Making the Switch to Freelance Work

Advice on making the switch to freelance work in fashion, covering timing, responding to ads promptly, registering with recruiting agencies, and the trade-offs of freelancing. This article was first published on 4/30/07.

Freelance work is all about timing. Usually the first qualified person to apply will get the job. Always keep your cell phone on, unless you are interviewing or on assignment, return all calls and e-mails promptly, and answer all help wanted ads immediately. You may also want to register with recruiting agencies and headhunters who specialize in freelance design work, because there is not enough time in the day for you to call all the companies out there that may need you. Things to keep in mind about freelance: it may not be stable, you may not get benefits, if you are booking your own jobs, you may find that collecting your pay is difficult. However, it is a chance for you to be very independent, you will probably make more money per hour than you would as a full-time employee, you'll probably pay lower taxes and best of all, you are the boss.