Many times we have made compilations on the most common mistakes in design and we have also proposed some tips to overcome the most common limitations within our field, however, today I would like to share with you a decalogue of the most interesting focused on the world of work (graphic design) freelance.
What should you keep in mind and what should you avoid? Keep reading and pay attention!
- Lack of personal confidence: In the world of freelance work this is more common than we think. It is very common for designers who are entering the world of work for the first time to find the freelance modality as a first option. Whether this is the case or not, the truth is that with the first experience some situations or reasons may always appear that lead us to doubt our abilities, but the truth is that if we do not believe in ourselves it will be impossible for others to believe in our abilities. Therefore, it is very important that we manage to overcome fear and enter each meeting we have with confidence. Without trust there are no clients.
- Not charging enough: One of the reasons why any company decides to look for freelancers is the economic issue. It seeks to save costs through this type of worker. We as professionals must bear in mind that to win clients we must not give away our work. On the contrary, we will have to learn to value ourselves and calculate a fair reward for our work. In case we do not get used to this, we will get a bad economic situation and we will create a bad situation in our professional sector.
- Lack of communication with customers: This is one of the most common mistakes and as a consequence the designer tends to maintain a much more submissive position. Telephone calls and e-mails are made numerous. We need to remind our clients at all times what to send us and when to do so, as well as learn to strengthen our leadership skills.
- Leave out small clients: We must never stop paying attention to those clients that may seem small because we will never know when they have a good job for us. In addition, if we want to maintain ourselves financially, we must accept jobs from which we can obtain fair profits according to the time invested in them and above all we never know if this small client will grow and invite us in the future to continue working with them and be part of their growth.
- Charge per hour: The most correct thing for every freelance graphic designer is to charge per project because it involves less pressure and greater ease when it comes to explaining when charging, at the same time that we must take enough time to develop good works.
- Don't ask for the down payment: One of the key points is the advance payment of a certain percentage of our work to avoid later against times for payments or that the client halfway does not want to finish the project and leaves with nothing to lose. The initial payment is essential.
- Say YES to everything: We all want to impress our clients but this does not mean that we will say YES to everything they ask of us. In general, the client will want more than what they contract without wanting to pay more and this cannot be allowed since bad habits can be created and think that it will always be the case. You must keep your point of view and always reach a point of consensus where no one is harmed.
- Not setting deadlines for work: Another of the most common mistakes is missing project deadlines. You have to make sure of the deadlines so as not to look bad and that you as a designer are aware of the time it takes to do the work to avoid inconvenience to the client. This you have to put it in writing in a contract.
- Breaking a contract: It is necessary for every freelance graphic designer not to start any work without first placing all the terms in a contract where the conditions of the work to be done are expressed. Above all, it must include the start and end date of the project as well as the amount of money to be paid for it.
- Work lazily: By having freedom of time, once they have the contract they don't worry about the project and are distracted by less important things and in the end it becomes a race to finish something that would surely be better if the necessary time was invested. The advice here is that before chatting on Facebook or doing anything you finish the project you have pending first so that in a more relaxed way you can really enjoy free time.