How to Start a Freelance Graphic Design Business
One of the career paths available to graphic designers lies in the freelance world. Freelance projects range from drawing up a single poster to generating marketing materials for a large client. Graphic design professionals need to learn the business of freelancing before they accept their first projects.
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Instructions
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Develop a website with a virtual portfolio as you start your freelance design business. You should scan print materials and gather links to online projects for perusal by potential clients.
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Write out a menu of products and services to guide your interactions with potential clients. Generate an online menu along with refrigerator magnets, brochures and other creative materials that help customers calculate project budgets.
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Speak with your partner and tax adviser about the virtues of business incorporation. The incorporation of a graphic design business through BizFilings allows a graphic designer to transfer ownership, sell stock and decrease federal tax burdens (see Resources below).
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Jump from your home office to a sizable rental space as your design business starts to grow. Office Finder provides virtual searches for rental studios and offices for designers looking to add employees and equipment (see Resources below).
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Establish relationships with equipment suppliers as your freelance design business grows. Designers should get familiar with smaller companies like Hellerman that offer desks and furniture needed to complete major projects (see Resources below).
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Recruit college students, contractors and interns as you start to draw interest from graphic design clients. Advertisements through art departments at local high schools and colleges create awareness of your business among young designers. There are multiple websites like iFreelance that allow designers to solicit assistance online at competitive rates (see Resources below).
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Build a positive reputation for your graphic design business by offering low-cost and free services to charities. You can start to draw in larger clients while gaining public esteem by devoting several hours each week to pro bono projects.
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Produce detailed contracts, order forms and specialty documents before you start to accept larger clients. A consultation with a local lawyer can help you create enforceable documents that avoid payment problems once projects are completed.
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Tips & Warnings
Search for a partner with complementary skills before starting a freelance graphic design business. This partner should understand the creative process while bringing accounting, computer and business skills to the venture.
