Freelance Graphic Designer – How To Succeed Your 1st Year



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Succeeding as a Freelance Graphic Designer: Tips for Your First Year

Embarking on a freelance graphic design career can be both exciting and daunting. Your first year is critical in setting the foundation for long-term success. Here are some strategies to help you navigate this initial phase successfully.

1. Build a Strong Portfolio
Your portfolio is your primary marketing tool. Include diverse projects that showcase your skills and creative range. Ensure it’s accessible, visually appealing, and constantly updated. Highlight your unique style but also demonstrate versatility.

2. Choose the Right Platform
Finding clients is pivotal in your first year. Platforms like eFrelance offer a user-friendly interface, ample job listings, and a community of professionals. Joining such a platform can help you connect with clients quickly and build your reputation.

3. Set Clear Goals and Pricing
Define what you want to achieve in your first year—be it financial targets, skill improvement, or client acquisition. Similarly, set your rates thoughtfully. Research market standards, but also reflect on your expertise and the value you deliver.

4. Network and Promote Yourself
Leverage social media, attend industry events, and join professional groups to expand your network. Word-of-mouth and referrals are powerful in the freelancing world. The more people know about your services, the better your chances of landing consistent work.

5. Manage Your Time and Finances
Freelancing requires disciplined time management. Use tools to track deadlines and project progress. Equally, keep meticulous financial records, save for taxes, and plan for irregular income.

In summary, the first year as a freelance graphic designer involves building a robust portfolio, leveraging platforms like eFrelance, setting clear goals, networking actively, and managing time and finances efficiently. Embrace these principles to pave the way for a thriving freelance career.

28 Comments

  • @JesseNyberg

    July 6, 2024

    If you enjoyed this video or it helped you at all, scroll back up and hit that like button:)

    Reply
  • @mariadiaz-miguel177

    July 6, 2024

    Thank you for this advice!! I just subscribed! I'm trying to enter the freelancer, more digital ground of graphic designing and I'll take it day by day 🌻

    Reply
  • @life_sarra1621

    July 6, 2024

    Pleasee😢, what's the name of the application that u use , to make logo or any graphic design…??

    Reply
  • @gosuperva

    July 6, 2024

    Freelancing as a graphic designer is like painting your own canvas – every project a new masterpiece, every client a fresh inspiration.

    Reply
  • @rizzovini

    July 6, 2024

    Very well 🎉

    Reply
  • @johnnycruztv

    July 6, 2024

    Want to learn am a beginner

    Reply
  • @Blond3Beauty

    July 6, 2024

    Hey Jesse, I'm just getting into design and youtube recommended you. I just want to let you know I really enjoy your videos! :DDD

    Reply
  • @impactbrandmedia

    July 6, 2024

    Jesse that was a good one !!!

    Reply
  • @jo69123

    July 6, 2024

    if you cold DM a lot of people, try to connect, apply for jobs, everyday for 5 months, and nobody cares, does it mean that you suck as a designer? I find it really hard to land any projects lately, not sure what I'm missing, I have a website, a portfolio, a very great price for what I offer.. but nobody wants my services (?)

    Reply
  • @stevenwalker-yw9nw

    July 6, 2024

    Nice! I recently started to punch the keys again on graphic design. It's been a few years sense I've been active in it, but I want to at some point open a business or just freelance. I would like for you to do a video on passive income jobs.

    Reply
  • @757776bfloyd

    July 6, 2024

    How do you find your first customers?

    Reply
  • @1014Designs

    July 6, 2024

    How in blue blazes fo you make money doing this???

    Reply
  • @bushdwellagraphics2199

    July 6, 2024

    really good and constructive advice, thanks!

    Reply
  • @user-vi4sv6cn8l

    July 6, 2024

    hello! jesse whats the name of the font you're using after the coffee. Was that" I CAN SEE EVERYTHING IN COLOR"? Thanks!

    Reply
  • @avery9282

    July 6, 2024

    love how real this guy is, no intro, straight to the point

    Reply
  • @SugaSwag

    July 6, 2024

    2:45 does this require marketing and other effort or do these platforms have enough users for them to drift to your shop on their own?

    Reply
  • @tacomonsternick

    July 6, 2024

    Omg… the human bean thing, LOLOLOLOL

    Reply
  • @user-pm5pu-Gladys

    July 6, 2024

    The thing is… I also write, and I get feedback from my highschool friends who used to read my stories out loud. We created an evergrowing universe of chatacters– so its pretty easy for me to get into that flow. I've made animations of them and everything. I just have trouble knowing where to apply myself. Thats what I mainly struggle with.

    Reply
  • @28BossyMan82

    July 6, 2024

    Very helpful tips! Always come to your channel whenever I need guidance for graphic design,

    Reply
  • @WeLoveMusicStudio

    July 6, 2024

    thank you bro

    Reply
  • @FreelanceFlow-

    July 6, 2024

    0:30 🅲🅷🅴🅲🅺 🅼🆈 🅿🆁🅾🅵🅸🅻🅴

    Reply
  • @Justinvanleeuwen99

    July 6, 2024

    Did u do the passive income video

    Reply
  • @Mack_B

    July 6, 2024

    but why do you make coffee like Patrick Bateman

    Reply
  • @majesticx3965

    July 6, 2024

    Hi I’m in a dilemma, so it’s my first year of college, currently I’m studying graphic design. Another college asked me if I want to transfer working the year and I could double major in marketing and graphic design, I wanted to know if marketing was a needed field because I would want to waste my time studying a different feild yet I would want to be an art director someday…. Any advise

    Reply
  • @JoliNoelleDavid

    July 6, 2024

    thanks for the helpful video!! 🙂

    Reply
  • @QuintonMcReynolds

    July 6, 2024

    Great video

    Reply
  • @QuintonMcReynolds

    July 6, 2024

    I quit for a year n a half but I'm getting back into it

    Reply
  • @odgarig8601

    July 6, 2024

    How has AI affected you? Have you noticed a drop in available jobs?😊

    Reply

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