by man5
4 replies
Talking specifically about Graphic/Web Designers.

If you are just starting out, it's better to find a stable day job and do freelance on the side. Because let's face it, you just graduated and you don't have the skills and experience to land big enough clients to make a living full time. I guarantee you, you will sell yourself short and attract unwelcoming small clients that will pay you under minimum wage and treat you like crap.

But it's all part of experience. The way I found confidence was to get a day job, part-time or full-time...it involved graphic design, so I was happy. Make decent money to not have to worry about paying bills and rent. This way, you won't be so desperate to land these small penny pincher clients just because you are in need of cash.

The worst thing you can do is to sell yourself short. It makes you look bad. It makes the rest of us look bad. Don't do it. Get a day job to provide you with income. At the same time, work on your skills and go after big clients and try to land big deals. Your motivation is the money, but at the same time you don't have to worry about losing money if you don't land a big client. You already have a source of income.

Do you agree with the above?

What are your thoughts?

Discuss.
#day #freelance #job
  • Profile picture of the author ZachWaldman
    Personally, I think the quality of your work is more important than the length of time you've been working.

    I know a lot of people that say they've been doing [fill in the blank] for ten years, 20 years, or whatever. Then, you look at their work and it's not good.

    There's a difference between doing something once a year for ten years and working your tail off 18 hours a day for one year.

    Quality can't be denied. If what you're doing is good, do it and charge a premium.
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    Zach Waldman - Los Angeles Magician
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  • Profile picture of the author onegoodman
    It is true for most cases, start in IM without stable income is risky.

    I am currently have no job and doing IM. It is not making enough money to pay my bills but I am hoping if it does with in few months, then I am good to go

    otherwise, oops I am in trouble
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  • Profile picture of the author Stevie G
    It depends what your goal is. If your goal is to eventually end up owning your own business and you can keep your head above water working for yourself, then why are you dicking around with a job? You're not going to learn how to run a business working for someone else and if you're going to try to build a business as well as work for someone else, then other parts of your life will definitely take a hit.
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  • Profile picture of the author IronRing
    Banned
    How do you go about finding a consistent reliable stream of big (as opposed to penny pinching) online clients for your graphic design freelancing? I do graphics on the side too and was wondering if you could be kind enough to share a few tips
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