Business of Freelance

How do Freelancers do business

[copongcopong]

Freelancers Web designer/developer, how do you do business? Do you create a contract/s?

How do you market your talent, do you call companies, bid or by referrals?

any legal stuff (taxes, etc) to check (depends on country) or how about deals outside your country?

[Shane]

Don't know about freelancing but I do know about consulting. So, consultants live by their contacts. They also join organizations/associations and get referrals from clients. Some do educational events and market their name and expertise that way.

It is like pulling on a yarn from a ball, pull a couple of leads, get a contract which leads to pulling a few more feet (read contacts) from the ball.

What ever your thing, figure out who you know and how to make that into meeting new faces on a regular basis.

Also do not over look the retainer side and continue to service those whose site you have built and SEO'd.

Others probably have something more specific but I hope this helps.

..... Shane

[SlyGuy]

Get involved with your local business community.

As Shane pointed out, it's really all about networking and meeting contacts the old fashioned way..business cards and handshakes.

Try joining your local Chamber of Commerce or Board of Trade. Perhaps your city/town has a small business development center, these are great ways to get your name out and let others in your community know you're ready to do business. Networking groups are also a goldmine for contacts.

Focus your energy into the local market, not the international market.

Good luck,

- Chad

[copongcopong]

Do you register a company in your country or city so that its printed on your contact card or simply add your site and services there?

[SlyGuy]

Do you register a company in your country or city..

Yes, that was the first step.

Get all the legal issues in order. Up here in Canada it's a rather simple process, fill in an application and pay a small business registration fee (usually less than $100).

- Chad

[percentages]

For me business is generated by success. It is a snowball effect, get one client in one area, do a good job and you will find many others want a piece of the action.

Often the initial client gives you referrals, sometimes people find the site, like it and contact you.

Nothing beats word of mouth and the success of your clients.

I rank #1 in all SE's in my cats for all of my major terms, but that still only generates 5% of my business. Word of mouth does the rest.

Building a business takes time, start by giving your heart, guts and soul to your initial customers......it will pay off. Don't look for the "quick fix", it doesn't exist, success will come with time and steady gowth, then one day you will get out of bed and the whole thing will be snowballing out of all control. That's when the fun really starts :)

[Shane]

I agree with percentages. Put every bit of talent you have into your first couple of contracts. Be on time, provide real value, good design, ..... then it will just get bigger, and bigger, and .....

You get the point.

..... Shane