Launch Your Freelance Career, and Do it Right

A Baltimore Wordcamp Talk

Erica MaysOCT 14 2017

ABOUT ME

Been freelancing since 2010, and have done it full-time, part-time, and on an “as I feel like it” basis.

Graduated with BFA in Graphic Design from MICA.

Worked at Under Armour, Stanley Black & Decker, T. Rowe Price, and for a marketing Agency.

Love cats, red wine, fancy cheese, and swing dancing.

Good morning!

OUTLINE

1 Your Brand

2 Your Money

3 Your Resources

1YOUR BRAND

Benefits | Voice | Website | Promotion

OUTLINE

1 Your Brand

2 Your Money

3 Your Resources

• Extra money on the side, and/or extra creative outlet• To have a full time job that’s awesome• Building your skills & portfolio• Building stability

BENEFITS OF FREELANCINGWhat can freelancing do for you?

- MeJust Now

BEING UNIQUE IS A GREAT WAY TO ENSURE A CONSISTENT CLIENT FLOW

GET A WEBSITEIf you don’t already have one,

Shop around, usually you can get a cheaper deal for buying multiple years of hosting at once.(Like Bluehost)

BUY HOSTING

Clean, responsive, user-friendly design. Check out a UX book for insights and tips. (Like Don’t Make Me Think by Steve Krug)

REMEMBER, DO IT RIGHT

Wordpress makes this mega easy and quick. Feel free to code it yourself if you’re capable.MAKE YOUR PORTFOLIO SITE

Should be easy to remember, professional, and represent you. Doesn’t have to be your name.GET YOUR DOMAIN NAME

YOURPORTFOLIO

Your portfolio represents you as a person and as a professional. Consistent design through a theme or your own hand will deliver a strong message.

• Keep your portfolio live• Make sure your portfolio reflects the work you want• Stay up to date on trends in your industry• Keep it short and sweet; 15-20 pieces is fine• Display your work professionally (check DesignCuts.com)

Keep it pretty, keep it live

PROMOTE YOURSELFDevelop your brand and shout it to the world! Or at least the internet.

• Business cards. Always have them with you.• Pick a couple of social media sites to make a presence on. Don’t overdo it.• Keep learning, stay updated with fresh trends and apply it to your brand.

2YOUR MONEY

Network | Pricing | Contracts | Finance

OUTLINE

1 Your Brand

2 Your Money

3 Your Resources

NETWORK

Yes, networking is a term I’ve found many folks have come to hate. It’s cold and everyone wants something. But what you might think about networking is simply it being done wrong. Your network is your job, so start building it up!

It’s a cliché,

but it’s your life now.

You can network at the pizza place, at the gym, and in the park. Just connect and grow your network!

NETWORK EVERYWHERE

Everyone wants money and a good job, but don’t ever lead with it.

IT’S LIKE DATING

Ask questions and get to know people. Make an impression that you are genuine, and kind.

THINK ABOUT CONNECTING

Continue to evolve your greatest connections. They will serve you in the long run.

EXAMINE & DEVELOP

PRICING YOUR WORKBecause you’re worth it

01 PROJECTSCOPE

• Get everything in writing.

• Determine the deliverables.

• Watch out for scope creep!

• A contract is paramount.

02 WAYS TOPRICE

1. Hourly2. Flat rate3. Value-based

Value-based is the way to go! This is a flat fee determined by several factors.

03 HOW TOCALCULATE

1. Hourly: triple a non-freelancer’s fee.

2. Flat rate: hourly times hours of work.

3. Value-based: Flat rate, add adjustments.

04 GIVE THATQUOTE!

• Immediate yes? Too low.

• Negotiating? Spot on.

• Turned you down flat? Pass them along, stay professional.

CONTRACTS,ALWAYS

Everyone wants to get paid. No one wants to go to court. Have a contract to protect yourself, your process, and your wallet.

THIS WILL SAVE YOU

CONTRACT CONTENTSThe making of an iron-clad contract.

1 DEFINE THE PROJECT

4What deliverables are you giving the client? Be specific to avoid scope creep.

DEFINE THE PROJECT

2 RIGHTS!

3 TIMELINE

4 PAYMENT

5 EXTRA REVISIONS

6 KILL FEE

1

CONTRACT CONTENTSThe making of an iron-clad contract.

4Who owns the rights to the work? You, by default. They can license your work. If they want to buy the rights, charge more.

RIGHTS!21 DEFINE THE PROJECT

2 RIGHTS!

3 TIMELINE

4 PAYMENT

5 EXTRA REVISIONS

6 KILL FEE

CONTRACT CONTENTSThe making of an iron-clad contract.

