Save Cash, Get a Freelancer

March 4, 2009 by Joshua Cody

Like many churches, you’re probably feeling the economic crunch. My own church has certainly contracted some, and I know lots of yours have as well. Our Job Lab has certainly seen a vacating of new positions. But there is a silver lining: there’s never been a better time to freelance.

As an employer, you might turn to a freelancer for individual attention that doesn’t carry the hefty price tag of benefits and salaries. Don’t have room on your staff for a graphic designer, web developer, copywriter, marketing manager, social media director, programmer or something else? Then hire a freelancer.

A great place to start is our Freelance Lab. Post a project, and talk with some freelancers; we think you’ll be happy with what you see. And if you are looking to hire full time, our Job Lab is the perfect place to be. There are tons of designers, developers and everyone else with their eye on those boards, and we think you’ll find the right one for your job.

Both of these are 100% free offerings from us to you. Times are tough, and there’s no need for your wallet to take a hit because you’d like to hire someone.

Nikomas
March 4, 2009

Question, I’m starting to do more and more freelancing for churches. What’s a typical price list look like? Do you charge by the hour or by the graphic/video, etc.
What’s the best place to start…and what’s the average going rate p/hour or p/graphic?
Loaded question, I know. But any guidance would help!

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Michael Buckingham
March 4, 2009

I’m finding more churches becoming interested in freelancing, especially for studios like ours that can either take on an individual project or act as their full creative staff. Great creative, great savings.
For me it’s about being more than a vendor, I look at ourselves as an extension of the church…we’re staff, without being staff.
Don’t get me wrong, if you are blessed and can have a creative staff, that’s awesome and in fact we work with a number of those as well…but not everyone is in that position. Freelancing and outsource is a powerful alternative.
…okay, that completely sound like a sales pitch (which I guess it is in part), but hopefully you catch my heart. I want the church to great work.
@nikomas There are a lot of great resources out there. How and what you charge depends on your capabilities, who you are serving, etc. One place to start would be freelanceswitch.com good people.

Lindsey
March 4, 2009

I have been hearing this alot. It is very encouraging, especially for myself at this point in my career.

Richie Rich
March 5, 2009

In my opinion:
Save Cash, Get a Freelancer… No! Save Cash, Start a Graphic Arts Ministry. For large projects (like a web redesign) a freelancer is a good idea. However, give your congregation the respect they deserve. I guarantee, you have a couple people who dabble in web design and graphic arts. Let them do basic web organization and minor graphic work. Use their talents to support your church. If you ask for help you just might get it and subsequently you could find a diamond in the rough.

Michael Buckingham
March 9, 2009

I think there are times when you’re right Richie, but too often not. I don’t want someone who dabbles in design, who thinks it would be neat to use photoshop, etc.
Kenneniah was in charge of the music not because he dabbled in it, but because he was gifted at it.
I’m sure there are some people in your church that dabble in studying the bible, should we fire the preacher and let them take over?
If you have someone who is truly gifted, that’s great (but I still think you should take care of those doing the work) but often that is not truly the case.
In my experience I just haven’t see this work well and so I don’t believe it’s anything but a band-aid.

Jaimie Ward
May 4, 2009

I have to agree with Mike on this one. We try to get the congregation as involved as possible through volunteering their talents, but most of our project load requires someone who walks this line of work in a professional capacity. Graphic design is so much more than making something look good. There is a production side to it, for example. If a volunteer sends files to the printer, we need to know they are properly constructed. Graphic design becomes like building a house, in that way. You need a professional so that the whole thing won’t collapse! The problem is, if the professional in your congregation does this all day at his/her paying job, he/she may want to take a break from it and volunteer in some other role at the church. Nothing wrong with that.