Tools & Tips
9 things I wish I knew when I started freelancing
9 things I wish I knew when I started freelancing
Eric Stevens
July 18, 2023
July 18, 2023
July 18, 2023
|
12 min read
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The power of networking
Building genuine relationships with clients, industry peers, and mentors can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations. If people like you, you’ll be top of mind and you’ll get calls. What a concept!
Define your niche
Discover what makes you unique and specialize in it. By focusing on the kind of work you enjoy, you'll attract clients who value your expertise and are willing to pay a premium for your services. This is easier said than done but if you can be ‘the comedy script writer’ or ‘the sports person’ or the ‘pitch-saver’ you’ll get more work than being a JAG.
3. Set boundaries
Establishing boundaries between work and personal life is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Define your working hours, communicate them with clients, and attempt to avoid burnout. I know it seems like it will be awesome to triple dip for a month when you’re cashing future paychecks in your head but most of the time it just wears you out.
4. Stay remote
I have been working remotely since 2018, way before it was cool. As someone who basically comes up with ideas all day it allows me to get WAY more done. I mean I like that you have free snacks and all at the office but for the job I’m there to do WFH is just more efficient. That being said now that every job is remote I wouldn’t mind going to an office every once in a while
The power of networking
Building genuine relationships with clients, industry peers, and mentors can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations. If people like you, you’ll be top of mind and you’ll get calls. What a concept!
Define your niche
Discover what makes you unique and specialize in it. By focusing on the kind of work you enjoy, you'll attract clients who value your expertise and are willing to pay a premium for your services. This is easier said than done but if you can be ‘the comedy script writer’ or ‘the sports person’ or the ‘pitch-saver’ you’ll get more work than being a JAG.
3. Set boundaries
Establishing boundaries between work and personal life is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Define your working hours, communicate them with clients, and attempt to avoid burnout. I know it seems like it will be awesome to triple dip for a month when you’re cashing future paychecks in your head but most of the time it just wears you out.
4. Stay remote
I have been working remotely since 2018, way before it was cool. As someone who basically comes up with ideas all day it allows me to get WAY more done. I mean I like that you have free snacks and all at the office but for the job I’m there to do WFH is just more efficient. That being said now that every job is remote I wouldn’t mind going to an office every once in a while
The power of networking
Building genuine relationships with clients, industry peers, and mentors can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations. If people like you, you’ll be top of mind and you’ll get calls. What a concept!
Define your niche
Discover what makes you unique and specialize in it. By focusing on the kind of work you enjoy, you'll attract clients who value your expertise and are willing to pay a premium for your services. This is easier said than done but if you can be ‘the comedy script writer’ or ‘the sports person’ or the ‘pitch-saver’ you’ll get more work than being a JAG.
3. Set boundaries
Establishing boundaries between work and personal life is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Define your working hours, communicate them with clients, and attempt to avoid burnout. I know it seems like it will be awesome to triple dip for a month when you’re cashing future paychecks in your head but most of the time it just wears you out.
4. Stay remote
I have been working remotely since 2018, way before it was cool. As someone who basically comes up with ideas all day it allows me to get WAY more done. I mean I like that you have free snacks and all at the office but for the job I’m there to do WFH is just more efficient. That being said now that every job is remote I wouldn’t mind going to an office every once in a while
I've never actually had an amazing view while working from home.
I've never actually had an amazing view while working from home.
5. Maintain a strong portfolio
This is harder to do than it seems because most of the ideas we come up with end up in the garbage can. Or sometimes you’ll see half of a spot you wrote come on the TV with the end all weird. The point is that a lot of the time we don’t control the outcomes of the campaigns we work on. But when you do get lucky and get on something good that gets made update that portfolio, son!
Master the art of pricing
A lot of creative professionals are bad negotiators. Don’t be scared to lose a gig because your day rate is too high. You’ll feel better negotiating down from a higher rate than from throwing out a low number and getting it because you really, really, really want the gig. They’ll probably come back with “we’ve found someone internally to do this” anyways so shoot for the stars!
