How to Work as a Freelance Artist

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How to Work as a Freelance Artist

  • Despite the economic downturn, some art sectors, like manner and marketing, are thriving.
  • A freelance creative person is someone who works curt-term gigs, usually on a contractual basis.
  • Aspiring freelancers should have a website and market themselves on social media.
  • Every bit more than companies turn to freelance artists, be sure yous know your rights as a contractor.

Freelancing in 2020 was a roller coaster, to say the least. Equally businesses and clients reevaluated their finances, many contract and freelance opportunities came to a standstill, which led to many workers existence laid off, getting their hours reduced, or having their positions eliminated entirely.

Industries like advertizement and journalism accept kept hiring freelancers during the pandemic.

But being a freelance artist isn't all bad. Fortunately, the gig economy has remained relatively stable compared to more traditional industries, such as retail and marketing. This unexpected stronghold has seen some growth every bit more than individuals take their careers into their ain hands.

Even during these challenging times, many freelance artists are thriving. Industries such as advertising, journalism, and blueprint — for which independent and contract artists inarguably serve as backbones — take kept hiring freelancers.

Self-employed artists may go along to experience economic highs and lows as the economy begins to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. With that said, here's a look at what being a freelancer means and how you tin can craft a stable career as an independent creative person.

What Is a Freelance Artist?

"A true gig job or gig worker job is … something short term [in which] they're freelancing or they're doing something on the side," explains Paul Nichols, executive director of the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Texas at Dallas. "A lot of these types of jobs are jobs that people can bike in and out of very speedily based on their schedule or their ain needs."

Simply put, being a freelancer is exactly what information technology sounds like — you choose what to piece of work on and prepare your own hours. You're essentially your own dominate. Freelance artists and independent contractors can movement from role to role while avoiding the hassles of conventional, salaried jobs. This sense of flexibility and entrepreneurship appears to be flourishing among the pandemic.

To become a freelancer, you must observe your niche, whether that'due south writing, designing, or producing small art pieces. You lot need to identify what your biggest strengths are so you lot can tap into those skill sets and the relevant markets.

To get a freelancer, you lot must observe your niche, whether that's writing, designing, or producing small-scale art pieces.

Once you've figured out your niche, it's time to start advertising your services. Freelancers can utilise any avenue to marketplace themselves, such every bit local directories and social media. The goal is to show others what you have to offer — and why you're worth hiring.

As your marketing efforts gain traction, begin edifice up your client base. The strength of an creative person's client base ofttimes determines whether they'll succeed or fail in a competitive market. If the work is good quality, satisfied customers can help strengthen your reputation through word of oral fissure, shout-outs, and referrals.

In the mix of marketing and building upwardly a client base, any freelancer worth their weight will want to establish themselves as a legitimate business or entity. Doing this not only allows you to marketplace your services every bit an bodily concern, just also lets you continue your finances and legal paperwork separate from your assets.

In today's struggling chore market place, industries such as blueprint and writing have benefited greatly from the gig economy. Freelancers have filled and will proceed to make full roles that many companies view as either curt-term gigs or long-term partnerships.


The 11 Best Websites for Freelance Creative person Jobs

In this digital historic period, freelance artists accept found many ways to market themselves. Portfolio sites and social media are ordinarily the preferred outlets for artists to showcase their piece of work and advertise their services to clients, but these aren't the only outlets available. Freelance websites tin can aid you lot market your craft on a larger platform to a more diverse assortment of potential clients.

Below are some of the best freelance job sites independent artists tin use, divided into general and industry-specific categories.

General Chore Sites for Freelancers

Upwork

Upwork primarily caters to those looking for loftier-quality freelance gigs in industries such every bit marketing, consulting, and web evolution. The platform uses a high-profile vetting procedure before creatives can start behest on projects. It likewise tracks invoices, billable hours, and client communication.

