10 essential tips for freelancing success

November 23, 2012 | Be the first to comment

 
 
 
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Ensure that your work diary’s as full as you want it to be with these tips from Become’s Martin King

Build your portfolio

If you’re doing work you’re proud of – which won’t be the case for every freelance project – do ask if you can take a PDF sample. If the work isn’t launch sensitive and you’ve not been asked to sign an NDA, then you’ll probably be able to take a PDF. Getting a portfolio together of recent work is a constant challenge for freelancers – and one that’s difficult to remedy if not thought about at the time.

Think short-term

Don’t be put off if you’re asked to work for only one or two days. The freelancers working in long-term bookings were probably only there for a few days initially. Breaking into the freelance scene relies on grasping the opportunity, delivering good work on time and making a good impression in those first few days.

Stay up-to-date

Do your best to stay abreast of the latest software updates, whether this is Adobe CS or more bespoke 3D packages. Knowing the latest versions can only be an advantage, but don’t be surprised or make a big deal of it if you’re asked to work on software that’s three or four versions old.

Get your rates right

Pay rates are a grey area. They can vary from place to place, and can depend on whether you’re working through a recruitment agency or directly. The key is flexibility – don’t price yourself out of the market. It’s better to be working at a slightly lower rate, particularly if it’s long-term, than turning work down and not having any.

Change your CV

If you’re new to freelancing and have a CV prepared for full-time work, you might need to make some subtle changes. Very specific titles can sometimes cause confusion, so make sure that your key strengths are obvious, and include a mission statement that spells out what you can do and how you do it. A concise PDF or online portfolio is, of course, essential.

Don’t be precious

Companies take on freelancers when they have too much work for their permanent staff to handle. It sounds obvious, but a lot of the work you will be asked to do will be on existing projects; adapting or producing new concepts, making amendments or adding illustrations to an almost finished piece. Do the task you’re given to your best ability and move on.

Bring your own device

It’s becoming more common for clients to ask freelancers to bring in their own laptop – often because they have physically run out of machines. If you have a laptop, make sure it has the relevant software on it, is clean and presentable, and that your desktop isn’t going to cause a stir when you turn it on in the office.

Be professional

Don’t make or receive personal calls (except during breaks), don’t spend time on Facebook and don’t do other work on your clients’ time. Ask about the processes and systems used, let people know when you’re ready for a new task, and ask questions about anything you don’t understand.

Stay flexible

The nature of working freelance is that you’ll often find yourself juggling many different projects at once. But just because a particular project might not play to all your strengths, it’s definitely not an excuse not to give less than 100 per cent – more interesting and fulfilling projects will be your reward.

Enjoy yourself

The benefits of freelance work can be numerous: you’ll work on a variety of projects, in different agencies or client-side brands. You’ll have the opportunity to do some great work, meet new people and find different ways of working. Don’t forget, however, that the real beauty is the flexibility. If you work every day of the year, you might be well paid for it, but you’ll also be missing the point.

Icons: Kyle Smart, illustrator

Discover 20 inspiring design portfolios over at Creative Bloq.

Martin King

Martin is a senior consultant at Become.

www.becomeuk.com

http://www.computerarts.co.uk/features/10-essential-tips-freelancing-success?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+computerarts%2Fnews+%28Computer+Arts+News+feed%29

Freelancing: how to not go bust

November 30, 2012 | 3 comments

 
 
 
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Jonny Wan explains how he went freelance straight from university without ending up completely broke

I left university and jumped straight into being a freelancer. But I soon learned from experience that this probably wasn’t the best idea. I’d decided to stay in Manchester after graduation but, six months in, I’d run out of money and had to get any job I could to see me through. Eventually I moved back in with my parents in Sheffield, and spent a year solely working on my illustrations. By then, I’d saved up enough money to be able to rent my own place.

Getting the financial side of freelancing sorted is a big headache, but it has to be done. I sought professional help from an accountant, which I’d definitely recommend doing. As well as keeping your financial affairs above board, they can help minimise your tax bill by telling you what you can claim in expenses and equipment when working from home. Accountants’ costs vary, but many offer a free initial consultation.

Companies all have different methods of processing payments, and even if your invoice asks for payment within 30 days, it won’t necessarily happen. If the job is large, I’ll ask for at least a 30 per cent deposit. It’s money in the bank for me, but it also shows that you have the trust of the client.

