5 Choices You Will Face When Freelancing (And What You Should Choose)
Posted October 9, 2009 in Business, Lifestyle 31 Comments »
One thing freelancers can never get rid of are dilemmas.
Work from home or work at starbucks? Take a much needed rest day, or keep working hard? Take on a new client or pass on the offer? The list goes on and on.
Out of the hundreds of decisions that we freelancers make on a regular basis, I think there are five major choices that matter the most. These are dilemmas that every freelancer faces at one time or another, and knowing what you’re up against can help you make the right decision. If you haven’t faced any of these dilemmas yet, trust me, you’ll face them soon enough.
Let’s take a look at these five dilemmas and what the best options are.
1. Work for Money vs. Work for Exposure
This is a really tough choice for a lot of people. As you already know, free marketing can really do wonders for your business in the long run, and working for good exposure can definitely provide that.
Generally freelancers should not work for free, but there are some exceptions to that rule, especially if you are just diving into the freelancing world. If you are a writer, designer or a freelancer on any other field, it’s a good idea to contact some popular bloggers and see if they will let you write guest posts. Of course, you won’t make any money now but in the long run it can be the best thing you do as far as growing your blog and getting exposure goes. Once you get that initial boost from these platforms you are ready to roll. Besides, the people you wrote guest posts for might ask you to contribute regularly as a paid writer.
Solution: Choose exposure over money if you are new to freelancing. If you have been freelancing for a while, choose money over exposure (assuming that you have built up a enough business and exposure already).
2. Get Personal vs. Keep It Professional
Some of us end up building quite a personal relationship with our clients — after working together for a while it’s easy to become friends. The client starts talking about how there eighteen year old ran away and you sit there wondering what you should say. Well, as long as the client isn’t your other half (the 18 year old in this case would be your child as well), simply tell the client you are sorry and avoid asking too many questions. Trust me, I am all for having a friendly relationship with clients, but getting too close and personal can make things worse in the long run. The worst part is, when the client starts to see you as a personal connection rather than professional connection, their expectations will increase and they’ll want more for less. You want to be friendly with your clients, but avoid getting too personal.
Solution: A client and freelancer relationship should always be professional. What if the client is family or friend? Definitely keep it professional. You get the idea.
3. Signed Contract vs. Email Record
“I don’t need a contract. Just send me a quick email outlining everything so we both have a record.” If you ever get this kind of email or get temped to send one out, stop yourself. First and foremost, you want your client to know that you are good at what you do. You want to create a good impression and let them know that you are a professional. Contracts will certainly help you do that.
A good contract tells the client that you know what you are doing, and what you’re worth. If you ever find yourself tempted to just send an email, or you find a client who says so to do that, definitely don’t go that route. Draw up a contract and email it to your client for his signature, if he has to scan it and send it back, so be it. I know it’s more work for your client and you, but professionalism and saving your butt has a cost and this is the least you can do to achieve both.
Solution: Always, always draw a contract. Better yet, have a few made and save it for different services that you provide. When a client gets hold of you, simply attach and send.
4. Full Payment vs. Partial Deposit
Another tough question. Some clients can be trusted and others really can’t — it’s your responsibility to figure out which you’re dealing with. I recommend taking full payments upfront. Most of my work comes to me as referrals, so my clients are happy to pay me upfront and I have never had a problem delivering what I promised.
However, it really depends. If you know the client very well it can be okay to take a partial payment upfront. The best strategy is to make your decision on “per client” basis depending on how they found you, the value of the project, and how trustworthy you think they are. This is unfortunately a dilemma where you are on your own.
Solution : It’s your call. Depending on what the project is and how well you or the client know each other is the key.
5. Money vs. Sanity
One of the best aspects of freelancing is choosing your own hours and being able to work from home — however, there are a few downsides. One of them is not being able to say “No” when you are approached for work. You might have a plate full of work, but you still want to take on more. This again is one of those choices that should be made based on your situation.
It’s easy to take multiple projects, and sometimes what’s on your plate will be enough to drive you crazy. You might get an offer from a potential client and feel like you need to take it because it means more money in the bank — but it’s imperative to think before you take on any more work. If your plate is already crowded, and your current work is causing you to sleep less and spend less with your friends and family, choose sanity over money.
Solution : If you have your plate full and are doing well financially, go ahead and choose sanity. Not going crazy over work and a relaxed mentality will help you land more in the future rather than going crazy for a few more dimes and nickles.
Name Your Biggest Decisions
These are some of the most common freelancing dilemmas, but there are many others out there. Let us know what your biggest or most troubling choices have been and what you recommend for other freelancers when they find themselves in that situation.
top image by Flominator
About the author: Ritu is a freelance writer who has been involved in social media for several years. At the moment he is working on a variety of projects, but is always open to new ideas. Contact him at email(at)ritubpant(dot)com or follow @ritubpant on twitter.
