Whether you are new to digital design freelancing or have some experience with being self-employed, it can be challenging to work independently. While some Digital Designers struggle to make the switch to freelancing altogether, others find that managing their new career is just as difficult. With nearly 57 million Americans working as freelancers, creative professionals must find a way to stand out from the crowd and excel as self-employed designers.
Below you can read through helpful career advice for digital design freelancers to help secure clientele and stand out from others in the field. While these tips may be beneficial for those in a creative design career, any freelancer can benefit from implementing this advice.
Diversify Your Portfolio
One of the most important things a freelancer should strive for is a strong and diversified portfolio. This is often the first thing a potential client will see when looking for a Digital Designer, which is why it’s important it shows current content and accurately represents your skills. If you currently work as a freelancer, your portfolio may be stagnant and outdated. It’s easy to immerse yourself into work or client requests, only to realize it’s been months since you’ve added new content to your collection.
Take the time to look through your portfolio to ensure it provides an accurate representation of your skills and abilities as a Digital Designer. You can remove any old or outdated projects to make room for any new samples. You can also try looking through the top portfolio hosting platforms to see if there is an option that better aligns with your professional goals.
Brand & Market Yourself Online
Another crucial step freelancers should take is building a personal brand and marketing themselves online to reach a larger audience. Essentially, a personal brand is the way you market your unique abilities and skills as a Designer. Having a strong brand allows you to stand out from others in the field and influence how prospective clients perceive you. Keeping a consistent voice, image, and brand elements across your platforms makes you easily recognizable and helps to build your credibility.
Build a Solid Network
Networking with other creative professionals is an excellent way to gain referrals and learn new techniques when working as a digital design freelancer. If you run into a problem or need feedback on your work, there will be like-minded professionals who you can reach out to. LinkedIn, Dribbble, and Behance are some of the most popular platforms Digital Designers can use to network, collaborate with others, and meet potential clients. The more extensive your professional network, the greater the chance for additional opportunities or referrals.
Find Your Niche
It’s estimated that nearly 18% of Digital Designers are self-employed, highlighting the importance of freelancers finding their niche to stand out from the crowd. Digital Designers should strive to find their niche to help identify their target audience and determine what types of projects they want to pursue in their career. If you are unsure what area you want to work in, take the time to think about what design projects you are naturally drawn to and which you most enjoy completing.
Get Referrals
As stated above, networking is an excellent way to gain clientele and referrals. One of the easiest and most effective ways to gain referrals is to reach out to past clients and peers in the field. However, this is not the only way to build your network. Building relationships in your community or via social media is another option. Be sure to go out of your way to say thank you for any referrals you receive to show your gratitude and try to return the favor when possible.
Consider Legal Advice
If you are new to working as a design freelancer, don’t overlook reaching out for legal advice for tricky tasks like drafting contracts or filing self-employment taxes. It can be challenging to navigate these types of scenarios alone, which is why it’s recommended for freelancers to hire a legal advisor or Accountant for assistance. There are also options like LegalZoom for those who prefer to obtain legal advice virtually.
Stay Patient
While working as a freelancer offers many benefits like flexibility and working independently, various challenges come with being self-employed. It’s crucial that digital design freelancers stay positive through the inevitable difficulties and remain patient while building clientele.
The workload for those who are self-employed tends to ebb and flow, meaning each week can look different for tasks or deadlines. Try to remember that this is all part of working independently, and it doesn’t mean you are doing anything wrong. If you are worried about completing your weekly tasks, try using a time tracking tool like Toggl or Clockify to analyze your workload.
Continue to Learn
Whether you are new to digital design or have years of professional experience, it’s crucial to stay updated on the latest trends and practices in the field. If you currently work as a Digital Designer, it can be hard to fit this additional training around your schedule. Some individuals choose to take classes like Photoshop in a Day or Illustrator in a Day if they are short on time and just looking to build on their current knowledge.
Those looking for a more immersive curriculum should consider the digital design certificate course from Noble Desktop. This course provides training in vital areas like graphic design and visual (UI) design to help designers gain a well-rounded understanding of the fundamentals needed to work in digital design. Students learn industry-standard software like Adobe XD and Illustrator, as well as web design concepts.
Another option for in-depth training is a live online graphic design bootcamp. Bootcamp courses are designed for those looking to start a new career and need training in the field. These classes are flexible, meaning you can learn from the comfort of your home. If you are ready to get started with a career in digital design freelancing, try searching for live online graphic design bootcamps in your area.