2. But freelancing isn’t for everyone...
• You may have a different worldview - experiences, or opinions.
• You might know you’re better in a office job.
• You might not be interested starting your own business.
Tuesday, July 2, 13
3. However, EVERYONE can start earning
money freelancing today even if...
• You have a full-time job
• You have no portfolio
• You have no prior experience
• You just got laid off or fired
• You just want to make money on
the side
• You’re still learning or polishing
your skills.
Tuesday, July 2, 13
4. You’re going to learn...
• The mistakes and successes I’ve
had in the design industry.
• What you need (and dont need)
to start a freelance business.
• Exactly how I write emails that
earn me over 5k per month.
• How much you should charge
for different projects.
• Additional resources for
freelancing like templates,
tricks, etc.
Tuesday, July 2, 13
6. After Graduation
I had the same 3 options every designer has:
1. Work at an Design or Advertising Agency
2. Work at a Company outside of the design industry
3. Freelance for myself
Tuesday, July 2, 13
7. I chose to work for an agency...
I wanted to work with an agency because:
• They had fun clients.
• They were more experienced and could teach me how to get better.
• I liked the agency atmosphere.
Tuesday, July 2, 13
8. Magnetic Creative
(design agency)
• Officially an independent contractor
• But basically treated as an intern (worked full-time)
• Hourly rate $12/hr
Tuesday, July 2, 13
9. My time with an agency
GOOD
• Great atmosphere
• Great clients
• Great direction
BAD
• Slow to advance professionally
• Became dependent on
direction
• Office politics / egos etc.
Tuesday, July 2, 13
10. After 5 months I decided to look for an
in-house position with a business...
Tuesday, July 2, 13
11. Altman Plants
• Officially a “Graphic Designer”
• Only person in the entire marketing
department
• Salary $42k / year (about 21/hr)
Tuesday, July 2, 13
12. My time with a non-design company
GOOD
• Got a raise after 6 months
• Given responsibility and control
• Good benefits
BAD
• Poor creative direction
• Boring work (freelancing on the side)
• Office politics / egos etc.
Tuesday, July 2, 13
13. After 7 months, new management was
brought in, and I was let go...
Tuesday, July 2, 13
14. Why this time I decided I would freelance full-time:
• Huge demand for design
• Hated the 9-5 hour workday
• Hated the 40 hour workweek
• Didn’t like the hand-holding of managers
• Didn’t like not having control over my own
career
• Didn’t like my work performance not
reflecting my pay
• I wanted to be able to work anywhere I
wanted
• I wanted to learn different things, like
business, marketing, development.
• Felt like I could do things better or more
efficiently then my employers
• Didn’t like that I could be terminated.
Tuesday, July 2, 13
15. I made 30k my first 6 months of
freelancing full-time...
Although I was also looking for a full-time job,
Tuesday, July 2, 13
16. Was that people don't want websites,
applications, designs, or whatever.
They want a problem solved, and usually that
problem is costing them money.
The main things that I came to realize once I began freelancing
Tuesday, July 2, 13
17. Without making this realization, many
designers focus on the wrong things.
Tuesday, July 2, 13
18. Not necessary to getting started as a freelancer:
• Blogging
• Registering a DBA
• An EIN
• Incorporation or
LLC
• A perfect portfolio
• Twitter
• Networking Events
• Their Website
• Business Cards
• Dribbble
• Linkedin
• Facebook
Tuesday, July 2, 13
19. • Reading blogs
• A website, hosting,
domain
• Office supplies
• Designed materials
(reports, stationary,
mail)
• Printer, fax machine
• An email byline
• A brand/mission
statement
• A business email
• Paypal
• Business bank
account
• About biography
• press kit
• logo
• SEO
• Business phone
number
Tuesday, July 2, 13
20. All a potential client wants is their
problem fixed, so you should focus on
showing them you can fix their problem.
Tuesday, July 2, 13
21. What most freelance designers showcase:
• Their skills
• Their work
• Their website /
portfolio
• Their blog
• Not being too
salesy
• Their network
• Their dribbble/
linkedin/twitter
account
Tuesday, July 2, 13
23. Great work is expected. Other factors matter
just as much if not more when freelancing:
• Trust
• Reliability
• Responsiveness
• Professionalism
• Value
• Initiative
Tuesday, July 2, 13
24. Results from my Freelancers Survey
(I interviewed over 100 freelancers)
Tuesday, July 2, 13
25. What I asked:
How much do you make per month?
How many leads do you get from your website per month?
What percentage of your work comes from referrals?
What do you do when you don’t have any work?
