Working as a freelance web designer has both pros and cons. The pros include setting your own schedule, rates, and the ability to work remotely. However, freelancing also has challenges like managing multiple clients' demands, lack of benefits, and inconsistent income. The document provides tips for getting started as a freelancer such as choosing a business name, creating a website and contracts, determining rates, and finding clients. It also outlines the typical project process from initial meeting and proposal to delivering the final product.

1. Working for Yourself as a Web Designer Why, How, When… and all that jazz.

2. About Me Erica Volkman BLOG: http://www.Designeroftheweb.com (new) COMPANY: http://www.GoodImpressionsMedia.com Interactive Media Design Grad @ AIP 2006 Work for the Man (and freelance) Freelance Work for the Man (and freelance)

3. What Were Talkin’ About Freelance Pros and Cons What would help you get started Generating Leads The Freelance Process

5. Set Your Own Rate

6. Somewhat Flexible Hours

7. Variety of Projects (Reject the Rejects)

8. Reduced Transportation Costs

10. Blog Posts Random Pros and Cons Pros and Cons from Top Web Designers Pro and Con Article from MS Money Pros and Cons of Freelance Flexibility

11. Getting Started Choose a name Make yourself a site Create a Proposal / Quote / Contract template document and USE IT. Choose Your Rate Create an Invoice Template or set-up an account for invoicing

12. What’s in a Name? Use your own name (Does not need Registered and can use your social security as a Tax ID.) Create a Fictitious Business Name ($70.00) and get a Tax ID (EIN) so you can open a Business Checking. OR Fic Name Requirements (PA): http://www.dos.state.pa.us/corps/cwp/view.asp?a=1093&q=431168 Fic Name Registration (PA): http://www.dos.state.pa.us/corps/lib/corps/20/7/311.pdf Other States: http://www.business.gov/register/business-name/dba.html Tax ID Registration: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=102767,00.html Doing Business In PA Web Site >>>

14. ThemeForest.net

15. RocketTheme.com

16. ElegantThemes.com$50 / Year for Hosting + $10 / Year for .com name

17. Create a Proposal Template Sample Project Proposal HERE. Very simple, Not sure how it would hold up in court so please use update and details for each project.

18. Choosing Your Rate When / How I first started… Determine your rate with: Freelance Switch Rate Calculator OR Choose how many hours you would like to work per week on freelance and how much you would like to make from freelance per week. $ $

19. Invoice Em’ http://www.FreshBooks.com (suggested) Download Word Invoice Template Make your own because you’re a designer!

20. Generating Leads AIP – Renee McCafferty 5th quarter or above with a minimum 2.5 GPA Friends and Fam are #1 CraigsList.org under Web or Gigs Bidding Sites Such As: GetAFreelance.com Elance.com Grass Roots Marketing Hand out fliers Send out post cards

21. The Process 1 . Find Client 2 . Meet / Speak with Client to find out the scope of the project. You need to know exactly what they want – how they want it to look, how they want it to function, what their goals are. EXHAUST all questions. 3 . Do brief competitive review to discover ways that your client can excel over the competition. 4 . Create your Proposal / Be as detailed as possible with EVERYTHING. - get approval

22. The Process 5 . Create Screen Shots and Wire Frames – get approval 6 . Break it out – make it function. Give the client a test site to visit while they wait for the magic. 7 . Test and Revise x 1000 8 . Deliver Project & Promote if applicable 9 . Invoice Blog Posts: Web Design From Scratch The Web Design Process Evaluate Your Process and Results

23. THE ENDThank You! Find a copy of my slides at DesignerOfTheWeb.com