Starting a freelance career in Interior Designing can be tricky. Nobody is saying freelancing is bad! It is the best thing someone can do if they know the ‘What’ and the ‘Where’! ‘What’ refers to the ability to design interiors, by taking up a course, and learning new skills and techniques that will be required for you to be an interior designer, and the ‘Where’ being a ‘space’ that someone has hired you to design for them having faith in your skills and abilities.
It all boils down to the fact that you need clients for any freelancing career you want to get into. There is no sure shot way to get work, we can just talk about what can be done in order for us to be prepared on our end.
Make a Portfolio and brush up your presentation skills: First and foremost, what you need to do is create a portfolio for yourself. Clearly mention your credentials (where you studied from, work experience, projects etc). Try and creatively showcase what you have achieved and how budget adhering you were doing it. Next, you need to brush up your interpersonal skills. No client will work with you without a face to face meeting. Prepare your own unique pitch, present it in an amazing way, and intrigue the prospects to want to work with you.
Pro bono: If you haven’t graduated with a fancy degree in interior design, it will be all the more difficult for you to get work. Try out some pro bono work for your relative or neighbor to showcase on your portfolio. If you have some extra cash, and a space at home you can do up, it is all the more better. If not clients, you’ll end up with a masterpiece for yourself to enjoy! If that’s not the case either, you should probably think of some other career.
Keep yourself updated: Having a respected degree or having a flair for interior design will never suffice, unless you keep yourself updated with the latest trends and what people are looking for. Take active part in forums and blogs where you get to interact with like-minded people, find new avenues and learn something new. You can follow and read about celebrity figures that have been in this trade like Gauri Khan, Twinkle Khanna etc. – ideas they use, projects they have taken up/completed etc.
Networking and resource building: Having knowledge about the latest trends and ideas is one part, but to make that a reality you need to have a network of well established individuals/firms from where you can get all the necessary materials at a competitive price and at comparative ease. Keep a check and try and attend various conferences and exhibitions, to meet and witness industry leaders talk about and showcase new and innovative methods. Get acquainted with more and more people that can be helpful at some point in time.
Make yourself visible by marketing on multiple platforms: No matter what people say. Marketing is the key to expand any business. Except for the traditional print media, make yourself visible on the internet. Make a website for yourself, join online platforms that have been designed for freelancers to get hired – Fiverr, Guru, Upwork etc. Also, be active on multiple social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat etc. – uploading your work for the world to see! The more you put yourself out there, the more clients you will get.
I wish you find these tips useful and get the clients of your dreams! Unfortunately nothing in this world comes that easily. Focus on the target, work towards it and have patience, NOBODY made it in one day!!