I have wanted to write a regular post on this blog about what I have learned as a freelance graphic designer for sometime now. I would love for this blog to be a place people come for inspiration and a few helpful tips. However, I know a lot of friends who look at this blog are already talented and successful freelance graphic designers and don't really need my advice. For this reason I have been extremely intimidated and too scared to share my knowledge. But, the other day I got a call from a friend asking for some advice on how much she should charge and how should she explain her prices to her client? It reminded me that we all had to start somewhere. Any advice or encouragement we could get from a friend meant the world. So I am attempting to write a regular post on this here blog enlightening anyone who shall inquire about my tricks of the trade. If you are one of those gifted and talented friends I mentioned above PLEASE offer any of your own advice in the comment section! I would love it as I am sure so many others would as well. Let me first preface these posts by telling you a little bit about how I got here - I graduated from college with a degree in fine art. I then went on to get another degree in graphic design. After graduating for the second time I got married and quickly moved to the north shore of Oahu. For those of you who have never lived in "the country" on a small island there isn't a lot going on as far as job opportunities go. So, I became a freelance graphic designer out of necessity. Not because it was something I necessarily wanted to do. No no no, I wanted to stay in Portland and work at a large company and get benefits and have someone tell me what to do all the time. It was (and sometimes still is) difficult to be my own boss, make sure everyone is happy with my services and work from home (this last one is the hardest). All of the things I have learned I have had to learn twice. Once in school and then once the hard way. So I am imparting any knowledge I can on to YOU in case YOU need it.
That brings us to next weeks "2 cent" question of the day! "How much should I charge for my services? and how do I explain my pricing standard to my client?" I will be specifically talking about the use of an invoice (your soon to be new best friend) and how to gauge how much you are really worth. If any of you have any questions for future "sharing my 2 cents" posts, or have some really great ideas about this upcoming post please leave a comment in the comment section below.
6 comments:
Hooray! I'm so excited to learn from you. I really admire your design aesthetic and business sense. I'm looking forward to this series.
I'm excited about this series. I really admire your work ... as you already know.
Very cool! I have recently been doing freelance writing and editing this year and I am sure your tips will translate to that arena in many ways as well. Looking forward to it!
Finally you'll teach me your tricks! Can't wait
Any time of late I've seen a post pertaining to how one sells and values their work in our wonderful but competitive industry, I latch onto it with excited and thankful hands. To have something like this from you makes it all the more bursting with worth. I very much appreciate your taste, talent and genuine honesty.
This is so exciting! I am very interested in hearing your story and advice. My husband works part time at a graphic design job while doing the rest freelance. We are trying to both move in to the freelance field so I would REALLY love to know how you got started. Since it was out of necessity with no job experience to back it up how did you promote yourself, get your first clients, make it all legit?
Ok that is a lot but thanks so much for doing this post!
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