In this guide, you’ll learn about how I started working as a freelance architect and design consultant in a down economy. You’ll learn some tips to help you get started as well.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Embracing freelancing as an architect in a down economy can offer unique opportunities for growth and success. |
| Developing a strong portfolio showcasing your skills and expertise is crucial in attracting clients and building a reputation. |
| Networking and building relationships within the industry can lead to valuable collaborations and referrals. |
| Continuously upgrading your skills and staying up-to-date with industry trends is essential for maintaining a competitive edge. |
| Taking calculated risks and being adaptable in challenging economic times can lead to new and unexpected opportunities. |
Take A Leap Of Faith And Just Do It
Be prepared to fail, succeed, be scared, excited, nervous, and confident; but most of all be humble because no matter how many times you’ve tried before or how well you think you know what’s going on around you there’s always something new coming up that could take your business in a new direction (and hopefully for the better)
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You Need To Make The Decision To Become Your Boss
Becoming your boss is a big deal. I know this because I had to make it happen. It was a scary decision, but it has been one of the best things in my life.
As an independent contractor or consultant, you are responsible for yourself and how your business succeeds or fails.
You will have no one to blame but yourself if things go poorly (or great!). I’ll admit that at first, this was very intimidating for me, but now that I’ve been doing it for so long, I can honestly say that being my boss has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life!
Get Out Of Debt And Save Money
Now, there are a few things you need to do before you can become a freelancer. First, you need to save up some money. It’s not that hard if you want it, but it takes time and dedication.
I recommend saving at least $10,000 in your savings account before looking into becoming a freelancer. This will help cover the costs of taking time off from work and any unexpected expenses that might pop up along the way (like car repairs).
Secondly, make sure that you have enough savings to act as an emergency fund for yourself during those first six months or so when things don’t go exactly according to plan in your new career path.
Not only could this be helpful for unexpected situations like losing your job unexpectedly or having health issues come up unexpectedly which require surgery/medical treatment (and thus lost wages).
But also for regular day-to-day expenses such as eating out at restaurants instead of cooking meals at home (and thus saving money) because cooking meals would require buying ingredients at local grocery stores which carry high priced items such as meats and produce.
Rather than cheaper options like canned goods found in bulk sections located inside supermarkets these days while walking around target stores looking for inspiration on what kind of meat dish I should make next month once we run out of these cans…again.
Yes – being financially responsible matters too. So let’s talk about how important good budgeting skills are when starting as a freelancer…
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Develop Your Skills, Always
If you’re a freelancer, you have to keep developing your skills. You have to keep learning and keep striving to be better at what you do. You don’t want to get stuck in an “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” mentality.
If someone asks me how I became such a sharp architect and design consultant, I would say this: I continued learning new things about my craft every day because I love architecture and design so much that the more knowledge I have the easier it is for me to do my work!
Cultivate A Positive Attitude And Proactive Approach To Life
A positive attitude is a key to success. It’s also a key to happiness, peace of mind, and anything else that you may aspire to achieve in life. With this in mind, you need to cultivate a positive attitude and proactive approach toward life.
When I first began freelancing as an Architect I was very happy and optimistic about my future because I knew that there were many opportunities out there for me and would be able to land some amazing projects if only I put my mind to finding them.
This positive attitude helped me become more confident in myself as well as motivated me on those days when things got tough (which they inevitably do).
Analyze Your Niche
Once you’ve figured out your niche, it’s time to analyze what you do best. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What are your passions? Do you enjoy doing something that most people don’t enjoy doing? Do some research into other niches and see if there is a way for them to complement yours.
For example, I am a freelance architect and design consultant who specializes in green home design, but is also an interior designer with experience in remodeling kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms.
That said–with so many green architects out there competing with each other on price alone I must focus on my niche (green architecture) while still being able to offer additional services like interior design.
That help brings in business from clients who may not be ready for a complete renovation just yet or who want something different than what they’ve seen before when picking out materials at Home Depot.”
Be Kind And Courteous To Everyone You Meet In Life
Always be kind, courteous, and respectful to everyone you meet. This is especially true when you are meeting with clients for the first time. They will remember your attitude long after they forget your name or the details of your presentation.
The more people you interact with, the better chance you have at getting business leads that could lead to new clients and projects.
Be Emotionally, Physically, And Financially Prepared For The Ups And Downs Of Freelancing
Remember that as a freelance architect or design consultant you are your boss. You have to be able to handle anything and everything yourself. There will be times when you are not working because of downtimes in the economy or slow periods within your market area, so be prepared for this.
I always suggest having a backup plan in case you are not working by doing other things such as part-time jobs or getting involved with volunteer groups that share your interest or hobby (for example I am an active member of Rotaract Club which brings me out into my community and helps me meet new people).
This gives me something else to do besides sitting around waiting for clients to call me back about appointments.
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Be Versatile With Your Skillset
You may be the world’s best architect, but if you can’t also handle the other tasks that come along with running a business, it’ll be difficult for you to succeed.
I’ve seen a lot of clients who were just too good at one thing and not good enough at everything else. So when they’re faced with an unexpected problem or task in their business, they fall apart because they don’t know how to do it.
If this sounds like something that could happen to you, start looking for ways to expand your skill set by taking classes or doing projects on which you can learn new things (but don’t worry about getting perfect right away).
You’ll never know if someone else has done exactly what you’re doing until after the fact; so even if there’s another consultant who provides similar services as yours don’t fret. Just focus on being better than them at whatever it is that makes up the bulk of what makes your service unique from theirs’.
Be Flexible With Your Schedule
As a freelancer, you should be able to work at any time of the day or night. You should also be able to work on weekends and holidays.
