Graphic designers can work in many different environments. You’ve certainly heard about advertising agencies, in-house designers and of course, freelancers.
This article is focused on setting up your on graphic design company, in other words: going freelance.

As someone smart once said: nothing happens in business unless something is sold – first thing you must think about your business is its profitability. Having clients & actual selling your artwork will definitely help you differentiate your dreams about being a designer (also called ‘I-Know-Photoshop-Very-Well-Person) and actually being him.
So..before you become devoted to becoming a professional graphic designer, read this article through and then think again about choosing your career path

Advantages

• Being your own boss
  You don’t like to be told what to do and think that you can do better? By becoming your own boss you will decide which projects to take, negotiating the contracts and of course determining the prices. No more working for minimum wage

• Choosing your working hours
  You want to sleep a little longer? Fine, as a freelancer you are free to choose which hours you prefer working. As most of the designers work directly from their home office, they don’t also waste time for travel.

• You do what you love to do
  If you are well-prospering designer, you can work on a multiple projects and choose whatever suits you best at the certain moment
• You’re always right, the customer is wrong
  You can choose which project you want to take and all design concept usually lays in your hands. You are working as individual and you don’t need to take into consideration your, otherwise, team. The only exception is client, which, of course (even if is wrong) is right. Carefully listen to his suggestions, find some compromise regarding your and his/her vision of the project. In business, it al; goes about to win-win situation.

…and disadvantages

Of course freelance has many pitfalls and responsibilities which paid, secured jobs don’t. There are many issues like advertising, self promotion, marketing, taxing, and invoicing.

• Work space, hardware and equipment
  Becoming a graphic designer may look an easy task to do but you have to invest lots of money before you kick off. Assuming that you will work from home, paid rent will be well spend money on your business.
  You only have to think about investing in professional software (most designers use Adobe products like Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash, Dreamweaver etc.) and hardware.
• Instability
  That is the worst disadvantage of freelancing, especially for starting designers. One month you may have few big projects, another month you may have none.
  That’s why is so important to constantly promote yourself!
• 25h/7
  Only graphic designer can feel what other designer feels. Many people wrongly believe that graphic design is an easy, not time-consuming profession. In reality there is no much time to relax, as you have to be constantly creative, multitasking between: creating and working on new projects, getting new skills & qualifications, communicating with your clients and of course marketing of your business.
• Less rigour, more distractions
  As no one watches your back you may not find yourself so efficient comparing to working in a traditional company’s environment. It takes time and rigour to become successful. You have to clearly state your goals and work hard to achieve them
• Outsider’s loneliness
  You must deal with not having lunches with colleagues from work. You won’t have stupidly funny e-mails resent to you during workouts or any gossiping.
• Lack of motivation
  When people are their own bosses, they tend to be less demanding and motivated to work. You have to know what you want and go for it. Beginnings can be hard but having happy and returning customers is the greatest reward.

Selling and self promotion

Graphic designers make other businesses more attractive and sells-effective. But when it comes to promoting and selling your brand – there the problems begin. Many starting designers have problems with reaching their target market & making new clients.
While designing a logo or any other firm identity seems pleasurable to deign for client, designing logo for your business is like a mission impossible (still… Tom Cruise managed to accomplish all 3 parts).
The very important issue is assigning time & resources to promoting yourself.
To attract people with similar interests, many desiners write blogs on their websites. It helps increasing traffic on your website, which in turn makes your website more attractive for search engines.

Are you freelancer? What do you find the best and the worse side of being your own boss? How do you deal with any occurring problems in this profession? Please, share your opinion.