How do I get freelance work as a UI/UX designer?

Being a UX/UI designer can be incredibly rewarding, especially considering all the remote freelance opportunities at your fingertips. However, it’s important to recognize that these opportunities won’t simply fall into your lap. Pitching yourself as a capable and reliable designer is only half the battle. To stand out from the crowd and land great opportunities and high-paying clients, you need a detailed and well-thought-out strategy.

In this post, I’ll be sharing some of my top tips and strategies on how to navigate the freelance UX/UI design market successfully. You’ll position yourself as a top UX/UI designer and strategically reach out to clients to get freelance work.

How do I get freelance work as a UI/UX designer?

Build Your Portfolio

Your starting place is gathering together your body of work. The importance of a strong portfolio cannot be stressed enough. It consists of your most impressive work samples, testimonials from clients, and your design philosophy. Your portfolio should include details about the project, the client’s challenge or problem you were trying to solve, and how you solved it using UX/UI design principles. Make sure that your portfolio is visually appealing and easy to navigate. Clients want to see examples of your best work quickly without having to sift through a cluttered portfolio.

How can you best showcase your portfolio?

• Online Portfolio Platforms: Platforms such as Behance are widely recognized in the design community and offer a space to upload, share, and receive feedback on your projects, thereby increasing your visibility to potential clients.
• Personal Websites: A good option is to use WordPress to create a site. It powers 43% of all sites online. Creating your own website allows you total control over the presentation of your portfolio, showcasing not only your work but also your innate UI/UX skills.
• Show-and-Tell Design Platforms: Sites like Dribbble let you share smaller snapshots of your work, offering potential clients a peek into your design processes.
• Professional Networking Sites: Platforms like LinkedIn are often overlooked yet pack the potential of connecting you with numerous potential clients. You can share your portfolio directly on your profile.
• Portfolio Creation Websites: Services such as Portfoliobox and Carbonmade provide easy-to-use interfaces for building professional-looking portfolios, complete with a variety of customization options.

Remember, whichever platform you choose, ensure to keep your portfolio updated with your latest work, reflect your unique style, and show the diversity of your skills. If you don’t have enough work to showcase yet, make sure you build a few projects to beef up your portfolio before starting freelancing.

Focus on a Niche

The reality is that a generalist designer is often overlooked because clients feel more confident hiring someone with specific experience in their industry or niche. Choosing a specialty allows you to hone your skills, increase credibility, and charge higher rates. Conduct research into different industries to see where there might be a demand for UX/UI design services. Perhaps you could focus on an area that appeals to you personally, like healthcare, accessible mobile apps, or something else. A good strategy is to focus on an emerging technology like VR, AR, or voice interfaces. This will help you stay ahead of the curve and land high-paying freelance projects in an up-and-coming field.

Put the Word Out

Often, the most effective step is the easiest. Let your network know that you’re available for freelance work. You never know who might have a connection or need your expertise. Personal connections can often lead to the most lucrative opportunities. Make sure to update your LinkedIn profile and let people in your network know about your availability through social media, email, or even by simply chatting with friends and family. Additionally, consider joining any relevant professional associations or online communities to connect with other designers and potential clients.

Present Yourself as an Expert

If you want to stand out in the sea of freelancers, consider positioning yourself as an expert in your niche. Write blog posts and articles about UX/UI design for publications or on your own website. Share your insights and experiences through social media and participate in online forums and discussions. You need to give value first through educating and providing valuable content on your area of expertise. Clients will be more likely to trust you and seek out your services if you are seen as an expert in the field.

Leverate Cold Email

Cold emailing is essentially reaching out to potential clients or companies who have no existing relationship with you. This approach is proactive and carries the potential for you to find projects that pay well. A well-crafted cold email can showcase your skills, introduce your services, and initiate a conversation that may eventually lead to freelance work. But it needs care. It’s not as simple as just sending an email and asking for work. Here’s how you should approach it.

