How exactly do you go about becoming a freelancer?

[cindyq]

There's a lot of threads on the skills you need to get a job as a freelancer, but how do you actually find a job?

I'm fairly confident in my skill as an artist, but I've never done a personal commission or anything commercial along those lines. I'm kind of confused on where I'm supposed to look and how I land any freelance jobs?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Pigeonkill]

Here are just some quick suggestions. I'm still learning myself.

On the forums there is a section for "artist looking for work" Post up your best samples and mention what you can do for potential clients. Have your resume and reference on hand just in case.

You can check out some magazines at your local book store and write down the address and ask if they need any work from you. Be sure your styles fits with them and if they could use illustrations or new graphic designer for layout.

Networking with people at parties or other artist, never know if someone needs a portrait or photoshoping of old photos to be fixed.

Art contest/conventions are a mix bag. Some help push your career, others times it just distract it.

Be on time, keep your samples clean...or nobody will take you seriously. Hope this helps.

[Qitsune]

You don't "get a job" as a freelancer. You get jobs, usually small ones in the begining. So decide who you want to work for and find these people. Do you want to do pet portraits? Videogame animation? Storyboards? You won't find your customers at the same place. Don't just hangout in artist spots (lots of competition there,) find your customers where they are and show them what they want to see.

[Dredwalker]

Check It Out.
http://www.computerarts.co.uk/in_depth/features/10_lessons_every_freelancer_should_learn

Hope It Helps

[cindyq]

super helpful! thanks everybody!

[Ebony-chan]

There's a lot of threads on the skills you need to get a job as a freelancer, but how do you actually find a job?

I'm fairly confident in my skill as an artist, but I've never done a personal commission or anything commercial along those lines. I'm kind of confused on where I'm supposed to look and how I land any freelance jobs?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Hiya I'm really happy you asked this question, because a lot of new artist are kinda scared to ask this. So I'll answer this the best way I can as far as my point of view goes.

1. You want to be a freelnace artist. Very cool however understand that everyone is different so you'll have to do what works for you. Also you can ask your favorite artists for advice on how they do their freelance work. Than change a few things so it can work for you.

2. A freelance artist doesn't have one job their hired by different people or companies. So it's not the same as being an in house artist I think who is hired to do a certain job. To me a freelance artist is kinda like a jack of all trades in a way.

3. Make sure your work is up to part, Always push yourself to be better get feed-back and crits from other artists. Try posting here or other art forums it helps you grow as an artist. Yes it's hard to get feed-back you don't want to hear but you'll know where your mistakes are. So you can improve on them.

4. If going for a certain company tailor your portfoilo to what they like and want it doesn't have to be a lot of images but a few to let them know they you can do the type of work their looking for. Example for wizard of the coast want some action well worked out characters geared to magic and advantager so you wouldn't send them images of half nakes women in sexual positions or pin-up that would be geared more towards heavy metal mag.

5. As far as charging for your work for me each artist is different and it also depends on what the client wants. So there's no such thing is overcharging or undercharging it's what covers your bills for doing the work at the time and buy supplies along with the time you spent doing it.


6. I'm not finished so I'll be back later.=)

[Amber Alexander]

Something else I was wondering, is there anything a new freelancer has to do legally? Meaning, we obviously have to keep track of income for taxes but are we technically a small buisiness? (have to get small buisiness license from your city, ect)

[Viridis]

As I understand it (and I'm just starting out too so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) there's a threshold you have to pass before you need to start filing taxes. Basically I think you need to look up what makes you legally a "professional", if you're making a majority of your income from freelancing or if you're still just going at it as a "hobby" and not making a lot of real money from it. I've done small personal commissions for people for years but since this amounts to maybe $100 or so per year, it's probably not anything the IRS cares about. If you start making several thousands of dollars though you will probably have to file taxes.

Hopefully someone who does regular professional freelancing can help you out on the specifics of that. D:

[J Wilson]

You don't have to form a small business, just keep track of everything. Essentially it all just counts as income, the same as your regular day job.

[Qitsune]

It's also different in all locations (the laws are different according to the country and sometimes, according to state or province) but most governments have free guides to freelance and small business vs taxes.

[Andorz]

That's different depending on where you are. Here in Sweden you have to start a small business, which I have done.

Edit: Oh, so THAT'S what happens when you start doing other stuff before clicking "post". Qitsune runs up and steal your spot, huh. ;P