how to survive as Freelance Graphic Designer

I’ve been a freelance graphic designer for about 2 years. Many people wonder how I can survive, because they know that I don’t have big clients.

Most graphic designers, especially beginners care too much about having big clients, big job with big bucks. Well, there’s nothing wrong with that. But sometimes they forget about their capabilities, considering freelancer has to do all work that ideally have to be done by more than one person. The result is that they can’t focus and concentrate on creativity process which is their main job. Therefore they can’t fulfill their clients’ requirements.
Guess what?!

The clients wouldn’t satisfy, and…… they never comeback!

So, what’s the big deal about having big clients, big job with big bucks if you’re only getting once for awhile? In fact, you’re only getting bad reputation by that.

Personally, I don’t really care about the big clients and big jobs. Big bucks?! Yes! I do care. But big bucks don’t always come from big clients. How can I get it, then?!

Continuity. That’s the answer.

Having small jobs from small clients constantly and continuously is more important than having big jobs from big clients once for awhile for freelancers.

During my career as freelance graphic designer, I focus on small to mid-size businesses as my target market. It’s been more than enough for me. They keep coming back regularly because they get their satisfaction from the first job I given. In fact, I got free marketing by their recommendation from one client to another.

Getting new client is not easy, but (trusts me)… to make them keep coming back is even harder. Therefore, treat them professionally and yet personally. Call them once for a while just to say “Hi” and find out how they’ve been doing if you haven’t heard from them for awhile. Create an “open-communication” in order to make both sides comfortable, that way it will be easier to understand what clients need when you get projects.

Treat your clients equally instead of take a side on the bigger one, because no matter how big (or small) your client (or the project) is, they all have the same right: getting what they paid for, rights on schedule.

© Anton Ardjanggi, March 2007