Freelancing is an awesome way to make a living. Think of it! Being able to make a living doing what you love and excel at without a boss breathing down your neck or the ever present white noise of office gossip encroaching on your working life. But while the life of a freelancer most definitely has its perks, it’s not all smiles and rainbows. Uneven income, a lack of job security and difficulty charting anything that remotely resembles a career path can darken an otherwise rose tinted picture. What’s more, freelancers must always walk a tightrope. Go too far one way and they don’t earn enough to make a living. Go too far the other way and they can burn themselves out.
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With this in mind, here are some practical tips for living as a freelancer and ensuring that your operation runs smoothly…
Learn to say “no”
Most freelancers live from one payday to the next. So when a prospective client comes along with a commission, the temptation to say “yes” (no matter what that commission is) can be overwhelming. Even if it means piling one job on top of another and working ridiculously long hours to rush both projects out. But doing this will inevitably affect the quality of your work. Don’t fall into the trap of overcommitting. It’s better to be honest and say no to a paid commission than to give anything less than your best and risk alienating a client.
Find ways to get the same stuff for less
Freelancers are just like any other small business. They need to be able to keep their overhead costs down and manage their cash flow effectively. Especially when they are unsure how much money they can expect to make from one month to the next. As such, freelancers should find ways to make savings on the equipment they use every day. Buying used or refurbished devices can save a fortune, as can changing your phone plan in accordance with how many outbound calls you expect to make. Likewise, using a cloud based plan for Microsoft Office 365 like this one- https://www.simplyclouds.com/cloud-services/microsoft-office-365 can allow you to make huge savings while still getting the same great product. Whatever equipment you use, there’s always a way to get it cheaper.
Don’t be afraid to drop a bad client
Returning to what we said before about saying “no”, that goes double for bad clients. The kind that never pay on time. The kind that always try and argue you down on your rates or who try and get to do you free work for that irredeemable currency known as “exposure”. If you’re just starting out, it’s understandable that you might cling to your clients. But never be afraid to drop a bad one.
Make the time to give yourself breaks
Finally, one of the best things you can do for your long term productivity is know when to step away from your desk and take a meaningful break. Your brain is just like any other part of your body. It needs to rest, recharge and focus so you can be at your best when you return to work.