Having an agent makes invoicing easier, as they handle that whole side. Clients do have to pay the agency before I get paid, but all the money I’m owed has come in on time, so it’s not made that much of a difference to my cashflow. A few agents have a bad reputation for keeping the money back, but I’m lucky to be with a good one.

I’ve always been a bit of a saver, and now I put 20 per cent of whatever comes in straight into a separate bank account to save for tax. I also pay as many of my bills as possible monthly, to help keep track of everything. My general rule is that you should work out your monthly outgoings, and then try to earn enough to double that. During that year after I graduated I realised how much you depend on money to live, which has made me much more careful about what I spend it on, but also encouraged me to push for more.
 

Discover 20 inspiring examples of design portfolios at Creative Bloq.

Jonny Wan

Since graduating in 2008, Manchester-based illustrator Jonny has worked with clients including Nokia, DDB London, Microsoft and Urban Outfitters across fashion, advertising, editorial, product design and more.

www.jonnywan.com

http://www.computerarts.co.uk/features/freelancing-how-not-go-bust?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+computerarts%2Fnews+%28Computer+Arts+News+feed%29

Study tips: Coursework and productivity

It's easy to forget that you're supposed to actually, you know, work, during your time at university. In between cooking terrible food, taking part in a crazy university society, frantically trying to save money or even trying to make money, and trying to stay healthy, you actually have to learn.

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unless you’re adept at writing essays in your sleep, you’ll need to work hard to get your degree. Or perhaps you need to pass exams. Read our exam guide.

Organise, organise, organise

Organisation is the most important skill you need. You need to build up a schedule so you can study effectively. Write out your deadline dates, then grab a weekly chart (or make one in excel). Fill in your commitments for that week first of all – lectures, university society meetings, any other meetings you have. Then from there, be honest with yourself about how much time you want to spend on work - one to two hours a day of good-quality working is probably enough, and leaves you enough time to socialise in the evening. Do this every week, altering your schedule as and when you need it, and you should find meeting deadlines becomes a lot easier. You should also organise topics into folders so information is easier to find.

Stay out of the bedroom

Bedrooms are for sleeping, kitchens are for cooking… You get the idea. It’s not ideal to study in your bedroom, as – it sounds silly but it’s true – we have designated rooms for designated tasks and we get used to doing those tasks in there. In short: you’ll get bored or tired and eventually want to sleep in your bedroom, or get distracted by surfing the net, instead of doing work. If you’re struggling to do work, look at your environment. Do you have a lot of distractions in the form of other people, computers, or TVs? Maybe you should find somewhere quieter to do your work, like the university library. A change in environment can see your productivity go up loads.

Pick a good time to work

The generally accepted wisdom is that it’s best to work during the day or in the early evening. Everybody’s different and it might be easier for you to work at a certain time due to time restrictions, but play around with when you do your work as this can make a difference. Make sure you have enough energy – ideally you want to eat around half an hour after eating, and of course, it’s best if you eat slow-release energy food like porridge. Snacking on chocolates and sweets will make you feel better for a while but it’ll come back to bite you when you crash from the sugar high!

Start as soon as possible

Begin working on coursework as soon as you’re given it. This not only means you have more time to work on it, but it also means that the information you’ve been given on it is fresh in your mind, so you’ll have a better idea of what you’re doing. If you really don’t want to actually start on the piece of work, then simply start sketching out some kind of plan for what you’re going to do, and then you’ve got a framework to start from, rather than starting weeks later and having no idea what to do!

Pace and reward yourself!

You need to balance elements of work and play, but studying needn’t be joyless. After you’ve finished a piece of work, or met one of your goals for that week, reward yourself in some way. It can be something small like getting a takeaway for yourself or buying something you really wanted but didn’t want to get for yourself. Alternatively, if you’ve finished a big goal, like your dissertation, you can go out and celebrate with friends or treat yourself to something much bigger, like a holiday.

http://www.independent.co.uk/student/student-life/study-tips-coursework-and-productivity-8122056.html

Launch yourself into the arts industry

Although a job in the arts can seem like an impossible dream, there is a desperate need for people with the right technical skills

HELENA POZNIAK

 

 

THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2012

So secret is the next major international film being tweaked on a Bournemouth campus that university staff are sworn to secrecy. Even students working alongside aren't allowed to peek. Some 30 recent graduates are working with leading visual effects house Framestore on the latest movie in post-production.