Freelancer

One of the largest online marketplaces for freelancers, the aptly named Freelancer allows freelance artists to search and employ for both local and remote jobs in several fields, including design, content writing, and social media marketing. Like Upwork, the platform keeps rails of your invoices, working hours, communication, and payment.

Fiverr

Fiverr is swell for artists just getting started in the freelancing world. The site skews toward those in the creative/pattern space and has a reputation for offering low-cost gigs that can help beginners build upward their portfolios. Fiverr also lets freelancers put together their own packages and offer custom services to clients.

Guru

Guru targets more seasoned professionals rather than entry-level freelancers, making it platonic for those with some freelancing experience under their chugalug. The platform caters to contained contractors in artistic areas such as design, sales and marketing, programming, writing, and translation. Like to Upwork, Guru users can bid on projects.

LinkedIn ProFinder

Launched by LinkedIn in 2015, LinkedIn ProFinder connects freelancers with quality leads and opportunities. The platform works well for freelancers with expertise in areas like editing, graphic design, marketing, and photography; yet, you must go through an approval process to be eligible for gigs. Once canonical, contained contractors will receive alerts regarding potential clients and projects.

Working Not Working

The mission of Working Non Working (WNW) is to connect talented creatives with innovative companies such as Apple, Google, Airbnb, Facebook, and Nike. WNW has congenital a reputation for offering both high-quality gigs and freelance-friendly features. Instead of you having to seek out potential companies, the company will come to y'all if it thinks you're a good fit.

SimplyHired

Popular job search website SimplyHired is keen for both experienced and burgeoning freelancers. With this site, you can browse freelance jobs in your expanse, narrowing your searches using filters such as distance and date posted. You lot can also utilize the salary tool to get a rough sense of how much artists brand in your area.

Industry-Specific Chore Sites for Freelancers

Freelance Writing Gigs

Geared toward freelance writers, Freelance Writing Jobs curates the all-time freelance writing gigs on the web. The site'south moderators update posts daily, sifting through hundreds of opportunities to find high-quality listings. Different other platforms, y'all don't need to bid on jobs and must apply directly through the original job posting.

Designhill

Designhill is built for freelance designers and lets companies either create project contests or search for designers' services through the platform's database. I bonus is that creatives tin design, print, and sell shirts through a personal shop.

Behance

Managed past Adobe, Behance supplies creative inspiration while showcasing premier artistic work in areas like illustration, animation, and web design. The platform acts equally both a portfolio site and a social media network, assuasive agreeing individuals to connect, collaborate, and detect quality leads.

99designs

99designs is some other design-focused website that connects freelancers with both domestic and international businesses. The platform supports independent designers by helping them find job opportunities and encouraging them to collaborate with other artists through online communities.

COVID-nineteen's Impact on Freelance Artists and the Gig Economic system

The pandemic has taken a toll on many workers, including freelance artists. Americans for the Arts institute that nonprofit arts and cultural organizations accept lost an estimated $xiv.eight billion in revenue since the pandemic took hold early on final year. About 880,000 art jobs are no longer supported, and 35% of artists and related workers have been laid off or furloughed.

Since the pandemic began, 35% of artists and related workers have been laid off or furloughed.

The fine and performing arts are past far the hardest-striking creative sectors. According to The Art Newspaper, these two industries combined take lost most ane.4 million jobs — or one-half of all fine and performing arts jobs — and over $40 billion in sales.

Fortunately, it'south not all doom and gloom. Many freelancers and independent contractors are thriving in areas such as fashion, marketing/advertisement, and communication.

Due to work-from-habitation policies, almost companies and businesses have shifted to existence either fully or partially remote. For a number of freelance artists, staying dwelling is but like any regular business day. Some jobs have even benefited from the new emphasis on remote work: FlexJobs reports that sure artistic fields, like gaming, take experienced growth due to their remote nature and the high need for skilled professionals.


10 Tips for Condign a Successful Freelance Creative person

1. Register a Creative Business organisation

In order to establish yourself as a freelancer, you should register your business, ordinarily as an LLC or small corporation. Freelancers tin file the correct forms and documents with their local government. Keep in mind that yous'll demand to repeat the registration process every fourth dimension you move to another state. You'll also take to file state and federal tax forms and bank documents.

