I need an advice [Archive] - PerfectUnion BBS

JeriefTricked

04-02-2009, 15:10

Hello!
I'm new here. I've been browsing tons of forums for an idea of what to do. I was laid off from my job about 3 month ago. I've been looking for a job since then, but did not even get a single interview. I worked as a web designer for a publishing company for the last 5 years. Looks like www.perfectunion.com is an active forum with active members and may be someone has some experience working as a freelance web designer. May be "Free Stuff" category is not the most appropriate for this question, but I want to try anyways to get some opinions before I go ahead with my life. I'm wondering if it is possible in the current economy to find work for a freelance web designer and make enough to pay for rent and groceries. I was able to find a small project on craigslist and I developed a website for a company. It was a small project and took me only a week to complete. I got paid $800 for 1 week of work which is not bad. Please people give me some ideas. I have 2 kids and my wife is out of work as well. Thank you in advance.

s0b3

04-02-2009, 19:21

go and visit small businesses and sell them into a web solution. have different options and different price points. $800 for 1 week of work before taxes isn't going to be enough to sustain a family and rent/mortgage for long. self employment taxes are really high.

Mad Dog

04-28-2009, 14:47

..... self employment taxes are really high.

Yeah, but you can write everything off.

s0b3

04-28-2009, 19:29

Yeah, but you can write everything off.

Yeah being able to write things off is a perk but when you turn a profit, you gotta pay taxes on them. I don't think you'll be able to write off enough stuff to offset the self employment tax vs working for someone else.

Wallyg8r

12-09-2009, 05:08

Yeah being able to write things off is a perk but when you turn a profit, you gotta pay taxes on them. I don't think you'll be able to write off enough stuff to offset the self employment tax vs working for someone else.

Poor advice. People work for themsleves in huge numbers in the U.S. It is the backbone of our economy. Get out there and start your own business and don't look back. If you're lacking some of the skills, check into your local community college to get them. Lots of government money for training right now.

As for more immediate work, run an ad on craigslist and other websites offering your services.

s0b3

12-09-2009, 09:22

Poor advice. People work for themsleves in huge numbers in the U.S. It is the backbone of our economy. Get out there and start your own business and don't look back. If you're lacking some of the skills, check into your local community college to get them. Lots of government money for training right now.

As for more immediate work, run an ad on craigslist and other websites offering your services.

have you look around lately? there's tons of web developers. kids coming out of high school have enough computer skills to run a website. and $800 a week, you able to support a family on that after taxes?

not knocking small businesses, they are the backbone of america. but going into a saturated market without a lot of upside isn't the best move in this economy.

tri70

12-09-2009, 10:19

You might try something like medical billing, they always need help and people always need a doc. If you are bi-lingual you could work for a court system translator or even a school. Don't hold yourself to web designer but look for a job that uses alot of computer skills.

SevenMM

12-09-2009, 10:39

KEEP LOOKING!!!!

Start networking more to get your name out there. Make a facebook or Youtube page with links to your personal website!!!!! Being self employed isn't easy, you must really sell yourself as well as do good work. Go to a local university or tech college and see someone in the employment offices. Even if you're not a student they should still help you out. Did you take web design classes somewhere? You have five years of experience either way so I'd let the be known.

s0b3

12-09-2009, 12:26

we can keep posting but he hasn't been back since he posted this as his first post.

Last Activity: 04-02-2009 17:10

SevenMM

12-09-2009, 12:31

we can keep posting but he hasn't been back since he posted this as his first post.

Last Activity: 04-02-2009 17:10

Didn't see the dates. I hate forum noobs.