For our next freelance spotlight series, we're showcasing our award-winning freelancers to celebrate their achievements and the outstanding work they do in supporting businesses globally!

Jasmin Lewis is a Brand & Graphic Designer and category winner of the TWC Freelancer of the Year Award in Creative/Design. Jasmin has been freelancing for more than 8 years and shares her secrets to success, and her top tips for winning new business and a successful freelancing career. 

Can you provide us with a brief insight into what you do?

A multi-discipline senior Brand and Graphic designer specialising in branding and packaging with over 8 years of experience working in health, wellness, lifestyle, beauty, and travel industries. However, I am always eager to jump into new industries to continue to grow.

I am passionate about giving ambitious and authentic brands a spotlight to shine with unique designs that will make them stand out from the crowd and create a process that is fun and less daunting for my clients. I take a strategic approach that brings a brand's vision to life to create that emotional connection with their customer. 

What are your top tips for winning new business?

Building a strong portfolio, if there are brands you want to work with, in a certain industry make sure you have some examples in your portfolio that will appeal to them. Passion projects are great to build out your portfolio.

Networking and reaching out to people you know is a great place to start. Whether that be through your social media channels, networking events or cold emailing. It also helps you to become more confident in marketing yourself.

Remember this all takes time, stay focused on building your skills and developing your brand and making good impressions with your clients. 

How do you effectively manage your client relationships?

Communication: Always establish clear communication channels and respond in good time to feedback and queries. Always keep clients informed on the progress of the project. Updates are always welcomed and show you are on it and care.

Transparency: Set clear expectations from the start. Discuss the scope of the project, timelines, and budget, and make sure everyone is on the same page. This can help avoid misunderstandings or conflicts down the road.

Professionalism: Meet deadlines, deliver high-quality work, and be responsive to client needs and feedback. Maintain a positive attitude, even in challenging situations. 

Are there any tools you wouldn’t do without?

I couldn’t live without notion - I do everything within this tool. It keeps me organised and It’s where I manage all my client projects too! A great project management tool.

I have lots of places to turn to for design resources but a constant in my work is Pinterest! It really is a great place for quick inspiration.

Quickbooks is also a great tool that has kept me super organised - super easy to use and it means less time having to design and calculate my own invoices each time. Time saver. 

What are your top tips for success?

Perseverance, don’t give up. It’s easy to get down when rejection rears its ugly face but  take the long game and the time and effort will pay off- don’t give up and keep focusing on getting your name out there. Let each no fire you up.
Keep building up your skills and building your brand and you will be on your way to success. 

How do you manage your work-life balance as a freelancer?

During the week when I am working, I always make sure to get away from my desk. This allows time for me to clear my head and feel more energised to get back to work again. When I am sitting at my desk for too long, I can easily procrastinate and become unproductive. Taking myself away for a coffee break, walk or the gym helps me get the best out of my day.

I also make sure to prioritise self-care, making sure I make time for the gym and hobbies during the week which allows me to switch off.

Out-sourcing is also a good way to get back time when time isn’t your friend. 

What advice would you give your less knowledgeable self?

Make the Most of Down Days: There will be times when you are not working, but it's important to use that time wisely. Use your downtime to build your skills and reach out to potential clients. This can help you stay productive and position yourself for success in the future but also make sure you take time for yourself too! it’s ok to have days to do nothing, it will help clear your mind and make you more ready when work comes in because you will have rested.

Prepare for Failure and Learn from It: The design industry, like any other industry, has its ups and downs. It's important to prepare for failure and learn from it. Failure is not easy to accept, but it can make you stronger in the long run. Take the time to analyse your failures and learn from your mistakes so that you can improve your skills and processes.

Remember that freelancing in the graphic design industry is a continuous learning experience. By making the most of your downtime, preparing for failure, and learning from your mistakes, you can position yourself for long-term success.