Source: CreativeCareerSchools.com

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “More than half of all artists and related workers were self-employed—almost eight times the proportion for all professional and related occupations.” This can be both an opportunity and a challenge. You most likely became an artist because you love being creative. This is important because the passion for your art and the belief in yourself are keys to having a rewarding freelance experience. As a freelancer, you will work hard at your art, but you will also need to work continually to find new opportunities. Freelancing has many benefits as well as challenges:

Freelance Opportunities

• Having Independence: Freelancing is working for yourself. Sounds the like the best job you can ever have, with a lot of benefits. However, you will be working alone much of the time. And it is entirely up to you to generate your own freelance projects.
• Getting Flexibility: There are two ways to look at the flexibility. One the one hand, you can set your own hours. On the other hand, your clients can end up controlling your schedule with their deadlines, including emergencies and tight deadlines. So you will need to be organized and plan your work and time well. This planning will also help you accurately estimate the time a project will take, which can mean the difference between losing and making money. Yes, your “time is money.”
• Working with a Variety of People and Projects: If you like people, then freelancing is for you. You will need to communicate a lot with your clients. Each project can be interesting and different. If you are shy, you can still have a career in freelancing. However, you will need to polish your communication and negotiating skills. Another approach is to work with an agent, agency, gallery or a partner that really enjoys working directly with people. Most good agents/agencies have great relationships with clients and companies. They typically work on a performance basis. This mean they only get paid when you get paid and it is usually a percentage of the income from the work.
• Earning Extra Income: While you are going to school, working as an artist or working at another type of profession, freelancing can bring additional income as well as a creative outlet.

Freelance Challenges

• Handling the Business Side: When you are working for yourself as a freelancer, many aspects of what an employer does for an employee are now your responsibility. For example, you will need to set up a company, obtain business licenses, pay your own taxes, pay your own health benefits, and create contracts and other legal documents. (See below for useful resources).
• Communicating: You will be communicating with your clients and other people frequently by phone, letter, email, web site. It is essential that you are very comfortable with writing and presenting your ideas to other people.
• Planning and Organizing: The best way to make money and juggle multiple projects at a time is to be organized. Scheduling, electronic and paper tracking, estimating, invoicing, income tracking, expense tracking, bill paying, and tax preparing are just some of the items requiring planning and organizing.
• Getting Paid: This is probably one of the most delicate areas of freelancing. There are some important practices that can ensure that you get paid:

o 1) Always have a services legal agreement that the client signs to approve the work.
o 2) Get a portion of the money when the client signs the agreement which shows the client’s commitment and covers any project-related expenses.
o 3) Give invoices to the client (partial payments and/or in whole) with payment terms for when the work is done or the artwork is purchased.
o 4) Do not turn over the final product or interim work until you have been paid. Many freelancers have experienced not getting paid during their career. Hopefully, you will never have to sue a client to get paid because you will incur frustration and additional expense. Having the legal agreements signed by the client ahead of time will always help avoid issues. Always trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to turn down work if the potential client tries to negotiate less money for your work, or will not agree to your payment terms.

• Valuing Your Work/Time: You are worth getting paid a fair wage for the work you do. There are standard rates to charge depending on the use of your work. See below for resources and books containing this information.
• Following Your Dream and “The Day Job.” A career in the arts can be very competitive. Many artists have full-time work doing something other than their art. By continuing to pursue your art, there may be part-time freelance projects that can further your art career, get exposure for you art, and provide you with a little extra income. The challenge is finding the time and energy to be creative after a long day of working somewhere else.

Freelance/Self-Employed Resources:

New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA)

Firstgov.gov for Self-Employed

Freelance Contract Advice

One-Stop Resource for Self-Employed/Small Business (IRS)

What Can You Charge? Setting Rates