Freelancers...
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Itās unusually quiet on the job front for me and just wanted to enquire from any freelancers out there if yāall are in the same boat?
I have a normally consistent stream of work from a loyal client base and no real need to go out looking for more, I do not even know how to go about it, besides conferences, and venues like Base camp.
I do not want to work for a boss or be exclusive to a company as a contractor; I like to be able to do prod-vis, arch-vis and anything else that comes along as a challenge.
So, how do yāall go about finding new clients?
It would be very interesting to learn, Iām sure some will not want to reveal all their secrets.
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Well, what I'm doing right now is take my iPod Touch everywhere loaded with a couple of my animations. Shopping Malls in Guayaquil are full of stands with sales people from house developments with huge flat screens showing promo videos and handing out brochures. I usually approach one of them, show him an interior walkthrough of a house, and he becomes so excited about it that he gives me the contact info of his boss so I can offer my services to the company. I'll tell you how this method works out, as I'm just beginning with it.
I'm also using Facebook ads targeted at Spanish speakers. So far I have gained more than 1,000 fans, but no client from this method.
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Wow Miguel, I never even considered that, I doubt I could ever do that as I cannot sell a hamburger to a starving man, not to mention my Achilles heal of price negotiating (I suck at that)
I've looked at FB ads but never anything more than an inquiry.
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I'm freelancing in an art studio doing pre production for spot ads and tv commercials, but I'm spending a lot of time on this forum
because summer means "dead in the water" as far as work goes. It's been very slow. More time for hobbies though. -
Talking to a few people working in other creative fields, you're certainly not alone. When it comes to the freelance graphic and web design that usually pays my bills, things have definitely gone quiet.
It isn't very encouraging to hear that it's the same story when it comes to rendering. I've only recently started to take rendering seriously and was hoping to concentrate on finding work doing archiviz etc. and cut down on the graphic and web jobs I take on (my heart just isn't in it anymore).
It doesn't help that like yourself, I really don't have a clue about how to start looking for clients. I've tried the direct approach and whilst I initially tend to get quite an enthusiastic response, when it comes to the nitty gritty I keep hearing the same response: "we just can't afford it at the moment".
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Are the current clients in your line of work inclined to refer your services to others in their field? Would it be appropriate to approach them to consider referring/recommending you? I have no idea what the landscape looks like-- I was just suggesting?
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@mitcorb said:
Are the current clients in your line of work inclined to refer your services to others in their field? Would it be appropriate to approach them to consider referring/recommending you? I have no idea what the landscape looks like-- I was just suggesting?
That would be great but I fear they would never do that, in fact my one client objected once to me doing work for a competitor, which actually did benefit me in the long run as he gave me more work to cover what his competition was needing from me, and with me agreeing to his terms showed my loyalty.
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I sort of expected that, but wasn't sure. What if you asked one you have confidence in. Perhaps they know of someone in a related field--not directly competitive-- who could use your formidable talents, and I do mean formidable.
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I have found that word of mouth works best, for me at least and I havent been doing it very long so dont take my word for it!
Most of my work comes from colleagues recommending me to others in general conversation regarding work out of the office or at meetings about future briefs etc.
I tried and tried to self promote and approach companies and individuals before I got this new job and only met with limited success.What has worked really well these last few weeks is my carbon made website. Just a no-nonsense no frills webpage with just work easy to navigate. Something you can send the client and they can whizz through and see everything in one place in under 5 mins!
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@solo said:
Itās unusually quiet on the job front for me and just wanted to enquire from any freelancers out there if yāall are in the same boat?
It's a big boat Solo! Banks aren't lending, so client's aren't spending. The money-go-round needs lubricating.
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I'm with you, Pete.. I've been slow all year (aside from May where I actually got a bunch of work at once..go figure) and typically rely on word of mouth and clients contacting me. I am lucky enough to hold a salary position at an architect's office which has typically been my 'supplemental income' but has been my primary income all year. I now have to give in and agree to show my face a second day/week just to get a little more steady income. I hate giving in to the man!!
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Pete,
I am considering reminding my clients to think of me when someone else might use my services. I think it is a little twisted if someone is trying to keep you to themselves but unable to keep you busy.* I have a realtor who is very good at keeping in touch years after we bought our house, because she knows referrals are where it's at.
It is different for your client base, but another thing is what I did when I first got started in this locale. Contact builders, developers, realtors, architects etc. I might offer some freebie preliminary plans. At least now I know the community better and have local references.
Most builders are hurtin' and many are already out of business. However my approach is to suggest they'd have an edge with a designer working with them. Next time some one approaches them with a job they can offer to have some plans drawn up. Often they just have to say "I can't bid it without plans". It is about expanding your base, because I've become used to enough coming in from the usual sources. It looks to be slowing down.
