Starting on your own

[geebs2006]

This has always been a dream of mine - to start up my own graphic design company doing branding for people such as logo design, flyers, brochures etc.

I am currently looking for freelance work at the moment which I'm doing unpaid to start with to get my professional part of my portfolio more active. I have 2 businesses wanting to use me and 2 female models after business cards.

In my mind i'm thinking that in terms of the models, if I do some good work for them then this would be one of my target markets but I could be talking rubbish :redface:

How hard is it setting up on your own? Is there much help out there for this sort of thing? Any websites and books etc that are worth a read?

I know things such as look to see who your competitors are in the area and what they offer and what I could offer thats better and a few other little bits but thats about it.

I'm only 22 at the moment so probably not looking to start it yet but would like to have done some planning and groundwork before I consider it more.

Thanks in advance for any help given and sorry about my noobness :redface:

 

[Edward Moss]

First thing is don't do anything unpaid, if you don't value your work then clients will think the same. Once you go down this road then it is very difficult to suddenly charge the going rate.

Also take any work that comes along your way. I took almost anything when I went freelance, and this opened me many doors, the door to the Guardian was particularly nice

 

[kerching]

Try this for starters.
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg...000KW021413519
I have registered with them this week.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

These are links to some info on my website which hopefully will be helpful -

http://www.hjcca.co.uk/resources/business_zone/business_helpsheets/helpsheet.php?hsType=1&hsId=38

http://www.hjcca.co.uk/resources/business_zone/business_helpsheets/helpsheet.php?hsType=1&hsId=33

 

[Billy_Ben]

First thing is don't do anything unpaid, if you don't value your work then clients will think the same. Once you go down this road then it is very difficult to suddenly charge the going rate.

Also take any work that comes along your way. I took almost anything when I went freelance, and this opened me many doors, the door to the Guardian was particularly nice

I agree. it will really be difficult at first but eventually you'll get the hang of it

 

[oldeagleeye]

The first thing I would do Geebs is look at some of the portfolios that members on here have. Many also publish prices and you will see that it is a highly competitive business with many talented designers out there.

That is not to say that there are not opportunities. Many of these businesses rely on the Internet for work yet there is a huge market out there which has nothing to do with the Net.

I know that this might sound like a silly example but there is a big toxin scare on now over Irish pork and when I popped into my local butchers today he was fed up to the eye teeth in telling customers that he only uses British. Knowing that I used to do a bit of graphic design he asked my to knock out a couple of posters.

I have just done that and laminated them. Cost abot 60p. This morning I will deliver and collect a couple of decent fillet steaks.

Take a look around your local shops then. Pop into the local pubs. They are always having quiz nights - karaoke etc. It's easy to produce a standard poster and just leave space for a date so you can even have A2 printed for less that 50p a pop. Sell 4 for £12 quid and the money soon mounts up and so will your customer base.

The bottom line is then don't just think Internet when it comes to any business opportunity. Rob

 

[Mark_anderson]

I'd suggest you to have some professional experience before starting your own business. As you are 22, you can join any company so that you will be aware as how to dealing with customers and what is the cost of what services/design and many more things.

Reading book is good, but they can't give you professional experience. Nobody gives his experience and won’t disclose his hidden strategies, it depends on you as how you are grasping. So, my suggestion is to join a company, there you can get experience and helpful information for starting you own business.

I hope this will help you.

 

[Ashley_Price]

First thing is don't do anything unpaid, if you don't value your work then clients will think the same. Once you go down this road then it is very difficult to suddenly charge the going rate.

Also take any work that comes along your way. I took almost anything when I went freelance, and this opened me many doors, the door to the Guardian was particularly nice

To add to this advice, don't offer a discount!

I know I'm not in the same business as you, but when we started out providing typing services, we often had people saying "If you can give me discount on this job, I've a lot more work I can put your way."

I fell for this a couple of times at the start, gave a big discount and, surprise, surprise, never heard from them again. (The trouble they also gave while we did the work, made it not worth the money we were charging either.)

So, be sure of your abilities and charge an amount that reflects those abilities.

Don't don't make yourself cheaper than your competitors. Yes, a few people will go for the cheapest option, but most people will think "Why are they so cheap?" People think cheap price, cheap service.

I would suggest pricing yourself in the middle to upper range of your industry (just make sure your service and abilities do back that up).

 

[domokun]

All of the above plus:

Go to your local tax office. Tell them you're starting up in business and ask them what you need to do. There will be forms etc that you must complete now or face a nasty visit from the tax office later!

Also, look for networking events in your area. As you are new to the game you may find that talking to people about what you do will help you see what possible jobs are out there.

Good luck