Going Freelance

Freelance Web Development

[wiredwizard]

Ok I'm making a move to a larger market then the one I'm in now to be closer to family. instead of finding another employer in the New Market I thought this might be a good time to try a completely freelance carear. Any advise?

[Knoopss]

set realistic goals and work with passion and brain to achieve them.

... and think twice before quitting the "old job."

[henry0]

Working hard, Goals etc.. is almost pointless
Don't read me wrong
Those points are important
However if you do not have a sound marketing plan, target defined, are you going full circle or do you aim at a specialization?
Do you have clients ready to embark with you on your new venture?
Do you have about 1 year in $ reserve?

Sounds tough but it's the cold reality :)

[BananaFish]

Unless you already have contacts with legitimate clients, work at a larger firm that does. Otherwise starting from the ground up, you'll more than likely end up serving the bottom of the market, problem clients and cheapskates.

[dukelips]

get ur profile ready with a good designed website.

Subscribe to free lancing websites. At the begining it will be very difficult, but it takes time for Sun to shine

[dbdev]

there are 5 elements to website marketing.

the "web designer" is just one component of a website marketing strategy...

usability, graphics, copy and seo are the other 4.

webmasters make $x.xx / hour

a website marketing consultant makes $#*$!.xx / hour

develop strong partnerships with other companies that specialize in their subject...

there is NO 1 person that is all of the following:

a)the BEST web designer
b)a usability consultant
c)a graphics expert
d)a linguistic copy writing master
e)an seo specialist

people/companies that profess to be all of the above are full of ****

my clients pay $3k to $7k on average for a "website"...

my role is the consultant and project manager...

success in this business is about building a strong portfolio with a foundation based on trust which comes with proven results...

i LOVE being a consultant... i LIKE designing websites...

bottom line is don't do anything that your not an EXPERT at... it will show.

[wiredwizard]

debdev hit the nail right on the head.

being primarly a programmer, I would have to say that my most successfull freelance gigs have been through design firms that didn't have the resources to handle backend development, (luckly I have keep good relations with thoes firms) Having good contacts in the industry gives me the time to program. Which is the part I like.