… and remind them of who you are. Touch base every few weeks. At one point your communication will come on the day that they’ve run out of brochures, or a new project has just been launched and you will be fresh in their minds…
Lastly, with regards to the online ‘work’, for the amount of time that is put into placing thoughtful bids, it ain’t worth it, so my personal advice is stay away from the mad bidding sites. The site that has REALLY worked for me for big contracts (£5000 +) is Approved Index and The Seed, who I believe have just joined forces, but you do have to work hard and produce proper proposals to win the bid. The nice thing about Approved Index is the RFP only goes out to a handful of providers (6-8 I believe), so your chances are that much better.
Anyway, it ain’t easy out there even for the network savvy, but just thought I should let you all know what has worked for me.
I am definitely going to try this online blogging and networking… from what I am hearing it’s really very effective.
Good luck!
Tara, Thanks for the information. I have been looking for list of good freelancing sites to find work and this info is going to be helpful.
Hi all,
thanks so much for all the good advice. Its great to get so many opinions from people who have been there and done it. I remember reading that whatever you do, the majority of work comes from word of mouth or networking. However I guess everyone is differen’t and it is great to hear how people get work through blogs too.
Thanks again
Hi Tara,
This blog is excellent! I have just started out as a freelance designer and am finding it hard to find work. I am signed up with a few bidding sites and must have bid on about 30 jobs, I was offered one and now the client has gone silent! Also some people are bidding as low as £1.50 per hour!!! I think I’d better start networking as I certainly can’t live on that wage!
Lisa
lisasimmonds.moonfruit.com
Thanks Lisa – good luck with finding some more work.
Hi Tara
I work full time as a creative artworker, but because financially it’s a bit tough at the moment, (I actually earn less than I did 5 yrs ago), I am considering investing in a mac next year to do some part time freelance graphic design and illustration. I came across your article, as I was interested to know how other freelancers go about finding work, and you’ve confirmed for me what I already thought about bidding sites and agencies, and that actually the best way to find work is by word of mouth and networking.
Just wondering, but how are you finding freelancing during the current climate.
Thanks
Gar Bowes
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