[Edit:* I am sending a short email to my close associates about Pete's work & forwarding his URL. Others might like to do the same for Pete or another friend.]
Peter
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Pete,
Have you thought about offering your services to a local Uni/collage that teaches a relevant course as a lecture or guess speaker?
Could be a good way to help the bank balance, plus it couldn't hurt the CV.
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I have found it to be a great resource by being involved in the help forums, and in groups related to 3D modeling. Especially Maps.
Being involved in the Google Places help forums has gotten me quite a few clients that understand the connection of all things Google.
Being involved in using Google's Map Maker program has done a ton for creating new clients also.
Polish up your Google Profile before going in, and it creates a direct connection to what you do.
Hope that helps some.
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@unknownuser said:
So, how do yāall go about finding new clients?
I bet you could get some good exposure by writing a guest post for Sketchupdate, Ronen Bekerman, or similar blogs. The SU team is always looking for case studies to feature (they have about one a month), and you must have one of the most impressive Sketchup model portfolios on the planet. From cartoons to architecture to product renders, there isn't much you haven't done. Here's a quote from the Craft MBA blog about guest posting.
@unknownuser said:Guest Posting ā Guest posting is the new black. If you want to build link love back to your site, guest posting is a great option. Major blogs get hundreds of product pitches every day. But what they donāt get as often are people wiling to provide good content. Writing a quality guest post can be as good as getting a blog to cover your product in terms of bringing traffic back to your site. (Just make sure youāre focusing on blogs read by your target market.)
Shoot, with as many programs as you've mastered, I bet you could do a whole series of blog post case studies (SU & Thea, SU & Vue, etc.), thus showing yourself as an expert in the field.
I know many of us on SCF would love for you to do in-depth tutorials on modeling and rendering, and would be willing to pay to learn...similar to what Tobobo suggests, perhaps you could turn your extensive skill-set of programs into online workflow video tutorials. Alternatively you could write a detailed case study to be featured in a print magazine like 3D World, to expand on the exposure you got in the last edition.
Edit: Oops, I didn't actually tell how I get work (because I'm looking to answer the same question myself), but just gave some ideas that I've been thinking about
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I would also suggest you to polish up your youtube channel, as it is a great way to present your work for a large audience. My work may not be as good as yours but for the few hundred thausand video views I got, I also have got a couple of small job offers locally and overseas. Your already uploaded videos are great but the problem I see in them is that you don't tag them correctly. Because of that, people can't find your work while searching for something and your missing a hell of a lot exposure.
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Hi Guys,
Well they say, 'If you want to make money ... you have to go where the money is!' This is so true if you think about it. One thing is for sure there is not a lot of money to be made in the Construction Industry at present both in Europe and the USA because of the screwed up banks.
On the other hand places like China, Australia and Canada are doing well so maybe these markets should be targeted for work?
Due to the downturn in the Construction Industry there are a lot of guys looking to add to their skills set! This is one of the reasons we have seen a such an increase in membership here of late. So I think Training should be looked at closely.
Another suggestion! I started a topic some time back,**'Are there any SketchUp 'Mini Publications' Authors ?**http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=76&t=36042 and got a number of interested members contacting me. As yet we don't have anything to publish but I am hopeful this will change.
Anyone that is good at what they do should consider producing 'Mini Publications'. It can become a residual income source and if the subject matter has wide appeal it could become quite lucrative I feel. If anyone wants to consider this please shoot me a PM and I will gladly outline the procedures we have in mind.
Mike
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Solo -
Don't overlook Craigslist. Go to Craigslist > Your City (or anywhere else, this is a digital world) > Jobs > arch/engineering. I've gotten several good projects that way and I'm right now (somewhat unhappily) working at a full time gig that I got through Craigslist.
Good luck.
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Ok, I'll tell you what has worked so far:
Sending e-mails with your latest cool perspective/animation to former clients. They will NOT contact you immediately to hire you, and might not even reply to the email, but a month, two months later you receive a call from them to offer work, and they say "Hey, I saw that image/video you did. I need something similar for a new project." This has happened to me three times in the last seven days.
Let's see how many result in actual work.Also, having a locally popular video in YouTube helps. Someone from a government office saw my Samanes Park video and was able to call me after finding my contact info somewhere else in YouTube. (Note to self: Place contact info in final credits.)
Having my videos always ready on my iPod is priceless as sometimes a potential client is waiting for you in a room without a computer (this happened last saturday). However, an iPad would be even better. (Note to self: Buy one.)
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@ecuadorian said:
Sending e-mails with your latest cool perspective/animation to former clients. They will NOT contact you immediately to hire you, and might not even reply to the email, but a month, two months later you receive a call from them to offer work, and they say "Hey, I saw that image/video you did. I need something similar for a new project." This has happened to me three times in the last seven days.
Let's see how many result in actual work.I've been meaning to do this, thanks for the reminder.
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