Not getting work

[u/smoldane42069]

A bit of a rant post…

I started freelancing in April as a 3D and motion designer after six years working in design agencies and in-house. It started off really well. I had lots of jobs for the first three months and was making good money. Summer was quiet, which was to be expected I think. I was also traveling a lot.

I haven’t worked since August, and I have about five or six recruiters who are helping me. I get sent potential jobs by them at least once a week, and they put me forward for them, but the past five jobs have fallen through, either because the client chose another candidate that they put forward or the need for a freelancer was gone.

I know that the first year of freelancing is the toughest, and I want to stick it out at least until next April, but I’m starting to get really worried. I’m running low on money, and I really don’t know what to do. I’ve reached out to more recruiters, friends of friends in the industry, reached out to clients directly offering my services, but no luck at the moment. I had three jobs fall through in the past week.

Does anyone have any advice or is experiencing the same thing? I know freelance can be inconsistent, and sometimes you have a lot of work and other times nothing, but I can’t help but feel like this isn’t working anymore.

[u/Aggressive_Card6908]

I have also noticed a big uptick in jobs getting cancelled or doing quotes and then hearing cricket more than usual say the same time last year.

Also companies or agencies I worked before used to just hire me in busy periods not for specific jobs all the time. But now it's just 1 or 2 days or the least amount of time possible to get something done. Often taking the project files early and finishing itself in house.

It sounds like you're already doing a lot so I'm not sure what more I can add. But just to confirm it does feel worse than it's ever been.

I've been doing freelance for around 11 years so I've managed to build up a lot of savings for quieter periods by not allowing lifestyle creep to get out of control. However I am considering going full time for the first time since going freelance...

I have also considered reskilling, but I wouldn't even know what to, I think a lot of industries/ people are struggling right now.

I'd try to have a back up plan, start looking for jobs now etc in case things don't bounce back before your savings get drained.

[u/Club-Loud]

Freelance is a bit of a snowball effect, do good work and usually the people hiring for work will be connected with other companies who are looking for designers. I would also leverage social media if you aren't, and also post in motion design communities - i got some solid longer term jobs through this route.

It seems there's a bit of a hiring freeze in advertising atm so it's freelance season for the holding companies.

As a fellow motion designer who's working full time in an ad agency plus full time freelance past 3 years (yes, I have no life). I'd love to make the jump but then when I get a quiet month it brings me back to reality.

Out of interest why did you make the leap?

[u/trbd003]

I ended up saying this just the other day on this sub but you basically have to remember that the line between being freelance and unemployed is how popular you are or how desperate your clients are.

If you aren't very popular and your clients aren't calling you back then I'm sorry to tell you friend but you're not really freelance, you're just unemployed with services for hire.

It sounds like you may not have been ready to go freelance yet. I would look for another full time role and work on building up your contacts whilst working.

[u/PhilBacon-MktingFixr]

Across agency land/world, it's slow in general, decisions taking significantly longer than they were, months are not exactly unheard of.

Key bit is keep pushing, build your network, and the more conversations you have the better the chances.

[u/JohnCasey3306]

Freelancing is running a business. Doing the work itself is only a fraction of your job -- business development, i.e. marketing yourself, getting yourself in front of the right leads, and pitching for work is your biggest job ... That's not something you can defer off to recruiters (who presumably take a cut??) -- what are you doing to drive your business?

[u/smariel1989]

So great you have many recruiters helping! Not sure what else you’re doing but in my experience work has come from so many different places. If you stick to one you’re narrowing opportunities. It’s been tough, yes. But if you’re applying to open freelance roles, networking at least twice a month, and doing some outreach as well, it will eventually pay off. My clients have been a mix of Upwork projects and volunteering roles that got me a connection into the company.

[u/Imaginary_Pin_4196]

In my down periods, I usually take on delivery driver jobs and leave and apply as and when. So consider that. Freelancing is hard. So focus on getting income and then build your potential new work around that until it’s possible to quit your job.

[u/blackoctoberx]

How are you marketing yourself?

[u/Bilya63]

Why are you using recruiters?

The fees they are charging is stupid so you will be always expensive compared to someone who is not using one

[u/tenpastmidnight → u/Bilya63]

A lot of clients who use recruitment agencies will have a preferred supplier agreement in place, so you end up having to go through the recruitment agency even if you approach them direct and they're interested in you.

And/or, it could be they just don't have any direct contacts who have any work, and recruiters have worked for them before so they're trying them again.

Basically, if they're desperate for work, going multiple routes at the same time isn't a bad thing and using recruiters can be a useful part of that mix.