Any freelancers out there? ...

[Pointy boy]

...and if so how and why did you take the decision to become freelance?

Bit of background: I'm a designer and illustrator. Have been for the last 18 yrs. I'm now switching to part-time hours, with the intention of developing freelance work during the rest of the week. I'm both excited and, frankly, terrified

I'm doing this to try and get a bit of flexibility and control over my working life, and hopefully a better lifestyle (not financially, just in terms of job satisfaction and general well-being). The downside is losing the security of a guaranteed wage, which I've had since leaving art college 18 yrs ago.

Anyone else made the leap from employed to freelance, in any area of work? If so, how did you find the transition, and how long before the fear of the unknown subsides?

Any thoughts and experiences gratefully received.

 

[ColinJ]

I know several people who did freelance digital electronics work about 15 years ago and were making around £70k p.a. at the time. They had followed the work and lived in Belgium for a couple of years. They did it for the money, and to get away from the UK for a time while they were young. They came back and got married here when they were older.

I know someone else who is doing quite nicely now but had some very lean years before that, but he was not willing to travel. He prefers having more control over his working life.

I know freelance software developers who make quite a bit, but again - they follow the work. These days you can do a lot from a home office, but I think many employers still expect to see you in person at least once a week or so.

 

[hoopdriver]

I have been a freelance writer-photographer for the past 18 years. It has been rewarding in many ways. I have travelled to over 100 countries and seen and done many interesting things, and at someone else's expense. That said, it is not an easy way to make a living and certainly no way to get rich. It is a lifestyle choice. You can do it for a couple of years and then go on to something else, seek the safety of a staff job and that will work all right, but if you persist with it, as I have, for as long as I have, you can find that your options for getting out become extremely limited.

 

[Pointy boy]

Thanks for the replies. I'm fortunate to have sufficient savings to tide me over a few lean months if the worst happens. I just need to work out how to generate enough income AND keep a nice balance to my life.

In case anyone is interested, I've got some recent work here: http://www.someothersun.com

 

[AndyRM]

In terms of advice, I have found it's really important to be upfront with the client about two things: costs and timescales. After a few disasters, I discovered the following three words which have never let me down:

Brilliant.
Cheap.
Fast.

You then invite the client to pick two words. Obviously don't present this bluntly, but I've never had a nightmare client since my discovery.

 

[ttcycle]

Freelancer here - now have got a staff job in a large media organisation. Freelance writing, photography and journalism was my bread and butter but in London it was very hard to make a living as you're in the scrum with many and the pay rates have dropped and dropped. I still pitch and write the occasional piece and do some photography commissions as I want to keep a hand in editorial. My staff work at the moment is technical/digital and in October probably loosely related to broadcasting.

The hard part of freelancing for me was the financial instability. I found it helpful to be incredibly disciplined with the work pattern both in producing it and chasing for work. As mentioned already, it's incredibly important to ask and negotiate rates and give a clear timeframe (always build in extra time so you get it all done before time)- check out what is standard in your industry and stick to it. Know your worth and always be aware that doing a 'favour' ends up being a nightmare. Be incredibly clear and try and work out the details so each side knows what to expect and so there are no grey areas.

i don't miss the cabin fever isolation as I worked mostly from home unless on a shoot. However, being able to have a bit of time if a health conditon flared up was very important and I miss that freedom. Stability of a staff job has helped with the health and I work in an open plan newsroom which is nice as I can be sociable or choose not to be. As you've mentioned, keep up the part time work and test out whether freelancing is viable financially and lifestyle wise. I saved up a cushion but that dwindled in time and the worst part of freelancing was not knowing when your next job would come in; sometimes it did, other times not.

All the best and good luck with it.

 

[albal]

Been freelance since 2000, driving them things <. I would struggle to go into PAYE after this long. Been offered posts but cant pi$$ off touring for as long as i want. So I stays where i am.

 

[RussellZero]

...and if so how and why did you take the decision to become freelance?

Bit of background: I'm a designer and illustrator. Have been for the last 18 yrs. I'm now switching to part-time hours, with the intention of developing freelance work during the rest of the week. I'm both excited and, frankly, terrified

I'm doing this to try and get a bit of flexibility and control over my working life, and hopefully a better lifestyle (not financially, just in terms of job satisfaction and general well-being). The downside is losing the security of a guaranteed wage, which I've had since leaving art college 18 yrs ago.

Anyone else made the leap from employed to freelance, in any area of work? If so, how did you find the transition, and how long before the fear of the unknown subsides?

Any thoughts and experiences gratefully received.

Have you got a website to show off your ability? I've been freelance most of my life - Im not at the moment, but Im in IT and always on the lookout for good graphics designers and UX people to work with.

 

[Pointy boy]

Hi Russell,

Some of my personal work is here: http://www.someothersun.com

Most of my work is for the events and exhibitions industry, with bits and pieces for film and video games. I'm re-vamping my main website at the moment and will post a link when it's done. I've attached a couple of bits here...

 

[MontyVeda]

Ex freelancer here... It's one thing being able to do the work, but you also need to be good at sales (IMO). I'm not good at sales and made a pig's ear of being freelance.

 

[luckyfox]

Anyone else made the leap from employed to freelance, in any area of work? If so, how did you find the transition, and how long before the fear of the unknown subsides?

Any thoughts and experiences gratefully received.

I work in a different sector, I've been 'freelance' for 6 years. If you have something you're passionate about and you want to control the direction then don't let anything stop you. I know its tough to get a full time role these days but if you really have what it takes you can become employed again if need be.

Few things I've learned, hope it helps: Never sit down when you get a pay cheque- get straight up and find for the next one. You'll learn just as much from your competitors as you will your successors. The balance between self deprecating and arrogance is silence, let your work and passion speak for it's self.

What scares me more than failure is not trying, not doing what I really want to do. Go for it.

If you feel I can help in any way feel free to PM.

Good luck!