Freelance...Is it worth it?

[ExestentialHaze]

Ok, I have had a freelance floral licence now for almost a full year now. I only got one wedding and that was last December.

I haven't been pushing myself enough to go out and do much about it...because I have no idea how to market Party Planning and Wedding Consults. I have looked online for tips here and there, and most of it I already knew about and can't afford to go get into shows and such because of everything going on.

Anywho...Last month I bought a website for under $50 and am now hopefully going to try and get it up and running with my services available....which will be

Graphic Design
Floral Design
Party Design
Photography
And anything else that can be designed!

Does anyone know of a better site where I could look up marketing tecniques that won't include me spending an arm and a leg? I am thinking my best bet is a b&w ad of some sort, that is the cheapest route to getting my biz out there for my freelance work.

I orgininally got the site for just my portfolio....and have been thinking that I should put all my serevices on there in case someone needs something more specific design wise.

Any suggestions would be fabulous, Thanks!!

~Haze

p.s.-I also have a few marketing books from college...but it's a bit outdated

[AshleyJordan]

When I consulted (in a totally different field than yours) I very rarely advertised. If I did, it was just on craigslist or some other free site. I went to a ton of events and built my contacts from there. For me, networking was very effective!

[WorkInProgress]

I would imagine that creating personal connections and networking is the key to making freelancing work, when it's a service like those described.

[sondra_finchley]

Well, who are you marketing to? Is there a niche in your area (especially your town plus maybe a 20 mile radius) that is underserved you could slip into? Do you want to do just parties and weddings, or are you more open to other options? For what it looks like you can offer you could almost go and market your services directly to companies in town for not only their company parties but any design work they may need ( especially if they dont have a design department). What about advertising your services in all the church newsletters in your area? Is there a womens business group in your town as well? Lots of times those groups have monthly meetings, you could look into donating some small centerpieces or a large sign-up table display in return for maybe getting a plug or at least meeting with people. You could also try to build relationships with the owners of popular restaurants and meeting halls to offer your products as part of a package if they offer that service to their clients. Get out there and start talking to people, and dont forget to get some payment up front!

Freelancing is hard, and you have to build a network to make it work, but it could pay off very well for you in a few years if it is what you really want to do. If you really wanted to make a go of it you could look into taking out a small business loan.

[ExestentialHaze]

Thanks for the input. I can't get a small business loan yet till some of those bills are paid off. But maybe next year I'll be able to get something more substantial going.

Where I work now is a very small biz and it's starting to get mundane....hum drum to me.

I'm just trying to drum up a little biz on the side to make extra cash to help with the bills. I don't know even where to start, being that I couldn't walk into a business unless it was after 4pm...hrmm...I dunno...

~Haze

[Kitty]

All my freelance gigs are through networking.

[AshleyJordan]

So if you have limited cash and you're busy during the business day anyway, why not focus on building your contacts and treat this as a side gig-- one where you don't put down too much money? You want to test the waters, so I'd urge you to network, maybe put up an ad on a free site like craigslist, and get started as cheaply as possible while still earning income from your "job job". That's what I did, anyway.

[ExestentialHaze]

So if you have limited cash and you're busy during the business day anyway, why not focus on building your contacts and treat this as a side gig-- one where you don't put down too much money? You want to test the waters, so I'd urge you to network, maybe put up an ad on a free site like craigslist, and get started as cheaply as possible while still earning income from your "job job". That's what I did, anyway.


I'll try it..and I'll also try setting something on craigslist for typing papers....I am pretty fast at typing...and there's a lot of people who can't type as fast as others.

I'm just trying to think of anything and everything that I have time for after work as well...

Always good to have as many doors open as possible.

~Haze

[Kitty]

I should do typing for people on the side. I type 130 wpm.

[WorkInProgress]

I should do typing for people on the side. I type 130 wpm.

Wow..

[Kitty]

Wow..


I know. I should have learned the piano or something.

[WorkInProgress]

I know. I should have learned the piano or something.

There's still time!

[Kitty]

There's still time!

Yes, only I don't have a piano!

[MercurialMere]

130 words per minute! Wow!!! That's beyond impressive.

My freelance gig with an independent publisher was the result of the best networking opportunity that ever fell into my lap. I was given the number of the acquisitions editor by a professional contact of mine. I called, was offered a six-month internship on the spot (during which I not only learned the ropes of publishing, but also added several publications to my portfolio), and then became a regular freelance writer/editor for the company. I'm contracted for 7 manuscripts right now, with more on the horizon.

As others have said, the key to a successful run as a freelancer is networking. Knowing the right people is key, but so is promoting yourself and putting your name out there to introduce potential clients to the great work you do (no matter what the field).

[GreenFolder]

I don't know if you use an accountant or not, but keep your eyes open for tax breaks and the like that can really help out if you're trying to get started on your own, and not just at tax time. I know you can write off a lot of stuff when you're doing taxes but there are a lot of other things out there too. Range Rover even has a thing where you can get like $15000 in tax benefits if you're doing you own small business which is awesome.