This is our third interview for the Freelance Five series – our collection of quick interviews with freelancers from around the world.
Today we have Johanna Sapoznik from New York.
Johanna Sapoznik
I am a Freelance Graphic and Wed Designer and World Nomad. I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, capital of Tango and Maradona. I am a Graphic Design and General Arts Graduate with 6 years of experience on the field.
My Website: www.jsapoznik.com
Twitter: @jsapoznik
Facebook: Fan Page
1. What area of the creative industry do you work in?
My specialty is web design, when I started working on the design industry websites where lacking design, so I saw a great opportunity there. Now it continues to be the bulk of the work I receive, but I really enjoy doing other things too. I prefer to take on clients who will allow me to design and develop their whole Branding. My services include SEO and user friendly website design, Branding, Print, Image Retouching, Packaging, Illustration and Character Design.
2. When and why did you become a freelancer?
In October 2008, after finishing the contract with a big online company I felt it was time to devote my full-time energies to position myself as a freelancer. I worked in the corporate world for a while before branching out on my own. I had to learn by trial and error to make my business work. But I am out there making it happen; proving that when you persevere on your goals you will achieve them.
3. What do you enjoy most about freelancing?
Freelancing gives me the opportunity to travel around the world and work at the same time. All I need is my 17″ MacBook Pro, wacom tablet and Internet connection.
4. What do you think is the key to success as a freelancer?
Networking is definitely a key in every business. Also is giving 110% in every work and creating a good relationship with your clients. Another key is to keep in mind that you will not be getting a paycheck every month, so you need to be really organized with your expenses.
5. Do you have any advice for new freelancers?
Most people dream about having their own business, and that dream for most designers is to be firmly established as freelancers. Being your own boss is a difficult task and it requires a lot of discipline. I learned from my mistakes, I keep my work area uncluttered; I create to-do lists for every task according to priorities breaking large jobs into smaller, more manageable tasks. I focus my energy into accomplishing each goal one step at a time before moving onto the next.
Many thanks to Johanna for taking the time to answer our questions.
Want to be interviewed?
If you are a freelancer in the creative industry and want to send us your answers to these questions, you can. Please include a little bit of background information about you, a small photo or avatar (optional but recommended) and one or two links. We will publish the answers regularly but if we have too many we will aim for the most interesting ones – so make them good!
{ 2 trackbacks }
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Great interview. I agree that putting a lot of effort into existing clients is really key.
It’s much harder to get brand new clients than it is to keep existing ones.