anyone know of a good book on going freelance

[crazyfool]

hey, I remember a couple of months ago someone posted up a link on amazon to a really good book for someone thinking of going freelance, just wondered if anybody has any suggestions or know of it?

Basically I left Climax Action after finishing up on Silent Hill after a year and a half as a VFX artist as I wanted to move back home and find work closer to home, Theres only a couple of studios by me and the plan is to create a killer portfolio and then end of september start applying again. If it doesnt work then I wanna go freelance but wanna know more before I take the plunge into self employment

any help is greatly appreciated :)

[crazyfool]

found it finally :) incase others are looking for it

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Graphic-Artists-Guild-Handbook-Guidelines/dp/0932102131/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251796468&sr=8-1

[grimdc13]

That was one of my text books! Though all my illustration teachers warned me that the prices in this book are a little inflated. I charged one of my first clients $750.00 to do a Corporate Branding job, that means designing their logo, Letterhead (Stationary) and Business Cards. He thought it was too much..but I had to pay my rent. ^_^

Or to do a children's book the average person who wants to have their book illustrated..thinks they don't have to pay the illustrator very much. I don't do work for free..because of the excuse that'll it look good in my portfolio or i'll get paid when the book sells. My loans and artsupplies don't pay for themselves. I'd rather work for a company when starting out, freelance is a bit scary for me still. I like security and a regular paycheck.

I find the Contract chapters very informative.

[walrus]

That's the exact book I would recommend. i would also highly recommend Cedric Hohnstadt's blog. (http://cedrichohnstadt.wordpress.com/) He's an illustration freelancer and his blog is chock full of links, tops, references, and advice (even if you're not going to be an illustrator per se, it's all still valuable.) Here, btw, was his list of books (http://cedrichohnstadt.wordpress.com/2005/08/01/books-every-freelancer-should-own/) that may be useful. Good luck!

[crazyfool]

thanks guys thats some sound advice and that website is exactly the sort of thing Im looking for :) I ordered the book this morning so I can get a greater understanding on it.

I really really want studio work but I have always been curious about going freelance. If Im honest it scares the crap out of me due to the whole job security and getting a good client base but Im confident I could do it. I have been told by loads of people that I should take the plunge, even my old art director said if I go freelance I should make sure I get in contact with him. Well Im gonna build my portfolio and apply at the end of each month until I can get into a studio again and if things get tough I might jump into freelance :)

thanks again for the advice guys