Can we talk about the freelance life?
At one point or another, we’ve all seen those "quit your 9-5" success stories, laptops on the beach, and glamourized work sessions at upscale (and undoubtedly overpriced) coffee shops. Suddenly, you have the urge to put in your two weeks notice.
STOP. RIGHT. THERE.
Because what you’re not seeing is the late-night anxiety attacks over scope creep, the client who ghosted you without paying or the pre-scheduled cry-sessions between projects. Whether you’re already freelancing or thinking about making the transition, here is a list of lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Take what sticks, leave what doesn’t!
1. Steer Clear of The Nightmare Clients
Everyone defines a nightmare client differently, this is something you need to figure out as you go
For me, it’s those who push back on my pricing, people who try to add deliverables mid-project, clients who lack clarity/vision (leading to a ton of revisions), those who are flakey with communication, and people I have to hunt down in order to get paid
Mark the identical patterns of your “bad clients” and learn to spot them early
2. Dream Clients DO Exist!
Create a "perfect client" profile - and do your best to stick to it!* Think about your non-negotiables: communication style, budget range, and project types
Network where your ideal clients hang out, think outside of the box
Use your existing connections - tell EVERYONE what you do, and make it exciting! Instead of "I'm a graphic designer," try "I help businesses look not-boring"
3. Systems Will Save Your Life!
Automated intake processes/forms, welcome packets, and clear FAQs will save you hours of back-and-forth emails
Create templates for everything: proposals, contracts, invoices, and common email responses
Use project management tools (I love Notion and Milanote, but find what works for you), there are a number of no-low cost options, but sometimes paying for a subscription is totally worth it
4. Personal Guidelines
Once you’re a freelancer, you’re technically in the service industry and it’s easy to get burned out trying to cater to everyone’s needs. Think about the conditions under which you work best, preferred meeting days, ideal work times when your brain is at its best and go from there
Of course you can be flexible when it makes sense, but setting your foundation will provide personal structure and can help you avoid getting overwhelmed
5. Money Talks
Always, always, ALWAYS take a deposit - some people request 30% down, others 50%. Think about the size of the project, the vibes you get from the client, and any other industry-specific factors
Make a payment schedule and set reminders for your client. You can even offer incentives for clients who pay on time or ahead of time
Price for profit, not for survival. Profit margins are important. Break down your fees to see what your hourly wage comes out to be, this is a great way of putting a fire under your ass to increase pricing if needed
Track ALL administrative hours: from preparing quotes and sending invoices to managing emails and taking phone calls - this counts as part of the project!
6. Time/Task Management is Key
Always include buffer time for revisions and unexpected hiccups, if you’re behind on a deadline you can do one of two things:
a.) hire another freelancer to help get the job done, eat that cost and learn your lesson (preferred)
b.) if you know there’s wiggle room with the date, communicate the delay to your client and add something in for free (I don’t know about you, but I HATE going back on my word)
Learn to say "that's not in scope" without feeling guilty. You can also offer an adjustment to the project, keep in mind the admin time and charge for that too. Beware of scope creep
7. Connect With Other Freelancers
Connecting with other freelancers will be your saving grace: physical and mental proof that you’re not actually going crazy. As much as you can vent to your friends and family, nobody understands the game like other freelancers
Create relationships with those in your field, don’t look at it as competition, they can be future partners**
Hit those Fiverr streets and find other freelancers across the globe to help you manage your day-to-day tasks (virtual assistants, illustrators, editors)***
Join freelancer communities for support, advice, and those days when you need to vent - Discord and Facebook are great places to begin. And if you’re heavier into the freelance culture, group chats are where its at
8. Your Online Presence
Yes, you need a website - but it doesn't have to be fancy (unless you’re a web developer). Start simple and upgrade later
Google Reviews are important for social proof, people are reluctant to be “the first” or spend money with you if they can’t get insight on what it’s like to work with you
Create a portfolio that shows the work you want to do more of (not everything you've ever done)
Pick 1-2 social platforms to focus on
Get that email list going! When it comes to social media, you’re building on rented land, anything can happen. Not to mention, staying top of mind by sending useful tips & industry advancements (establishing yourself as an expert in the field)
9. Normalize Firing Clients
Ideally, your intake processes will weed these people out before the project even begins, but sometimes they manage to squeeze through the cracks
I don’t love the idea of firing a client mid-project (this is for emergencies only), but once you wrap up, wash your hands of them. Immediately!
If you’re super nice, pass the client off to someone who can handle their needs better (be sure to tell that freelancer all the tea, though)
10. Regular Reality Checks
Every month, ask yourself:
What projects made me excited to work?
Which clients drained my energy?
What tasks am I consistently procrastinating on?
Final Thoughts: Freelancing is literally what you make it. It’s very likely that you chose this career path because it aligns with your interests/skills. Do your best to create joy in the process.
If you’re like me and freelancing is a means to an end, try not to get too caught up, always think about ways to transition out.
Ps. you can sell your client list
*not gonna lie, without a nest-egg/healthy savings, those slow-seasons sometimes mean a compromise on working with the not-so-perfect-client and the not-so-perfect-projects
** I can’t tell you how many times I’ve called on another writer to get insight or even pass off an entire project when I feel like they might be a better fit (you can also take a 10% finders fee for the pass-offs)
*** Is it capitalistic/predatory, hiring internationally? I dunno, I love my freelancers in other countries, the costs are low and the performance is good when you find the right ones. You make the call!
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