Best Freelance Advice Ever
If you could go back in time to the moment you first started freelancing, what is the single most important piece of advice you would give yourself?
- Would you spend more time developing a specific skill set?
- Would you tell yourself not to take on that CFH – Client From Hell?
- Would you ensure that all clients pay 100% upfront – before any of the work starts?
- Would you suggest that you read Freelance Switch sooner? J
- Would you spend more time developing the clients that you want to work with?
Aside from tips about investing, or not investing, in particular stocks – what is the one thing you wish you had known when you started your freelance business?
Are you sharing this nugget with the new freelancers that you meet?
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Best advice I ever got: Be good at design. Be excellent at business.
very well said
I’d tell myself that client satisfaction is priority #1, because that’s what keeps the business coming back!
great point, Crystal
The best advice I ever got when I was worried about making a go of it and was considering going back to work for a corporation: Always remember it only takes one person in a corporation to decide if you should be fired. As a freelancer, every single one of your customers has to fire you AND you must totally lose the ability to find any new customers before you are out of work. That thought has been a considerable source of comfort to me over the years.
I love this train of thought. If you continue it through, you could say that it’s far easier to be successful in freelance than it is in the corporate world!
it’s pretty unlikely that you will find yourself in a spot where you don’t have the skills to drum up new work!
thanks for sharing
Have a solid boiler-plate contract that you have everyone sign-even if it a small project, or even if you know the person really well. CYA!
sad but true, nico
there’s usually a bit more leeway with strangers – family/friends have a way of expecting more for less
best advice i have is:
“re-cap every conversation in an email and get approval before doing anything”
still struggling with this one Michael – but trying to get better at it everyday.
Thankfully, my instructor has had over 10 years in the freelance industry and has been providing so much useful information to me.
The one thing that sticks in my head? Getting paid upfront as much as you can.
The feeling of security one gets as an employee is a myth.
Lack of healthcare is not (usually) a valid reason for not free lancing. Yes, it’s expensive. But it’s simply an expense like any other (ISP, software, hardware, etc.). Factor it into your hourly rate and cost of doing business and forget about it.
If you work from home and have kids, invest in good headphones.
If you work from home and have kids, remember they will only be young once and to enjoy the benefits of being able to play with them in the middle of the day.
Have an accounting/financial management system in place. No matter if you use spreadsheets, Quickbooks or a shoe box. Set up the system for recording revenue and expenses before you start working.
It will save a lot of trouble later when things get on a roll.
Carl – great point.
it’s better to have the receipts and not need them, than to need them and not have them. #clichequotafordayreached
Don’t forget to pat yourself on the back. Freelancing takes balls.
gotta laugh that this is coming from someone named “cynic” – but it’s an excellent point.
Best advice: “Learn to listen your customer needs even if he/she is not very explicit and make him/her agree afterwards on what you understood he/she expects from you”.
#1: You need to be marketing yourself all the time. Don’t wait until thing slow down.
#2: Spend some time figuring out your target market. Really understand what that target market needs and wants, and where they hang out. Then focus your marketing energies in that direction.
I would say 2 things.
This doesn’t apply to all freelancers exactly, but, I wish I had started freelancing many years ago, back when I didn’t have kids and a mortgage. It would have been a lot easier, and I’d be a lot farther now.
2nd thing, same as Avonelle Lovhaug said. I am currently in the process of targeting my marketing efforts to a specific industry. It’s much easier to learn the needs, issues, lingo, etc of a specific industry than to be all things to all people.
I know that when I look for help, if I am FAR more prone to look for someone who has successfully helped other independent graphic designers like myself, than someone who has done a job or two for different kinds of businesses in different industries.
Always respond to emails when you are feeling calm (i.e. not frustrated by a client).
Ha. Yeah. That seems simple but man, can that cause trouble.
Especially to someone just out of the gate.
Great advice.
This is good advice for ANYONE.
google has an “oops” button – maybe this should be build into all email programs.
just have it sit in the outbox for an extra 30seconds…
fantastic advice!
For several years now, I’d had a rule in Outlook, which delays all mail for five minutes, unless marked as urgent. It’s been a boon, and so easy to set up.
Psychologically I needed two things. First, have a cash buffer. It helps you keep calm when business is quiet. That might mean that you have to work for a year to build up your capital.
Second, persevere. You just gotta keep on keeping on.
The way to eat a elephant is one bite at a time. * wouldn’t recommend eat one though!
But some of the best advice I got was ‘constancy’. Develop a calendar that allowed me to take one step towards my freelance business everyday. And overtime my compounded effort could allow me to have a Very profitable business. whether its:
Reading a article daily.Studying Target Markets daily. Posting a comment daily. A daily blog. Finding a new client. Networking daily for new clients. Writing a tutorial. Doing a tutorial. Learning new trends.
