I think the idea of taking on projects on the side is an extremely important one, regardless of whether your freelancing or not.

I work full time in a studio, but have a small pile of projects on the side (a website, letterpress, etc) that help me to enjoy work that little bit more. And not to mention the added benefit of being able to bring in what I learn from these side projects into my work in the office.

But, best of all – it helps you stay sane! The more side projects you do, the happier you’ll be, as you’re not always thinking about the clients opinion (as you stated). Also, your (potential as well as existing) clients might catch whiff of what it is that you’re doing on the side and want you to incorporate that into your work for them. Then the lines between your freelance work and personal work will blur, hopefully making you much happier.

I really feel freelancing should never really be full time. Or if it is, it should be a path to starting a small agency, or something more lucrative and self sustaining. The ultimate problem with freelancing is that you are limited by yourself. You can only make as much money as you can literally work at one time. Yeah you can raise your rates, learn a new skill, take on bigger projects, but ultimately you can only do so much as there are hours in a day. With a business you really have no limitations. Aside from having other creatives to collaborate and draw ideas from, people to actually interact with on a daily basis, and being a business owner, I feel it is truly the only way to remove the salary cap that is freelancing.

I feel that freelancing should be something you do on the side tp supplenment your income. Just adding two websites a month to my salary based job adds a nice padding of income. I work at a small agency and it’s nice to be able to get up and go someplace to work. If you’re not truly the business type, look for small agencys that you can rise quickly and get on a closer level with the principals - while building your skills freelancing.

I feel freelancing should be a path, not a destination.

I have recently started exploring alternate forms of income in the form of pursuing my own personal projects. Although I love freelancing, It would be great to have something(s) out there as an additional source of revenue. Now, coming up with a new, unique item that people will want…that’s the hard part.

Anyways, great inspirational post that really opens your eyes to the future.

Well, it hasn’t brought in any spare change, but I started my blog because it was something I wanted to do “just for me”. I believe any artist will create works not only for his/her enjoyment but to challenge their talent. The drive to create is a personal one anyway. We are, after all, our own worst clients.

Great article. Working on your own projects is the way to go. It’s risky if you don’t have a solid plan in place, but it’s not too difficult either to find out what makes money. We’d like to be 100% client-free by the end of the of year

One of my most recent projects was actually a place where people can share their personal projects with the world! It is http://www.mypassionproject.com and its all about sharing what you love to do outside of work. I would love to see some of your guys’ projects there!

Yeah I totally agree with number 2. I still myself as pretty young since I’m in my 20’s. Life is short. Might as well enjoy it while I have little to lose.
Great post by the way. Thanks for sharing. =)

Steven, all these points might seem like common sense at first, but I think you did a great job putting them all together. I really enjoyed the article! My favorite: “Potential is just that: potential, until it’s actually been achieved.”

You know why this article is so important to me? Cause although I have a couple of ideas about building additional sources of income, I often get so caught up in my work and other people’s projects, that my own projects always get tucked away in a corner of my mind, only to surface when I read articles like this one. And I have a pretty strong feeling other freelancers do the same: postpone!

Well enough of that! I for one am going to print this and pin it to my post it board, that I bought months ago. See… that’s what I’m talking about.

All I can say is that working for myself has some huge benefits. It has its own stresses and challenges with it, but a lot would have to change for me to ever want to go back.

Projects that you do for a client have their rewards. But projects you do for yourself have greater rewards in my opinion. I tried doing the freelance thing… working on projects here and there for clients but it got old really fast. When I finally stopped doing client work I made a list of apps that someday I would like to build and just started development with the first one on the list. It’s now 2 years later and #1 has been keeping me so busy I haven’t even gotten to #2 yet ;).

Points #2 and #6 above are the real reasons why I work on my own projects. The sense of accomplishment is extreme and the skies the limit if you stay focused.

@Stephen Tiano - I think a better distinction here is the difference between a one man service based business and something that you can generate income from without it being tied to your consistent labor.

There are some businesses you can build, and then outsource multiple facets of, that will generate a full-time or more income, with minimal input from the owner over the course of time. Though let’s be clear, it is easier said than done. It often takes tremendous effort or a reasonable sum of cash to launch a successful online venture. You also need to find an appropriate opportunity, though freelancers can look for these opportunities through the lens of an insiders view of their specialty. You may see market opportunities that others may be missing.

I took that step with Easily Amused, Inc. and doing very well. Nice article Steven.

Hello.
And thanks for a great and inspiring article.
It made me think, that I also have some projekts of my own, that I would like to launch. But I’m a beginner in this world. I don’t really know what would succes and I don’t reaaly have any ideas, or my ideas are still too fuzzy and not really going anywhere…

But. Then I thought of yesterday, when I had a good time drawing. I love to draw. And Rarely I draw for client - yet! So the drawings I made yesterday was for my self. I commercielalized the drawings a bit- and now I want to make a profile on iStock and try to sell my drawings… That’s a personal projekt, right?

Sandie

I have a question. Sorry if it sounds stupid. I started as a web design freelancer only one year ago (and I am still a newbie in term of experience) and it only starts to work for me though I can’t say I am really making a living of it yet. I would like to have a regular income each month as a supplement and I thought I should make my own project as well (I already have some ideas that could work). But I am wondering, how people like Collis make money? Advertising? Memberships? Sponsors? (How do you find them?) Else? What works best?

What kind of projects you guys work on and how do you make money? I’d like to know your experience.

If you know some good articles on the subject, I would appreciate you send me the links.

I’ve got too many ideas but haven’t acted on any of them yet. Some far bigger than others, some need funding some don’t. But I am currently finally doing something about it and in the midst of starting a new website project.

I freelance on the side in addition to my full-time agency job… its nice to gain that side income especially when you get to charge your hourly rate versus what you get from a FT job… it adds up quickly.

It would be great to build something that can grow and earn money without having your face always behind the screen…passive income is what I am looking for.

Having projects of your own are a necessity as not every designer/writer is working a job that allows them to flex their creative muscle. Many people are stuck in a production environment (especially in-house designers/writers) where you can “be creative” as long as it stays within the company style guide, product catalog or other interests. Without external projects, one’s creativity can become stifled and dull.

Regarding the business aspect of freelancing, the author is correct. There are only so many hours in the day and if you want to make more money, you’ll need to take on employees. Rates can only be raised so high unless you’re a superstar who can command exorbitant amounts of money but this just isn’t the case with most creatives. Added to the fact that globalization via the Internet makes competition fierce and clients will always want the best work for the lowest price.

In my personal experience, I have found that a product based business is the ideal type of business. Having a product you can sell while you sleep can produce income the way freelancing 24/7 with employees never will. I have to throw another reference to Timothy Ferriss’ book “The 4 Hour Work Week” as he hits this point right on the head. The best kind of product you can have is an information product, second best is a physical one. A servic-based business falls to three or lower for producing the most income. His book is worth reading because it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme book, just good business advice for those looking to live life a little freer, rather than being tied to endless hours of client projects.

Buy it on Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0307353133/ref=dp_olp_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1222271627&sr=8-1