Economic recession is amidst us and you can certainly feel it as belts are slowly tightened. But is 2009 really a bust for freelancers because of the crisis? Apparently not.

Many companies are cutting costs at these crucial times however as the old saying goes, "when one door closes, a window will open". It is common during recession that companies will cut back on it's labor especially those under marketing, graphics and communication. But then work still needs to be done; companies will need to advertise. This time they will no longer keep it in-house, they will however outsource it to freelancers. So even at recession, freelancing still has its pizazz, especially for the savvy ones.

So how do you get freelance work at this time?

1. Market yourself. Use the internet to market yourself. There are a lot of online portals where you can join and then passive-aggressively market yourself as an expert. Linkedin is good way to host your online curriculum vitae. If you maintain a blog, good, if you don't please make one. A blog is a good way to show off your work and there are a lot of blogging platforms out there that's available for free such Wordpress and Blogspot. Make sure that you put a "Hire Me" section in your blog so that your readers can see that you're willing to offer your expertise for a fee. (Alliteration not intended)
   
2. Collaborate with other freelancers. Collaborating with other freelancers is also a form of networking. I basically do a lot of freelance writing work and I ask my friends to endorse my skills as their value-added service as I do the same with theirs. We either share an overflow of work or collaborate on one project wherein a writer, designer and programmer are needed.
   
3. Be Audacious. Get out of your comfort zone and dare yourself to move. Don't wait for projects to come to you, find yourself a project. Be proactive about your freelancing and don't be afraid to knock on doors.
   
4. Network and more network. You won't get any projects if you're just couped up in your flat, instead step out, socialize and get your name out there. Connect with other freelancers, potential clients and other individuals that can help you in your career.
   
5. Never undersell yourself. Know the value of your work. Don't overprice but then never undersell your work. Never go beyond what you deem is too low for you since this will ultimately eat away your motivation and self-esteem.
   
6. Invest in yourself. Don't stay stagnant, grow. Even when belts are already tightened, make room to invest in yourself. Study something new that promotes career advancement.
   

No matter what strategy you use, recession offers golden opportunities to freelancers who know how to take advantage of it. Good luck!

It has been a while since I featured an interview here. I have been quite busy while my interviewee has a lot on his hands as well. I'm quite happy that he took a small amount of his time to answer a few of my questions. The man of the hour is Jacob Cass. He is very young and at the age of 21, he is a known graphic designer and his blog is among the best blogs, there is, about graphic designs and more.

Can you give us a few details about yourself?

Hi, my name is Jacob Cass and I am the founder of ‘Just Creative Design’. On this website you will find my personal graphic design portfolio (My design services are currently available for hire), as well as a blog on the main subject of graphic design which provides free graphic design tips, articles & resources on all subjects of design, ranging from, but not limited to; print design, logo design, web design, branding, typography, advertising & more.

When did your interest in graphic design started?

Back in high school.

When and why did you start blogging?

To learn, teach others and to record my process as a designer. Also to earn an income doing what I love doing, designing!

Do you enjoy blogging as much as you enjoy designing?

They both come hand in hand.

How did you get your blog off the ground? A piece of advice?

A lot of hard work. It took about 4 months until it really kicked off.

When working on a new project, how do you start your creative process?

Always by a brief or questionnaire, sometimes a client consultation, then research, sketching, etc.

What are the biggest personal or professional challenges do you face regularly?

Personal is probably disipline. Professional, is probably trying to keep up with everything.

How do you handle an artist's block?

I have my inspiration sources I come back to. The internet is a huge help!

Who is your mentor?

I have no mentor, but I try to learn off as many people as I can.

What sites do you usually visit when you're in need to tickle your muse for fresh ideas?

I don't have any certain sites, but if need be I can just browse some galleries.

What is the most memorable work you've done so far?

I loved doing my own logo and the Fitucci logo :)



You're so young, yet you are very successful in what you do. What advice can you give to all those people who look up to you?

The biggest piece of advice that I would give comes in a ‘package’ based from the little things that I have learned over my short career as a designer. These would be perfect for someone just starting out… Don’t undervalue your work. Seek critcism, not praise. Always keep learning & don’t be a static learner… do this by reading books, magazines, blogs and by practicing. Collect & Share things. Never give up. Keep practicing. Again, keep practicing. Teach others.