Want to be a Successful Freelancer? (Work at An Agency First for On-The-Job Training)
Photo by Helena Lopes
Today, many people are promoting the freelancer life. Be a copywriter, graphic designer, or programmer. Pick up clients around the world, live wherever you want. Stay a solo freelancer or start an agency.
For many creatives, this is the dream.
Base Your Freelance Dreams in Reality
Starting your freelance or agency business means you have a LOT to learn.
For starters:
Your Craft: Will you be a practicing copywriter, graphic designer, or programmer? What level are your skills? Can you compete in the marketplace?
Your Offering: How are you positioning your freelance business? What services will you offer?
Sales: What type of clients are you looking for, and how will you get them?
Systems: You’ll have to choose systems for file management, bookkeeping, etc. If you’re working with others, you also need a communications platform.
Client Relationships: Once you have clients, will you be the face of the company to the clients? How are you in client meetings?
Be an Employee First. It’s On-The-Job Training
I know that many creatives in their early twenties are eager to launch their own freelance or small agency business.
However, in many cases, they don’t know what they don’t know.
If you’re planning to freelance or start an agency, why not get on-the-job training? Start your business with experience and a strong portfolio.
That means getting a 9 – 5 at a creative agency.
Here you’ll have two jobs.
Your first job is to do great work for your employer. That has to be your main priority. Get better at your craft, learn from mentors at the agency, build your portfolio.
Your second job is to pay attention to how that agency is run. Look at the business side of the agency. Take note of what you want to copy for your business and what you want to avoid.
Learn How a Creative Agency Operates
Here are a few things to pay attention to:
Watch how the business operates. How do they open up a new project? How do they manage projects? Who does what?
What software do they use to track jobs and hours?
How do they estimate projects? Study a few estimates. Look at how they describe what they propose to deliver. What can you learn there?
Watch how they manage projects through the different phases, from client briefing > studio briefing > client presentations > final approval.
How do they work with outside contractors and freelancers? What kind of contracts and agreements do they use?
Get a Second Agency Job
After a year or two, start looking for another agency job.
Why? It’s a faster way to get a raise. You’ll want new clients to work on.
But also, you’ll want to observe how the second agency functions. Every agency is different, and you want to pick up the best ideas for your own.
When you start your freelance business, you’ll want consistent processes. It’s part of being organized which will make you more efficient. Even if you start as a solo freelancer, you need processes that work for you.
Use your employment as on-the-job training for your own business.
Get Freelance Clients While You’re Employed
As you get closer to launching your freelance or agency business, you should start getting freelance clients.
This means working evenings and weekends to build up your own business. You don’t want to leave your job and start your business with no clients. That’s a rough way to begin.
Important: Your freelance clients should be completely separate from the agency’s clients. Do not try to poach work from agency clients. You could end up in a lawsuit.
Secondly, your freelance clients should not be competitors of your agency clients. For example, if your agency has a beer account, you can’t have a freelance beer client. It’s unethical and could get you fired.
Should You Get a Third Agency Job?
That’s up to you. Here are a few things to consider:
How is your freelance business going? If you leave your full-time job, will you be able to support yourself?
Are you happy with your portfolio? You’ll want a solid portfolio to attract new clients. Working at an agency, you’re getting the credibility of their clients for your portfolio. You won’t likely get the same level of clients on your own.
Ready to Launch Your Freelance Business?
At a minimum, you should have:
Steady freelance clients.
A strategy for promoting yourself and getting more clients.
A cushion of money in the bank. You won’t be getting paid every two weeks, and freelance income can be “lumpy”.
Your website with your portfolio, contact info, and “about me” info.
A social media presence that aligns with your freelance company and website.
Good luck!
There’s lots more about starting and growing your business in my book, How to Start a Successful Creative Agency. It’s the essential business guide for graphic designers, copywriters, filmmakers, photographers, and programmers.
Buy Your Book Here
Over 300 pages and 23 chapters, available at Amazon (Paper & Kindle), Kobo (ebook), Apple Books (ebook), and Gumroad (PDF).
The book is packed with useful information to help creatives start and grow their business.
“He sent chapter 14 of his book after I subscribed and I’m buying the full paperback. This is good stuff! The chapter confirms a lot of what I already practice, but didn’t know how to explain, and also adds a LOT more to the table!”
Jessica Holub, Spoonie Media, Chicago, from Twitter
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This chapter covers essential areas such as Clients vs. Projects, Corporate Clients vs. Small Business Clients, How to Create an Opportunity Document, Benefits of Finding a Niche… and much more.
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