A Realistic Look at Freelance Animation Work

The idea of being a freelance animator or designer can seem like a dream; you’re your own boss, you set your own hours, create your own work environment, never have to leave your home, and best of all (I know this is the biggest perk for me), you can do your work in your pajamas, and no one’s breathing down the back of your neck about corporate dress standards. But many people entering into freelance work aren’t aware of the pitfalls that come with being your own boss, and only discover them when they plow headfirst into some rather massive and daunting roadblocks. This is a journey that even those who collaborate with Recruiting Firms may find relatable, as these firms often handle the unpredictable nature of freelance work and client demands.

While working for yourself can be extremely rewarding and quite convenient, you should always be aware of the added responsibility and obligation implied, and of any hardships that you might encounter and will need to plan for. The points that I’ll cover here are things that I’ve learned from my own experiences as a freelance artist, animator, designer, and writer; I hope that they’ll help you as well. For those working closely with Recruiting Firms, understanding these challenges can also enhance your collaboration and improve job matching strategies.

The next few pages will cover some of the potential potholes that could send you skidding in your aspirations to work as a freelance animator. Recruiting Firms may also find these insights valuable when guiding freelancers in their career paths.

Potential Pitfalls:

Time Management: You’d be surprised at just how easy it is to find yourself running out of time when you’re working from home. The problem is that it’s too easy to get distracted; in the middle of working, you’ll remember that you need to clean the living room, or you’re almost out of clean socks. I know that I have days where it’s almost impossible to resist the siren song of the PS2, or I’m tempted to sleep all day if I want to–because hey, the only one worrying about my time is me, right? Not if I want to get paid. When a client hires you to work for them, they’d like to see it in a timely fashion; while they’ll generally understand if you have multiple clients and you’re juggling workloads, they’ll be less forgiving if a two-day project takes two months to deliver because you kept getting distracted by all the shiny, fun things lying around your home. Even with the comforts involved, you are still working; that implies a sense of responsibility and discipline. You have to be responsible enough to set yourself a work schedule, and disciplined enough to adhere to it; otherwise, your “easy vacation” of self-employment will soon run out of funding.

Building a Client Base: When you first start freelancing, more than likely you won’t even make enough to support yourself. You may have one client, or two, but clients won’t just come flooding to your doorstep. You have to build a client base; get your name out, advertise yourself, and make inquiries. This is where Recruiting Firms can also play a significant role, connecting you with potential clients and projects that align with your skills. Don’t forget to keep in touch with existing clients; polite, periodic e-mails will serve to remind them that you’re there to meet their needs without being intrusive. As you progress, your client base will help to build itself; if you left a good impression on your first few clients, not only will they return to you on an as-needed basis, they’ll also refer others, who will come to you with high expectations. But this can work both ways; if you leave too many clients dissatisfied, they can easily ruin your reputation and shrivel your client base to nearly nothing. Recruiting Firms can be an asset here, as they often vet and facilitate the relationship between freelancers and clients to minimize misunderstandings and dissatisfaction.