Being a freelancer is the new American dream, isn’t it? Setting your own hours. Getting to work from home, a coffee shop or even the beach if you’re lucky. Never having to ask for time off to go to a doctor’s appointment again! The DREAM!
Everything about this lifestyle has always drawn me in.
But many aspects of it have also terrified me at the same time.
How do I find clients? Why would someone pay me to do this? What will my income look like next month after finishing up this project?
These are all very common questions that run through my mind and used to keep me up at night.
If this sounds familiar, take comfort in knowing you’re not alone.
Especially when starting to freelance in an industry such as fashion, which historically has a very “on-site” work mindset, it can seem like you’re on a freelancer island all by yourself.
Don’t worry! There’s a whole bunch of us freelance fashion designers out there. The Tech Pack Wizard community is filled with them, and we’re excited for you to join us!
To help you get started, we have some freelance fashion designer tips and tricks on how to navigate this exciting and somewhat intimidating new way of working.
Beat Imposter Syndrome as a Fashion Freelancer
Imposter syndrome, that nagging feeling of inadequacy despite evidence of success, is a common issue in both the freelance and corporate world alike. No one is safe from these sneaky, pesky, invasive thoughts!
But in typical “corporate” roles, you have coworkers to bounce your ideas off, or often a senior member in your team you can turn to for advice, giving you a bit more confidence in your work.
As a freelancer, you might sometimes feel like you have no one to turn to.
This is why it is imperative to find a community of other freelancers in your industry.
You can find online communities, such as Successful Fashion Designer, where you are surrounded by your peers who can offer advice and encouragement. This is a really helpful way to manage your feelings of imposter syndrome.
You’ll find that many freelancers (and humans in general!) struggle with self-doubt and fear of being exposed as frauds, even when they possess valuable skills and experience.
Another way to combat imposter syndrome is to cultivate self-awareness and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small.
A fun (maybe cheesy) way to do this is write down all of your achievements each week. Really think about the things you accomplished throughout the week, write them down, and re-read them to yourself.
Marvel at all you did! Pat yourself on the back! Do a little dance!
You’ll start to notice that even on weeks you don’t feel very productive, you’re still taking steps towards achieving your goals. That’s a big deal!
By consciously celebrating your wins, your confidence overall will start to grow and that imposter syndrome will start to fade into the background.
I can’t promise it will ever completely go away, but over time you’ll be able to recognize intrusive thoughts for what they are (Unwelcome! Get outta here!) and learn to move past them and focus on the job at hand.
Here are some great affirmations for you to practice daily and build your confidence as a fashion freelancer:
- I am creative enough for this
- I am ready for this big project
- I am willing to put myself and my work out there
- My ideas and work are valid
- I am capable of reaching my goals
How to Find and Land Your First Fashion Design Clients
Ok, so now you believe in yourself enough to know you can do this. You can be a freelance designer (or patternmaker, fit technician, etc.). Amazing! But now what…
How does anyone find clients willing to pay for their fashion design services?!
Luckily in this digital age, there are a few options available for finding clients without ever having to attend any awkward “networking” events (don’t get us wrong, those can be very useful ways to build your connections but oof, they’re painful sometimes!).
From the comfort of your own couch, you can still find clients by leveraging freelance platforms like Upwork or Freelancer. The upside to these sites is that you know the person posting the job listing is in the market to hire someone. They are primed to give a freelancer just like you money for a job done.
The downside is you might be competing with others who are happy to bid and accept very low fees.
There are definitely some gems on there and you can find great projects that could turn into ongoing work.
Tips for standing out on Upwork:
- Set up separate profiles for each niche you work in. For example, if you offer design services and tech packs, set up a profile for each so you can really highlight your experience in each area. Include relevant work samples on each profile.
- When writing a cover letter for a job proposal, make it about them, not you. How will your skills help them achieve higher sales dollars or get through the design and development process more efficiently?
- Always provide work examples that relate to the job listing. Don’t submit CADs of yoga pants when applying to do the tech packs for a denim company.
- Give a brief overview of the process of working together in your job proposal. This gives them an idea of what to expect and shows them you know what you’re doing.
Another way to find clients is to reach out directly to them with a carefully crafted email pitch.
You can search for potential clients through social media, LinkedIn, and just some good ol’ internet sleuthing.
