For office workers whose daytime home is a cubicle, or for those who have lost their jobs, freelancing may seem like the perfect paying job, the solution to their problems, even the answer to their prayers.
But freelancing is not always “free.” Certainly, there are some advantages, but freelancing is not for everyone. And there are definite downsides to taking the leap of faith into self-employment.
There Will be Freedom to Do Anything Desired
For those who are serious about making their freelance business succeed, whether it is writing, consulting, technical services, or any other profession, creative or more structured, time management is a skill that must be learned.
Sure, freelancers can work in their pajamas at midnight if that is their “up” time, but at the same time, other things necessary to the business must also be factored into the equation, things such as bookkeeping and marketing, according to Ilise Benun, co-founder of Marketing Mentor, in an article for Elance.com.
“…some of those things that you don’t want to do… are essential to the survival of your business,” Benun says. “If you ignore them, you may singlehandedly undermine your own success.”
- Start with a simple system of organisation. If possible, talk to someone who has been freelancing for awhile, and ask about how he organises the business aspects, such as bookkeeping and marketing.
- Develop a regular routine, just as if one was going into an office. The benefit of freelancing is that one can work at one’s strongest time. Some people are better in the morning, some in the afternoon, others late at night.
- When working, just as at an office, televisions should be off, and no other duties, such as laundry, should interrupt work.
- Create a dedicated space in which to work. Even if space is limited, make room in a corner or specific area for a desk and some filing space. If the freelancer is on a budget, buy bankers boxes to start with; file cabinets can come later.
Only Creative (or Technical or Professional) Activities Will be Required to Succeed
Writers will not be able to just sit at their desks, pencil behind the ear, battling the empty page. Jewellery makers will not be able to merely sit at home and bend wires to make brooches and rings.
Many other activities encompass running a successful business, however large or small it may be.
“You must see yourself as an entrepreneur providing services, not a designer, developer, writer, or any other skilled professional making money from your skill or talent,” Benun says. “”If you see yourself as a professional who provides services, or, better yet, a solver of problems, you’ll realize that what you do commercially for others is based on their need.”
- Successful freelancers must focus on their clients’ needs, and not their own desires.
- Many tools exist to make bookkeeping and organisation simpler. For example, visit an office supply store for month-by-month ledgers to track profits and losses.
- The right mindset at the beginning will allow the freelancer, later on, to do more creative work, although the business tasks will never go away.
There Will be No Boss
This is true, in a sense, as there will not be anyone looking over the freelancer’s shoulder and issuing orders. Freelancers, however, actually work for their clients. So in a sense, each client is a separate boss, with specific needs and requirements. The sooner freelancers see it this way, the better relations they will have with each client, and the easier their work will go.
- Freelancers must put responsibility where it belongs – on their own shoulders.
- Ensure that the nature of the assignment or task is completely understood, and that all instructions and payment arrangements are agreed upon before beginning.
- Understand the drop-dead importance of deadlines. When freelancers promise to deliver, they had better do it, or else inform the client as soon as they realize there will be a delay in delivery, and have a good explanation.
- Successful freelancers must learn the art of time management, and learn how to pace themselves in their work.
- Freelancers can gain more autonomy by setting their own terms and prices and learning how to negotiate.
Good Work Will Speak For Itself
Becoming a freelancer is a humbling experience. Just go to any of the freelancing sites, such as Elance.com, Odesk.com or Prostogo.com and it will soon become evident that there are many others out there competing for the same jobs.
Some have more experience, some less; some are more competitive than others, whilst some are just beginners trying to establish themselves. But the sheer numbers can be daunting.
- Successful freelancers do not let sheer numbers of competitors frighten them.
- Freelancers who succeed have faith in their abilities and, whilst keeping an eye on their industry and the market conditions, at the same time wear a sort of blinder that allows them to focus on their own business and improving their own talents and abilities.
- Long-time freelancers learn to focus on their strengths and minimize their weaknesses and look for work that will utilise their strongest abilities.
Freelancing is ultimately like going on an interview every day. Each time a new potential client is contacted, successful freelancers must convince them that they are the one for the job.
But freelancing, along with the challenges, definitely has its own rewards. Growing confidence in one’s abilities, choosing which clients to work for, expanded skill sets for business-related activities, and yes, the freedom to work in pajamas at midnight are some of the advantages of having one’s own business.
“If you’re serious about taking advantage of the “freedom” inherent in freelancing, the only way to make it work is to be realistic, because unrealistic expectations can cause extreme disappointment,” Benun says.
And truthfully, this principle extends to life itself. Looking at things realistically will make everything easier to deal with, and put goals within reach.
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