Transitioning to Full Time Freelancer

Category:
Journal

It is official, I have made the transition from employee to full time freelance web designer. I had been putting a lot of thought into this idea and when the opportunity seem to present itself in the perfect manner I decided that it was time to once again venture off on my own. So Papertree Design is officially open for business and actively seeking new clients. I am currently working on some very exciting projects and can’t wait to get them added to my portfolio and discuss what was accomplished for the client. It is an exciting time for and I see it as an opportunity not only to build Papertree, but to spend a bit of time further developing my other projects such as AS|ONE, Stencil and Blindside Graphix. (For some insight as to what I am talking about, read more about me. You can also expect quite a bit of activity on my various blogs as I venture deeper into the world of entrepreneurship and freelancing.

So what can the new Papertree Design do for your small business? As I have said many times before I don’t like to limit myself to being only a “web designer” in the traditional sense of the title. I think that my services and capabilities run a lot deeper than that and I have compiled and extensive list of services here “website and new media services”. In addition I will also be adding a bit to my portfolio and creating a Flickr account to showcase some of my various skills. I have also enlisted the help of a few very talented graphic designers, so if you have some ideas and would like to discuss a possible project, simply fill out my contact form and I will get back to you ASAP.

Have a suggestion for a post or see something that we could improve, please let us know!

5 Comments

Jeremy June 10th, 2008

Wow! Thanks David it is both and honor and an inspiration to hear those words from you. I am looking forward to it and believe that it will give me the ability to explore a number of ideas and creative outlets that have been on hold for quite awhile now. It is and exciting time for me so thank you.

Paris September 4th, 2008

Hi:Jeremy I’ve read your portfolio which is quite fresh and clear. I’m a senior college student from China and I gonna graduate next year. Do you think it’s a good idea to start freelance carreer after graduate? Because only the freelance can fully exert the potential of a generalist like me and I also wanna manage my own time, however, you mention the transition from employee to full time freelance why you choose to be an employee first? not the freelance first? Any suggestions?

Jeremy September 4th, 2008

Thanks Paris – I have been an employee in quite a few different positions and it wasn’t until later in life that I decided to pursue a creative/web design career full time. For the purposes of the career path we are talking about here, I definitely think there would be pros and cons of going straight into freelance. On the one side, becoming an employee before entrepreneur allows you to experience and learn the business side of things first hand (marketing, bidding, dealing with angry clients etc..). A freelancer has to wear many hats in order to be successful and if the business side fails then the creative side fails along with it. On the other hand, freelancing definitely allows you a bit more freedom and it is always possible to learn the business side through practice just as you did the creative side it’s just a matter of how quickly.

I would never discourage anyone from choosing the path of entrepreneurship I would only suggest that you ask yourself “Do I have the discipline and enough business know how to do this on my own at this point in my life.” I wish you the best of luck in your decision!

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