Before pressing send on your outreach email though, you need to do a little research. Tailor each cold pitch specifically to who you are reaching out to.
Each email should start with targeted commentary on THEM. Something you like about their brand or their philosophy. Ensure you make it clear that this isn’t a copy and paste email, but that you know them and their brand and you really want to work with them.
Keep your email short and concise. Start with a couple sentences about them/their brand. Move into a brief introduction of yourself, who you are and your experience. Then immediately hit them with how you can help them do XYZ.
Don’t be afraid to follow up if your carefully crafted email goes unanswered! Typical advice is to wait at least one week before following up. Keep the follow up lighthearted and short, like you’re following up with someone you know.
Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of word-of-mouth referrals – ask satisfied clients to spread the word about your services. You never know who they might know!
And remember, consistency and persistence are key to building a steady stream of clients over time. You got this!
How to Set Freelance Fashion Designer Rates That Reflect Your Worth
You’ve sent off your cold pitch email and, oh my gosh, someone replied and is interested in your services! Amazing! But they want to know how much you charge…
How do you set your rates as a freelancer?
This is the big question and hate to break it to you, but there’s no right answer.
There’s a lot of advice on different ways to set your fees as a freelancer. You just have to find the method that suits you and your goals best.
We can’t price your services for you — wish we could! But here are some things we urge you to consider when setting your pricing structure.
- Consider your overall income goals. This could be a yearly rate that you then calculate backwards to determine what you need to make weekly.
- Don’t overlook overhead costs. Be sure to factor in rent, software, equipment, anything you have to pay for to execute your freelance services should be calculated into your rates.
- Aim for project-based fees rather than hourly rates. As you become more efficient in your tasks, you’ll end up earning more per hour with flat fee projects. The faster you finish a job, the higher your hourly rate effectively becomes. Tip: Tech Pack Wizard can help you speed up your tech packs! If you’re spending hours updating specs and callouts manually, you’re leaving money on the table. TPW automates those tedious tasks, helping you finish tech packs up to 50% faster.
- Research the market. Look at online forums, job postings, and any insights you can find into how other freelancers in the industry are pricing their services. Remember, there are so many factors that go into someone’s rates, so if the number you come up with is vastly different to what you find in your research, it doesn’t mean your rate is wrong! Just means you have different circumstances.
Also, keep in mind, that your prices don’t have to be set in stone! If you are getting consistent clients and they are unanimously accepting your project fees without batting an eye, see what happens with the next client if you increase your rate. You might be surprised that the higher rate is still easily accepted.
And don’t take it personally if a prospective client claims your rates are out of their budget. That’s a reflection of their finances, not your skills or value.
Chasing Payment
One of the most frustrating (and awkward) aspects of freelancing is chasing down overdue payments from clients.
Despite delivering quality work on time, you might find yourself waiting weeks or even months to receive payment.
This not only disrupts cash flow but also adds unnecessary stress to an already demanding job!
To help avoid the headache of chasing payments, we suggest you establish clear payment terms upfront before starting any project.
You can also use invoicing software to streamline the payment process and send automated reminders for overdue invoices. This takes some of the pressure off you personally for doing the follow ups.
If a client fails to pay on time, don’t hesitate to follow up, but keep it friendly and professional. As uncomfortable as it is, continue following up until you receive payment for the job you completed.
For bigger projects, it’s a good idea to get a deposit up front so that you’re not as out of pocket if the client ends up delaying the final payment. This can range from 30-50% up front and depends on the size and scope of the project. Try out a few different methods and see what works best for you!
Thriving as a Freelance Fashion Designer
Navigating the freelance world is no walk in the park, but with the right mindset, helpful tools, and a supportive community, you can overcome any challenge that stands in your way. And trust us, it’s totally worth it!
Your time is your most valuable asset as a freelancer. The less time you spend on repetitive Illustrator tasks, the more time you have to find new clients, rest, or take on the projects that light you up. Tech Pack Wizard helps you reclaim that time.
Ready to get paid quicker?
Tech Pack Wizard is a powerful plugin built for Adobe Illustrator that eliminates the need for Excel, automates your callouts, and make spec sheets painless. It helps you deliver professional tech packs to your clients up to 50% faster so you can maximize your hourly rate.
Click here to start your free trial and spend less time on admin.
Share your own experiences and tips for overcoming freelance challenges in the comments section below!