I had the most lucrative year in my career last year. Not so much busy, but I made the highest in one year so far. I learned to not keep myself super busy constantly, but instead make sure I make enough money to be happy and comfortable and take some time to enjoy things.
I'm probably the farthest from a normal solo at-home freelancer. There are workweeks which I take days off even though work is on the table, just to have some time for myself. I even turned-off the light and took a one month hiatus to try and learn game development some, while turning away projects. It felt weird to do so, but I'm thankful I tried it out. I feel I have more time off since I became freelance than when I worked a 9-5 at an employer. And I make more doing it.
I'm not trying to be braggy here. I don't make anywhere near the yearly amount other listers on here make, but my family is comfortable most of the time, and I have time to spend with them, which is something I really value.
That said, there are still down times which I really need money coming in and can't find it sometimes, but they don't happen too often.
I have a client pool of about 7 companies and have been lucky that in most cases, when I'm finishing up one project, another client comes calling. I didn't have one moment this year where I needed to peruse a job board or try to drum up business. My clients constantly come to me alone and know I'm there for them when they need it. (Except when I decide to be "too busy" which isn't often)
I would say the one thing I need to work on most is sacking away money for taxes and keeping my receipts in order.
///Greg Balint
//Art Director / Motion Graphics Designer
/321.514.4839
delRAZOR.com/
On Jan 7, 2014 3:31 PM, "Carey Dissmore" <
carey@imugonline.com> wrote:
Last year was a real roller coaster.
Heck, its always a roller coaster, but last year was extreme.
Coming off a long slow December (which promptly filled with family and domestic stuff!) but booking a lot of stuff now that will keep me busy at least a couple of months. Good.
Need it. Even though I see a few all nighters coming near the end of the month.
LOL and so it goes….
carey
On Jan 7, 2014, at 12:08 PM, Rob Birnholz <absolutemotion@birnholz.com> wrote:
> It's always up and down. I'm getting my ass kicked with work right now, but check back in three months and I'll probably be one step away from standing on a corner with a sign "Will do Post Production for Food". Then just as things look bleakest the phone will ring again. Last year was the rockiest I've had since 2002, but I'm developing new clients and hope this year will be a bit smoother.
>
> Seems if the AE list were one cooperative we'd cumulatively be busy every day of the year. ;-)
>
> Rob Birnholz
> ABSOLUTE MOTION GRAPHICS, Inc.
> -digital design and post-
> Longwood, Florida
> www.absolutemotiongraphics.com
>
> "If you read a lot of books, you're considered well-read.
> But if you watch of lot of TV, you're not considered well-viewed."
>
> On Jan 7, 2014, at 7:32 AM, Mike Janson wrote:
>
>> is everybody busy but me? haven’t had a decent gig since thxgiving :(
>
>
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