How can you build a strong reputation as a 3D Printing freelancer?

Hello LinkedIn Community, At Work: While freelancing for a client, I went above and beyond to deliver not just a 3D print but a tailored solution. This commitment led to repeat business and referrals. In My Experience: Having freelanced in 3D printing for six years, consistency is paramount. Meeting deadlines, maintaining open communication, and delivering high-quality work fosters trust, essential for building a lasting reputation. One Helpful Approach: Networking has proven invaluable. Actively engaging in online communities, attending industry events, and collaborating on projects with fellow freelancers has expanded my reach. Building genuine connections not only boosts credibility but also opens doors to new opportunities.

I wholeheartedly agree with the author's emphasis on choosing a niche as a crucial step in growing a successful 3D printing freelance business. The key lies in identifying budding and upcoming industries where 3D printing shines. Think beyond the usual suspects like toys and figurines. Delve into the realms of bioprinting, personalized medicine, architectural prototyping, sustainable packaging, or even apo Sports ocomponents. These are just a few examples where 3D printing plays a game-changing role, and honing your expertise in one of these areas can make you an invaluable asset to clients.

The best way to get into the market and be able to successfully compete is to find a niche that matches a subject you are either very passionate about, or very knowledgeable about. This way you can underatand the needs of your clients and you also have the drive to learn more about it. It is also more likely for you to be able to create products in that specific market based on your knowledge.

Proof of work - A portfolio plays an important role in building trust between you and the client - build your portfolio on real time problems- solve it - show impact - share your process and explain. Add every design decision. This exhibits your proficiency.

One of our most powerful credentials is the proof of our work. It helps to get a cheap Photo Booth for us to create high quality pictures of our small parts and spend the time to get good lighting, clean environments and optimal camera angles for larger projects. It is very powerful to provide a hands-on experience as well. The right people will recognize a distinct experience that engages their recognition of novelty and a sense of reliability and safety. We are doing more than just creating products, we are creating an experience. The emotional connection we create by engaging people with a profound experience creates powerful memories.

1: Talk with client about their target receiving time; 2:Compared cost with different forwarding company to control budget; 3: Knowing which express company could be more flexable in your client market to reduce the risk.

Deliver the project on time - always communicate your progress with the client. This gives reassurance - Always deliver the project with clear instructions. They are not experts, you are ! So there are possible things they don't know. Here is a tip ? Always give a longer deadline and deliver faster, this gives a good impression

Levarage your advantage! Create realistic expectations of lead time but use your ability to iterate and manufacture quickly as a key selling point. Make alot of noise and remind your client that you are willing and able to make changes on the fly at little extra cost. Keep this line of communication open and expedient (just like your service). This will speak to their potential insecurities about using 3D printing while maintaining the assurance of flexibility and relative affordability.

Unique selling point ?? - learning new tech and having Pioneer experience gives you an upper hand - for example, i had experience in reconstructing 3D models from CTs scans which a very niche area. I got the chance from a doctor as i had experience in both 3D modeling of anaontomy and 3D printing. - always mentioned metric and impact of that you created using your skills in your privious projects

Networking is an unfair advantage - join sub-reddits , post your works and ask for feedback. Don't ever take feedback personal - Facebook is not outdated ! They still a gold mine for networking. Join groups, they are still active - Attend the workshops, best way to meet and network in-person

Networking is always great to get yourself out there. You can learn a lot from working together and possibly make long lasting collaborations. Never look at networking as people that could take your jobs from you. Always think of them as ways of getting your projects out there and meeting new potential colleagues and friends.

Feedback is a crucial factor in development both as a company and a person. There's always someone who knows more than you, and they are often more than happy to help or share their experiences. So, take advantage of it!

Every time I build something for a client I make sure to him that I am open to his thoughts about the product if there something I can change to make the product better

In the realm of 3D printing freelancing, success hinges on three pillars: transparency, ensuring clients are well-informed; delivering quality work that speaks for itself; and meeting deadlines consistently. Strive for these, and you'll build lasting client relationships. Additionally, safeguard against machine breakdowns to uphold seamless workflows and meet deadlines reliably.

People pay to be involved. While not 3D printing, I had two suppliers for machine parts. One local and one not. Being someone who tries to support local business they were the first people I went to. They did not respond in a reasonable time and was out loop on the process. Fast forward to the other supplier, they not only got to us in a timely fashion but they kept us in the loop from start to finish so there was no worry if things were getting done. Moral of the story good customer service to good customers creates loyalty.