My Day Job's Killing Me! First Steps to Freelancing

So you're thinking of becoming a freelancer? The first thing you'll need is a portfolio -- and the better your portfolio is, the easier it'll be to land good jobs. Then, once you're set up, it's time to hit the freelance job sites and sell your services!

So let's look at the steps involved in getting your freelance presence online:

1. Build your portfolio


2. Create your profile


3. Visit freelance marketplaces online

Build Your Portfolio

Step 1. Define the Type of Job You Want

When I finished college, I had an entire portfolio full of Bryce 3-D graphic images. Believe it or not, I was trying to get a graphic design job with those images. The problem was, these weren't "graphic design" images, they were "computer graphics" images. There's a big difference. So it's important to define clearly what type of job you want to apply for before you develop your portfolio.

Step 2. Decide on the Types of Work You'll Include

No matter what job you're applying for -- whether you're a designer, a writer, or a programmer - place in your portfolio only those samples that correspond with the job you're applying for. For example, if you decide that you want to apply for a graphic design position, include in our folio samples of brochures, newsletters, mailers, catalogs, and other items that you might need to create (or have the skills to create), in the job that you apply for.

You wouldn't want to fill your portfolio with illustrations, 3D renderings, sketches and other items that weren't relevant to the job. A few examples might be ok -- but concentrate on displaying work that exemplifies the skills that are most relevant to the kind of job you want.

Step 3. Source Examples of Your Work

The location and presentation of high quality examples of your most appropriate work shouldn't be too difficult if you're an experienced pro. But those just starting out may not have any past work to display -- let alone work that's appropriate to the job. There are several ways that the less experienced can build up their portfolio:

• Create dummy samples -- Create dummy examples of your work: mock-up brochures, newsletters, logos, and other pieces to demonstrate your skills. Even though this might seem like a waste of time, you can use these documents as templates for the real projects you'll have in the future.
• Volunteer your services -- approach local non-profit and community organizations and volunteer your services. Make sure that you inform these clients that, as "payment", you insist on having your business name and phone number on the finished piece (and if you have a Website, your URL should be printed on the finished product too). Hopefully you'll reach a range of potential clients with your first publication. And either way, you'll have some good, professionally-produced work to include in your folio.
• Talk to friends -- Even if you don't know it yet, you probably have relatives or friends who run small businesses. Volunteer your services to help them for a free first job (but make sure they don't expect ongoing freebies!). Again, insist that your business name, phone number, and Web address are printed somewhere on the finished product, and make sure you include your work in your folio!
• Approach businesses online -- If you're a Web designer, search the Net for sites that you feel could use your services, and offer them a free redesign. Or, if you're a graphic designer, you might be able to find downloadable PDFs of brochures and other collateral -- review these, and offer to redesign the company's brochures and flyers for free.

Step 4. Compile Your Portfolio

Once you've worked through each of these steps, you should find yourself with some good solid examples of work in the field in which you'd like a job. Compile these carefully into your portfolio. If it's online, include high quality screen captures, consider including a short explanation of each job, and if the work appears online, link to it.

If yours is a physical portfolio, make sure your samples are of the highest quality possible. If you've produced hard copy pieces, make sure your samples are of the actual finished product -- not mock-ups or copies. If you want to display online content offline, make sure your printouts are high quality, full color, and durable.