Finding your first freelance gig can be a daunting task.
Whether you're a recent college grad, a full-time employee looking to quit your day job, or a retiree trying to earn some extra cash, it can be hard to start from zero.
I spent years scouring Craigslist ads, sending out my resume to job listings, and begging my friends to pass my info along to their boss or work contacts.
None of it worked. I've never gotten a job from the traditional resume/interview process. As far as I'm concerned, online job postings are a waste of time.
With that in mind, here are some tips for landing your first freelance gig (or second, or third). I'm convinced that with a little creative thinking, it won't be hard.
1. Look to businesses you patronize for jobs. Don't send out your resume to every ad you come across that vaguely fits your line of work. Instead, go through your day looking for businesses that you already frequent. Businesses love to hire people who are loyal customers, because those are exactly the people who know what their client base is looking for.
A few years ago, my friends subscribed to a weekly box of organic vegetables from LoveDelivery. When their newsletter said they were looking for a driver, I sent them an e-mail, and it turned in a steady art-time gig for the next two years.
Even major companies -- like Airbnb and TaskRabbit-- often have location-specific job openings. When I applied for a short-term mapping gig with Airbnb, I'd already been a host for several years, so they knew that I was familiar with their company and a reliable choice.
2. Get the tools you need before you book gigs. Let's say you're trying to find work as a freelance videographer. If you're desperate for a gig, you may end up backing yourself into a corner by promising to work on a project before you have all the necessary tools. "Sure, I have a [insert expensive microphone here]…." Now you're stuck blowing half your pay on a one-day rental.
Instead, get your equipment in order before you make promises. Download Photoshop. Save up for a reliable hard drive. Make a pact with a fellow freelancer -- ("You can use my audio mixer if I can borrow your tripod") -- and make sure you don't book gigs on the same dates. If worst comes to worst, find a cheap rental on Snapgoods.
3. Don’t stop going out, meeting people, and enjoying yourself. One of the mistakes I made when I was unemployed was to give myself a guilt trip over every dollar I spent. I'd pride myself on staying home, cooking pasta, and being miserable while my friends went out for dinner or drinks.
The problem is, I worked in an industry that depended on networking. Sure, it would be foolish to go out for drinks every night. But if a $10 dinner landed me a $100 gig, the trade-off would be worth it.
If you can, find activities that don't cost as much money. Throw dinners at your own house. But don't guilt yourself over having a social life. You won't become a freelancer by being a hermit.
4. Barter with other freelancers -- even distant ones. Just as it can benefit you to share equipment with a friend nearby, it can be rewarding to share ideas with long-distance collaborators. When I joined the PuttyTribe a few months back, I thought it would be just another online message board. I didn't realize how many interactions I'd have outside of the PuttyTribe, with people I've met there.
Skype makes it easy to stay in touch with other freelancers. I've benefited from debt counseling, scheduling advice, and story consultations, all for free or near-free, in return for feedback, testimonials, and other kinds of help. Online courses often offer reduced rates for beta-testers.
If you're just starting freelancing, it shouldn't cost you a lot of money to get the help you need. There are plenty of folks (myself included) willing to barter or trade for advice and services.
5. Build your online reputation -- but don't stress over it. When I first started blogging about sex and polyamory, I worried that some of my family-friendly clients might not want to work with me. I wondered if it was a good idea to publish an e-book about Burning Man. But you know what? Most of my clients aren't ever going to see it.
In the Share Economy, your reputation depends less on your personal life and more on having good reviews on TaskRabbit, Airbnb, and any other sites that you're a part of. Prospective clients are going to look at the relevant links that you send them (say, your editing reel), and maybe do a quick Google search. Most of my clients have absolutely no idea what I blog about outside of work.
So make sure that your online profiles are accurate and your reviews from previous clients are up to par. Then feel free to promote your raunchy web series or cat photography business to your heart's content.
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Have any other advice for first-time freelancers? Do you agree or disagree with my suggestions? What's the most unusual way you landed a gig?