Freelance work and the gig economy have remodeled the job market, giving people an opportunity to be independent. However, we shouldn’t romanticize freelancing too much. It still requires a great deal of planning, experience, and knowledge in order not to burn out, lose clients, and be underpaid. But as Sara Horowitz, the author of The Freelancer’s Bible, says, “Doesn’t having multiple sources of income and multiple moneymaking skills sound less risky than putting all your eggs in one employer’s basket?” Freelance work is what gives you the necessary flexibility during times of change in the economy. So, what are some useful tips for freelancing?
Become a company of one with no haste
Take it from Paul Jarvis, the author of Company of One, “If you are a company of one, your mindset is to build your business around your life, not the other way around.” Changing your nine-to-five job and going freelance sounds amazing: you do what you like, create whenever you want, forget about crowded, noisy offices, and have more time to spend with your family. Yet, don’t rush yourself to take this step. It’s more secure to stick to the financial safety net of your current job while building your company of one. Start with saving some money and gaining experience to set up your company. Most importantly, you should believe in your strengths and the idea for your freelance life.
Your source for inspiration: In the fall of 2010, Tom Fishburne left a successful career as Marketing VP at Method Products to pursue his passion for cartooning. The decision was the best move of his career — both personally and, unexpectedly, financially. Within seven years, Tom was earning two to three times more as a cartoonist than he had as an executive. His Marketoon company remains a small, but agile team comprising Tom, his wife, and a few freelancers brought in for specific projects.
Plan your day, month, and year
Freelancing undoubtedly has its perks, like working whenever and wherever you want without a manager hovering over your shoulder. But at the same time, while freelancing, you need to be this manager yourself, setting deadlines and ensuring productivity. Begin by organizing your schedule. First, pay attention to the most urgent tasks. Being a freelancer, you can work before dawn or after sunset — it’s up to you. The advice here is to make to-do lists, set priorities, and have strict deadlines. You can use apps like Todoist, Google Keep, or just write in a pocket notebook.
When you are ready with daily planning, think of your long-term ambitions. Jot them down before starting your first freelancing project, and then renew them either after finishing a big project or when you feel like it. Also, check if your written ambitions meet your general strategy. In case they don’t, you should rethink them.
Top tip from The Freelance Way: Take your biorhythms into account when designing your schedule. Define your high-productivity hours, be it in the morning, afternoon, or at night. Then, use your peak productivity time to deal with the most difficult tasks, and take one task at a time.
Build a strong customer base
“How do I become a freelancer?” The answer to this question is pretty simple — by finding clients and earning money. Your clients are your income, so one of the main things you have to learn before taking a step in freelancing is how to create your client portfolio. It must include two types of clients: the ones you constantly work with and the side project clients. The former ones sustain your stable income, meanwhile, the latter are a safe pillow in case a deal falls through with main clients. If you don’t rely on a single client, you are at lower risk of financial uncertainty.
The next tip for building a strong customer base is developing your problem management skills. Try turning every difficulty your client has into a positive experience, and think of an accurate compensation system. Besides, be honest and don’t fear admitting your flaws and mistakes. If you need to apologize, try to put yourself in your client’s shoes and choose the apology that you would appreciate as a customer. As David Heinemeier Hansson, one of the authors of Rework, said, “Getting back to people quickly is probably the most important thing you can do when it comes to customer service.”
Learn by example: Barbara’s sushi delivery business promises punctual service. While occasional delays can occur, the company offers a free portion of premium sushi to any customer who receives their order late. This thoughtful gesture not only shows that delays are rare but also highlights the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction.
Be unique, but don’t be alone
Although freelancing might seem like an isolated job, establishing a network of freelancers could be beneficial to you. Why should you do this? Well, other freelancers may inform you about unreliable job offers or scammers, so that you can back out of a deal on time. Also, new people can broaden your horizons, introduce great opportunities, or notice the issues you’ve neglected. If you feel like joining a freelancing community, work on your soft skills. Avoid passive-aggressive colleagues, no matter how experienced they are. In fact, good character and values are much more important, as they lead to long-lasting relationships.
Finally, remember that a good freelancer never seeks new clients at the expense of their ethical principles. Try to get inspiration without plagiarizing or stealing ideas. The service that you offer should be filled with your personality and values. This strategy is called “decommoditizing.”
Your call for action: “Plus, if you’re a copycat, you can never keep up. You’re always in a passive position. You never lead; you always follow. You give birth to something that’s already behind the times — just a knockoff, an inferior version of the original. That’s no way to live.” — Jason Fried, one of the authors of Rework.
Get your hard-earned money
To avoid being caught off guard by non-payers, you should use platforms like Freelancer.com, as they offer at least basic protection for freelancers. Moreover, you will definitely meet clients who will try to lower the price, exaggerating small inaccuracies in your work or even threatening to spoil your reputation. How can you cope with it?
First, you must always require a prepayment. Second, if a client has already delayed payments, you shouldn’t take new orders from them. The same goes for businesses. One more recommendation is to check your new clients’ reputation before taking them on. Even if you see some red flags at the final stage of signing the deal, back out of it before it’s too late.
Things to look out for: Make sure you understand your rights and responsibilities. Legal ignorance can be costly. To protect yourself, take relevant training, read up on freelancing laws, and don’t hesitate to consult a lawyer when needed. Just for you to know, New York’s Freelance Isn’t Free Act requires written contracts for projects over $800 and enforces timely payments, with fines of up to $25,000 for non-compliance.
Remember to relax, even if just a little bit
When you do what you enjoy, time flies fast, and you don’t even notice that you haven’t relaxed for a year. It’s not the right approach to freelancing, since a lack of rest might lead to exhaustion and decreased efficiency. What’s the solution here?
Well, you can do it the traditional way and take two weeks off to visit different countries or relax at the beach. Besides, you could go on a year-long sabbatical or creative vacation and focus on yourself. What we recommend doing is trying mini-retirements. These periods of rest are about lifestyle, not just vacation. For a mini-retirement, you need to take a break from work (from one to six months) and move to a different country. How will it help?
You slow down and get more time to ponder your life without constant work messages, tight deadlines, and the stress of coming back to work. At the end, you will be more aware of your goals and understand yourself better. And it’s not even as expensive as a tour of ten countries in fourteen days. So, why not give it a try?
A quote to reflect on: “Alternating periods of activity and rest is necessary to survive, let alone thrive.” Timothy Ferriss, The 4-Hour Workweek.
Freelance work is not for everyone, but if you are motivated, ready to work, and have something to offer, freelancing might be much better for you than any other work. Start small, remember the freelance tips from above, and register on the best freelance websites like Fiverr, Upwork, and Toptal. Good luck on your journey to freelancing!
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