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Guide

Going freelance

Utilize these resources and videos to start on your freelancing journey.

Getting started

Photograph of the handbook cover
Photograph of the handbook cover
Resource

The Business of Graphic Design: The RGD Professional Handbook
Photo of laptop and notebook
Photo of laptop and notebook
Insight

Resource list: Essentials for freelance designers

Greg Dubeau RGD

Ualberta Business Magazine Design
Ualberta Business Magazine Design
Interview

Freelancing 101

Sarah Jackson

Video

How to Transition from a Side Business to a Full-Scale Practice

Jolene Delisle

Sample forms and agreements

Illustration of copyright symbol
Illustration of copyright symbol
Template & Agreement

Copyright Agreement
Template & Agreement

Model/Talent Release
Template & Agreement

Independent Contractor Agreement (Project)
Template & Agreement

Independent Contractor Agreement (General)
Template & Agreement

Invoice
Template & Agreement

Billing Docket
Template & Agreement

Job Approval Work Form
Template & Agreement

Change Work Form
Template & Agreement

Retainer Form Letter
Template & Agreement

Design Proposal Letter
Template & Agreement

Client Estimate/Quotation
Template & Agreement

Design Purchase Order
Template & Agreement

Client/Design Brief

Getting clients

Collage of 5 individuals
Collage of 5 individuals
Insight

Business Perspectives: Securing your first client

Andrea Rodriguez RGD, Ashe Green RGD, Andrew Edgecombe RGD, Gillian Hickie RGD

Video

How Designers Can Get Consistent Clients

Lauren Gonzalez

Headshot of Faron Dawe
Headshot of Faron Dawe
Video

Freelance without the Free Fall: Proposals

Faron Dawe RGD

Image of presenter Lauren Hom
Image of presenter Lauren Hom
Video

Niche for Now: An Approach for Building a Freelance Business as Someone with a Sh*t Ton of Interests

Lauren Hom

Pricing

Video

Pricing Creativity

Blair Enns

Video

Approach to Pricing & Managing Clients

Katina Constantinou RGD

Blair Enns presenting
Blair Enns presenting
Video

What is Design Worth?

Blair Enns

Video

Show Me The Money: Julian Brown RGD with Blair Enns

Julian Brown RGD

Video

Priceless: How to Set a Value on a Creative Professional's Time

William Poundstone

A mock-up of the front page of the Creative Earners report on a grey background.
A mock-up of the front page of the Creative Earners report on a grey background.
Resource

Creative Earners Salary Survey

Getting paid

Video

Freelance without the Free Fall: Get Paid!

Faron Dawe RGD

Video

Freelance Without The Free Fall: Money Management

Faron Dawe RGD

Image of presenter Michael Janda
Image of presenter Michael Janda
Video

Let's Up the Budget: How to sell your clients on spending more

Michael Janda

Video

How to Talk Money with Confidence and Avoid the 7 Most Lethal Negotiating Mistakes

Ilise Benun

Video

Building a Business That Thrives: Practical Lessons for Creative Entrepreneurs

Working with clients

Erin Sarofsky on stage presenting
Erin Sarofsky on stage presenting
Video

The Truth about Clients

Erin Sarofsky

Video

Calming Clients' Fear of Creativity

Bob Hambly RGD Emeritus

Video

Presenting first concepts to clients
Video

Panel: Client Confidential

Lionel Gadoury RGD

Video

Client & Agency Partnerships

Diti Katona RGD

Video

Communication with Clients: Designing means understanding

Yurko Gutsulyak RGD

Useful documents

Template & Agreement

Client/Design Brief
Template & Agreement

Client Estimate/Quotation
Template & Agreement

Invoice
Illustration of copyright symbol
Illustration of copyright symbol
Template & Agreement

Copyright Agreement