Whether you are a recently graduated architect or an architect with considerable experience, starting a career as a freelancer may seem like a tempting career path. There's no doubt that being a freelance architect comes with a wide spectrum of advantages that, sometimes, exceed those you can enjoy being exclusively tied to a firm.
If you are an architect and you want to build a name for yourself in the industry and be your own boss, check the following tricks that will help you achieve this easier and faster!
Create a portfolio that stands out
Being certified or having long experience working in the field is great. However, it's your portfolio that makes a difference for you. Potential clients will rarely only consider what you state in your resume. Alternatively, they want to check how promising your portfolio looks. To put it simply, make your portfolio speak out for you as an architect. Include your best projects that showcase what you're capable of doing and place an emphasis on the type of jobs that you're targeting. As a beginner architect, one of the cheapest and simplest ways to do so is to set up a website.
Build beneficial connections
If you are a newbie, you may find it particularly hard to find clients at the beginning of your freelancing journey. However, there are ways you can market yourself and the services you provide. The three ways we recommend at DezynCle are:
1- Reach out to architects or architectural firms with collaboration proposals explaining why you need this opportunity. Don't forget to list the services you can provide and the benefits they can get from working with you. Also, don't hesitate to ask your colleagues or former professors to put in a good word for you with architectural firms they know.
2- Promote your business on popular freelancing and self-promotion websites like Behance, Upwork, Freelancer, or Guru. These sites have thousands of clients looking for raw talent that could deliver professional services!
3- Try DezynCle! We have worked hard to build a community of professional designers and contractors. Our designers come from all over the world, and so do our clients. Once you're signed up, our platform will be your perfect place to promote your work, build real connections from the industry, and find great work opportunities!
Do your homework
Remember all the valuable education you received in college? Well, that's only like 50% of the things you should know in order to rank high in the field. Acquaint yourself with as many design software as possible. The more programs you can work with the more capable you will be of handling different design projects. You must also update yourself with the most important trends in the world of architecture like technology and the issue of sustainability.
Finally, know that the magic key to making it as a freelance architect is to experiment, plan, learn and get inspired by the success stories of other talented architects.
Do you find these tips helpful and why? We would love to hear about your experiences with freelancing. Feel free to express your opinion in the comments section below!
Related articles: Why Hire a Freelance Architect for your Next Project?