They've already worked here on the likes of the latest Sherlock Holmes film and Wrath of the Titans. This is an outpost of the London-based Framestore, set up in the small, specialist Arts University College Bournemouth (AUCB) to harness emerging talent in creative design – at a cheaper venue.

Welcome to the world of creative arts degrees. Most are immersive – often simulating the professional, technology-driven environment where these fledgling designers, artists and performers will soon work. And in the words of one university professional, they are "bloody hard work". Many institutions have forged direct links with industry to enable students to gain real-world experience during their degrees and build a portfolio. Right now, digital effects students are all a-quiver at the prospect of more Star Wars films after Disney's purchase of Lucasfilm.

"We work with live briefs," says Simon Pride, head of marketing at AUCB, where students of illustration have been working on the next classic Haynes car workshop manual. And on the Costume with Performance Design course this year students designed costumes for Weymouth's Olympic opening ceremony. Next door, at the award-winning National Centre for Computer Animation at Bournemouth University, a separate institution, students are learning the ropes of digital creation. Recent years have seen a surge in computer-generated imagery, which has come a long way since dinosaurs first roared in the blockbuster Jurassic Park. So even the most-talented artists need an understanding these days of the digital technology underpinning the industry.

Britain is renowned for its sparky, restless creativity and swathes of small businesses have flourished since the 1990s. But in the first year of university fees up to £9,000, applications for creative arts and design degrees have fallen, on average, by 16 per cent – and in some cases by nearly 30 per cent. This, and the omission of any arts-based subject from the new English Baccalaureate, has rattled leading figures in the arts.

Some predict a creative talent shortage in the years to come as students neglect the likes of dancing for subjects such as dentistry. Yet the creative industries, ranging from advertising to architecture, fashion and film and gaming and design, are among the fastest-growing sectors in the UK, says the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). "There's an idea that it's less 'proper' to do a creative degree than a traditional subject, but that's plain wrong," says Pride. Reflecting upon the success of the Olympic ceremonies Martin Roth, director of the V&A, said this month: "If subjects such as art, design, music, drama and dance are squeezed to the edges of the curriculum, Britain's creative economy could be destroyed within a generation."

One and a half million people work in the creative industry, or in creative roles in other industries, according to government figures published less than a year ago. And creative industries contribute 2.9 per cent of the UK's gross value added – an economic indicator used to measure the performance of an industry sector – and account for 10.6 per cent of exports of services.

"It's vital that the key strengths of businesses in the creative sector are nurtured," says the CBI. A separate report from the Centre for Economics and Business Research forecast that London's media, internet and creative industries will become vital to the capital's economic growth in the years to 2017. And, as AUCB points out, employment can be healthy even if salaries tend to be lower: 97 per cent of AUCB graduates find work within six months, a result that places the university fifth in the UK for employability.

Nearly one in three people in the creative sector will work for themselves at some point, according to government figures. It's a prospect about which composer Nicky Royston is fairly sanguine. After graduating in composition from the University of Chichester in October this year, she already has several film credits to her name and is confident about supplementing her income with teaching or creating backing tracks for performers. "Ever since I heard the soundtrack to Casper the Friendly Ghost as a little girl, I've wanted to write music for film – it's incredible how music can control emotion," she says. "I've been composing since I was 14. I get a real buzz from hearing my music being performed. I know it's competitive – you have to network and pitch for work."

Would-be students face a huge choice of courses in visual and creative arts, from painting, writing music, fashion, dance, drama, design and film production. World-renowned courses are on offer across Britain, from the cluster of London-based colleges within the University of the Arts London and the University for the Creative Arts, to University College Falmouth in the South-west, to the art schools of Edinburgh and Glasgow.

To help you choose the right course, industry body Creative Skillset (www.creativeskillset.org) gives recognition to courses that are judged to offer solid industry links and prepare students well for immediate work. This year it accredited 96 courses, from photo imaging, post-production to interactive media and art and design. "Employment in the creative industries continues to grow at 2 per cent; however, there's an oversupply of graduates who've received a general 'creative' education," explains the Creative Industries Council. These days, pigeon-holing people as arts or science types creates a false distinction: as the industry becomes more digitised and integrated, employers need graduates with an understanding of science and maths as well as the arts.

