5 Things I've Learned on my Freelance Journey
Going freelance is an aspiration that so many creatives have - and good! Taking the leap to build my own business and services has been one of the best decisions I made for both my working and personal life. I wouldn't trade it for the world!
But I can't deny it's been a whirlwind of difficulty alongside all of the benefits. There are some things, despite the wave of modern advice for creative businesses, that you just have to figure out the hard way - through good old-fashioned trial and error.
Here are some things I've learned in my time as a freelancer to give you an idea of some things to look out for as you find your way:
1. Listen to your gut with potential clients
So you have a discovery call scheduled with a potential client you're excited about, but afterwards, you no longer feel so excited. Instead, you've got a bit of an off feeling about working with them based on the way they answered some questions - those are red flags! Or perhaps there's nothing specific to warrant a red flag but the feeling remains - that's your intuition!
Over time you'll be able to identify the specific reasons behind this feeling and that a discovery call is as much about reading the client as explaining what you do.
2. Vanity stats don't equal success
Your follower count, the views on your latest post, how many people have left a comment... these can be important stats but they are not your end goal as a business. Stop chasing numbers for the sake of it or wishing that you would go viral and instead focus on the people who are already interested in your content/business.
Engage them, nurture them and make them laugh - they can either become clients or refer you to someone who will!
3. It's never too late to pivot
I am forever tweaking my business and services according to my own needs and the needs of my clients, ideas that excite me, to match how busy or quiet my life is at any given time... the list goes on! One of the reasons I often pivot is if I'm no longer enjoying delivering a particular service - I just change it. I don't beat myself up by considering it a failure. It's just a part of business, not a reflection on me.
Remember - you have the power! Otherwise, why create your own thing in the first place, right!?
4. Outsourcing is the best way to invest in your business
So many freelancers will either do everything themselves (well... try to), or pinch pennies thinking keeping spending to a minimum is the best way to stay in business. This couldn't be further from the truth! Paying for things that you're not good at or hate doing will only bring you greater returns over time, as you can then focus on the things that you're good at or enjoy.
The more I've invested in my business by hiring other freelancers or investing in premium programmes, the more my business has thrived and my work/life balance has improved.
5. Community is everything
You may love your own company and enjoy working from home, but I promise you, being truly alone in your business at all times is a recipe for disaster. As a solo freelancer, you need a support network of people in the same boat as you to vent to, get support from and talk things out with. Not to mention, you need a source of confidence-building when you're feeling down or things aren't quite going to plan.
Join a freelance community online or in the local area as soon as you can!
All in all, the freelance journey is a rollercoaster, but one I'm so glad I'm on! I hope these lessons of mine help you in some way. You can hear all about my freelance journey on Episode 306 of the Being Freelance podcast.
