You just finished a six week long project. You thought it came out great, so you didn’t expect their email, telling you they just weren’t happy with it. Now what?

Park your emotions. It’s easy to get worked up from negative feedback, particularly for a freelancer who is naturally quite tied to their work. But separating business and emotion are key to success anywhere. It’s okay to get heated up, but just give yourself some time to simmer down before you react. Go for a run, sleep on it, or vent to a friend until you feel more level headed. Continue Reading

Most freelancers are eager for tips and information, turning to forums, classes, and networking for ways to learn and improve. But did you ever consider looking to your canine for some wisdom? Here are a few things your dog knows that just may improve your freelancing life. Continue Reading

When you started freelancing, you probably set your rates at what was competitive at the time. But you may not have even noticed the years rolling by, and suddenly your rates are below where they should be. It’s easy to correct that with brand new clients, but it can be difficult to approach a long-term, dependable client with a rate increase.

If you hesitate to broach the subject, recognize that as an independent worker, you have to be your own advocate. Rarely will a client tell you they think you’ve been charging too little. It’s up to you to make sure your rates remain competitive. Continue Reading

Valentine’s Day is probably not a holiday that brings your fellow freelancers to mind.

You may have made a point to recognize your clients during the December holiday season, so why not make February the time to applaud your fellow independents?

Spreading good karma always pays off in some manner, whether it be a new contact, lead, or networking opportunity. Here are some ways to get started. Continue Reading

At the end of last year, a fellow freelancer and I were discussing how 2011 panned out for each of us.

“It was overall successful, but when I reviewed where my income came from, I realized I’d become too focused on just one market,” she told me. “I need to spread myself out.”

The beginning of a new year is always a good time to take stock of your business, and plan your direction for the coming year.  Some freelancers work toward building up a name for themselves within a niche; others intentionally avoid focusing too much in one area.

Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of each approach. Continue Reading

Freelancing is all about building relationships, and the holidays are a perfect time to nurture those relationships.

Sending a holiday greeting adds a human touch to your cyber business, and keeps your name fresh in people’s minds. It’s also a great way to thank those who have contributed to your success.

Here are five ways – from  the simplest to more time consuming – to spread some seasonal cheer. Continue Reading

Thanksgiving is all about reflecting and recognizing all the great things you have.

Before you shut your laptop and start baking pies to bring to Aunt Selma’s house, spend a few minutes giving thanks for the little things that make the freelance lifestyle great.

Here are twelve to start you off:

• Quiet: Most days you can work unbothered by unnecessary meetings, ringing phones, or background chatter.
• Fresh air: You can get up when you want to walk the dog, get the mail, or just  feel the sun, rain, or snow.
• Diversity: With the freedom to re-slant your talents, you can stay current and adapt to the changing economic climate.
• Being there:  If you’re managing your schedule around your children’s school day, it’s all about being there every afternoon.

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FreelanceSwitch Forum

A forum of freelance professionals can be a lifesaver for the independent worker.

It offers an avenue for shared knowledge, inspiration, and the opportunity to connect socially and professionally. 

Whether you’re trying to establish yourself in a forum that’s new to you, or you’re an old timer, here’s some do’s and don’ts to maximize your success.

Don’t talk numbers – What freelancer doesn’t wonder how they stack up financially to their peers?  But a forum isn’t the place to nose around for numbers, or to broadcast your own figures.

If you are compelled to talk profits, do so in general terms. Ask what marketing strategies yielded their best return, what seasons tend to be dry/profitable, or what steps others have found that boosted their bottom line.

Don’t rush the relationship – Just like dating, don’t come on too strong when you join a new forum. Introduce yourself, then quietly read and learn the ropes.  Gradually answer a few questions that are within your area of expertise. Continue Reading

Picture this:  You own your own catering business.  Long days of persistent marketing and hard work have paid off and you have a steady stream of corporate clients.  At a networking luncheon, you’re seated next to another caterer new to the area.  She seems pleasant and you’re enjoying her conversation.  

You’re just about to bite into your chocolate cheesecake when she asks: “You do a lot of business with Big Juicy Client.  Who is your contact person there?”

Sounds strange, doesn’t it?  But the same thing happens to many freelancers. While most self-employed individuals understand the taboo behind asking a colleague for contact information, at the same time, a fairly large percent don’t. It can be uncomfortable when someone asks you for information that you don’t care to share.

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Credit: Lucas Cobb on Flickr

Recently I parted ways with a long time client.  It was an agonizing decision: my contact person had always been wonderful to work with.  The projects I worked on were always right up my alley.  So why did I ditch this seemingly perfect client?  Their payment came from a third party, and typically took up to a year to arrive. And if I didn’t put pressure on them, I’d probably never get paid at all.

I had prepped myself for this for months.  I told myself that before taking another project, I’ll explain the problem and suggest better payment terms. If no improvement could be made, I’ll pass on the job. However, I accepted ‘just one more’ assignment a few too many times before I finally bit the bullet.

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Credit: elenathewise on Photodune

When you started out in freelancing, you probably daydreamed about the perks of the lifestyle: make your own hours, choose your own clients, do things your way. Then business picked up and you daydreamed less often. You found yourself working long hours, even weekends. Your choice of client became driven less by preference and more by the economy. And while you still do things your way, it’s definitely more of a give-and-take.

That’s okay; you still wouldn’t have it any other way. But why not let the summer take you back to that day-dreamy feeling that freelancing first instilled upon you? Here’s some suggestions to get it back, if only for the sunny months ahead.

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Credit: Michelle Tribe on Flickr

Most freelancers have an assortment of clients, ranging from high profile clients offering big paychecks to little known, lower paying jobs. Many seasoned veterans advocate cutting off low paying ‘bottom feeders,’ with the argument that they soak up time from your workday that you should spend on higher paying endeavors.  That logic is true, but I’ve had many months where I welcomed those checks that trickled in from some of my smaller, tried and true customers.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of working with low profile, lower paying clients.

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