Anyone have any practical tips for breaking into freelance work? (Ideally photography, filmmaking and writing - paid or unpaid)
I am a recent Film and Media Studies graduate who is tyring to develop my portfolio by working on new projects. I am up for potential collaborartions with fellow creatives! :)
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- Pull together a list of people who's work you admire and that you'd love to work/collaborate with. You need to ensure your social media: Instagram, Dots and/or LinkedIn page is updated with your work [depending on what it is] and then start messaging people. Be direct. Ask them out for coffee/tea and give them an opportunity to hear your story and to learn about you and your work.Also - there are so many private groups availabile online where you can find entry level work - message me directly and I can share them with you
- If you'd like to gain technical skills. I found assisting photographers and working at a hire studio really usefull and I made some great contacts.
- Hey Adeola,Personally just follow people! Make sure you set your social media to reflect you, its then your portfolio and people can message you or forward it on to other opportunities.Dm people .. lots of people asking if theres any chance you could photograph them or follow them for a day eventually you’ll build great networks and opportunities will come.Hope this helps, KEEP DOING YOUR THING
- Hi Adeola, I recently made a blog post about how to become a freelancer, it contains tips and recommended groups to join as a freelancer: https://remireports.com/how-to-become-a-freelancer-top-9-tips/ I hope you find it useful. I also offer a free invoice template to my subscribers to my blog which is a lifestyle blog for creatives: https://mailchi.mp/2145b808d8a4/newslettersubscription
- Best and most rewarding/fun way is to write and make something for a film festival. Plan ahead and get early bird rates. It'll get seen by a wide variety of people and might catch the eye of a producer on the look out for new talent.
- Offer yourself as a volunteer for charities and not for profit organisations, offering to write blogs, update their photography, or website/social media for free in exchange that you can use them as a case study when applying for paid jobs. As Georgina says also, in the first few years you need to take every opportunity which comes your way. Eventually you'll get to the stage you can start choosing which jobs you want to do. It took me almost 4 years to get to that stage though so maybe be prepared to work part time along side it. Good luck!
- Take every opportunity given! Once you get a few the ball will start rolling, even if you feel inexperienced, you can learn from everything.I also think networking and social media are super important.
- Create a kickass portfolio! If you don't have any work to put in it then find a brand you love, do the research and create a proactive campaign/blog/short film.As long as you keep creating you'll get better and the best advice I can give you is don't wait around for someone to collab with.Grab your phone, pick up a pencil, open google and GO!
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