Freelance designers have a number of different methods for finding work. In many cases, simply getting your profile and your work exposed to more people can lead to an increase in work. There are a number of sites that provide excellent opportunities for designers to show-off their work and send visitors back to their own portfolio site.

Some of the sites on this list require more of an ongoing effort in order to truly produce results. I don’t suggest trying to use all of these sites. For the best results, choose a few that you think will work best for you, and become an active user.

1. Behance Network

Behance Network is a huge, “free platform for the world’s leading creative professionals.” You can set up a profile, share some of your work, network with other designers and professionals, and even look for work.

2. Flickr

While flickr is primarily a place for users to store their personal photos, it’s also used by a growing number of designers to display and share their work. Users can set up their own accounts and profiles, and they can also join groups, such as the PSDTUTS group.

3. Virb

A good percentage of Virb users are in the music industry, but it is a home to all things creative, and many designers are setting up profiles. The pages can be completely customized to show off your creativity if you’re ambitious.

4. Carbonmade

Carbonmade is a site for displaying your online portfolio. You can create an account and upload some of your work in just minutes. There are both free and paid options.

5. deviantART

For almost 8 years deviantART has provider artists of all kinds with a thriving community. Once you’ve signed up you can create your profile page and upload some of your own work. The site is home to a variety of types of art, including photography, illustration, graphic design and more.

6. Twitter

Twitter is a great way to connect with others, and you can also set up a brief profile with a link back to your website or blog. While Twitter doesn’t offer the ability to display your work, it will give you a chance to network and encourage people to click-through to your site from your profile.

7. illyPads

For those who specialize in graphic design and illustration, illyPads is a great place to set up a profile. At illyPads you can enter information about yourself and your areas of expertise, and you can upload some samples of your work for others to see.

8. LogoPond

From the makers of illyPad, LogoPond is a home to profiles of various logo designers. Much like illyPads, you can set up your own profile page with all the details and samples of your work.

9. CSS Globe

CSS Globe is one of my favorite community sites for designers. Users can create an account and set up a basic profile page with biographical information and a link back to their site. While there is not an option to display your work here, it is a great place to network with a large, growing group of designers from around the world.

10. Guru

Guru is one of the leading sites for finding freelance work. In addition to bidding on jobs, freelancers can also set up a profile page with work samples and details about their services.

11. Elance

Elance is another leading site for bidding on jobs. Like Guru, you can set up a detailed profile page to help more people find you and to get the details of your services.

12. FreelanceDesigners

While it may not be as nice as some of the other sites on this list, or as fun to use, FreelanceDesigners is dedicated to helping freelancers get exposure and to helping clients find a designer. It’s quick and easy to set up a basic profile.

13. Facebook

Facebook is of course a general social networking site. Freelancers may or may not want to use these general types of networking sites, but they can provide some additional exposure and they can give you an opportunity to link to your site and get your work in front of others.

14. MySpace

The other leading option for general networking is MySpace. It offers basically the same opportunities and benefits as Facebook.

15. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the largest social networking site for professionals. At LinkedIn you can create a profile of your professional credentials and get connected to others.

16. Xing

Xing is another networking site that targets professionals and businesses. You can set up a profile and network with others around the world.

17. Talkfreelance

Talkfreelance is a forum dedicated to freelancing. In addition to participating in the forums you can set up a basic profile page with a link back to your site or blog.

What’s Your Experience?

Which sites do you use? Are there others that were missed?

Steven Snell

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