Maybe many of us want to do freelance job, but, like me, I don't know how to start from. May be those of you who have some experience in freelancing job could share your experience. How to find a customer, how to deal with customer and etc. Perhaps by doing this, we know how and where to begin.

TQ.

I'ved doin freelance for couple years.
For all aspect, i describe like this.
Freelance is not only mean to get a job. But freelancing mean BUSINESS.

In business, either online or offline (brick and mortar) there's many same thing.
Example :
1 - Had your own shop.
2 - People can see what your product is.
3 - The product quality and standard.
4 - Easy to contact you exspecially for negotiation
5 - You must know how to serve them well
6 - Payment method .

It's more than that, but above is the most important thing.

When potential client want to hire your for a job. They for sure want to see some portfolio. Compile all your sample in a website (your shop) should be the best way.

Dealing's part supposed to be the hardest part. Since experience's can only gain by yourself .

In short.
1 - Must have portfolio.
2 - Make them feel better with you.
3 - A Relevant Price range.

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well to my perception, freelance biz are not much different from other commercial biz... its all bout your product and price vs services war nowaday...

to startoff, i guess you need the below:-

1. Your portfolio - company your profile and sample works

2. be honest in engaging customer, if you work at home, tell them that...

3. always deliver what you promises and practice deliver extra for FOC if you can

4. since you are freelance, be sure your charges are less than standard design/development house....

5. be flexible and contactable at any time.

last but not least.... do your own networks.. "if you are not networking, you are not working"

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Thanx a lot guys. This is great info for me.
Now I know why I have to find out how to create a good portfolio.
I think that will be my first step.

to get project, we have to show some portfolios. But to show one, we have to finish some projects first. =) so how do u think? it's hard though to newbies regarding this kind of things.

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mdpai..
it's not hard.
here's some of what i did before.

Example, webdesign.
Design your own site with the best design you can. Maybe blogger theme, your business site, your KEKASIH website. Your family, your made for adsense site.

nah!.. there's 5 already portfolio.

If you're into programing.
build a simple free source code programe such as php guestbook, shout box, or plugin for wordpress, smf theme, wordpress theme bla bla

Nah! there's 5 more!.

The most easiest 1st portfolio, is your own website.. that's it.

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yeah, you are right mystic.. I wonder how I convinced my customers long long time ago without any portfolio. =)

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Seems like when we make a portfolio, then customer will expect for a website that look proffesional to them in our portfolio. Then I wonder, how do they evaluate the proffesionalisme of the website. Is this ebook website of me look like profesional.

Great quote.

For starter, I think it's important to get the word out on what you can do. Don't charge people too high first when you don't have a strong portfolio backing you up. Once built up a strong portfolio, you can then start promoting, and people will start getting to you.

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If the customers "run away", it means they somehow don't pay you.

How to handle some nasty customers?

I think it is better to request payment after some percent of the job done. Then, get the full payment when the job was finish, before the customer have the full right to the project.

well.. i always ask for 50% deposit and another split of (30, 20) or sometimes just 50% upon delivery. for small project i split it into 2 payment 50/50.

Just tell the client that this is a commitment fees for both parties (you and them). You commited to complete the work and they committed to stay with you to the end.... It works every dam times for me even for those chinaman biz owner that have D.T.A. mindset.

always do biz with them in proper manner.. this mean issue Quote/proposal, Receive PO, bill invoice and if receive payment, issue receipt... this will be the proof of transaction... if they defaulted the payment, all this documents can be used as proof in legal actions if you wanted to.

one more thing... be honest and do not over promise anything....

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