Tuesday, July 2, 13
26. The average freelancer:
$3,430 per month ($41,160 per year)
2.46 leads come to them each
month from their website / portfolio
61% of projects come from referrals
Tuesday, July 2, 13
27. When they run out of work
38% said network on
social media
23% said they do
nothing or wait
15% look on dribbble, or
industry an job board
12% write emails directly
to this prospects
12% said something else
or didn’t specify
Tuesday, July 2, 13
28. When they run out of work
40% said network on
social media
24% said they do
nothing or wait
15% look on dribbble, or
industry an job board
12% write emails directly
to this prospects
9% said something else
or didn’t specify
$2,920/m $2,316/m $3,275/m
$5,515/m $5,831/m
Tuesday, July 2, 13
30. What most freelancers SUCK at?
• Communication
• Writing down their thoughts
clearly
• Writing quality sales emails to
prospective clients
• Presenting the value of their work
• Managing projects, clients
• Doing it for them
• Getting referrals
Tuesday, July 2, 13
31. That’s great for you... because you
just have to be a little bit better,
and clients will love you.
Tuesday, July 2, 13
33. What an average freelancer’s email looks like
Hi, Robert.
I’m not sure if you’re still looking for any extra help on
your site, but in case, some my skills include:
• Logos
• Web design
• Branding
Tuesday, July 2, 13
34. Again, I’m not sure if any of these skills would be useful to
you. However, if you find yourself in need, I’d be happy to
also send you my resume and references.
What do you think?
Thanks,
Random Guy
Tuesday, July 2, 13
35. Why this approach is bad?
Spammy.
Too general.
Unsure of his value.
Gives me unspecific call to action.
Tuesday, July 2, 13
36. What a good email looks like:
Subject line: John, I’d like to help you edit your videos.
Hi John,
I read your article about X and I noticed that you’ve recently started using video on
your website.
I’ve been doing video editing for 3 years and I’d like to offer to help you edit your
videos and get them optimized for the web.
That would make them would look more professional and load faster (which is
important for readers), and you’d free up time that you could use to create new
content.
We can discuss the details, of course, but first I wanted to see if this is something
you might be interested in.
If so, would it be okay if I sent you a few ideas on how I could help?
Tuesday, July 2, 13
37. Why is this email good?
• Specifically mentions an article or
something in common that introduces what
you want to talk about - and let’s them know
this isn’t a blanket email you send to
everyone.
• Focused on what the benefit of your
services will provide and why it’s valuable to
your potential client.
• Ends with a yes or no answer. Increases the
chances of someone saying yes by offering
an attractive freebie “ideas about how you
can help”
• I’ve made over 50k dollars with this
email.
Tuesday, July 2, 13
38. Out of 50 emails I send like this
• 15 will reply
• 8 will want to talk in-depth
• 1 will become a client
Tuesday, July 2, 13
39. If you do end up getting the client and
starting a project...
Continue this same approach when writing emails:
• Only look for yes or no answers at the
end of an email
• Be clear and concise - so that it
doesn’t take half an hour to read your
email
• Talk about the value and benefits of
what you’re presenting not the
features
• Make it so that you’ve thoroughly
thought through the scenarios and are
just presenting them the possibilities.
Avoid “what do you want me to do?”
Tuesday, July 2, 13
41. Start with a testimonial... and write it for them...
Oh and by the way, I'm thinking of doing a case study about Govests
on my website, with your permission?
I would also love to include a testimonial from you about my work with
Govests - something like this would be perfect:
"Using Robert's talent to design results that are measurably adept at
getting more customers is a guaranteed investment.
Oren Davidson
Founder - Govests "
In fact, if you're busy at the moment, I can use that quote for now.
Either way, let me know, thank you!
Tuesday, July 2, 13
42. If they’re comfortable with a testimonial, then they
will most likely be happy to refer you as well.
Hey John,
Thanks for the testimonial this was one of my favorite projects.
I’d like to continue working with you - I have a few ideas for what we can do in the
next few weeks to add to this project and make it even more successful.
I’ll send those over soon, but for now if you know of anyone who would benefit from
a similar service, I would love it if you could send me their email and I’ll be happy to
let them know that you were thinking this might be right for them, and answer any
questions they have about how your project worked out!
Sound good?
Tuesday, July 2, 13
44. What should you charge?
Money.
Don’t do work for free. There’s too much of a demand
for design to not charge.
If you don’t charge that tells people there is no value.
Clients you charge more value your time more.
Tuesday, July 2, 13
45. I can’t tell you what to charge
But charge at least $50/hour
or at least $1,500 per logo
or at least $3,000 per website
Tuesday, July 2, 13
46. The skills we covered are key even if you don’t
want to be a freelancer
In the end, being a full-time employee is still not all about design
talent. It’s about communication, trust, and value.
They still want a problem fixed, and usually that problem is costing
them money. So even if you’re an employee you’re kinda a
freelancer.
Tuesday, July 2, 13
47. Recommended Resources
• Earn1k
• Obie Fernandez Freelance Template
• Brennan Dunn’s Books
- How to double your freelance rate in 14 days
• Me (my website or blog)
Or email me directly!
- robwilliamsgd@gmail.com
Tuesday, July 2, 13
