Last month, I published How To Become A Full-Time Freelancer Part 1 over on Diversified Finances. As I said last week, not everyone wants to become a freelancer. However, if you do, then continue reading!
Now that I have finally switched to full-time freelancing, I have received many e-mails from others asking how they too can be self-employed and freelance full-time.
This is a loaded question to answer, as there is no right answer for the steps that a person should take before they make the freelancing switch. Each person is different, but overall these tips are applicable to the average freelancer (including myself).
I have only been freelancing full-time for a little over one month, but I have been building it up for a couple of years and have been working on it for over 40 hours a week for quite some time.
I have learned a lot, but still have plenty more to learn.
When deciding whether to freelance full-time, there are many things that you should do and/or know about.
Don’t forget about your reputation.
As a freelancer, your reputation is very important. Many potential clients will ask others about you before they decide to use your services. Or they may look for reviews and testimonials. Always turn in work on time, listen to your client, provide high-quality work and so on.
Everything has the potential to affect your reputation. And, in the freelancing world, your reputation and portfolio is very important.
Provide great customer service.
No matter how small a customer is, you should be attempting to provide wonderful customer service. You don’t want to hurt your reputation by giving someone lower service than what you would normally provide.
Prepare for rejection.
As a freelancer, rejection happens. Someone may not want your services, your services may not fit what they are looking for, or they may not like your price. It’s life. This happens. You should not work yourself up and ruin other freelance work because you are dwelling over the past.
Be organized.
Being organized applies to many areas of owning a business. Be organized with your actual work and products, and also be organized with the financial side of your business. For example, you should not be intermingling business money and personal money.
Know your worth.
There will be times when clients will really low-ball you. How low are you willing to go? You need to know your worth and try not to take below that. If you normally charge $50 per article, should you also charge someone else only $10 an article?
Time is money after all. Know what the value to you is.
Be safe when dealing with customers.
If you are new to freelancing, then you may have not dealt with too many people who haven’t paid. However, as a freelancer, this does happen. You do all of the work and never get paid.
Know how to protect yourself. Provide contracts. However, contracts don’t always help you. Some prefer to receive 50% payments upfront, along with many other methods. Determine what works best for you.
Always keep some sort of notepad with you.
I always have my phone on me, and that is for multiple reasons. One reason is for whenever a new business idea or article idea pops in my head. This way I can type it into my phone quickly. I have well over 100 ideas in my notes on my phone.
You never know when your next genius idea will come to mind.
Is your plan to freelance full-time or to be your own boss? What tips do you have?
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