Jobs

[boundless]

I've been trying to get some freelance work (illustration, design, etc) going, but it's hard. I post on craigslist and a few potential clients sent me an email, but I haven't had contact beyond that. And when I make first contact, I get nothing at all... which kind of makes sense cause they must get tons of emails from craiglist. I've done some free stuff for my family, but it hasn't gotten me any other work.

Does anyone have any tips? Should I place an ad in a local paper? I'm applying for low paying retail jobs in the meantime, but I figured I could do something I have skills for. Thanks in advance.

[Anghenfil]

It's hard.  Don't be discouraged.  You can give the paper a try (local art magazines are best), but craigslist is free and garners more business in my experience.

Things that help:
-Post an image of your work in craigslist.  Most people browsing craigslist will only respond to art ads with images.
-Advertise nation-wide or in several major cities within driving distance (but beware of long-distance scams).
-Have an attractive website of your work linked from the ad.  Just a front page with links is enough, but it should be well-designed and easy to navigate.
-Cite specific examples of things you can do.  Logos, web design, illustrations for fliers and books, etc.
-If you get no hits or serious inquiries for weeks and months, that's normal.  Most freelance artists get work from people they have worked for in the past or people they're already acquainted with.

Good luck. 

[boundless]

I didn't think about adding images, but they're up now. I can't post in various cities thought. It detects duplicate ads and won't let me do it. Thanks for the help.

EDIT: I just changed the wording a bit and it got through.

[boundless]

Are there any other places like Craigslist out there? Maybe even one tailored to freelance artists.

[Markham]

I know of some indie game developer sites that have boards for freelancers of various professions:

http://forums.indiegamer.com/
http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/forum.asp?forum_id=8

[Anghenfil]

Conceptart.org and drawingboard.org both have a classifieds/work-seeking section.

[TheEYE]

Just do a Google search for "Freelance Job Boards" and you will get a ton of options.
Take the time to join a few big ones that are obviously busy and catering to an international audience. Fill out your profile completely and professionally, and include your portfolio for the clients to view.
Start placing bids on contracts you would like. Just starting out you won't get many outright offers, but if you can lowball a few bids and get some word of mouth started you can do okay.
I was able to live solely based on the income I made from freelance sites, and usually enjoyed the contracts I had. It's just getting those first initial contracts going, after that it becomes pretty easy. Not that it is ever "easy". You have to sell yourself 24/7. You can't ever stop. Sell yourself in your sleep. Your only employed as long as you have another job that is guaranteed.
My best advise to you in the freelance market is be professional in every manner possible. That means especially in your advertising, and your email, and your phone manner. Professionalism is rewarded highly. Don't ever doubt that. 

Good luck boundless!

[boundless]

Thanks people for the advice. I fixed up my site with a new design, made everything easier to get to, made my craigslist ads really simple and added image examples, and figured out pricing. And then in the past few days, traffic to my site dropped to almost nothing and no emails are coming in. I also haven't seen many jobs posted. Hopefully the cold weather will bring some clients in.

[TheEYE]

Thanks people for the advice. I fixed up my site with a new design, made everything easier to get to, made my craigslist ads really simple and added image examples, and figured out pricing. And then in the past few days, traffic to my site dropped to almost nothing and no emails are coming in. I also haven't seen many jobs posted. Hopefully the cold weather will bring some clients in.

Seriously Boundless, try a site like elance.com.
You will have to have a pretty good portfolio to show, and you will have to sell your ass off until you get some client feedback, but you can get work there. It's hard building up a client base from scratch man. In the beginning you may have to seriously undercut other people just to get that start up. You will be eating canned beans and ichiban noodles, but you will be getting that crucial feedback at elance. Once you have some good feedback, people will start approaching you and offering you jobs, but until then you have to sell your ass off like I said before.

Freelancing is hard work for the average guy.
When you aren't working for a client, your trying to scrounge up your next client. 

[boundless]

Thanks again for the advice. Now I have a question. When taking on a job, I have myself and the client sign an invoice covering the terms and payment before any work begins. Now this one client sent back the invoice with his name printed in text as the signature ("Approved by John Smith"). Is this sufficient or do I ask him to print it out and sign his real signature? It seems like a lot of trouble, both of us printing and scanning a document, but I want to be covered.

EDIT: Ok I just told him he has to sign it. I guess I'm just asking if there's an easier way to send a contact/invoice back and forth?

[TheEYE]

The easiest way is just to fax them back and forth. I wouldn't accept a printed name in the manner you described on a contract, I would definitely want the contract faxed with a real signature and signature of a witness.

You can also ensure payment is made by never releasing the final work until payment in full is received. Watermark all early drafts so they are useless for anything besides getting a good idea on the direction the project is going.

Good luck! 

[boundless]

You can also ensure payment is made by never releasing the final work until payment in full is received. Watermark all early drafts so they are useless for anything besides getting a good idea on the direction the project is going.

Yeah that's what I figured. Thanks.

[TheEYE]

Anytime bud! 

[boundless]

How do you guys feel about traveling for a freelance job? I got an offer to do some work, but I'd have to drive for about an hour to reach this person's house. The work would probably only take a day or two, but I'm just not too sure about it. I guess I'll see how they feel about my rate first.


BTW: I figured I'd use this thread so I wouldn't have to create a new one.

[TheGrayK]

An answer to your question about free lancing sites my College Teacher dude told me of this place called Elance or something to that effect. (I'm checking now......)
Yeah Elance.com
Also right now Barats and Bereta are hosting a Design-a-Logo competition in which they will pay the winner 250 us dollars which isnt much but it is a good way to get your name out.
The deadline for that is October 5th. here is a link to the youtube video they made. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFL0wc2CE4w
Also if you animate http://www.channelfrederator.com/ is starting to pay people 50 us dollars for their submissions and 200 for the most watched.
The Last two I mentioned aren't so much for the Job part of this thread but a help throw your self onto the scene!
and as for traveling I have no suggestion.