Okay, so you’ve just graduated. But, unfortunately, you have not been picked-up by any of the major companies. Or maybe you did get picked up immediately after graduation, only to be laid-off due to the weak economy. Either way, you are now “independent,” and free to pursue multiple projects in different industries. The key is to make certain that you are set up as a professional business and able to perform business transactions (design services) smoothly.
First Thing’s First
It may sound a bit trivial, but you should always refer to yourself as a “Consultant,” “Contractor,” or “Independent Designer.” Never refer to yourself as a freelancer. The term, consultant, presents you to be more professional and implies that you, as the designer, is a business and a brand.
Let me explain: When you work as an Independent Designer, you are essentially functioning as your own business. If your name was “Joe Smith,” you are not simply Joe Smith the freelancer; you are Joe Smith of Smith Design. This is Joe’s business name or business identity.
Branding Yourself
As a consultant, you must have a professional brand image. This means creating a logo, letter head, and most importantly—a business card. Though you are independent, having these items will strengthen your brand and show professionalism.
Your business car should always have your full name and title. However, try to refrain from giving yourself the title of CEO, President, or the like. Doing this screams out pretentiousness and can be very misleading. Simply use, Industrial Designer, Vehicle Designer, etc. Needless to say, you should always have your business card handy. Opportunities tend to pop up when you least expect it. It’s happened to me at the gym, coffee shops and bars.
Keep your phone number updated on your card. I suggest using Google Voice. It is a service offered by Google that allows you to choose your own phone number to give out. When your client calls this number, the call is automatically forwarded to your mobile phone, home phone, or both!
Before Doing Business
Before you go off and start doing business, you have to get your back office organized. You cannot perform any business without a business license. This license if more commonly referred to as a DBA or “Doing-Business-As.” Joe Smith will have to file his business name (Smith Design) with the state because Joe Smith is doing-business-as “Smith Design.” The most painless way to acquire a DBA is through Legal Zoom (legalzoom.com). Fill out the application on the website, pay a small fee and expect your DBA in the mail in about two weeks.
Next, it is vital that you open a separate checking account with a separate debit card. Here’s the important part: all your business-related purchases (and ONLY your business purchases) will be done through this card. This includes business dinners with a client, supplies and equipment, business travel expenses, etc. Try not to withdraw cash from this card unless it is absolutely necessary—if you do make sure you keep your receipt. Do not under any circumstances use your business debit card for anything else other than business or paying yourself.
The reason is this: When tax season rolls around, all you business expenses will be organized with minimal effort on your part. This also makes it easier for your tax professional to write off business expenses and save you money on taxes.
Your Invoice
In order to get paid, you must create an invoice. An invoice is a piece of billing documentation that lists whatever services you have performed and outlines amount you are charging. Your invoice should contain the following information:
- Your company name and address
- Client name and address
- Client contact name
- Invoice date
- Billing cycle dates
- Invoice number for yours and your client’s reference
- Description of the services you performed
- Your rate (how much you charge)
See this link for sample invoices: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT010117255.aspx
When you complete a design project, you will send your client an invoice describing the services you performed and how much you are charging. Your rate should be discussed with your client before you begin design work.
Create an Online Portfolio
If you call a company and ask for a meeting, they will probably decline. If you send them a physical portfolio, it can be time consuming waiting for a reply and not very cost effective for you. Sending a digital copy is great if you have a contact name to send it too. These strategies are all good idea and should be practiced when possible, but adding an online portfolio to your arsenal that’s open 24/7 will bring many opportunities from companies, you may have never contacted. I’ve acquired several clients who “stumbled” onto my website.
I know what your thinking—building a website without web expertise sounds like a massive undertaking. Well it’s actually much easier than you think. Essentially, if you can build a Facebook page, you can build a website. There are many online website builders on the internet that are so simplified, that no building experience is necessary. Here are only a few that I’ve found and tested:
Website Builders:
- Weebly.com
- Wix.com
- Godaddy.com
- Webstarts.com
- Smallbusiness.yahoo.com
Blogging:
- Blogger.com
- WordPress.com
Tip: Make sure that the color of your website or blog matches the color scheme of your business brand and business cards. Also add descriptions of each portfolio piece you are going to post on your site.
And with that, you are fully prepared to go out and hunt down design opportunities! I will continue to add more contracting tips and articles covering other aspects of independent contracting on future posts.
Best of luck!
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