(Lost Your Job as a Creative?) Here’s How to Start Freelancing!

In the last few years, many people, including friends, have lost their jobs in the creative industry. Some might decide to try freelancing. This guide will help you start or restart your freelancing career.

Starting can be tough, but it gets easier. You will learn new things and get better. If you're feeling nervous and uncomfortable following these steps, you're on the right track. You can do it!

About Me (You Can Skip This Part): 🗿

I think the following is true for many freelancers.
We didn’t start freelancing to make money; we did it because we love the craft. But with not many job options, we had to start a business, even though we don’t really know how to run one.

I started freelancing when I was 23 years old as a filmmaker and photographer. I didn’t know much about filmmaking or photography other than that I loved it. I knew even less about how to get paid for my work. I mostly wanted to shoot cool stuff like music videos. I was in it for the images, and I still am today.

But by the time I was 28, I had started to learn my craft, but some of my friends were buying homes while I was still broke. If I didn’t earn money soon, I wouldn’t last much longer. If I couldn’t last long, I wouldn’t be able to get very good at my craft.

Fast forward 10 years, and now I’m almost 40. I’m still learning, still humble. But without being rich, I am certainly far from being broke, and I am on a sustainable path to continue freelancing. I decided long ago that this is what I’ll keep doing with my life.

In the last few years, people have asked me what to do after losing their jobs in the creative industry. I wrote this blog post to try to help them.

1. Get Your Portfolio or Website in Shape💻

Then show it to someone else. Ask them, 'How do I come across? What do you think I'm good at?

I still come across freelancer websites with no image of the person I'm trying to contact. Don’t ghost your own website. Make it easy for people to find you and get in touch with you.

2. Find Your Clients and Make a List🕵🗒

Think about who might need your help.
Where do they work?
Who are they?

For example, if you make videos or take photos like I do, art directors and copywriters at ad agencies might need you. Producers or directors from production companies might hire you, too. People with marketing or communication titles at private companies could also be a good fit for you.

Make a list. Download my Google spreadsheet and start using a log for your client relationships.
Make a list of everyone you've worked with who might need your help.
People who know you are more likely to help, so start with the people you are close to, and then reach out to others.

I usually connect through emails and LinkedIn, but it depends on where your clients prefer to communicate. Since people often change jobs, their emails might stop working, but they usually keep the same social media account.

3. - How to reach out?📣

It's not enough to send just 1 or 2 emails once, or meet up for 1-2 coffees. You might need to send 50 to 500 emails, and it should be something you do regularly as part of your freelance work.

You also need to keep track of who said what and when, like remembering if a specific person told you to get back to them in 6 months. That's why you use the list. Don’t spam random people, only reach out to offer your service to someone who needs it.

Keep your message short and simple.

”Hi John! Long time no see. We worked on that project together a while ago. How are you? Are you working on any projects this fall? I would love to help. Check out my latest project at www.mywebsite.com/ABC."

Ask a question to make it easy for them to reply. If you ask a question, they know how to answer. If you don’t ask a question, they might not reply because they don't know what to do with your email.

Try to show them a project that fits their interests. If they are in the construction business, show them a project related to construction.
Make it relevant for them.

4. Someone Will Want Your Help🛟

Sooner or later, someone will have a project for you.
When they do reply, read the
”What's Your Budget? – What I Did to Stop Losing Clients” blog post.
It will show you how to get the job when your client contacts you.

5. Choosing the Right Workspace🏢

Get a desk somewhere instead of working alone at home or in a café. Be around people who might need your services or offer services you need.

You could get a desk at an agency that might hire freelancers with your skills, or get a desk with other freelancers or production companies who need help with their projects. Where you spend your time could be a good investment.

6. Do Your Best🏆

My favorite question to ask myself is, "Is there something more I can do to make this project better?" Even if I don't do it, it's a good practice.

In this blog post, I talk about how "doing my best and not taking no for an answer" helped me get something really special for our film.

At the end of the day, if your work is good, people will tell others about you. Then you won't have to reach out all the time and can focus on making your work even better. If you keep doing great work, more people will come to you, and you’ll become a successful freelancer.

It's about getting the ball rolling so fast that it keeps rolling with little effort from you.

Good luck!❤️

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