The Art of Freelancing and the Interactive Web

By Chris Black

Background

• Chris Black– 3 years part time free lancing– 2 years as a Senior Developer at the Nerdery– 1 year full time freelancer / author

• Why did I go freelance?

GOING FREELANCE

Why Freelance?

Compared to Fulltime

Freelance / Contract• Control over projects you

take• Work on your own schedule• Income varies each month• Always on the clock• Self motivated

Fulltime• Little control over projects

you work on• Work 9 to 5• Consistent salary• Usually not on call• Motivated by others

Considerations

• Could I go 90 days without a paycheck?• Do I have all the knowledge to accomplish the

tasks? If not, do I know others that can help?• Am I self motivated?

GETTING WORK

Types of Work

• Full time job + freelance on the side– When you want more experience or need extra

cash– Don’t compete with your employer!

• Full time freelance• Contract jobs

Types of Self Employment

Freelance• Generally shorter projects• Can be fixed bid or time and

materials• Less commitment• Requires more work from

you – wearing many hats• Need to find work on your

own or by referral• Work remotely, sometimes

onsite

Contract Work• Usually 20 – 40 hours per

week for a set duration• Generally paid by the hour• Contractual agreement of

work• Can be specific to your

discipline• Placement by recruiters or

professionals• Usually onsite

Starting an LLC

• Valuable for full time freelancers• Easy to setup• Separates expenses into a business account• Step 1: Name• Step 2: Articles of Organization ($160)• Step 3: EIN number• Step 4: Open a bank account

Finding Freelance Work

• Have a consolidated portfolio ready• LA and NY Craigslist• Networking events (MN.swf, Minnedemo…)• Create a blog• Participate in online communities• Are you competing with other Freelancers?

What to Charge

• Entry level work is usually $20 / hour• Mid to junior level work $30 - $60 / hour• Senior designer or developer $80+ / hour• These numbers are for design / development

in Minneapolis, rates vary based on location• Keep in mind marketing, sales, software, tax

prep and more are all on your dime

Working for Free

• Overnight website challenge• When you need to boost your portfolio• When you feel passionate about something• Answering quick questions• Put a cap on the amount of free work you are

willing to do

Estimating

• Fixed bid vs. Time and Material– Fixed bid is paying based on initial estimate– Time and material is paying per hour– Only choose fixed bid for very small, well defined work– Properly managed time and material is better for both

you and the client• Break down the project into front end and

backend work• Offer alternate estimates removing features

Estimating Example

Filtering Work

• Is this a project I want?• Are they paying my going rate?• Will this be good exposure?• Is the timeline reasonable?• How much research will I need to do?• Don’t take every job

EXECUTING WORK

Client Relations

• Some small talk is good• Eat lunch with clients and colleagues• Keep in mind the project will end

Project Management

• Clearly outline estimates, hours you plan to work and hours completed

• Break the project down into milestones

Example Timeline

Invoicing the Client

• For small projects with new clients take half up front

• Reliable, repeat clients can be billed weekly or monthly

• Contract work is usually on NET 30 terms, it could be 60 days before you see a check!

• QuickBooks Pro

Example Invoice

Clear Communication

• Respond to e-mails promptly• Ask questions rather than guess• Be honest about your ability and interest in

the work• Recognize early warning flags

GENERAL INFORMATION

Considerations

• Health insurance• Dental insurance• Disability insurance• Do I need a loan in the next two years?• Retirement account• Budgeting• Taxes – just hire somebody

Taxes

• Many things are deductable for self employed individuals: software, computer, business expenses, conferences

• Anyone you do more than $600 of work for must send you a W9

• Claim all of your income• Pay estimated taxes quarterly

Questions?

Additional Information

• http://vandelaydesign.com/blog/business/7-freelancing-mistakes/

• http://www.developria.com/2010/12/if-you-can-make-it-here.html

• http://www.developria.com/2010/12/if-you-can-make-it-here-part-2.html

• http://www.developria.com/2010/12/if-you-can-make-it-here-part-2.html

• http://blog.benstucki.net/?p=66