Freelance work brings with it many benefits: greater flexibility to arrange your own work schedule, the possibility of eliminating long commutes and, of course, the opportunity to be your own boss. Of course it also has its drawbacks: increased insecurity, possibility of isolation and the need to become a business ‘all-rounder’. Yet, for some, the freelance life provides the exact mixture between autonomy and specialised use of their talents that makes it just the right fit for them. So if you do think you fit into this category and are thinking of taking the plunge here are some do’s and don’ts to set you out on the right path.
In any job, particularly one you don’t like, it can be very tempting to quit and embrace the road less travelled and all the adventure it promises; however, your chances of success in the freelance world, particularly in the first few months, will be greatly improved if you have a strong plan to work to. Having a plan should include having work lined up for as long a period as you can; creating a realistic budget for the oncoming months and having as much paperwork, as is possible, completed to ensure a smooth transition from company employee to independent freelancer. With a strong foundation you have a much greater chance of withstanding any potential pitfalls which threaten to destabilise your first steps on this new path.
No matter what your field and area of specialisation is once you start to work for yourself you immediately must take on the role of your own personal marketer. This can range from the traditional methods of attending networking events and introducing yourself to potential clients to creating and curating your own digital presence but the sooner you adopt the idea of ‘personal branding’ the better. A simple oversight a lot of freelancers make is not informing all of their friends and family about their new venture. You never know where you might meet a great client so, even if it doesn’t come naturally to you, look on it as another skill to develop and learn to love the hustle.
Yes there are more freelancers operating in the market today than ever before and most of that is internet driven. Never before has the potential existed for sole traders to advertise their services so effectively at so little cost. We live in a digital age so, again, even if this isn’t your area of expertise it has to become it. If you do need to inform yourself of how to market yourself digitally then that should be part of your preparatory plan before setting out on your new endeavour.
Becoming a freelancer will require you to replace the boundaries that your traditional work environment imposed upon you with boundaries of your own choosing and judgement.
It is important to draw clear lines with your family and friends around your work times and your need for isolation to complete your jobs during those times. This can be a particular problem for freelancers who work from the family home and leave themselves open to constant small interruptions which, when added up, result in significant time lost. A freelancer has to develop a certain diplomacy when saying no even to those closest to him/her.
With great freedom comes great responsibilities to paraphrase the old saying. Freelancing allows you the freedom to choose your hours but ultimately the work must get done. The easiest way to send a clear message to yourself and those around you is to set a routine and stick to it.
It can be difficult to find the sweet spot when setting boundaries with your clients. You don’t want to be walked over but neither do you want to come across as abrasive and scare them off. Here are three pointers that if stated clearly from the start have the potential to save you a lot of time and frustration.
You may feel you are pestering them if you repeatedly ask for subsequent details so try to develop a comprehensive question list that will enable you to provide your clients with a tailored service. Nevertheless if you have to go back for more clarification do so. Don’t start work until you are sure you know what the client wants and expects from you.
Even if you are dealing with a client who is being unreasonable and insulting don’t engage in the same practice. You never know what pressure people are under on their end and anyway it doesn’t serve your cause to fight fire with fire. Remain cool and try to resolve the situation.
Know your worth in the market and ask for it. Don’t go unnecessarily high with clients who you think you can get away with it as your best work will be repeat clients and overcharging won’t help you form those necessary positive relationships.
What will ultimately mark you out in any field is your ability to offer a unique service. So don’t be too quick to conform to every standard that has become habitual. Look for a niche. Whether this is your writing style as a copywriter, or the fact that your bespoke language teaching courses offers English through drama classes whereas the others don’t, be continually searching for your own voice in the market.
This may come across as quite a negative point but it is important you consider what will happen if everything does not turn out the way you envisaged it. This is particularly important if your freelance enterprise involves investment on your part or involves a degree of risk for the clients which could leave you open to legal action if things don’t go as planned. If this is true for you it would be worth your while reading this informative article by Laura Shin from Forbes.
Don’t fall into the trap of spending hours of ´research that ends up involving watching YouTube videos of Tibetan monks chanting their way to Nirvana. I’m sure spiritual enlightenment is wonderful but finish your projects first.
Going freelance brings with it greater freedom and different challenges. Expect and prepare for the challenges. As you won’t have the benefit of your colleagues’ expertise you will have to become an all-rounder. Invoicing, payment and taxes: they all come under your remit now. There will be lean times. Expect them and enjoy the free time they provide while still keeping one eye on pursuing new business.
We live in the age of the do what you love brigade. Instagram posts of digital nomads who rule their digital empires from a hammock on the beach. Don’t believe the hype. Personally I can’t imagine anything worse than working on a beach but that comes down to choice. One thing I am sure of is that the camera can deceive. Freelance work remains just that, work, with all the difficulties, pleasures, stresses and gratification that that word implies.
You can’t please everyone and you will run into clients who are never satisfied. Cut them as soon and as diplomatically as you can. Don’t turn yourself into a busy fool for clients who will never recognise or reimburse your endeavour.
Going freelance is not for everyone but when entered into with a clear head, realistic expectations and the necessary preparation it can be ideally suited to some who feel the environs of the traditional workplace have begun to feel confining.
Written for CareerJunction by Mark Dempsey.
