I figure I learn something new everyday, might as well post it somewhere!
I spoke to a group of Web students tonight at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh about Freelancing. I wanted to try to be as informative as possible and present as many resources as possible.
Text Version (sorry powerpoint exports badly)
What Were Talkin’ About
The Pros of Freelancing
The Cons of Freelancing
Getting Started
What’s in a Name?
Fic Name Requirements (PA): http://www.dos.state.pa.us/corps/cwp/view.asp?a=1093&q=431168
Fic Name Registration (PA): http://www.dos.state.pa.us/corps/lib/corps/20/7/311.pdf
Other States: http://www.business.gov/register/business-name/dba.html
Tax ID Registration: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=102767,00.html
Doing Business In PA Web Site >>>
NOTE: I wanted to elaborate on naming your business for any students who might stop by.. @JessProgresses made a great point to me – using your own name for your business will build recognition of you in the industry.
I said while presenting that my personal preference is to create a fic name cause i feel it’s catchier, but it really is personal preference!
Get A Portfolio or Business Site
Get A Proposal Template
Choose Your Rate
Invoice Them
Finding Clients
The Process
Blog Posts:
Evaluate Your Process and Results
AWESOME FREELANCE BLOGS:
FreelanceSwitch.com (with awesome podcast!)
THE END
Thank You!
My name is Erica and I am a web-aholic.
It seems as though the web industry is full of us who sleep / breath / and eat the internet. We fall asleep thinking about the navigation structure on our next project. We walk around thinking about new computers and better processes.
I work full-time in the industry for a company, as well as own my own. I have my hands in many many projects, many ventures, many start-ups and am a pretty busy girl. I enjoy freelancing, and have a very prominent entrepreneur spirit. I love helping others with their business.
I want to personally thank you for posting this on your website. Unfortunately I was busy cramming some projects in for an upcoming fundraiser for another school club. I GREATLY appreciate the link to the Hourly Rate Calc. That has been one of the most intimidating factors in trying to set up some freelance jobs.
No Problem Russell! Please let me know if you have any questions. All night I kept thinking “Oh I should have told them this and that”.
One of the big things I forgot is that if you do plan on freelancing after graduation, it is a great idea to establish the name you are going to use now. I started in 2004 but did not establish my name “Good Impressions Media” til 2008… I just would love if I could put est. 2004 on the site. hehehehe.
Another thing I did want to add about your rate. The one girl mentioned that she hates talking about money with clients. I am the same way and I said that I never tell them a price in our initial meeting. I always say “I am going to need some time to look over everything that you would like to do and think about how long that will take me and I will come back to you with a quote by Tuesday.” But this isn’t just because money makes me uncomfortable, its also because you really have to inspect everything a client wants and sit down and think about the time its gonna take, any extra expenses, look at competitors to make sure your not missing the boat on something that you client is gonna come to you later with and change the scope. Okay thats my rant. But really. It takes time to come up with a quote. But establishing an hourly rate and estimating your time from there is a great starting point!
Hey, and thanks for coming to the blog! Your my second comment EVER =)
Hi,
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Worker
Forgot about this resource – very helpful!
Small Business Planner
http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/index.html
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Good BPO site to find projects.
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This guys makes amazing themes
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