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The Ultimate Freelancer
Anyone can award themselves any title they want, but it doesn’t make them an expert or mean they can deliver their clients the results they were expecting.

The design industry is tainted by people who believe design is a skill any entrepreneur can teach themselves with the right software and believe that a degree in design is not important because technology changes so quickly.

It is over looked by many that there is so much more to being a successful designer and freelancer than knowing a software program or two. The true talent isn’t in the production or basic implementation. It begins in the understanding of color, relationships, theory, history, typography, perspective, perception, desire…the ability to generate ideas that evoke emotion and get people to take action.

While anyone can open up Photoshop and create something… Not everyone can do or are trained to do the above. Furthermore not all designers are cut out to freelance and be successful either. Although there are many skilled and talented designers, the adventure of being a freelancer takes much more than your design skills.

5 Practical Freelancer Prerequisites:

1. Skills: A person must be able to provide a desirable product or service. If there’s no demand for what you can offer than it will be an endless fight for success.

2. Business Knowledge: Basic business knowledge is very important. You should be able to create an invoice, communicate with clients, keep records...This may not be the most exciting part of running your business but it is vital.

3. Networking: Networking skills are critical. A good freelancer is familiar with both high tech and low tech methods of social networking. They know how to form and keep business relationships.

4. Deliver: A successful freelancer must be able to meet deadlines and deliver a finished product.

5. Work Space: An inspiring, organized, functional work space is important. Having all of your essential business tools at hand will ensure efficiency. If you work from home, look into alternative places to meet with clients.

5 Personal Freelancer Prerequisites:

1. Passion: A successful freelancer must be passionate about what they do. Freelancing is hard work. Those who aren’t willing to work hard won’t make it in the freelance world.

2. Marketing & Promotion: A successful freelancer needs the self-confidence to promote their business. Marketing is a key part of running and growing a successful business.

3. Organizational Skills: It is extremely important to be organized in order to be productive. Freelancers need to track revenues, expenses, and their own work schedules.

4. Communication Skills: The ability to be clear and concise is vital to business success.

5. Self-discipline: A successful freelancer must have self-discipline. They need to be able to work without supervision, be self-driven, dedicated and self-directed. It’s very easy to get sidetracked by everyday distractions.

It takes a special breed to become an ultimate freelancer. You need the right balance of knowledge, skills and character traits to be successful. It’s not cut out for everyone!

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