Various other things not covered would be : 1. Understanding the market value of the kind of service you do. 2. Not creating a workflow for themselves and working on it as they feel. 3. Balancing between breaking out from the workflow and working out as projects differ or creating one for such situations (Ex: No site exists - creating a new site vs Site exists, redo the design) 4. Being bold enough to say NO and NO in a way that makes the client want to work with you. This comes purely out of experience. 5. Not charging for the process. 6. Not being able to strike a balance between clients who don't want to be in the process but yet want a custom designed/developed thing. 7. Not having proper terms of offering service and most importantly, sticking to the terms. 8. Reflecting on what went wrong and refine it everyday. I'm from TamilNadu, India. I quit my job to work on my lean startup and now I'm freelancing full time for the past two years. Didn't save up money when I quit. Felt I had the skill and will to pursue. All the above words are out of pure experience.
I've been freelancing for 4years now, Often I get the ups and downs like I'm a dead meat without projects for few months then I jump right back on track working on 4-5 projects simultaneously. Never thought of quitting freelancing though. I take your advice of balancing the cash flow, saving it to support myself in these darkest hours I guess. Btw I love your content Ran! Been watching your videos for few months now and got pretty hooked up with the quality of content you provide. Keep inspiring!
Great video! I'm trying to get into freelancing, but honestly I have no expectations of earning my living from it anytime soon. I'm taking it easy. Also, who else thought the phone vibrating was your own? lol
at the very core in human nature...not all of us are born to lead, take risks, and separate ourselves from the pack. freelancing is all of that and more. most of us just want a comfortable life and a stable job to fall back to. Not everyone is ready for uncertainties, constant ups and downs as much as the media glorifies entrepreneurships.
1. How much should I charge for a Shopify store set up? Very simple Shopify for my first e-commerce client also my long-term friend. 2. He already has a physical store for 25 years. He is in uniform business mostly police department. 3. I might have to guide him, later on. If i charge him for service how much that should be? 4. I want to do a really good job, please suggest me further. Thank you.
Ran! Guess what?! I actually just YESTERDAY notified my boss that I'm quitting my job and going freelance. I have a startup I'm working on as well, but at the beginning I'll be at about 25 hr/week. Been following your channel for almost 1 1/2 years, and you're part of the reason I'm making the leap. This video couldn't have come at a better time. You're the best, man! Thanks for the tips. :) Dustin
Finances can be a daunting part of being a freelance graphic designer, But it's a necessity to know how to manage your money and understand how everything works so that's one less thing to worry about. Graphic designing itself is a huge process but I couldn't see myself doing anything else.
hey Ran, did you find the article about the money calculation? Would be helpful to see as a (almost) graduate. BTW, love your videos. Keep up the good work!
Living in a first world country and trying to compete on price with people living in third world countries. I lose a lot of potential clients because they get cheaper quotes from places like Pakistan and buy based on price rather than service level. A lot of the cheaper places sell a website and its various features as a commodity rather than provide a service. Very hard to explain this to potential clients.
What are your thoughts on the market such as themeforest instead of working directly with customers? Maybe you have your own or familiar experience, negative or positive?
Possible but I would be hard to win - lots of competition. I would maybe do it to add some passive income to regular clients. The amount of people who can make a full time living of templates is rather small
+ 1 to James question, how would you suggest a freelancer can get the ball rolling in terms of finding your first clients? p.s really love your content and find the videos really helpful so thanks
Various other things not covered would be :
1. Understanding the market value of the kind of service you do.
2. Not creating a workflow for themselves and working on it as they feel.
3. Balancing between breaking out from the workflow and working out as projects differ or creating one for such situations
(Ex: No site exists - creating a new site vs Site exists, redo the design)
4. Being bold enough to say NO and NO in a way that makes the client want to work with you. This comes purely out of experience.
5. Not charging for the process.
6. Not being able to strike a balance between clients who don't want to be in the process but yet want a custom designed/developed thing.
7. Not having proper terms of offering service and most importantly, sticking to the terms.
8. Reflecting on what went wrong and refine it everyday.
I'm from TamilNadu, India. I quit my job to work on my lean startup and now I'm freelancing full time for the past two years. Didn't save up money when I quit. Felt I had the skill and will to pursue. All the above words are out of pure experience.
Very good points!
5. "Not charging for the process" - thank you for listing this :)
Thank's for share your experience Hari
Bro, I'm from TN as well.. Can we connect
Hey @Hari, very valid points 👍
So what are you doing right now?
It's definitely a people's business! Not many understand this. Impeccable service and communication are key for every successful freelancer.
