I’ve been freelancing for a bit of time now and it’s been a pleasure to work with even more freelancers as I’ve partnered with 8BIT as their intern for a while.
Here are a few things and lessons I’ve learned (perhaps the hard way) so that you don’t make the same mistakes:
Not Drawing Lines
One of the greatest things you can do for yourself and your client is to scope out the project before doing anything. Being clear on how long this project will take, how much it’ll cost, and what specific services you’re providing are all crucial.
When I first started freelancing, I made the mistake of not defining these things and I ended up getting stepped on. I would work more hours and get paid less. This even applies to pro-bono jobs as well. You can end up doing a lot of extra work for your friends because of a lack of boundaries.
Not Selling Yourself
You’re not cool enough to not need a portfolio. Even if you’ve always got projects flowing in and everything is well, any creative needs a portfolio of some type to refer to. Your portfolio should stay up to date with your best work so you can get better jobs! As the quality of your portfolio increases, better clients will be attracted to you.
Over-Commiting
If you haven’t woken up on Friday and had 3 days worth of work to do by the end of day, then you will. It happens to the best of us. We’re eager to work and do great things. There’s nothing wrong with that, but much like my first point, be clear on how many hours you’re committed to work each week and plan out what you can get done in that week.
Be sure not to take on 10+ projects, because the quality of work you’ll produce will drop if you’re distracted. Sometimes it’s best to tell a client ‘No’ and offer them your service at a later date. In the end, they’ll appreciate your honestly and commitment to quality.
These are just a few. I’ve made plenty. What have you ran into in the freelance world that we should all look out for?
Jared Erickson says
goood stuff