RI Freelancers by Jayson Salvi Sign Painter & Designer
Are you a freelance artist, designer, writer, chef or any one of the dozens of other types of creative professionals? Did you know that the Freelance Workforce is one of the fastest growing groups in the U.S. economy? More and more of us are giving up the traditional idea of a “job” and taking the chance to go out on our own to make a living doing what we are great at.
It’s scary as Hell, but also fun. Now, I’m not saying to go into work today and just quit your job. But maybe you can start by making a plan to gradually wean yourself off making money for someone else, instead of for yourself.
I’m sure a lot of us have taken a side job doing what we love to do and feeling great about getting paid for it. So why not just expand on that a little at a time?
What should every Freelance artist have to start off? A business card. Yes, a business card. Something with your name, phone number, website, and your social media site where a prospective client can go and see your work. As much as I use Facebook for my business, I never ask a potential client, “Are you on Facebook?” when they ask “Where can I see your work?”
As freelancers, we need to work twice as hard as the Traditional 9-5 worker. So, as challenging as it might be for us, get out of the studio and go out and meet people. Grab your business cards and go to a civic event. Listen to what is happening in the community, introduce yourself and talk to people.
We artists have a tendency to ramble on about ourselves and not listen to what others are saying about themselves. Freelancers actually built this nation – freelancers like Ben Franklin, Thomas Edison and many other great American artists and innovators who had a passion to create a better way of life for everyone.
If you’re a Freelancer, then there is one website you need to visit and join. It’s
Freelancersunion.org. There you can read about others who have made the jump to be independent from the corporate world. Read the articles, ask questions and never give up on yourself or your craft. As Artists we all get asked by family or friends, “but what else are you doing?” Why do I have to be doing something else? Don’t give up, my fellow Freelancers. We are the new workforce. We are strong and we are United.
18 | Rhode Island Creative Magazine
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