[Dusteh]

I think I might go freelance, in fact, I might well do it next month.

Can anyone who has done it list the most important bit of advice they can think of for me... I'll probably spend the rest of the day reading freelanceswitch.com. Where do freelancers advertise/pick up work in the UK? (graphic/web design)

I'm unusual in that I think I will have a solid stream of work from two agencies straight away, but even so the whole thing scares me slightly. I have no professional portfolio set up or a CV for a start.

[JonoMarshall]

I have no professional portfolio set up or a CV for a start.

Book some holiday in your current job and sort that out first?

[djeglin]

Best piece of advice I can give you is that if you think you can afford it, hire someone part time or whatever to do the chasing for you with clients. The reason I got out of freelance work was because I was spending more time chasing clients (For content, copy, payment, sign-offs etc), than actually doing the work I wanted to be doing. If you can afford to take someone on just to do a couple of hours of chasing a day for all these things, it takes a lot off your chest.

Oh, and get a good accountant!

David

[d*d]

Get a decent online portfolio and send out some nice emails to design agencies in your area saying you are available for any freelance work they may have. Get involved in some sort of network (not one you have to pay for, there should be plenty of free ones).

Keep track of your jobs and all your outgoings/ ingoings. Set up a seperate account for your business. An accountant will be handy once you get going not essential to start though

[nini]

Dusteh where are you based?

[Hunch]

Join the freemasons, round table or any local business circles in your area (there's usually some kind of regional small business association everywhere). If you play it right, all 3 can be a goldmine.

[Dusteh]

I'm in Dorset.

I hate having to deal with people - which could make freelancing tricky.

[Hunch]

You're fucked mate.

[Dusteh]

That should say I hate having to deal with clients.

I'd rather work for other design houses than deal with the client direct. I think a mailshot might be in order.

[d*d]

Originally Posted by Dusteh

That should say I hate having to deal with clients.

the clients you'll be able to get as a freelancer will be different to to the types you deal with in an agency (clueless marketing executives), they will be from smaller businesses and will generally be easier to talk to/deal with (at least that's what I've found)