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Being A Freelance Graphic Designer Could Hurt Your Business
Let me share an email conversation (names withheld) I had with a potential client before the holidays…
Mark,
As you may or may not know, (graphic designer's name) is undergoing surgery in January and will be off for 3 months. I would like to know if you are available to cover for him while he's away.
To which I replied,
Thank you for thinking of me. I hope all goes well with (graphic designer)'s surgery. Due to the nature of my business and my commitment to my clients I wouldn't be able to take leave for 3 months.
I do however know a graphic designer that would be perfect for you to contact. She is from this area but has spent the last few years working in Montreal. She recently moved back to town and contacted me to let me know she was looking for work. Here is a link to her resume website with all her contact info.
To my surprise, this is the reply I got.
Thank you Mark, for your prompt reply. I fully understand that you could not abandon your business for 3 months.
Thank you for the tip on (designer's name). I looked over her resume, and although she looks to have the qualifications we need, she calls herself a freelance graphic designer. I'm looking for someone who takes the job more seriously than that.
Regards,
I couldn't believe what I read. This woman was perfect for the job but he wouldn't consider her because she called herself a freelance graphic designer.
What is a freelance graphic designer?
According to Merriam-Webster the definition of a freelancer is: A person who acts independently without being affiliated with or authorized by an organization. This person pursues a profession without a long-term commitment to any one employer.
Isn't that what we are? The answer is yes. Unfortunately the word freelance has a stigma that makes it an unfavourable word for potential graphic design clients to accept. Some businesses even have a not freelancer policy when it comes to hiring contractors.
Freelancers are often seen as being rebels, risky, lazy, overly proud and hard to get along with. Some potential clients even associate the term freelancer with amateur. Something you don't want associated with your business.
Being a freelance graphic designer means you are replaceable. You are one in a long list of graphic designers a company could turn to in a pinch for a quick one time job.
Why do we burden ourselves with this title?
There was a time when being a freelancer was something exotic, mysterious even. When working for yourself was something that set you apart from the masses. But nowadays, more and more people are going into business for themselves and the novelty has worn off.
There are many professions that follow the same format that we graphic designers do but don't use the term freelancer. Can you imagine trusting your money to a freelance financial planner? Would you trust your locks to a freelance hair stylist? I didn't think so.
What should you call yourself?
When someone asks you what you do, just tell them. You are a graphic designer, a web designer, a web developer or whatever it may be. If they are interested they will ask who you work for. At which time you can explain that you run your own design business. As a graphic design business owner you can explain how you help your clients find solutions to problems they face, which justifies the amount you charge.
By stating you are a business owner you are giving yourself instant credibility and proof that you take what you do seriously. It also establishes you as a professional.
No matter how you refer to yourself, your livelihood doesn’t depend on how you see yourself, but on how your graphic design clients see you and your work. So don't be afraid to tell people you are a graphic designer and a business owner.
Just leave the “freelance” part out of it.
I would love your comments
How do you refer to yourself? Leave a comment below.
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Running a graphic design or web design business all by yourself isn't easy. If there are any struggles you face running your design business please reach out to me. I'll do my best to help you by addressing your issues in a future blog post or podcast episode here at Resourceful Designer. You can reach me at feedback@resourcefuldesigner.com
I'm a designer just like you. Let's see how we can do more designing and less of the other business stuff that takes up our precious time.
it is important to develop your skills as a graphic designer. This involves mastering the necessary tools and software, as well as learning the principles of design such as color theory, typography, and layout.
Thank you for this reliable blog, I gained a lot of tips. This article is indeed helpful
Hi Mark, Nice post! I liked it.
BUT you know many times I get queries from people who are looking to hire a graphic designer on LinkedIn or they googled it as “Freelancer graphic designer”.
Thing is for example is I put my current profile on LinkedIn as “web/graphic designer” most people will assume I am working with an agency full-time or not available for work.
What other option I think might work is, Putting “Consultant” before profile, Because when potential clients search us they have no time to go into detail of each and every profile, So we might miss the opportunity.
This might be my own personal opinion but I would really love to know what you guys think, Please let me know! Thanks again 🙂
Hi Manish,
You have some valid points. However I still don’t like the term freelance. My linkedIn profile has me listed as “Owner/Graphic Designer”. At least that way people know I run my own business and am available for hire. Of course this only works if you actually have a business name.
Hi Mark,
Hope everything is going awesome your side. I completely forgot this article and got no notification further when you reverted. But I am glad I came here again doing some random surfing and saw my comment and your revert.
I really liked your suggestion and updated my profile and removed term “Freelance” from it.
Thanks for the insight! Cheers 🙂
Manish
Thanks for the great insight! I never really thought about that perception before, but it definitely makes sense. Have now decided to drop the freelance because of this possibility.
Glad to help Kristen. I don’t know why so many designers call themselves freelancers. No other profession does this.
Hey Mark, That was interesting to read. After a prelude to court preceedings my ex-client, in his defence, said was that, “everybody knows that you only work freelance because you can’t get a job,” which I was genuinely surprised at. I’m not sure how much of that was vitriol or a genuine, wider perception by industry at large. Seems as though it could well be the latter.
Sorry to hear about your court proceedings Rory. Unfortunately, as you’ve discovered, the term freelancer has lost the allure it once had.
Wow, that had to sting. So, I’m curious. After that experience and reading Mark’s article, are you looking at re-titling yourself?
It wasnt so bad.. I’m quite adept at court-action now (although that’s probably a bad thing!) and it’s in the past now but it is what got me thinking as I never realised that freelancing could be seen as a bad thing. Most don’t understand that it is a business which involves so much to keep things running – and a one-an operation is hard enough in itself!
But to actually answer your question Cheryl, I havent really pushed being a freelancer. Instead I have touted myself as what I do, although I will certainly more conscious about not labeling myself as a freelancer.
I guess in the internet age its so easy to produce hurrendously amateur work and tout yourself as a professional. I’ve certainly seen a lot of it! These spec work sites have definitely not helped.
It’s all about how you view yourself. I never really thought about overall how the term “freelancer” might be perceived, I just never thought of myself as one. I’m always a graphic designer/web designer first, these days a creative agency. Thanks for the topic. Your site and email marketing are right on point. Great job.
Thanks Cheryl, your are correct, it’s all about how you view yourself. If you see yourself as a professional that’s how other’s will perceive you.