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31 Comments
Amber Weinberg
October 9th, 2009 at 5:12 pmAnother one is staying focused when working from home – to not get too wrapped up in doing chores, watching TV or shopping (my weakness). Although you should always take some time off for yourself to do these things. Everyone needs to find their balance.
Pat
October 9th, 2009 at 7:43 pmAnother aspect that comes into play for #5 is: what type of work is it? If it’s something that will expand your skill set or help you achieve a professional goal, rather than just more of the same, you might think twice about passing it by.
Thanks for the great post!
Carla
October 9th, 2009 at 11:36 pmI have always wondered if I should start working for free since I don’t have a lot of freelance experience. I know its a personal choice, but I don’t want to take business away from those who can easily work for money.
Ritu
October 10th, 2009 at 1:14 amHi Amber, thanks for pointing that out. I myself happen to be a “clean freak” well, may be not to that extent, but at times I tend to get drawn up on cleaning so much that I end up losing focus. However, I seem to have learned to manage that aspect of freelancing. Once again, thank you for pointing that out.
Pat, absolutely. Sometimes we do need to step out and branch our services and dive in different playing fields rather than sticking to one all the time.
Carla, if you are new to freelancing, personally I suggest contacting blogs that have a loyal following. Many blogs will allow you to write guest posts which will help you get some exposure. Once things start getting traction you will be able to use these platform as a tool to grow your own audience and from their on out, you will most definitely be noticed by potential clients as well.
Abdulhakim Haliru
October 10th, 2009 at 3:27 amThis is really a great piece and an eye opener. it really motivates me into great strides.
thanks for this one.
Luke Jones
October 10th, 2009 at 5:59 amGreat article, one of my main issues was clients getting to personal with me so I’ve taken a step back. It was a little bit of a shock to my clients, who I’ve always been really informal with, but I’m sure they’re getting used to it and now I feel more in control of them as opposed to feeling as though they’re in control of me.
Ginger*:)
October 10th, 2009 at 7:21 amThanks for the article. It puts things in perspective and for the most part reminds me of what I usually do. One exception, since I am an illustrator of children’s picture books, is that my payments usually come in thirds. I always ask for 1/3 as soon as the contract is signed, and 1/3 when sketches are approved and the final payment with the finished painting approval. After the final payment is received I feel confident in sending the DVD or FTP of the completed set of illustrations.
I really appreciated all the comments as well!
Alex Lim
October 10th, 2009 at 7:24 amAnother dilemma that I’ve gone through is Interest over Availability. Basically, I prefer projects which are under my interest. They get me on my feet in an instant and have this sense of excitement when doing them. On one hand I tend to get bored and lazy when I’m doing things which I’m not interested, but I have to accept the job since it’s the only one that is available as of the moment. Well, as freelancer, I guess we don’t have any choice but to work yet as much as possible I look for the job that makes me more effective.
Kirsten G Nielsen
October 10th, 2009 at 12:03 pmGreat post – well worth the read.
I was reminded of the dilemma of creative integrity:
Asked to do a job, the client went and had something completely different installed, leaving me feeling like a director wondering where my film went!
What if the work was to permeate the network as my work? Everything about my business is based around my creative and personal integrity after all. I had to withdraw my name and settle the contract.
Que sera sera………
Lexi Rodrigo
October 10th, 2009 at 3:57 pmDefinitely, we should always have a written agreement with our clients, which specifies the tasks we’re expected to complete, as well as the payment and schedules.
However, Email is considered a binding contract, so I send my terms of agreement (aka contract) to my clients through Email, and receive their concurrence through Email as well.
I read somewhere that you should never settle issues over the telephone because then, you won’t have a written record (and therefore binding) of your agreements. I never talk to my clients myself, but for those who do, I guess a workaround would be to send your client a “contact report” after the phone call. The report should summarize your agreements, and your client should indicate in writing that he/she accepts the report.
Hope this is helpful.
Solomon
October 10th, 2009 at 9:38 pmI got too personal with a consultant… similar to what you’ve stated here… he started expecting more and forgets he pays me my worth. Yesterday, I sent a mail stating the same (yet again… if I have an issue should I send a mail or talk to him on the phone!). Till date I go by a word or a promise … after reading FF I started understanding the nuances of professional business.
Once again … a wonderful article which prompted me to think right!
Andrew Keir
October 11th, 2009 at 7:51 amTurning down my first client due to using the contract was tough. It was early on and I was really keen for any work, but after a tonne of excuses the end result was they would not sign.
Its tough, do the work and hope to get paid but risk getting burned or turn down a job.
