{"id":6714,"date":"2022-05-18T15:52:39","date_gmt":"2022-05-18T15:52:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/?p=6714"},"modified":"2024-02-21T15:32:45","modified_gmt":"2024-02-21T15:32:45","slug":"tips-freelance-ux-designers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/tips-freelance-ux-designers\/","title":{"rendered":"8 ways to succeed as a freelance UX designer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Becoming a freelance UX designer can bring you a lot of freedom. You\u2019ll get to make your own schedule and choose which projects you work on. That\u2019s really exciting but it can come with its own set of challenges, which may stall your career.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a freelance UX designer, you are not only a designer but a small business owner too. That means getting the clients and deciding how much your services should cost. That also means being the marketing team, the accountant, CEO and your own personal HR department.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve rounded up 8 pieces of sound advice for new freelance UX designers so that you can start your career off on the right foot and find long-term success. Read on to learn how to manage your time, set your rates and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

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[GET CERTIFIED IN UX]<\/p>\n Take our Professional Diploma in UX Design course<\/span>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

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    Start small<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    When you\u2019re first starting out, taking on freelance UX design projects can feel intimidating. A great way to get started is by volunteering<\/a> or doing work for newer small businesses, charities, non-profits or even for your friends. You can do less overwhelming projects that you feel comfortable with technically and get in-depth client relationship experience in these settings. You can charge a reduced rate while you get your footing and then turn these projects into case studies for your portfolio.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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      Find a niche<\/strong><\/h3>\n

      To grow your client roster in your UX design career, it helps to have a place to start. That means defining your niche and the ideal client for you within that niche. A niche can be as broad as an industry, type of client or types of projects you prefer to work on. <\/span>
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      \n<\/span>By narrowing down the projects you’re pitching for, you can start to specialise and position yourself as an expert. Positioning yourself as an expert gives you a higher chance of actually landing the projects you pitch. <\/span>
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      \n<\/span>When you\u2019re first starting out, you\u2019ll probably work on projects in multiple different niches and that\u2019s okay. While you work through those first few months on a variety of projects, start noticing what feels good to you. What are you excited to learn more about? Where do you already have expertise that you can leverage? That\u2019s where you\u2019ll find your niche.<\/span><\/li>\n

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      Format your portfolio as case studies
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      Formatting your portfolio<\/a> into case studies is beneficial for a few reasons. Firstly, clients can see your process, problem solving skills and technical skills. It also shows them what it might be like to work with you. Often, clients won\u2019t fully understand what you did or why if you\u2019re only sharing final projects. Using a case study format gives you a chance to explain your designs \u2013 positioning you as an expert who understands your clients\u2019 needs.
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      \n<\/b>What to include in your case study:<\/p>\n