I got skills, they're multiplying
It's been just over a month since I set up as a freelancer, and things are starting to pick up pace. One thing that strikes me is what a broad range of skills it requires.
Building up a new company takes a lot of work. Fortunately my early efforts are starting to pay off, and I've been able to secure a number of diverse and exciting projects (details to be revealed in due course).
The increased variety of work was one of the things which first attracted me to freelancing, and I haven't been disappointed. It really is amazing what opportunities are out there if you go looking for them.
Couple these projects with the day-to-day running of a small business, and it feels like I'm learning (or at least attempting) a new skill with every passing minute.
Putting yourself 'out there'
A selection of posts from the @coasedesign Instagram account
One thing I massively underestimated is the time it takes to grow and manage an active online presence. It's a skill I'm still grappling with.
Take Instagram, for example:
Creating an account for my business has been a far cry from my habitual 2-minute daily scroll through my friends' feeds. In fact, over the past few weeks I've spent an average of almost 1 hour each day on Instagram.
The time goes to writing and editing content, identifying and engaging with relevant accounts, and replying to comments and DM enquiries. Progress can feel slow at times, but there are already some promising connections and leads forming.
It's also proving to be a great space for keeping up to speed with the industry, and even finding inspiration for new designs. The time invested here certainly feels worth it.
Using the down time to skill up
I keep a list of skills I'd like to develop to improve the quality of my work and make myself attractive to a wider range of clients.
I've already dipped my toe in the water with Solidworks and had a look at the 'Affinity' software suite. Next on the list is to learn V-Ray as a rendering plugin for Rhino 6. Then comes 3ds Max; a highly-capable CAD stalwart which it seems could open up a lot of doors.
Now that I have a few paid projects to keep myself busy, some of these plans have taken a back seat, but I'm sure there will be quiet periods ahead. When you're not earning money you can use the down time to improve your future earning potential. And that's what I intend to do.
So with a variety of projects underway, and some exciting collaborations on the horizon, I'm hoping my skillset will only continue to grow.
🎵 I'm the one that you want 🎵
If you're looking for a freelance designer then please don't hesitate to get in touch. I'll get back to you asap to discuss your requirements
And okay, I'll stop with the Grease references now, I promise.