I've been freelancing for 4years now, Often I get the ups and downs like I'm a dead meat without projects for few months then I jump right back on track working on 4-5 projects simultaneously. Never thought of quitting freelancing though. I take your advice of balancing the cash flow, saving it to support myself in these darkest hours I guess. Btw I love your content Ran! Been watching your videos for few months now and got pretty hooked up with the quality of content you provide. Keep inspiring!
Great video! I'm trying to get into freelancing, but honestly I have no expectations of earning my living from it anytime soon. I'm taking it easy.
Also, who else thought the phone vibrating was your own? lol
It would be great to see an in depth video addressing freelancing as a service as opposed to a “job”. If you already have one I apologise.
Don’t think I do..
at the very core in human nature...not all of us are born to lead, take risks, and separate ourselves from the pack. freelancing is all of that and more. most of us just want a comfortable life and a stable job to fall back to.
Not everyone is ready for uncertainties, constant ups and downs as much as the media glorifies entrepreneurships.
1. How much should I charge for a Shopify store set up? Very simple Shopify for my first e-commerce client also my long-term friend.
2. He already has a physical store for 25 years. He is in uniform business mostly police department.
3. I might have to guide him, later on. If i charge him for service how much that should be?
4. I want to do a really good job, please suggest me further.
Thank you.
The idea of paying my self salary from my business account to the personal account can very useful I guess, thank you.
Well said. Freelance design is a service business and is made based on the value you provide.
Very nice analysis dear, thanks for helping others
Ran! Guess what?! I actually just YESTERDAY notified my boss that I'm quitting my job and going freelance. I have a startup I'm working on as well, but at the beginning I'll be at about 25 hr/week. Been following your channel for almost 1 1/2 years, and you're part of the reason I'm making the leap.
This video couldn't have come at a better time. You're the best, man! Thanks for the tips. :)
Dustin
me too, I started 2 years ago and still going, I bought the nuSchool teaching about price and freelancing really help me a lot!
Go get em Justin! Good luck!
the "service" advice made alot of sense! lot's of frustated designers everwhere quit because they dont understand this concept
Just wanted to thank you! Great advice as always, keep it up! Greetings from Germany :)
Once again, Ran, thank you! You're insights and experience are always helpful!
Finances can be a daunting part of being a freelance graphic designer, But it's a necessity to know how to manage your money and understand how everything works so that's one less thing to worry about. Graphic designing itself is a huge process but I couldn't see myself doing anything else.
Great advice. Thanks for this!
hey Ran, did you find the article about the money calculation? Would be helpful to see as a (almost) graduate.
BTW, love your videos. Keep up the good work!
Great RUclips series. Would love if you made the pitch deck/ process slide deck available to us. :)
I’m curious...usually no how many project do you work on at the same time?
Usually 3-5
Reason "I" feel fail is, 10 out 10 clients are not intended to pay. :/
Awesome info thanks!!
Have you tried going solo and it didn't work out for you? share why and what you've learned!
Are you juif?
Living in a first world country and trying to compete on price with people living in third world countries. I lose a lot of potential clients because they get cheaper quotes from places like Pakistan and buy based on price rather than service level. A lot of the cheaper places sell a website and its various features as a commodity rather than provide a service. Very hard to explain this to potential clients.
Here’s the problem my friend: you try to compete on price.
I’d like to see what kind of projects you do?
What is your advice for a self taught Graphic designer who is struggling with creative ideas?
Should the freelancer pay an IMF fee to get her/his money? They say it is refundable. Is this legal?
Thank you for sharing great content! -Jonathan
Hi Ran, do you recommend incorporating a freelance business?
Love your channel! Wishing all the best.
Depends on lots of factors, consult your lawyer / accountant
What differences have you noticed based on how you started freelance and how your successful or unsuccessful friends did?
What are your thoughts on the market such as themeforest instead of working directly with customers? Maybe you have your own or familiar experience, negative or positive?
Possible but I would be hard to win - lots of competition. I would maybe do it to add some passive income to regular clients. The amount of people who can make a full time living of templates is rather small
Great reply. Thanks
how to understand explainer videos services?
First.
Nice video Ran!
where do you get freelance work ?
Referrals
Flux how would somebody starting out get work?
+ 1 to James question, how would you suggest a freelancer can get the ball rolling in terms of finding your first clients? p.s really love your content and find the videos really helpful so thanks
What design book would you recommend?
www.ransegall.com/recommendations
Thanks!
Can you name your source on the claim "80% of freelancers go out of business within the 2 years..." ?