Sneha: Networking Is About Planting Relations & Harvesting Success

Having a penchant for sketching and illustrating, Sneha is a freelance designer who uses design to solve problems and improve the experience of users. For her, the lockdown period was very productive and successful in professional terms. She believes that freelancing allows her the freedom and the opportunity to grow and learn more. 

As a freelancer, social media platforms, especially LinkedIn helped her get clients and build a powerful network. According to her, delivering satisfactory work to the client is the most important focus factor for a freelance designer. She says that your relationship with your is a major determining factor of growth in freelancing. 

A hardworking and a determined person, she believes in continuous learning and embraces her mistakes as a chance to become better. We wish her success as she aims to take her career to a higher level and build a visionary world.

Read Sneha’s aspiring story:

1. Introduce yourself to us?

Hi, I am Sneha, a freelance designer. I would like to introduce myself as a hard-working learner who never quits. I graduated from NIFT, Bengaluru in 2020. Being in this design school was a life-changing experience for me. My grades graph never went down and this was the most interesting experience of my life so far. I learned millions of new things in college life which I will always use as my design skill.

2. Why did you choose the field of design? How did you get introduced to this field? What fascinates you the most about your career choice?

I chose my passion as my career, that is where this journey started. I have a problem-solving mind and I love to illustrate or sketch. Other people realized it before me, I guess. I have been always good at the design process, from identifying problems to coming up with a solution. 

I was a benchmark in my class for having this potential. This attachment to the user led me to focus on UX Design I think & I decided to work as a UX/UI Designer. Since I love to think and illustrate my imagination. I started posting digital illustrations on social media & received incredibly good feedback. 

Some startups offered me freelance graphic designer job opportunities. All this happened during Lockdown time. I was working on different kinds of projects which kept me busy & happy while being at home for months. I can proudly say 2020 has been great for my career so far.

3. Talk to us about, how to build and use your network effectively as a freelancer?

I used LinkedIn, where I made thousands of connections and built a strong network. People looked at my work which I was posting on every alternate day during COVID. I got opportunities to work with international companies. 

Freelancing gives me the freedom to experiment, learn & develop new skills every day. I cannot thank LinkedIn enough.

4. How to negotiate your deal with clients? What are the important points and techniques to keep in mind?

I do not work with people who do not respect my time & effort. I need a healthy work environment. More importantly, I believe we all should know our value & wait for a good deal & team.

5. How do you price your services as a freelancer? Any essential points that a new freelancer should know of?

The most essential point for a freelance designer is to work on your design until your client gets satisfied with your service. I believe that the way of negotiation is a unique technique that every designer should know. For me, I usually price my services based on a monthly basis; it is more convenient for me.

6. What is the one major pro and/or con of freelancing, according to you?

Everything in freelancing is based on your relationship with the client. I, personally have had both good & bad experiences. The way to go forward is that you should always be active in making new contacts and looking for new projects/clients/collaborations.

7. What are the most crucial aspects that a freelancer should focus on for growth?

As mentioned above, good connections & projects to work on determine your growth as a freelancer. Ensure to learn a new thing everyday & use it in your upcoming projects.

8. What mission and vision do you have? How do you want history to look at you?

I want to grow remarkably high in my profession and make a world that you see with your third eye.

9. What would do you differently if you had to begin your career again? What would you focus on once you restart? 

I do not want to change anything, because I have learned from my every mistake and got a chance to become a better person.

Sneha can be reached out on Refrens.

If you, as a freelancer are looking towards financial growth, read our article on How to raise your price as a freelancer? to figure out some key strategies for the same.