Lessons learned the first month
It’s been officially over a month since I took the leap and man am I really feeling it - pressure is on. I’ve been thinking a lot about next year and trying to be as proactive as possible welcoming in 2019 hungry and open for business. I redesigned my site (which I’m loving finally!), took some new photos with my girl Melissa, wrote my 2019 marketing plan, and designed my logo (s/o Adobe Caslon. Good times). I’ve been researching a lot too about taxes and investing - essentially pulled up by big girl panties and went to work overtime. I’ve been in my hometown of Philly for the last couple of weeks supposedly for vacation but I realized you’re never really on vacation mode (at least not that long) when you’re trying to go out and get that bread.
Here are 5 crucial things that helped me in my first month of freelancing:
Be Organized
You could have the best ideas but if your files aren’t organized it’s very easy to miss important details and that could potentially really hurt your business. Muscle memory helps to reinforce storing information. Whether it’s a planner, white board, or notes to yourself on how to manifest your goals, write it down before it escapes you.Communicate
As consumers we’re all desensitized against sales-y pitches and ads to some degree. People can smell it when all you’re after is to get their money, with value only to you but not them. Which yes making money is the goal but it isn’t the only goal and there’s a mountain to climb before you can get there. Ask them about their day, check in if they need anything, and ask questions. Open up a platform to converse constructively about the project. Some clients micromanage, others not so much, at the end of the day they just want to be in the loop.Keep things transparent with your time and money
Time = money, but note that you can make more money but not more time. Being transparent and honest about those two factors helps you uphold your value and refrains you from settling. Nobody wants to be underpaid and undervalued, and nobody wants to pay for services they don’t understand.Enforce and honor your boundaries
Business relationships are like any kind of relationship in that you need to invest time and effort to see it grow. The last thing you want is to feel like you got walked all over and got the losing hand. Be clear about your boundaries with communication, hours, and expectations from the beginning.
The client is not the enemy
It’s not you, or the client. It’s simply not a good fit. If you need to get out, exit gracefully. Don’t burn bridges. Instead refer them to someone who might fit the bill better to turn the friction into a positive outcome for everyone.
What other helpful advice can you give to someone going through the motions of the first year of freelancing?
CHECK THIS OUT: A Freelancers Guide to Value Based Pricing