Basically a daily calendar could impact how my Freelancing looks 2 years from now maybe even 2 months from now.
The way to eat a elephant is one bite at a time. * wouldn’t recommend eat one though!
But some of the best advice I got was ‘consistency’. Develop a calendar that allowed me to take one step towards my freelance business everyday. And overtime my compounded effort could allow me to have a Very profitable business. whether its:
Reading a article daily.Studying Target Markets daily. Posting a comment daily. A daily blog. Finding a new client. Networking daily for new clients. Writing a tutorial. Doing a tutorial. Learning new trends.
Basically a daily calendar could impact how my Freelancing looks 2 years from now maybe even 2 months from now.
I am just starting my freelance career. I haven’t given notice at my previous job yet, but am looking forward to that day. Thanks everyone.
The CFH doesn’t bother me, just adds experience. Your going to deal with that no matter what.
I’ve always collected at least 50% upfront before any work starts.
I wish I read Freelance switch sooner..and many other designer/dev. blog sites.
I wish I focused on developing a skill set sooner. I know all my stuff, but I am focusing now on one program and to learn everything about it.
Specialize in something you really love – because other people will and they’ll end up doing what you wanted to do. When you become known as a competent specialist in something that you love, the money will flow faster than you thought possible and you’ll be happier than if you go the “safe” route, taking any job for today’s money and forgetting your dreams.
That sounds pretty good.. Isn’t it a good idea to diversify though? It helps you stay creative and challenged and gives you a better portfolio for when those dream jobs do come around.
Best advice: Trust your gut. Always.
Shanna – sounds like there might be a good story attached to this comment!
great advice
if they are too good to be true – they probably arent
if something seems off – it probably is
CYA
I agree with you 100%. I trusted my guts and it paid out a lot for me. Now I am at the brink of a major decision and all evidence is pointing to what my guts is saying. Thanks.
Learn when to punch out!
Not to spend too much on advertising. Especially in same industry magazines. It doesn’t work. (at least not for me)
Learn to have life away from the computer.
Being able to build and maintain strong relationships with high quality clients to whom you can provide a great deal of value is far more valuable than technical skill.
No matter how hectic things are with client projects, make time to do at least one thing for your own business every day.
Ok, maybe not so much good advice but more a good idea:
Using a flow chart software package – create a “family tree” of all your clients/projects throughout your time as a freelancer.
You’ll be amazed at just how many clients came referred through other clients, and also just how many people you probably haven’t spoken to in a long time – to tap into for future work/leads etc.
Trust your gut the first time, every time. If it looks like a duck going in, it will surely quack on the other side.
All clients pay half the balance (or some part of it) up front. Also, state in your contract that the client has no rights to the work until his/her balance is paid in full.
Don’t fall into the self-defeating trap of thinking everyone else is more successful than you. Stay on your grind, and give yourself credit for taking a stab at flying solo in the first place.
love the last point you make, Nichole.
everyone is slogging it out – no matter how awesome they “say” they are doing.
if you’ve got clients, and work – you are successful. If you don’t, but you are reading this website – you will be successful!
Every single life experience I’ve had over the past five decades has made me a better freelancer. You never know what tidbit of knowledge you’ll need, what previous experience you’ll draw on to understand what you’re editing, what good (or more often bad) past experience in the workplace will figure into the next job in some way totally unimagined. Technical editor, hog farmer, busboy, car repo man, military electronics specialist, only white student on a black campus… It all helps.
Advice. Hmm. If everything is a rush job, then nothing is a rush job. As mentioned above, learn to punch out and relax. It ain’t THAT big of a rush to get it all done. When you catch yourself dreading the morning email, as I do right now, it’s time to slow it down.
Your job is not your life, just a small part of it!
Live to work or work to live…
my current kick is the 4 hour work week from Timothy Ferris – the ability to make work a much smaller part of your work week is achievable!
Create a business plan. Having long term and short term goals and a mission statement can focus the mind on what you need to achieve, which hopefully stops you floating from project to project.
Also, don’t be shy in asking family, friends and colleagues for contacts (though obviously not every week/month!). I was surprised how many new clients I gained from doing this!
My best advice is actually taken from the Bible: Proverb 22: 29
It says: If you do what you do skillfully, you will see yourself among people at the top. (Paraphrased)
Like Martha Retallick stated above: “Be good at design. Be excellent at business.” (Like following the advices online from the guys at Freelanceswitch.com and other publications)
Loose the title “Freelancer” from your forehead and your website. Especially when dealing with a clients and if you want to draw in big clients. It paints you as being not stable, as some kid with a laptop. But work like you are, a freelancer.
