Most freelance designers get jobs from internet and friends, yes you may have a lot of contacts and good reputation on getafreelancer websites. But you only work by yourself, there is always limits of a person’s time and energy. If you want to be rich or live better, you need to take full advantage of your skills and resources. Here are several suggestions:
1. Google adsense. If you have time, make a nice website or blog. Post useful articles , make your site famous, then you will make money on google adsense.
2. Sell templates and resources. This is very easy for gaphic designers, if you can make really high quality and unique templates/theme, your income will be very steady by selling them. Use paypal, you can sell your works all over the world.
3. Become printing reseller. If you think the money is far from enough, then think about this. Most of your clients has printing requirement. For example, a shop want you design a membership card, they will ofcourse print it somewhere. Then here is your chance, you can tell them, hey, i have done the design perfectly, and i can print the cards too. But before you recommend your service to potential clients, you must find a nice printing company to work with. And if you want nice profit, don’t use local companys, you may use hongkong companys or china mainland companys. There are same good quality but price in half. In this way you can make even more money than the design job. There are many printing company all over the world you may google and find some very easy. For example, plastic card is always very popular and light weight for shipping. And the profit is almost twice than simple business printing like business card or flyers. Then google “plastic card online”, you may find some very large and professional company, contact them for reseller partnership.
4. Outsource your jobs. If your work load is full, so you have to turndown some jobs. Why not outsource them? Many good designer in Indian and China if you are lucky to find them. Don’t worry about the payment, most of them use paypal.