Hey there, fellow UX design freelancers (or wanna be freelancers)! As someone who's been in the biz for a while (or not - just crossed a year as I wrote this post), I learned firsthand how challenging it can be to stand out in a crowded market and find new clients.
But let's be real, the freedom and flexibility that freelancing offered me is absolutely worth the effort. Plus, who doesn't love the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects and industries? In this post, I'll share my top 5 tips for successfully navigating the wild and wacky world of my new world and how I navigated this first year of freelancing. So, grab your favorite beverage and let's dive in!
1. Build a Strong Portfolio
Alright, let's talk about the elephant in the room – your portfolio. As a UX design freelancer, your portfolio is your calling card, your resume, your "hey, hire me!" sign. It's the first thing potential clients look at, and it can make or break your chances of landing that dream gig. So, how do you make sure your portfolio stands out in a sea of talented designers? Here are a few tips:
- Regularly update your portfolio with your best work: Show off your skills and abilities by including a variety of projects that demonstrate your range of skills and abilities. If you have some project under NDA, try to see if they are now public, which would allow you to share it.
- Showcase a diverse range of projects: A portfolio that includes projects from different industries and clients shows that you have experience working with a variety of clients and can adapt to different needs and expectations. Plus, it shows that you're able to adapt quickly and handle any project that comes your way.
- Customize your portfolio for each client: Tailor your portfolio to highlight the projects and skills that are most relevant to each client. This helps you stand out and shows that you have taken the time to understand their needs. It's like that old saying goes – tailor your portfolio, tailor your success.
I am also sharing in this article: "4 best platforms to consider for your portfolio", spoiler alert, I am using Webflow.
2. Network and Connect with Other Professionals:
Alright, let's talk about networking – the bane of many freelancers' existence. But fear not because networking doesn't have to be scary or intimidating. Here are a few tips for building your network that I am using on a daily basis:
- Use social media and professional communities: For social media, I recommend LinkedIn. During this first year, I found 90% of my gig via LinkedIn, whether direct inbound from founders or me reaching out to recruiters. I am so fond of how LinkedIn can be your primary lead generation tool that I will dedicate an article to it.
As for a design community, I recommend joining Memorisely, a fantastic and active community of fellow designers. Think of it as a virtual networking place where you can show off your skills, get advice, and make new connections.
Finally, think of joining a design freelance platform. I recently got into Toptal, and while I can not speak much about it yet as I did not have time to explore it due to my current engagement, it will be super powerful to find my next mission. Plus, you join a super big community online and in your current location with events organized by the community manager in each city! (more on this in another post)
- Reach out to other professionals: Don't be afraid to reach out to other professionals and ask for advice or introductions. Building relationships with others in the industry can be an invaluable resource for finding new opportunities and building your business. And hey, you never know – they might become your next big client or referral source. So, don't be shy – reach out and make those connections!
- Attend events: If you live in a cool design hub, take you courage in your hands, and join Industry events and conferences. There are a great way to meet other professionals and learn about new trends and technologies.
3. Set Clear Expectations and Boundaries with Clients
As a freelancer, it's important to set clear expectations and boundaries with your clients to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that you are meeting their needs and expectations. But let's be real, sometimes clients can be a little... demanding. So, how do you navigate those tricky client relationships and keep everything running smoothly? Here are a few tips:
- Establish clear agreements: Put agreements around things like deadlines, revisions, and payment terms in writing to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is on the same page. This way, you won't have to worry about any "creative" interpretation of your agreements by your clients.
- Communicate frequently: Keep in touch with your clients throughout the project and make sure to address any questions or concerns they may have. Pro tip: set up a weekly meeting to share your progress and what you will work on next.
- Be proactive: If you encounter any issues or delays, communicate with your clients as soon as possible to let them know and work out a plan to resolve the issue. Trust me, it's better to be proactive than to be caught off guard and have to scramble to fix things later.
4. Manage Finances and Taxes
Ah, finances and taxes – the not-so-fun side of freelancing. But let's face it, if you want to run a successful business, you've gotta get your financial ducks in a row. Here are a few tips for managing your finances and taxes:
- Use invoicing software: while your location might have an impact on which software you use, make sure to use one. It will help you create professional invoices, track expenses, and manage your finances.
- Set aside money for taxes: As a freelancer, you are responsible for paying your own taxes, so make sure to set aside a portion of your income to cover your tax liability. And if the thought of doing your own taxes gives you hives, consider outsourcing to a professional accountant. Trust me, it's worth the peace of mind (and the headache prevention).
- Save and invest: As a freelancer, you don't have the same level of job security as a full-time employee, so it's important to save and invest for the long-term. This can help you weather any lean periods and ensure a more stable financial future. Plus, it's always good to have a little nest egg to fall back on, just in case.
5. Take Care of Yourself
If my wife will read these lines, she will probably laugh as I am clearly struggling with this point. Lot of people want to work with you, it's super exciting and more work more money, it becomes hard to say no but with time this has a direct impact on health and relation with others. Long story short, it's important to take care of yourself physically and mentally in order to sustain a successful freelance career. But again, let's be real, it can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and neglect your own well-being. Here are a few tips for taking care of yourself as a UX design freelancer:
- Set boundaries: It's important to set boundaries with your clients and your workload to ensure that you have time to rest and recharge. This can be especially challenging when you're just starting out and trying to build your freelance business, but trust me, it's worth it. Pro-tip: I know you want to impress them but do not over-promise in terms of work quantity and deadlines. Directly set their expectations right to maintain a healthy workload.
- Manage your workload: Manage your workload effectively and prioritize your tasks to ensure that you can meet deadlines and deliver high-quality work. And if you feel over your head, it's okay to say no to a project or delegate some tasks to someone else. Your sanity (and productivity) will thank you. Delegate?? Yes let's talk about this in another blog post :D
- Take breaks: Remember to take breaks and care for yourself physically and mentally. It's essential to rest and recharge to maintain your productivity and well-being. And hey, if you're feeling burnt out, it's okay to take a day (or a week) off. Your clients will understand (well, maybe not the demanding ones, but if they value you, they will. Otherwise, you might reconsider working with them). Remember, it's better to take a break and come back refreshed and energized than to try to push through and risk burning out completely. It can be tough to remember when you're in the midst of a project and feeling the pressure, but trust me, your mind and body will thank you.
Conclusion
So, there you have it – 5 tips for successfully navigating the wild and wacky world of UX design freelancing based on my first year on this career path.
I hope if you're just starting out these will help you! Just remember, freelancing isn't always easy, but it's totally worth it for the freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects and industries. Now go forth, my fellow freelancers, and conquer the world (or at least the UX design freelacing one)!
Need help navigating your freelancing or considering it as a potential career? do not hesitate to book a free mentoring session with the following code: "FREELANCEWITHED"
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