Let’s get real... Do you actually want to be a freelance graphic designer?

If you answered “yes”, then you’ll want to read what I have to say in this post, because I give you the three things you need to be doing today to freelance successfully.

To make a living from freelancing you’ll need to throw everything you have at it. It’s so much more than just finding clients, and that’s what I want you to understand today.

‍These are the three things you’ll need to do everyday to become a successful freelance graphic designer:

1. Network & participate in social media

We all know this one. It’s quite obvious, but it’s the forever task of being a freelancer.

No one is going to know you exist unless you get your name out there.

Fortunately, in today’s world it’s easier than ever to network with the social networks that the Internet has to offer.

Social media can expand your freelance career and land you a lot of opportunities that you’d never find elsewhere. Freelancing isn’t easy, so it’s going to take a lot of time investment to see real results. You just have to enjoy what you do and stick with it.

I’ll tell you right now that it’s not all about the followers – it’s about gaining a connection and conversing.

‍I use Twitter to network with other designers, keep people up to date with what I’m working on, and for connecting with (potential) clients.

I’ve landed some good projects using Twitter and I’ve become closer to some of people I look up to in the design community.

‍A lot of people overlook the true power that social media has – it’s a marketing platform and a resource goldmine!

‍So if you haven’t already, set up a Facebook Page and Twitter account, then put them to use!

Share valuable content and share what you’re working on to build credibility. It’ll take time, but that’s what it takes to make it.

2. Create content & diversify your income

Freelancing is not a "get-rich-quick" career path and it’s not easy.

Like I mentioned, it’s so much more than just finding clients.

‍To bring in real money as a freelancer you need to diversify your income – land client projects and make sales online. To do that you need to create content and convert traffic into sales.

The content you create brings in traffic, your site converts that traffic into followers, clients and customers, and that’s where your freelance business will make it’s money.

You can’t just look for clients, you need to build something more than that.

Every successful freelancer you’ve stumbled upon online has built more than just a good client base. They build resources for others to learn from and products to sell; eBooks, t-shirts, prints, digital goods, etc.

‍Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Start blogging regularly (build a blog, purchase a theme or guest post on other established blogs). Focus on a topic you could talk endlessly about and write 5-10 posts up front, then stick to a consistent posting schedule. Over time (a lot of time) you’ll start bringing in traffic to your site.
• Repurpose your ideas / resources and turn them into revenue. Do you have a sketch you really admire? Turn it into a print and sell it! Have a resource that you’ve created and use all the time? Refine it and turn it into a product to generate passive income. (You can read how I took an idea from a sketch and turned it into a physical product here: The Stay True Project Series)
• Contribute to online communities by simply answering questions on Quora or your favorite niche forum, and by commenting on the blog posts you read. Sharing your expertise and thoughts is one of the best ways you can drive traffic back to your site. Then it’s your site’s job to convert that traffic into client projects and sales. So use call-to-actions!

I know if you’ve read this far you might be shaking your head and saying, “What the heck? Those ideas would take weeks, most likely months to see any real results!”

And you’re absolutely right.

It takes actual work to freelance. I wasn’t kidding when I said that it’s not easy, but if it’s a career path you truly wish to pursuit, then you’re going to have to give it your all.

You have to treat your freelancing as a real business, because it is!

Find different sources of income, bust your butt and promote the services and products you have to offer.

3. Make your own luck

It’s true when they say you want to be in the right place at the right time.

And to be in the right place at the right time you have to put yourself there. To put yourself there you need to get involved.

You might fail by taking risks, but if you aren’t putting yourself out there and giving it your all, then you’ll just sit on the sidelines and let others reap the benefits.

You want those benefits! You have to work towards success every single day to get them though.

The more you put fear aside and have a “can do” attitude, the more you can push closer towards success.