Turning it down was probably the right call, they seemed honest enough and what not, but at the end of the day you never know. The fact they wont agree in writing to pay you is likely a sign they never will.
WritingItRightForYou
October 11th, 2009 at 9:50 amMany, many great points! My “got to stop and think” departments:
1) Taking on too much work because I’m afraid of drought.
2) Getting too personal with my clients because I’m naturally a friendly person.
Both of these issues are keeping me from seeing my *real* friends!
“A change is gonna come…” Sam Cooke
Mez
October 11th, 2009 at 7:38 pmThis is a great list, thanks for the tips, I’m going to constantly be looking back here for when I kick things off for my freelancing career!
nickler
October 12th, 2009 at 6:08 amIts tough, do the work and hope to get paid but risk getting burned or turn down a job.
JoAnna
October 12th, 2009 at 11:01 amRegarding #3, where can we find a generic contract that we can alter as needed for our services? I don’t even know where to start with creating one of these. Thanks!
Ritu
October 12th, 2009 at 11:10 amHi JoAnna, I am including some links here please check them out. You might find them helpful
Contract Templates
Freelance Contracts
Also please check out this helpful article on Smashing Magazine Do’s and Don’ts of Freelance Contracts
Hope this helps.
Phil Dunn
October 12th, 2009 at 7:26 pmI do “contract-style” estimates via Freshbooks. Easy-peasy, and they can be quickly converted to invoices once accepted.
1/2 up front for all new clients. Important these days with shrinking budgets.
Here’s a dilemma: To outsource or not to outsource? I’ve done all kinds of this over the years. I’ve had an outsourced bookkeeper (who died recently and put my tax prep chores into a funk), an email “helper” from India who would go through my gmail contacts and stir up business from past clients and prospects, and a VA that helped with other admin/operational chores. I still use the India helper occasionally. Costs are an issue, of course. There’s some balance that needs to be established. And you need to be really clear about instructions/process.
kathryn barlow
October 13th, 2009 at 9:22 amGreat article, nice reminders!
I didn’t use contracts for a while, and realized how silly I was being. I now require the signed contract with the deposit cheque before I start any work. It protects you and them; you’re promising to do your side of the work, and they’re promising to pay you – a win-win. Beware of clients that do not want to sign a contract, and trust your gut! :)
JakeCastle
October 14th, 2009 at 5:07 pmIt’s good read. The choices you mentioned is something to look forward to. For a guy like me however who’s just starting out on Odesk and has yet to earn his first dollar it all so seems like wishful thinking.
Ekrum Hossain
October 16th, 2009 at 1:22 pmi am akram hossain. Now i join in this company.
than
i work in the company.
i hope you are aspect my join letter.
Ekrum Hossain
October 16th, 2009 at 1:24 pmI join in the company for the work.
Jenny Woolf
October 18th, 2009 at 7:14 pmI do travel writing part time now because to be honest I have found other areas of writing more lucrative – even though travel writing is loads of fun. But reading through these comments, and your posts, the main thing which occurs to me is that some of the writers seem to be talking about a different world from the one I know here. In the UK, travel writers are going through very difficult times, even established ones with ten, twenty or even thirty years of solid achievements to be proud of. And I do get the impression from talking with colleagues in the US that things are pretty bad there, too .
Guidebook writers here are being laid off and/or offered peanuts for doing updates or even new guidebooks, so that the cost of doing them is quite simply utterly uneconomic. They’re finding their books plagiarised on free websites purporting to offer travel information, or extracted (with a few words slightly changed) on the blogs of would-be travel writers.
People who write travel articles rather than books, are finding that fees are dropping through the floor. That is the kind of writing I generally do. In this case I would say that insisting on a contract is of course wise, although I have also found that email is pretty good with editors you know, at least in the UK. However, let’s just forget about contracts because many editors are now simply and openly saying that they don’t pay for contributions – and i’m talking some pretty major names. Newsprint still pays, but is under increasing threat. Print magazines are getting smaller – even the major players, like National Geographic are thin and anemic compared with how they used to be. That is because print ad revenues are dropping off and nobody has yet figured out how to make proper money from online content, (although Murdoch will soon be having a go. )
So anyway, tell me folks, are things very different from this outside the UK and the US? I am told that there’s no sign of a problem in Switzerland (!) and some emerging markets are still pretty strong. But what are these markets?.
And by “clients” are we talking about editors or, say, PR or marketing organisations?
Ossama Manakhly
October 28th, 2009 at 8:03 pmA friend of mine gave me such advices, i did not work by these tips until i discovered that i am loosing money and clients, in our Arabian countries they are convinced that the lawyer must have a unique and complicated personality.
When i started over i began to achieve goals that i was aiming to, i drafted a template contract, serious and professional even with relatives.
These are really valuable hints
Thank you
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