[smoothonline]

Hi guys,

How often do you get new clients?
And how is this a reflection of how well you are doing as a freelancer?

When I began 2 years ago I would average 1 client every 3 months, in year 2 I managed 2 in that time frame. This is year 3 and I am on average 1-2 clients every month.

Obviously, the price of these projects is a huge factor on measuring success e.g. profit. But for me I also measure success on the popularity of the business brand, and referals.


Char

[MikeChipshop]

Good topic and I can see there will be a wide variety of answers here.

Personally it depends on the size of the projects, sometimes I'll take on a project with a 6 month life span and do no other work during that time and sometimes I'll have 6-8 smaller projects each month. Sometimes I'll have none and be happy with that fact.

When I first started in the early 2000's I was getting one every 3 months but now I generally find myself turning down jobs I feel wouldn't interest me.

[brightonmike]

I'd say then by that measure I'm doing pretty well for a guy who's only been doing this properly for probably 13/14 months.

I work full time doing it 45 hours a week and have a queue of about 3 projects lined up for my spare time. Nothing that will make me a millionaire but it's still pretty decent I think.

[smoothonline]

Both are really good. I also think Mike lives in a prime location, out here in the sticks there aren't many clients or people who realise paying for a proper website is a good investment.

That said, its not just about your location you have to be good at what you do. 13/14 months and 45 hours a week, I'm jealous.

I still have a 2-3 year old at home 1/2 the week so for me it wouldn't be realistic to work those hours.

[MikeChipshop]

brightonmike, on 12 October 2011 - 08:30 AM, said:

I'd say then by that measure I'm doing pretty well for a guy who's only been doing this properly for probably 13/14 months.

I work full time doing it 45 hours a week and have a queue of about 3 projects lined up for my spare time. Nothing that will make me a millionaire but it's still pretty decent I think.

Are this queued projects friends/family/related to work? If yes then this always happens for the first few years when people start cottoning on to the fact that's what you do. If not, then nice one man, well done.

[brightonmike]

One is a family member, my brothers IT consultancy, but the others aren't. I guess you could say none of it "naturally" came to me, but I'm quite active in the web design/development community, I've used other websites like Concept Feedback, CSS Tricks etc quite a lot which has helped.

I guess that'd be a bit of advice I'd give to someone starting out, be really visible.

This post has been edited by brightonmike: 12 October 2011 - 08:54 AM

[MikeChipshop]

Nice one.
To be honesty you're intelligent and learn damn quick, so i'm not surprised if you start getting plenty more clients.

[pandadoodle]

I know when I'm doing well when I no longer get the butterfly's just before the balance loads up at the cash point

When I started I was getting 1 client every month or so and that was for £300ish I was living in a poorer area of south wales then so I could only value my service based on the local affordability. I now average around 15 jobs a month. I book work for every quarter of the year and only really panic if nothing is coming in 2 months down the road

This post has been edited by pandadoodle: 12 October 2011 - 09:01 AM

[MikeChipshop]

pandadoodle, on 12 October 2011 - 09:00 AM, said:

I know when I'm doing well when I no longer get the butterfly's just before the balance loads up at the cash point

Haha soooo true!

[brightonmike]

MikeChipshop, on 12 October 2011 - 08:55 AM, said:

Nice one.
To be honesty you're intelligent and learn damn quick, so i'm not surprised if you start getting plenty more clients.

I'm gonna struggle to get out the door to go home tonight if you say things like that!

Just kiddding, seriously, thanks a lot

There's a lot of talented people on WDF, being on forums like this I'd say is a massive part of what I've been able to do.

[smoothonline]

mike do you work for an agency or have your own office, im confused!?

[brightonmike]

I work in-house