[rustybones]

for turning down freelance work? I've been contacted by several people wanting me to join their team and help out with "web 2.0/social networking" site designs and what not.

I've got two projects on the go right now. One being a website (that I've already posted on here in the showcase/critique section) and the second being a logo/character for a company here in OZ. I potentially have another smallish job coming up for a friend in the UK too.

I work forty hours a week as an in-house web/design guy for a software company... so any freelance stuff is done in my evenings and weekends. I remember two years ago I couldn't get much work, but now I'm turning it away, it's fucking bizarre.

I'm not looking for sympathy or to make people jealous, I'm just asking should I feel bad for turning potential work away?


And part of the reason I feel bad is I have a $14,000 student loan (with 12.5% PA interest on top of it), which I'm trying to pay off as quickly as possible before my wife and I move any further away from home...

[seen.to]

Originally Posted by rustybones

for turning down freelance work? I've been contacted by several people wanting me to join their team and help out with "web 2.0/social networking" site designs and what not.

I've got two projects on the go right now. One being a website (that I've already posted on here in the showcase/critique section) and the second being a logo/character for a company here in OZ. I potentially have another smallish job coming up for a friend in the UK too.

I work forty hours a week as an in-house web/design guy for a software company... so any freelance stuff is done in my evenings and weekends. I remember two years ago I couldn't get much work, but now I'm turning it away, it's fucking bizarre.

I'm not looking for sympathy or to make people jealous, I'm just asking should I feel bad for turning potential work away?


And part of the reason I feel bad is I have a $14,000 student loan (with 12.5% PA interest on top of it), which I'm trying to pay off as quickly as possible before my wife and I move any further away from home...

Been there mate, from struggling to find clients to having too many. If you can, try subbing the work out to someone you trust.

[wheedwacker]

send all of your extra work my way!


anyways, don't feel bad about it if you are already working 40+ hours a week. you should be able to keep ahead of your loan easily working 40 hours a week as a designer. if there was a super urgent need to get more money, and fast, I would say you shouldn't turn it down, but if you are doing a lot already and it isn't mandatory to have it NOW, don't feel bad.

[weldo]

Originally Posted by rustybones

I'm just asking should I feel bad for turning potential work away?

No.

You should feel bad for mugging old ladies.

[d*d]

find a couple of reliable freelancers to sub the stuff out to, mark it up with a nominal management fee - don't turn work away if you can help it

[iblastoff]

i turn them down all the time. but web stuff is only a hobby of mine so meh!

[Accurate]

Gotta fit a life in there somewhere. Overworking will just make you lose interest and creativity.

You just need to work out a way to find a balance. If you find out, tell me how.

[genitalia]

Yes like me you probably have too much money. Take it easy you maybe die tomorrow.

[rustybones]

Originally Posted by Accurate

Gotta fit a life in there somewhere. Overworking will just make you lose interest and creativity.

Yeah that's what I'm finding out... I've found myself getting frustrated with design work every now and again... almost like a designers block. Maybe time to pull back a little and stop taking on so much...