Keep Money Coming In.

Ten Tips To Keep Cash Coming In As A Freelancer Starter.  

Once I as well was a newbie in the freelance world.
To be a freelancer can be a hustle. Especially when you start up. Here I share a few tips you can use to keep your cash flow running and your bills being paid.

The Ten Tips To Keep Cash Coming In are: 
(The first one will make you giggle ...)

1) Invest in a Domain package. 

Buy a domain, web space and make sure a ftp account comes with it.

2) Sign up with the major free freelance websites. 

Sign up and represent your work. And hey this is the Internet you can work for anybody regardless where they are. 

Here are the ones which work well for me:

Guru.com
Elance.com
Odesk.com

3) Get the word out: Show and describe your Artwork. 

Link to your sites and profiles. Prepare some cool stuff  and show it. Doesn't necessarily has to be a lot, just your best shots to start with.

Facebook.com
Twitter.com
Blogger.com
Pinterest.com
Youtube.com
Google+


4) Introduce yourself to real business. You want to earn real money right?! 

Write "Your" introduction Email to Advertising Companies. Let them know straight and precise to the point, what you have to offer. Don't hype, speak their language. You are foremost a supplier in their terms of thinking.

5) Don't be cheap. Don't sell yourself out just to get in. It won't work long term. 

Value always will be paid. By the right people. Pass the other ones.

6) Deliver value and charge fair prices. 

7) Deliver on time.

8) Negotiate all terms before you start working.

To renegotiate is always unpleasant. Get this done before you start working. Its your responsibility to know your work flow and creative abilities. Not your clients. They believe you do and nail you on the delivery time once agreed. And they have every right to do so. If you can not find a reasonable delivery time with your clients for what ever reason. Don't do the job. Go for the next one.

9) Do your work and sell it. 
As long as you don't have the financial ability to hire a professional to do the licensing for you, do your work and sell it.

You are a Designer, so be it, be a Designer and sell your work. Keep a copy for your portfolio and communicate to the client, that you will use the copy to promote yourself and your services. Ask him if it is ok to mention their company and eventually  show their logo on your website or blog.
They won't deny in most cases. You use them to build your reputation, they'll be happy to provide.

In Case your client does not want you to use the artwork you sold to them for your own promotion, charge more. Remember that these things have to be negotiated before you start working.

10) Always stay in touch with your suppliers. 

There will be times you are short of cash. Don't let it push you down. Believe in your own ability to succeed and if you face a lag of cash flow keep your suppliers who ever it may be informed. You even can offer them to pay the ordered paper or whatever it is by doing some design work for them. What I wanna say is keep in touch. And you will realize everyone went to tough times one way or another.


Feel free to send me a quick mail. In case you might need some advice, how to find new clients or negotiate prices or writing a catchy email introduction. I am happy to help you.

Hope this 10 tips are helpful for you.

All my best

Kalli