If you have children, make sure that they don’t interfere with your ability to take calls if necessary. The last thing you want is for them to interrupt a meeting or call because they are hungry or need help with their homework.
Always Get Everything In Writing Via A Contract Between You And Your Client
The next step to becoming a freelance architect and design consultant in a down economy is to always get everything in writing via a contract between you and your client!
Contracts are legally binding agreements that define the scope of work to be performed, payment terms, and cancellation policies.
Contracts will help you protect yourself from liability for any damages caused by errors or omissions made during the project; they ensure you won’t be left owing money to clients if they choose not to pay their bills; they also set up clear rules for what happens if either party decides not to follow through with their end of the bargain.
In addition, contracts can provide valuable information about an architect’s knowledge base or skill level a good contract spells out everything from how long certain tasks should take (if at all).
What kinds of materials are being purchased/used on site (if any), who has access where along with times when these areas may need special attention due (i.e., when private offices become available).
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Cherish Your Time Alone In Nature (It Will Help You Find Balance)
I am a big fan of spending time alone in nature. It helps me to focus, relax and be in the moment. One thing that I always do before starting my work or even just at any point during the day is to take a walk outside for about 20-30 minutes.
It could be on a trail or simply around the neighborhood but you should try not to stay inside too much especially when it’s beautiful outside!
I would recommend taking two 15-minute breaks every hour throughout your day where you don’t have any distractions such as emails coming in or people calling you on the phone while working from home (or anywhere really). If possible get up from your desk and go outside for some fresh air so that you can reenergize yourself without being distracted by technology!
Find A Reliable Mentor Who Can Help Guide You Along The Way
Now mentors can be found in various places: online, offline, or even both (like me!) A mentor is someone who teaches you something or helps guide you through challenges that they have already overcome themselves.
You will find many of these people at conferences, books/podcasts, and internet forums where they freely share their knowledge with others.
Do Something Every Day That You Love Doing
This is a quote I live by. It’s easy to say, but sometimes hard to follow through on it. But even if it is just a walk in the park or reading a book, do something every day that makes you happy and upbeat.
You need balance in your life, so be sure not to overdo things either way. If you don’t love what you are doing, then this probably won’t work out as well as it could have otherwise.”
Move Forward With Confidence, Even If You Are Scared Or Insecure About What Lies Ahead On The Horizon
Don’t let fear stop you from doing what you want to do. Don’t worry about what other people think and don’t listen to their negativity. Be confident in your abilities, skills, and creativity. You can do this.
Take a deep breath and move forward with confidence even if like me, at times it feels scary or insecure as you have no idea what is lying ahead on the horizon.
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Final Thoughts
It would be wonderful to have one sentence to summarize my experience, but that’s not how it works. It takes many years of practice and failure before success can happen. If you want your own small business, start with a great idea and then prepare yourself for the hard work ahead. The more you give, the more you will receive.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for further reading on freelancing as an architect:
Going Freelance as an Architect: This article provides insights and inspiration for architects considering a freelance career, exploring the benefits, challenges, and opportunities in the field.
What Designers Wish They’d Known Before Going Freelance: Fast Company shares valuable advice from designers, including architects, on lessons learned and things they wish they had known before embarking on a freelance journey.
Freelancing as an Architect: The Pros, the Cons, and Tips for Success: ArchDaily provides a comprehensive guide to freelancing as an architect, covering the advantages, disadvantages, and practical tips for success in the industry.
People Also Ask
What Is The Best Way To Get Started As A Freelance Architect And Design Consultant?
It’s all about having a good portfolio, and also having client relationships. If you have both of those things, then you can start getting work right away.
You might want to consider joining a design team or volunteering at an architecture firm to build your portfolio and gain experience.
Do I Need Any Special Training Or Certification?
No, there is no official training or certification process for becoming a freelance Architect and Design Consultant.
However, many architecture firms prefer that their employees have some sort of formal training to ensure that they are competent in their job duties.
If you don’t have any formal training, you must keep up with industry updates by reading professional journals and attending conferences related to architecture or design.
What Do You Love About Your Job?
There are so many things I love about being a freelance architect and design consultant.
One of the best parts is working with clients who are passionate about what they do and who want to make their businesses better through design.
Another great part is being able to work from home or anywhere else with WiFi access and still get paid!
How Do I Know If This Is Right For Me?
The best way to find out if freelance architecture is right for you is by talking with some freelancers who are already doing it.
They can tell you about their successes and their failures so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not this career path is right for you.
And remember that there are many different kinds of architecture jobs available; some will be more suited to your interests than others!
What Do You Like Most About Being Your Boss?
The flexibility is great. But honestly, what I love most is being able to give back to my community through art and creativity. I’ve been drawing since before I could talk, so it was never something that felt “work” to me…it was just something fun that made me happy.
Being able to use those skills while helping people improve their homes is such an amazing feeling!
How Do You Make Money As A Freelancer?
I make money by taking on projects that are typically large and expensive, like interior design work or building homes from scratch.
These projects can pay well because they are more time-intensive and require more expertise than smaller projects like painting or landscaping.
What Is The Best Way For Me To Get Started As An Architect Or Designer In My Local Area?
The best way for you to get started as an architect or designer in your local area is by making sure that people in your area know about your services and what they offer.
You can do this by creating an online presence where people can find out about your services at any time (website), holding public events where people can meet with you face-to-face (meetings), and networking through social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter.
What Are The Benefits Of Working As A Freelance Architect And Design Consultant?
Freelance architecture is a great choice for those who want to work from home and be their boss. You can work on projects that interest you, set your hours, and choose your clients. In addition, being self-employed means that you can take advantage of tax deductions for certain expenses like travel or equipment purchases.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.