7. Cultivate a growth mindset
Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Over the last decade or so I’ve seen many trends come and go from manvertising to cause marketing to cause marketing blowback. Nobody knows what trend is next. Don’t fight against change. Instead start planking on TikTok while eating tide pods and doing the Benadryl challenge now to get ahead of it.
8. Develop impeccable time management
Being your own boss means being disciplined with your time. Set goals, prioritize tasks, and use productivity tools to stay organized. Things like Brain.fm (for alphawave working music), pomodoro timers, Bujo journals and even adjustable standing desks can make all the difference. Experiment with what keeps you on task and efficient.
9. Never stop marketing yourself
Consistently promote your services, whether through social media, blogging, or attending industry events. Stay top of mind with clients and recruiters and ensure a steady flow of projects by actively marketing yourself as a freelancer. A lot of creative professionals feel awkward about doing this part of the job. I do too. But you should always try to expand your professional network even if it’s through awkward listicles on a personal blog.
5. Maintain a strong portfolio
This is harder to do than it seems because most of the ideas we come up with end up in the garbage can. Or sometimes you’ll see half of a spot you wrote come on the TV with the end all weird. The point is that a lot of the time we don’t control the outcomes of the campaigns we work on. But when you do get lucky and get on something good that gets made update that portfolio, son!
Master the art of pricing
A lot of creative professionals are bad negotiators. Don’t be scared to lose a gig because your day rate is too high. You’ll feel better negotiating down from a higher rate than from throwing out a low number and getting it because you really, really, really want the gig. They’ll probably come back with “we’ve found someone internally to do this” anyways so shoot for the stars!
7. Cultivate a growth mindset
Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Over the last decade or so I’ve seen many trends come and go from manvertising to cause marketing to cause marketing blowback. Nobody knows what trend is next. Don’t fight against change. Instead start planking on TikTok while eating tide pods and doing the Benadryl challenge now to get ahead of it.
8. Develop impeccable time management
Being your own boss means being disciplined with your time. Set goals, prioritize tasks, and use productivity tools to stay organized. Things like Brain.fm (for alphawave working music), pomodoro timers, Bujo journals and even adjustable standing desks can make all the difference. Experiment with what keeps you on task and efficient.
9. Never stop marketing yourself
Consistently promote your services, whether through social media, blogging, or attending industry events. Stay top of mind with clients and recruiters and ensure a steady flow of projects by actively marketing yourself as a freelancer. A lot of creative professionals feel awkward about doing this part of the job. I do too. But you should always try to expand your professional network even if it’s through awkward listicles on a personal blog.
5. Maintain a strong portfolio
This is harder to do than it seems because most of the ideas we come up with end up in the garbage can. Or sometimes you’ll see half of a spot you wrote come on the TV with the end all weird. The point is that a lot of the time we don’t control the outcomes of the campaigns we work on. But when you do get lucky and get on something good that gets made update that portfolio, son!
Master the art of pricing
A lot of creative professionals are bad negotiators. Don’t be scared to lose a gig because your day rate is too high. You’ll feel better negotiating down from a higher rate than from throwing out a low number and getting it because you really, really, really want the gig. They’ll probably come back with “we’ve found someone internally to do this” anyways so shoot for the stars!
7. Cultivate a growth mindset
Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Over the last decade or so I’ve seen many trends come and go from manvertising to cause marketing to cause marketing blowback. Nobody knows what trend is next. Don’t fight against change. Instead start planking on TikTok while eating tide pods and doing the Benadryl challenge now to get ahead of it.
8. Develop impeccable time management
Being your own boss means being disciplined with your time. Set goals, prioritize tasks, and use productivity tools to stay organized. Things like Brain.fm (for alphawave working music), pomodoro timers, Bujo journals and even adjustable standing desks can make all the difference. Experiment with what keeps you on task and efficient.
9. Never stop marketing yourself
Consistently promote your services, whether through social media, blogging, or attending industry events. Stay top of mind with clients and recruiters and ensure a steady flow of projects by actively marketing yourself as a freelancer. A lot of creative professionals feel awkward about doing this part of the job. I do too. But you should always try to expand your professional network even if it’s through awkward listicles on a personal blog.
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