I started a Patent Illustrating business, followed that advice and I drew in really Big IP Law Firms from all around the country while working from my house.
great point Autridge – working on that myself right now.
instead of bidding on the lowball sites, raising the bar and going after a few RFPs
good luck with your biz!
What is a good source for RFPs in Canada?
Hey Shawn – I’m still trying to find some good ones, but here are a few of the links that seem to have some good info:
http://www.merx.com/
http://www.rfpdb.com (more than just Canada – but has some Canadian RFPs)
I’m not focusing only on canada – just anywhere that can use writing services
here are a few international options:
http://global.tendernews.com
http://www.tenderszeal.com/ (has a Canadian section)
good luck – let me know how it works for you
J
Never underestimate the power a good nights rest. Things are much clearer when you are well rested. Even an hour away from the front lines can make a huge difference.
Always, always, always provide explicit payment instructions and make sure they know what work you are providing them with so you are on the same page!
- Attitude and Skills comes before Knowledge …
- Eat!!! EAAT!!! I lost a lot of weight at the begining
certainly not the case here Ahamad…I’m very grateful for elastic waistbands.
maybe my exercise regime shouldn’t consist of regular walks to the snack cupboard….
Best freelancing advice I got is to always follow instructions and to clarify if I’m confused at any point and with any part of the project.
Listen , listen to your customers, clients ,family, successful freelancers in your field.
Invest , don’t put your money in a savings bank , let your hard earned money work for your ex: mutual funds, business, passive income , buying stocks , corporate / government bonds , td/cd , starting a business. It’s risker than putting your money in a regular savings bank but it pays out even more. In freelancing, clients come in waves, some days or weeks you get zero clients, you might need a backup plan like this one.
Fantastic advice on here.
Fight that urge to undercharge. It’s a confidence thing and it hurts both you and the industry. Getting a new client in the door with a cheap quote is no guarantee they’ll accept a higher fee next time.
Easy to say – hard to do with sites like elance/odesk/freelancer offering $4 articles….
Still an excellent point – thanks for bringing it up
Thanks for your advice! I am contemplating whether to make the leap to freelancing and wondering where would a freelancer learn how much to charge? Is there a site that gives guidelines for projects?
Follow your instincts. If a client seems shady or the project doesn’t seem like the right fit for your skill set (and it’s not a direction in which you’d like to take your business), then turn it down. They’ll be other opportunities, but you’ll kick yourself later if you get stiffed on payment or the project blows up in your face.
If you don’t buy a ticket you’ll never win the lottery
In general my advice to freelancers just starting would be:
#1 Be awesome at what you do
#2 Have some cash reserves, even if you get clients quickly it will take some time to get a good cash flow going
#3 Have a good understanding of the business operations side of things, its easy to underestimate how much time, effort and skill is required just to run your business even before you do any actual work
Amazing. These questions are like a wake-up call, thanks. On ” Would you spend more time developing the clients that you want to work with? ” — I believe 80% of clients don’t really know what they want and they may sound cocky at first. Still, freelancers need to go an extra mile to find it out and develop what seems to be a client from hell to a dream client. It happened to me and I’d say I’m glad I made the extra effort. Now, this client is one of my best.
I meant that I aggregated the above comments.
not sure if it was the best ever, but it was pretty great
For me:
-Marketing sounds as a bad word, but it means only to be kind to your costumers, share your succeses, and look for opportunities.
-Don’t draw a single line before the project fully started. Don’t get excited about ‘possible’ future projects, until the contract signed.
-Sy good bye to clients who you don’t want to work with. Fill the space with some projects you like, money will come.
These questions are like a wake-up call, thanks. On ” Would you spend more time developing the clients that you want to work with? ” — I believe 80% of clients don’t really know what they want and they may sound cocky at first. Still, freelancers need to go an extra mile to find it out and develop what seems to be a client from hell to a dream client. It happened to me and I’d say I’m glad I made the extra effort. Now, this client is one of my best.
The best advice I ever got when I was worried about making a go of it and was considering going back to work for a corporation
If you work from home and have kids, remember they will only be young once and to enjoy the benefits of being able to play with them in the middle of the day.
I believe 80% of clients don’t really know what they want and they may sound cocky at first. Still, freelancers need to go an extra mile to find it out and develop what seems to be a client from hell to a dream client. It happened to me and I’d say I’m glad I made the extra effort.
I believe 80% of clients don’t really know what they want and they may sound cocky at first. Still, freelancers need to go an extra mile to find it out and develop what seems to be a client from hell to a dream client. It happened to me and I’d say I’m glad I made the extra effort.