2. Come Up With a Business concern Program

Similar any company, independent artists must have both short- and long-term plans to guide their business and detect success. These plans should include the following:

  • A listing of your responsibilities
  • A complete listing of the services you offer
  • How much you'll charge for each service
  • Costs of operation

3. Create a Website or Online Portfolio

The all-time manner for a freelance artist to get the give-and-take out about their business is to create a website or online portfolio. You may build this showcase from scratch (bold you already know how to code and design webpages) or customize a site using a platform like WordPress, Squarespace, or Behance. Be sure to brandish examples of your piece of work, a list of your services, and your prices.

4. Form a Defended Artistic Infinite at Home

Artists demand a dedicated workspace to create. This is best done by either finding a quiet area at habitation or renting an office. In this space, y'all tin can meet with clients, complete projects, and shop supplies and materials. You desire to be able to work without distractions or interruptions.

5. Acquire a Few Recurring Clients

Before you lot pursue a freelance business, you should have a few recurring clients in place already. This will help you grow and financially support your endeavors. Your reputation volition besides grow when your clients utilise word of mouth to assist advertise your services and prices.

half dozen. Sign Upwards for Chore Boards and Directories

Registering for job boards and directories is a terrific way to keep up with the latest freelancing gigs. With these platforms, you lot can find companies that are seeking independent contractors for various full-time, part-time, remote, and location-specific positions.

7. Market place Your Services on Social Media

Being able to use social media as a promotional tool is critical for freelance artists' success in today'southward economy. Platforms such every bit Twitter and Instagram can help artists gain traction and get their name out there.

8. Sell Your Art Online

Selling your artwork or other crafts online lets you selection up some actress funds during difficult times or when you're trying to build up your client base. Many freelance artists advertise their products on popular sites like Fiverr and Etsy.

9. Network With Other Freelancers

Networking with other freelancers is one of the best ways to notice contract work. By joining online freelance groups and industry-specific sites, y'all can identify relevant job opportunities and even get direct access to prospective clients.

ten. Secure a Steady Job

Many freelance artists tin't rely on freelancing alone — at least not in the starting time — which is why it helps to have a steady income to fall back on. A regular role- or total-fourth dimension job ensures you can afford to swallow, live, and pay your bills equally you get your freelance concern upwards to speed.

The Time to come of Freelance Artists

While the gig economy has no doubt suffered from cuts and layoffs due to COVID-xix, information technology's slowly begun to pick up steam again — some good news for self-employed creatives and modest business owners.

Co-ordinate to FIU News, freelancing is poised to exist a mainstay in certain fine art sectors, like blueprint, amusement, and media, due to the flexibility it provides. Freelancers Union executive managing director Rafael Espinal told Marie Claire, "Nosotros are in a period of time when the freelance workforce is regarded as 'the futurity of work.'"

Freelancing is poised to exist a mainstay in sure fine art sectors, like design, entertainment, and media, due to the flexibility it provides.

Withal, as MIT's Elisabeth Reynolds points out, freelancers and independent artists are often left defenseless against taxes and labor rights and benefits. "[Contract and freelance] workers are some of the most vulnerable workers in society when it comes to unemployment shocks," Reynolds said.

Equally the gig economic system grows larger, local, state, and federal governments volition need to pass laws that support freelance artists and clearly ascertain their roles and rights. New York City, for example, passed the Freelance Isn't Free Deed in 2016, while California passed the "Gig Worker Nib" in 2019.

Regardless of whether your city or country maintains whatever regulations on freelancing, it's advised that you acquire how to protect yourself from exploitation and underpayment as you pursue your freelancing career.

Editor's Note: This article contains general information and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Delight consult a professional counselor before making decisions about fiscal issues.

Feature Image: FluxFactory / E+ / Getty Images

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