Editor’s Note: Firggy is on vacation this week. This post was originally posted January 20th, 2009. New articles will return next week.

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The road to becoming a successful freelancer is a long and often times quite difficult one. For me personally, I have been traveling on the design road for over ten years and I am just starting to make it publicly known that, yes, this is what I do for a living. So when I look back at my two college degrees and all the education, time and experience I have used to pave my road, and then see that there are people who have just begun their design education claiming to be professionals – I feel as if I am witnessing a drunk driver on the design highway.

So when is a good time to announce to the world that you are ready to hang your “shingle” and let everyone know that you are open for business as a freelancer or an instructor? I have found that there is a check list of items that need to be obtained before this event takes place.

Ask yourself -

- Do I know the program/s I need to know so well that if an unforeseen problem arises, I will know how to trouble shoot it? 

- Do I have a workflow plan developed for the area I wish to target? (I.E. If a client is looking for a logo, do I have a process that I will follow along with the client to make sure we are both happy and that time is not wasted for either of us?)

- Do I know specifically who my target audience is and how to reach them?

- Do I myself have a brand identity in place that people will recognize on sight?

- Do I own, and not just have access to, the proper equipment or programs needed in order to do my job?

- Am I willing to continue my own education via time and money in order to keep up with the ever changing world of technology?

- Am I protected from design theft by having proper work agreements or contracts in place?

- Am I ready to devote the time and energy needed to promote myself in order to obtain clients?

- Do I know what my limits are in my capabilities and am I being realistic about them?

- Do I have a back up plan if all else falls through?

These are just a few of the questions that professional designers ask themselves on a day to day basis. If you can wake up every morning and answer a loud and proud “YES!” to each item on the check list, then congratulations! Consider that your license to hang your shingle and continue your own journey on the designer highway.  But, if your answer to most of these questions is “No.” then consider turning over your keys and packing up your sign until you are a little more ready. This may be a sobering experience, but if followed, it will keep us all safe in the long run.