• Identify Your Targets: Start by identifying companies or individuals who could benefit from your services. Conduct thorough research to find out who the decision-makers are within these organizations; LinkedIn can be a handy tool for this. Make a list of potential clients and gather as much information about them as possible. This includes their first names, role, and some kind of interest.
• Personalize Your Emails: Cold emails are uninvited. To get noticed, you must personalize your email and make it feel human. Use the information you gathered earlier to address the recipient by name, mention their company or interests, and explain why you think they would benefit from your services.The more personalized your email, the better.
• Keep It Brief: Your potential clients are busy people; therefore, it’s best to keep your emails as succinct as possible.
• Showcase Your Value: Clearly state why you’re reaching out and how your services can benefit the potential client. One great way to do this is to mention a powerful result you created. This could be a job where you improved conversions on a client’s website or increased their revenue by a certain percentage.
• Keep it Concise: Executives are busy people, so get to the point quickly. Respect their time by keeping your email succinct yet informative. Do not email stories or add too many details.
• Follow Up: If you don’t hear back after a week or so, don’t be afraid to follow up. Sometimes, emails get lost in the shuffle, and a polite reminder can put you back on their radar. Space out your follow-up emails and try up to three times.
• Ask for a meeting: The goal of a cold email is to initiate a conversation and eventually close the deal. So, be sure to ask for a meeting or call in your email. This shows that you are serious about working with them and allows you to discuss further how your skills can benefit their business.

Not every email will result in a positive response, and that’s okay. Don’t get discouraged by the rejections; instead, use them as learning experiences to improve your approach. Remember, cold emailing is a numbers game, and success won’t come overnight. Consistent effort and a well-thought-out strategy can yield impressive results over time.

Join Freelancing Platforms

I added this point last because I find this to be the most passive way of getting freelance work. However, it can still be a helpful strategy for beginners or those looking to supplement their income with smaller projects. And if you use freelancing platforms well, there’s a good chance of landing high-paying projects. To increase your chances of success, follow these tips:

• Choose the Right Platform: Each platform caters to different types of freelancers and clients. Research and choose a platform that aligns with your skills and target audience. Some of the top platforms for UX/UI designers include Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal. However, these platforms are quite saturated and you should join smaller and niche-specific platforms too.
• Optimize Your Profile: A strong profile that showcases your skills, experience, and work samples is essential to stand out on freelancing platforms. Make sure you have a professional headshot, use keywords in your title and descriptions, and provide relevant samples of your work.
• Set Your Rates: It’s important to set fair rates that align with your skills and experience. Research the market rates for similar projects and set your prices accordingly.
• Understand How the Platform Works: Each platform has its own rules, guidelines, and policies. Take the time to understand how the platform operates, including payment processes, communication channels, and dispute resolution procedures. This will help you navigate the platform more effectively and avoid any potential issues.
• Be Selective with Your Projects: Don’t apply for every job that comes your way; instead, carefully select projects that align with your skills and interests. This will not only ensure better quality work but also help you build a strong portfolio in your desired niche.
• Work towards building your platform reputation: As you complete projects on the platform, make sure to request reviews and ratings from your clients. These positive reviews will help improve your reputation and attract more clients in the future.

Remember, freelancing platforms can be highly competitive, so it’s essential to put in time and effort to stand out. Keep an eye out for new job postings, apply to relevant projects consistently, and be patient. Sooner or later, you’ll land your first freelance project and start building your freelance career as a UI/UX designer.

Conclusion

A freelance career is not like working for a business. While you have the potential to earn more, it also comes with its own set of challenges. You need to be self-motivated, organized, and disciplined to succeed as a UI/UX designer. You need to be part entrepreneur and part artist, constantly upgrading your skills and staying on top of industry trends. But with the right mindset, strategies, and determination, you can build a successful freelance career as a UI/UX designer. So don’t be afraid to take the leap and start your journey towards becoming a thriving freelancer with these tips.