freelance book
Although freelancers today are usually designers, writers, programmers, photographers, or illustrators; a few centuries ago the word freelance had a whole other meaning. Back then mercenary knights or ‘free lances’ were soldiers for hire, named for the long poles they carried and the freedom they had in whom they fought for.
Though a lance is no longer required, today’s freelancer does share one thing in common with those knights: the freedom to choose.
It is this freedom to be your own boss, to select your projects and clients, and to have a different lifestyle. This is what draws so many people to a career in freelancing.
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Although people freelance in many different professions, countries and clients, still we all share much in common. This book will show you the ins and outs of freelancing, dealing with subjects like how to get your first projects, what to do when a client won’t pay and how to handle tricky clients. It is written as a general guide that will benefit contractors of all professions.
Beginning a freelancing career is one of the most exciting things you’ll ever do. Maybe it’s the thrill of giving your nine-to-five the flick, maybe it’s the prospect of being your own boss, or maybe it’s just the knowledge that you are the master of your own destiny.
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What is Freelancing?
Put simply, a freelancer is a person who works for themselves. A freelancer provides some sort of service whether it is photography, design, programming or almost any other occupation. The main difference is that a freelancer has many clients rather than one steady employer. Freelancers often charge by the hour, the day or the project and are effectively running a small business with their skill set as the star product.
Freelancers can also be referred to as contractors as they take short contract jobs for their clients as opposed to a permanent position with a regular salary. A freelancer will usually have a few clients at any one time and will be juggling projects to ensure they are all completed to schedule.
Although you might be thinking that freelancing is simply a different kind of job, in fact it is running your own business. When you are a freelancer, you are a one-person business. At some point you might even expand to a larger operation by hiring staff. Or you could remain a freelancer permanently.
Working for yourself will afford the freedom to choose where you work, when you work, who you work for, what you charge and much more. Along with this freedom can come some new stresses. Where can you find work? When will you get paid? What do you do when there is too much work? What about too little work?
Anyone who is good at what they do can make it as a freelancer. But it will take work. There is a lot to learn that you will not have encountered when working for someone else. This book will guide you through these hurdles and give you a road map for what’s ahead.
Though it can be a struggle at times, freelancing is infinitely more rewarding than working for someone else. When you get out of bed in the morning and know that you control your own destiny, that you are
Getting Started
1-1. What is Freelancing? 9
1-2. Your Job and Freelancing on the Side 10
1-3. Part-time Work While Freelancing 14
1-4. Full-time Freelancing 16
1-5. Quitting Your Job 18
1-6. Your Financial Situation 19
1-7. Business, Accounting and Legal Requirements 20
1-8. Having a Business Plan 24
Your Brand
2-1. What is Branding for a Freelancer? 28
2-2. What Can Branding Do For You? 29
2-3. You as a Brand 30
2-4. Naming Your Business 32
2-5. Your Logo, Business Cards and Materials 35
2-6. Your Website 38
2-7. Building Your Reputation 41
The Working Day
3-1. Home or Office or… 46
3-2. A Happy Workplace 51
3-3. Equipment 54
3-4. Avoiding Repetitive Strain Injury 58
3-5. An Environmentally Friendly Workplace 61
3-6. Being Productive 62
3-7. Staying on Top of Your Game 66
3-8. Freelancing Loneliness 68
Getting Your First Projects
4-1. Your Portfolio 72
4-2. Your First Leads 76
4-3. Referrals 78
4-4. Meeting Your Leads 82
4-5. Free Pitching 84
4-6. Steady Income Sources 85
4-7. Pacing Yourself 86
Project Scope and Timing
5-1. Taking a Brief 90
5-2. Documenting a Brief 91
5-3. Estimating Timeframes 93
5-4. Large Projects 95
Pricing Yourself
6-1. Your Costs and Your Break-Even Rate 99
6-2. Calculating Your Hourly Rate 102
6-3. Changing Your Price over Time 106
6-4. Charging for a Job, not by the Hour 107
6-5. Delivering Your Price 110
6-6. Contracts and Terms & Conditions 113
6-8. Too Cheap, Too Expensive 115
Doing the Project
7-1. Setting Expectations 121
7-2. Tracking Your Hours 124
7-3. Communication 126
7-5. Revisions 128
7-6. Handling Budget and Timeline Blowouts 129
7-7. Over-delivering 131
Clients
8-1. Leads and Clients 135
8-2. Essential Client Skills 136
8-3. Relationships 140
8-4. Educating Clients 142
8-5 Availability 144
8-6. Managing Clients, their Jobs and their Assets 145
8-7. Providing Good Service 151
8-8. Dealing with Disagreement 154
8-9. Identifying and Dealing with Problem Clients 156
Getting Paid
9-1. Invoicing 160
9-2. Cash Flow 164
9-3. Bookkeeping and Accounts 168
9-4. Taking Payment 170
9-5. Getting Clients to Pay 174
Marketing Yourself
10-1. Positioning Yourself 180
10-2. Marketing Cycles 183
10-3. Marketing Yourself in Person 185
10-6. The Idea Bank 187
Expansion
11-1. Subcontracting 198
11-2. Partnerships 204
11-3. Hiring Staff 206
11-4. Building a Business 209
11-5. Freelancing as a Springboard 210
11-6. Further Reading 211
Conclusion:
Freelancing is amongst the most rewarding things we have ever done. In our own lives, freelancing has helped us express creativity, make valuable connections, and has vastly improved our skillset. It even funded the internet startup where we work today.For some of you reading this page you’ll be about to begin your freelance career, for others you’ll already be well on your way. Wherever you are in your path, remember that like anything in life freelancing has its ups and downs. Stay confident in your abilities, and stay sharp by continually improving, innovating and thinking about your service and business.And most of all, have fun! You are your own boss now, so make sure you treat your employee well!
Collis & Cyan Ta’eed
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