Having an intelligent "Plan B" is essential, says Ben Hall, head of music at the University of Chichester where about 600 undergraduates study a range of specialist music degrees with a highly practical component. "We are keen for our students to understand they will be defined by how they are paid – even West End performers have to supplement their fees," he explains. So students of the hugely popular musical theatre degree learn the nuts and bolts of staging a show – with a view to working in events management, for example. "Your Plan B might be huge fun," says Hall. And the good news for musicians is that most find work – partly owing to a huge demand for children's music lessons.

No doubt salaries within creative arts often lag behind traditional professions: government research shows that a third of creative arts graduates were earning less than £15,000 some six years into their career, although three-quarters reported they were satisfied with their work.

"It's a myth to suggest there are plenty of jobs out there for artists," says Stuart Bennett, head of the University of Edinburgh College of Art. "Many students go into self-employment. Our third-year focuses on the external to give a real idea of what it's like to be out in the art world."

Students are encouraged to set up co-operatives, work on live commissions and seek internships, Bennett says, "to give an idea of what it's like to make your way as a young artist".

Edinburgh, a respected art college, is collaborating with university departments to enrich the scope of the degree. A joint project with the university's animal science Roslin Institute – responsible for Dolly the Sheep – resulted in an exhibition featuring animals in art. "We are trying to create dynamic artists who have a string to their bow above and beyond the discipline in which they have studied," says Bennett.

• ccskills.org.uk
• courses.creativeskillset.org
• www.creative-choices.co.uk
• www.e-skills.com/about-e-skills-uk/you/students
• skygraduates.com  (closing date 19/12/12)

http://www.independent.co.uk/student/postgraduate/postgraduate-study/launch-yourself-into-the-arts-industry-8343932.html

How to use marketing techniques in your job search

When it comes to getting noticed by employers, there's so much that employers can learn from the world of marketing. Clare Whitmell offers some ideas

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• Clare Whitmell
• guardian.co.uk, Monday 2 July 2012 16.10 BST
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Job seekers could use marketing techniques to get an employer to notice them. Photograph: Kieran Doherty/Reuters

However distasteful it may appear, getting an employer to choose you over all the other applicants has parallels with a shopper choosing one brand over the other. (And just as consumers will often calculate a price-to-quality ratio before deciding, employers are also looking for value and a return on investment.) But with so much competition in the job market, one of the biggest problems candidates face is getting noticed in the first place. Here are some ways that you can use marketing techniques to add impetus to your job search and attract an employer's attention.

Work out your USP

To wow an employer, your application materials must make your "unique selling proposition" clear and distinct. Think about what differentiates you from others, and the value an employer will gain if they hire you. Consider adding a short statement under your name that crystallises what you do, how you do it, and the value you create.

Something such as: "Book marketer, driving sales and profits through online channels"

Or for a CV writer (but this isn't mine, by the way!): "Developing uniqueCVs that get interviews and jobs"

If you're applying for different roles (or in different sectors) you'll probably need to adapt your message to different audiences. Your CVs and cover letters must be relevant and focussed on that role, company and sector. They should also be suited to the needs of your reader. Consider developing a range of formats for different situations, in addition to a full CV.

Emphasise benefits not features

The problem with many CVs is that they read as a list of what the applicant has done, but don't spell out why the employer should care. Don't just describe what you do but translate your strengths, abilities and experience into bottom-line benefits for the employer. Everything you include in your application must build up your credibility and appeal. Train yourself to do this by thinking to yourself "so what?" after each sentence. This will help you move away from phrases such as "duties included" or "responsible for" to focus on the impact of your work and your achievements – and how these are relevant to your potential employer.

Use more than one marketing channel

Marketing professionals adopt a number of approaches to target their customers, and you should do the same if you're trying to get an employer's attention. Word of mouth is often an effective way in, so think about how this could work for you. Perhaps you can get a direct referral from someone you know, for example. A range of online marketing efforts might also help. LinkedIn groups participation and activity in social media channels (Twitter, blogs and forums) can be effective - especially when combined with offline approaches, such as networking, speculativeapplications, working with specialist recruitment agencies, or even doing some voluntary work.

