| In this article, I am going to talk about some of the | | | | the client will be able to see. I think that in the first few |
| things that I have learned through experience are | | | | days and weeks, a client needs the reassurance of |
| necessary and beneficial to becoming a successful | | | | being able to actually see that something is happening |
| freelance web designer. Let's face it - as a freelancer, | | | | and that work is taking place. Once I have the basic |
| you wear multiple hats on any given day! A lot of | | | | site set up, then it's OK to work on things in the |
| people count on you and there are a lot of different | | | | background, things that the client won't necessarily be |
| things that you must do and do well. Personally, I love | | | | able to see - search engine optimization, programming, |
| freelance web design, but I understand that it's not for | | | | etc. This leads to our next point, which is - |
| everyone. This post is for any web designers who are | | | | communication. |
| considering taking the freelance route or who have | | | | Communicate |
| maybe already started down that road and would like | | | | Communication with your client is absolutely essential. |
| some good, practical advice on what it takes and how | | | | You don't want to be a nuisance (obviously!) but clients |
| it can be done. Let's get started! | | | | will really appreciate being kept in the loop. People will |
| Organize | | | | feel more confident about you and about the project |
| The value of being organized when it comes to | | | | when you are in touch with them regularly and explain |
| freelancing cannot be underestimated. From your | | | | (briefly) what you are doing and what has been |
| emails, to your contracts, to your bank accounts, | | | | accomplished. It can also save you time in the long run |
| keeping things organized is worth every minute it takes | | | | when you and the client are communicating about the |
| you to do it - even if and especially if it takes you | | | | project as you go along (I am not saying you need to |
| several hours a day! The earlier you can set up a | | | | ask the client for advice and for the "go ahead" for |
| system for doing things and filing things and start using | | | | every step of the way, this will most definitely NOT |
| it, the better. | | | | save you time! It will only give you a head ache. Trust |
| My Advice: I am not always the most organized | | | | me - been there, done that, not doing it again! ). |
| person in the world, but I make a real effort to be so | | | | Being available and responsive to your clients is also |
| when it comes to my web design business. I have | | | | important - the client needs to know that they can get |
| folders set up both on my computer and in my files | | | | in touch with you within a few hours if they need to. |
| and notebooks for different clients, different projects, | | | | My Advice: Communication is one of my strong areas, |
| invoices, receipts, etc., etc. I make sure to keep my | | | | and I really think that it has had a large part in being |
| business checkbook balanced. I have a FreshBooks | | | | successful as a freelance web designer. I make a |
| account that I use for time-tracking, invoicing, managing | | | | point to be available to and in touch with my clients |
| clients and projects, and more. | | | | regularly. I send them emails every day or every week, |
| Prioritize | | | | whenever another major step has been taken in the |
| This is also really, really important. With any project | | | | project, just so they know what is going on and where |
| comes a myriad of different things that must be done | | | | you are at. And I always try to write to or call them |
| - from writing and signing contracts and proposals, to | | | | back within a few hours or at least within the day |
| designing the site, to invoices and bookkeeping. You | | | | when they try to get in touch with me. |
| must constantly be prioritizing your time - which things | | | | Strategize |
| have to be done right now? Which things do I need to | | | | I am a planner - I love making plans and following plans! |
| do before I can move on to the next step? Which | | | | I know that not everyone is that way, but I do think |
| things have to be done but can wait to be done till the | | | | that you should at least try to have some sort of |
| end of the project? | | | | game plan when it comes to freelance design |
| My Advice: When it comes to designing or redesigning | | | | projects. It will save you time, effort and head aches if |
| a client's site, I always try to start with something that | | | | you have at least a general outline for the project. |