PDA

View Full Version : Starting the Startups


Artashes
08-28-2003, 10:36 AM
Hey all,

When you just started freelancing in your field, what part of business was the most important to you? What did you spend much of your time on?

I know for me, it was probably smart Marketing. It was an extremely difficult job to spread the word about the community I was building, make it known to many users. It was definitely NOT Promotion because I had no money to spend on advertising of any kind. I think the only bucks I spent was Yahoo! web site registration, for which I paid $300 and still regret that decision.

I was also concerned about some legal issues, but not as much about accounting or keeping a journal because I didn't really have much to record.

What about you? Don't forget to mention what you do exactly. Did your business take off fast enough to care about all the above issues?

EvilHaider
10-31-2003, 09:47 PM
I was working at a tech support place for almost 2 years and got very tired of it. Decided it was time to do something else on my own.

I decided to try and break into web design. Like most people, and being a college student I had no money for marketing. My main concern was trying to find freelance jobs.

It took a while for me to get rolling.

I dont think I can even consider my business as having taken off just yet. I've gotten a few small freelance jobs jobs here and there that paid very little and I've built 2 websites and working on a 3rd one now. Things are coming along very slow but I'm always on the lookout for new opportunities.

A couple of things I suggest to other beginning freelancers are:

a. small updating type jobs for an established designer
b. pro bono work for non profit orgs

I did a couple of free sites for non profit orgs. They haven't been launched yet but they will soon. This is a good way to get your name out there. They might refer you to people they know. Also some of these non profits have board members that are executives of big companies. They might like your work and you as a person and offer you a job related to what you like! Just keep your eyes and ears open and explore new opportunities.

You can't be afraid to fail.