4When is the first draft due? First and second rounds of revisions? Final product? Make a timeline for the project.

TIMELINE31 DEFINE THE PROJECT

2 RIGHTS!

3 TIMELINE

4 PAYMENT

5 EXTRA REVISIONS

6 KILL FEE

CONTRACT CONTENTSThe making of an iron-clad contract.

4Ask for a percentage up front, a percentage after the first round of revisions, and a percentage at the end.

PAYMENT41 DEFINE THE PROJECT

2 RIGHTS!

3 TIMELINE

4 PAYMENT

5 EXTRA REVISIONS

6 KILL FEE

CONTRACT CONTENTSThe making of an iron-clad contract.

4Specify that should the client desire more revisions than the initial two rounds, a new contract will be drawn up.

EXTRA REVISIONS51 DEFINE THE PROJECT

2 RIGHTS!

3 TIMELINE

4 PAYMENT

5 EXTRA REVISIONS

6 KILL FEE

CONTRACT CONTENTSThe making of an iron-clad contract.

4Clients bail. Don’t work for free! A kill fee insures you are paid for your work even if a client bails/cancels the project.

KILL FEE61 DEFINE THE PROJECT

2 RIGHTS!

3 TIMELINE

4 PAYMENT

5 EXTRA REVISIONS

6 KILL FEE

PERSONAL FINANCEYou’ve got all that money, so now what?

01TAXES

03RETIREMENT

02BUDGETING

04INSURANCE

01You can register your business online for free, and you must pay your taxes. The first year you’ll pay annually, then quarterly after that. I suggest putting 1/3 of each paycheck in a separate taxes savings account.

TAXES

PERSONAL FINANCEYou’ve got all that money, so now what?

01TAXES

03RETIREMENT

02BUDGETING

04INSURANCE

02You can use any number of free programs like Mint to make and stick to a budget to make sure you don’t fail financially. Build up a minimum of 1k in your personal savings, ideally 6 months of living expenses.

BUDGETING

PERSONAL FINANCEYou’ve got all that money, so now what?

01TAXES

03RETIREMENT

02BUDGETING

04INSURANCE

03After you have at least 1k in your personal savings, start contributing as much as you can to your retirement. Contribute more once you have 6 months of living expenses in your savings.

RETIREMENT

PERSONAL FINANCEYou’ve got all that money, so now what?

01TAXES

03RETIREMENT

02BUDGETING

04INSURANCE

04Obviously, take care of your physical health! You can look into business insurance as well should you get big as a freelancer, or as soon as you start dealing with big clients, large sums of money, or large corporations.

INSURANCE

3YOUR RESOURCES

Community | Charms & Challenges | Avoiding Burnout |

OUTLINE

1 Your Brand

2 Your Money

3 Your Resources

YOURCOMMUNITY

• Know if you are an introvert or extrovert• Develop a community of freelancers in your field• Pass work along to your community when you are

swamped, and ask for work when you need it• Ask for advice with client problems• Get feedback on your current project• Share resources and trends• Yes, also get some emotional support

Freelancing doesn’t mean being alone

Online Communities:Facebook

RedditSlack

Meetup

CHARMS &CHALLENGES

• Work wherever• Work whenever• Wear pajamas• Netflix on• Have 3 cats in lap• Creative freedom• Take long breaks• Work from bar• Make decent money

LIKE CHARM CITY!

• Must find work• Must have many jobs• Much to organize• No employer benefits

Accept your failures. Take notes.

All freelancers face these challenges.

CHARMS CHALLENGES

AVOIDING BURNOUTMENTAL HEALTH TIPS TO KEEP YOUR CAREER AFLOAT

DO FUN THINGS

USE TOOLS(Evernote,

Trello, 17Hats)

TAKE A BREAK

USE YOUR BRAIN

CONTACT MELET’S GET IN TOUCH

erica@ericamays.com

ERICA MAYS

RESOURCES:Apps:• Trello (to-do for adults)• Evernote (notes, lists)• 17Hats (invoicing, contracts, organization)

To Read:• Don’t Make Me Think by Steve Krug (fast UX tips)• Creative, Inc. by Joy Deangdeelert Cho & Meg

Mateo Ilasco (running a freelance business)• Medium.com (creative, tech, entrepreneur articles)

Communities:• Facebook• Reddit• Slack• Meetup

Continued Education:• Udemy.com• Skillshare.com• CreativeLive.com• Lynda.com