For many people, the idea of becoming a freelancer is incredibly attractive. You can set your hours, pick your projects, and focus on things that you are skilled in and passionate about.
However, the truth is that it certainly isn’t easy! Continue reading for the kinds of tips you wish you would have known before you started being a freelancer; you might be able to put them into practice starting now.
From taking the leap to become a freelance photographer to writer and everything in between, here is some advice for starting up as almost any type of freelancer.
● If You Are Good at Something, Never Do It for Free
It is very tempting to offer work for free and for cheap, but that is the first way you are going to fail. Nobody remembers your efforts, and nobody cares.
The trap here is that clients might remember you because you gave them a free service, and they will come back again, but only for more free work.
Freelancers must find the balance between doing a favor for someone to get a foot on the ladder and trying to avoid being taken advantage of. Once you are in a position of being able to dictate more of your own terms, you should stop providing free work and start charging what you deserve.
● Clients Don’t Know What They Want; They Only Know What They Don’t Want.
Selling an idea to a client is almost as difficult as selling your services. The problem is that clients know what they do not want because they have been let down several times before.
It is like trying to teach your child to swim after they get water up their nose and never want to swim again. You have to tempt and coach your clients around to the ideas that will suit them the best, just like you tempt and coach a child to re-enter the water.
● Be Aware Of All Your Competitors
The world of freelancing can be a minefield when it comes to keeping up with the quality and reputations of your competitors. You need to concentrate on building your own business and success.
Still, at the same time, it is essential to have an understanding and grasp of the industry around you so that you can be more competitive when put up against potential rivals.
You must learn from the past and your mistakes, but concentrate on the present when it comes to competitors. Try to think of ways that you can make yourself stand out in the crowd.
● Ask Clients What They Want, and They Will Tell You What They Already Have
A freelancer’s job is to guide a client’s expectations, and then a client’s ideas. You need to create a brand where people trust your opinions and your take on a situation. Some do it by building credibility, and others with examples of their work or past successes.
One of the biggest reasons to develop a brand has nothing to do with selling. The biggest reason to promote a brand is so that you can take control of projects. The aim should be to build your knowledge of your field to such a level that you can intuitively recognize what a client needs, and suggest it to them swiftly to impress and get across the level of your expertise.
● Make Sure That You Get Paid
Completing a business transaction can be the thing that brings most stress for a freelancer. When operating outside of traditional, contractual obligations, the facts are that people try to take advantage as often as they can.
You must build enough confidence and authority to be able to demand payment for your service on time and to the agreed amounts.
When you don’t have a monthly payday to rely on like more traditional workers, you very quickly learn that you need to start standing up for yourself.
● Do Not Try to Generate Motivation, Simply Maintain Your Momentum
There is a lot of repetitive work involved with freelancing. You may find yourself doing the same tasks over and over again, which may feel like a grind. You can beat the grind by trying to maintain your momentum rather than looking for fast-paced quick-fix motivation.
Never try to get a boost. Instead, treat your work like a marathon and work while keeping a little in reserve for later. Focus on getting through today without burning out.
Conclusion – Should You Work as a Freelancer?
Give it a go, you don’t have much to lose, but remember that selling is always the hardest part. Do not try to sell by lowering your prices because it is a poor quality selling device. Instead, get better at your job, and then get better at showing off your work. Give being a freelancer a try for a while, and if it doesn’t work, then at least you can say you tried.
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