There’s no question that this economy is making it tougher on designers to get work. Everyone’s tightening their belts and shoving their money in mattresses and banks. Designers have been laid off, clients are reducing budgets, hellfire, brimstone, etc., etc. Hopefully we’ll see improvement soon.
But in the meantime, I keep on the lookout for ways to grow in our current economy, and I’ve seen a few posts with good ideas on how to do it. I’ve read about keeping your current clients very happy, improving your game while you’re not doing client work and lots more. The ones that have hit me most are the ones though were ones about sharing and passing on work to other designers.
Airbag’s “Goldfish” article really sums it up:
To those who own their own business: I challenge you to push harder. If you need $50k to keep your family under house and home then do everything you can to bring in $150k. Chances are you won’t make the larger goal, but you’ll do far better than selling yourself short and it’s likely that you’ll need extra resources to finish all the work, help from people who are looking to supplement lost income. I’m not talking about going through the process and stress of actually hiring more people (there is a good reason why the IRS created the 1099 form). Don’t turn away any work that comes through your door. Get it. Grab it. Take it—as much as you can— and network with the people who are ready and willing and have the skills you need. Team up, and conquer.
Another good read is A List Apart’s “Filling Your Dance Card in Hard Economic Times.” Have a look at this excerpt:
If your agency or company is doing well, do your best to help unemployed colleagues get new jobs or freelance work. Make introductions within your network. Help job seekers with their curriculum vitaes (CVs) and above all, show a little love. (Just dropping someone a line to say “hi” can make all the difference.)
With that said, if you’re looking for work, please send a link (either in the comments or by email) to your portfolio. I’m going to try and pull in as much work as I can and I’d be happy to pass along work to other designers. And yes, I’ll still throw in a reward if you send someone my way.
