One of the problems with a freelance web design career is that sometimes the time in between projects can be unpredictable. Sometimes it only takes a few days to find a new project, other times it may take weeks or even months. Often times we get off task and unproductive in between each project. However, there are many things you can do in your off time to advance your career besides watching Family Guy.
1. Work on Your Social Media Accounts
Social Media is a great way to network and meet new people. Believe it or not, I have landed several big projects through contacts I met on Twitter. Spend some time sending out tweets and networking. Follow people that are interested in design. You can also spend time on Digg in the design section to make sure you’re on top of all the latest design news and trends.
2. Make Your Design Portfolio Stand Out
The look of your portfolio can make or break whether a client decides to work with you or not. Additionally, a truly unique portfolio can actually help people find you. Web design magazines love to do articles highlighting unique web design portfolios. Here are a few examples:
20+ Amazing Portfolio Websites
40 Beautiful Web Design Portfolios
25 Amazing Portfolio Website Designs of 2008
One way to increase your chances of having your portfolio featured is to include custom artwork. You can also try to send web design blog owners an email, letting them know that if they ever do an article featuring web design portfolios, they should consider yours.
3. Start a Website of Your Own
As a web designer, you have all the tools to create a profitable website yourself. In your time between projects, you could work on building a site that could eventually earn money each month, or a site that could help you attract new clients. For example, starting a popular web design magazine would definitely spread awareness about your work and help you find new clients.
4. Get Organized
Spend some of the free time you have organizing your business. Take some time to organize your desk and workspace. Organize all of your files on your computer and clean up your online clutter. Research ways to be more productive during the times you have multiple projects to manage.
5. Get Inspired
Use some of your free time to gain some inspiration. You could go on a hike or take a trip to an art museum. Try taking a drive to another state, just being in a faraway place often helps inspiration. It doesn’t matter where you go, as long as it is somewhere that inspires you.
So the next time you are in between projects, revisit this list and try to follow a few of our suggestions, they might just help you be more productive!
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This is a good post, great ways to keep a web designer busy while off the projects. I like that you featured here that one must update his/her social media accounts. Spreading the word about one’s services is the key to go in order to land another web design project.
another great posting; stuff we should know but have never thought about!
Could I add some more things to do? prepare a sales contact that you can tick off services for that next web project; create a nice invoice that sells you skills when you send it; read some blogs and make relervant comments that add to the discussion..