Faking it and not freaking out

[Squid Ink]

This is my first post here, and I hope I can explain myself enough without sounding too pathetic. I am a freelance Graphic Designer starting out on my own. I started up my business back in May of this year and have recently relocated to my hometown in New England after spending 7 years in Texas getting all my graphic experience under my belt. After a few years as an in-house designer in Houston and several more years of freelance/contract work in Dallas, I missed my family up north and came back.
Now that I have started up my own little studio, I am scared to death but trying not to show it too much, trying to get clients and figuring out how all this freelance marketing/selling yourself/faking it stuff works. I have self marketing books and have a client or 2 and have landed a pretty good sponsorship for the graphic work of non-profit festival for this coming fall. This should give me some great free advertising, as it is for the entire state of New Hampshire.
I am hoping to find others who are starting out and those that have gone through the "doubting yourself phases" and hopefully find some inspiration and help through this really scary process. I have been afraid to post something like this, in fear that I may have to rethink my goals and redirect my entire dream.
Feel free to commiserate or give advice, I am hoping I am not alone here.

[Vicky Dowsett]

I know how you feel mate. I go through self doubt on a daily basis, and talk myself out of it on a daily basis. I think signing up to freelancing sites such as freelance switch and freelance sprout, and sites like this where you can share with others in the same boat definitely helps.

All the best with your new adventure!

[Tyrone Stewart]

You posting that, is to be commended. I personally never wanted to post something like that because of all the competition out there, and I don't want to not seem serious. I been in the business for about 3 to 4 years, and it's killing me. Most of my clients are ghetto. Meaning that they don't see or care about the time that I put into designing. I run into people in a jam and help them out, and in the end I wind up getting the wrong end of the stick. Am I to give up or keep striving? I keep striving. My wife ain't havin that. You're doing good. Keep it positive and push yourself as hard as you can. Feel free to hit me up at any time. Oh yeah, check my two sites, www.freewebs.com/jahigraphicdesigns and www.geocities.com/jahigraphicdesigns/index.html. See, I cant even afford to have my own site yet. If that aint busted, I don't know what is. lol

Lata

[Squid Ink]

I am so glad to hear from you, it's nice to know I am not the only one. I was also scared of posting that and I am glad I did. It's hard to get through the day some days, and some days you feel like you are doing the right thing. Kinda like life I guess. Good luck to both of you also and thank you for sharing your struggles with me.

BTW, Tyrone, I can't afford my own site either LOL, here is mine:
http://squidinkdesignstudio.homestead.com/

[Tyrone Stewart]

You're welcome. I went to your site and your graphic designs are hot!! Another reason to keep doin' what you're doin.