Be confident

While arrogance is an undesirable trait, you won't be able to convince anyone to hire you if you show doubt in your abilities, or if you come across as apologetic, needy or insecure. Portray a positive can-do attitude and make sure your CV has enough examples of how you've achieved results similar to those needed in the new role. If there are weak points in your application (for example, you're missing experience or skills) prepare to explain how you're overcoming them.

http://careers.guardian.co.uk/marketing-techniques-job-seekers-applications?CMP=

How to find unadvertised jobs

Research suggests that as many as 60% of job vacancies are unadvertised. Here is some advice on how to make sure you're making the most of the unadvertised job market

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Advertised roles only represent the tip of the iceberg in terms of the number of jobs available. Here's how to find unadvertised positions. Photograph: AlaskaStock/Corbis

Many jobseekers are unaware that the roles advertised in the press and online are really only the tip of the iceberg in relation to the total number of jobs available at any one time.

In these tough economic times, recruitment agencies and employers can save money and cut back on advertising because they already have access to so many CVs. Indeed, research suggests that as many as 60% of all jobs are unadvertised.

Jobs that are advertised often attract dozens or even hundreds of applications. Investing time and effort in tracking down unadvertised jobs, however, will almost certainly pay off because fewer people will be applying for them.

So here are some practical strategies for finding unadvertised vacancies.

Networking

These days many companies pay a bonus to employees who can introduce a new member of staff. Companies prefer to do this because they can save on expensive advertising and agency fees. Employees who have been offered this bounty will be only too pleased to hear from friends or former colleagues who are looking for work.

So your first strategy should be to to make sure that all your friends (including your Facebook friends), neighbours, former colleagues or business associates know that you are looking for a new position. If there are unadvertised jobs with their employer then, assuming you have the right skills and experience, they will probably be keen to help.

Use social media

You should also use a professional networking site like LinkedIn. Make sure you have a recruiter friendly LinkedIn profile with a strong professional headline, for example, "John Smith – experienced chartered accountant". Use plenty of keywords and phrases that relate to your particular skills set and experience. Recruiters routinely search LinkedIn looking for candidates for their unadvertised jobs; having a well-written profile ensures they can easily find your details and contact you.

You can also join some of the LinkedIn professional groups. There are hundreds of professional networking groups on LinkedIn covering almost every job category and profession. Mention in your introduction that you are looking for work; other members may get in touch if they have a suitable opportunity and, by participating in conversations, you will also pick up useful information about possible openings.

Twitter is also an excellent source of jobs. They're not jobs that are advertised conventionally but a quick search will demonstrate that there is plenty of tweeting going on between jobseekers and recruiters.

Recent research in the US suggests that many companies are either using or are planning to use social media as a key part of their recruitment strategy, and it's happening in the UK too.

It's easy to join Twitter and start following potential employers and their recruiters. You can make direct contact with any other subscriber so tweet the managing director or recruitment manager of an organisation and ask them directly if they have any suitable vacancies (don't forget to include a link to your LinkedIn profile). You won't always get a response, but Twitter is a friendly platform and some senior managers may be impressed by your initiative.

Get alerts about potential jobs straight to your inbox

Use Google Alerts to get regular email notifications of events that might lead to a job opportunity. For example, placing the simple search string, insurance, jobs, Yorkshire in Google Alerts led me to a news item referring to a large insurance group that is planning to open an office in York creating over 300 new jobs for insurance professionals.

Setting up your personal press cuttings service in this way is useful to identify potential unadvertised job opportunities.

Contact employers directly

If you hear about a possible job opportunity then you can make a direct approach to the company. Don't send speculative applications to the HR manager or recruitment manager as you are unlikely to get a response. Take some time to research the company using Google or LinkedIn and try to identify the person within that organisation who might have a suitable vacancy; then send a speculative application letter and your CV to them by name.

Sending a direct or speculative application really does pay off, but it's quality rather than quantity that's important so don't send out a blanket mail shot to 100 companies. Identify just a few organisations and send a customised application to each of them. Even if they don't have a current vacancy many companies acknowledge speculative applications and generally keep CVs on file for at least six months.

Attend trade fairs and conferences

These are events where potentially all of the main employers in your field are gathered in one location. You can find out about upcoming events in the press and on the internet. The same applies to careers fairs, which are run on a regular basis by universities and are often open to both students and graduates. When you attend these events take plenty of copies of your CV and some business cards, and start networking.

Of course you should keep responding to conventional job advertisements, but rather than sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring, take control of your job search and be pro-active.

Jeremy I'Anson is a professional careers coach and the author of 

You're Hired! Total Job Search 2013

http://careers.guardian.co.uk/careers-blog/how-to-find-unadvertised-jobs?CMP=