Freelancers: Are You Too DIY?
Posted August 6, 2008 in Business, Lifestyle 11 Comments »
As a freelancer, many of us have the DIY (do-it-yourself) attitude. DIY means more work, more potential portfolio pieces, and most importantly… more money. But sometimes, the DIY approach, and taking on too much, can kill creativity and make clients second-guess their outsourcing needs.
It’s only natural for the everyday client to assume his/her freelancer’s ability. Take the following questions as prime example:
Example #1
“Since you’re designing my Website… Can you just write all the copy too?”
Example #2
“We love the photography! Can you put together a quick Web gallery so I can show all my friends and family?”
Example #3
“The last print ad you did for us was stunning. We loved your creative writing. Now we’re in need of a 40-page technical user’s guide to go along with a new product we’re launching.”
Any of this starting to sound familiar? When faced with everyday questions like these, it’s important to know your freelancing boundaries. Several questions need to be asked before a quick “yes” jumps from your mouth:
- Does this project lie within your expertise of freelance services?
- Do you have the resources to carry out such a project?
- Do you have the time?
- Can you fulfill every detail of the client’s needs without falling short?
- Will this add to your portfolio, or simply become a quick moneymaker?
The Desire To Please Your Clients
In a lot of cases, the desire to please your client is understandable. And sometimes, the requested project seems doable. However, passing up on a quick dollar and pointing your client in the direction of someone far more experienced will only send a positive reinforcement that you are to be trusted.
And after all, as a freelancer, isn’t trust the key component we strive to gain from our clients day in and day out? This trust has the potential to come back tenfold with more projects and possibly other consulting and/or networking services. But it doesn’t stop there. You don’t always have to say “No… but I know someone else who can.” There’s many other ways to handle the DIY dilemma.
Perhaps you’re a copywriter but you have a good freelancing friend who’s a designer. Well, in some cases, it takes two to tango. Why not take on the project, manage it from start to finish and give your buddy a cut of the budget? Depending on your relationship with the other freelancer, this tactic could be a marvelous new partnership or a disaster waiting to happen.
Admitting Your Lack Of Expertise
Another idea is to admit your lack of expertise to the client. Let them know that you don’t feel comfortable giving them mediocre work, when you know it could be stellar. Ask if you can provide your own networking resources to help them find a freelancer fit for the job. Lastly, let the client know your desire to work closely with the other freelancer.
If this is a longtime client, they will appreciate your willingness to safeguard their brand and pass on your knowledge of the business objectives.
Last is a recommendation that we’ve all made. If we hadn’t, then none of us would be here. It involves more time, more caution and much more risk. The tip? Just do it!
I know, I know… I’m going against the title of this article. But come on guys, we’ve all been there! At some point you have to take that risk of taking on an uncomfortable project. Hopefully you’re not promising to design a Website if you’ve never used Photoshop, but you get my drift.
Consider if you’re an established blog writer. It’s not out of the question to get asked to write for a magazine. Learning how to change voices and the tone you write with will only further your career as a freelance writer. Plus, it will get your name out to a new audience. This lovely game of freelancing is all about risk. It’s the risk we hate. It’s the risk we love. It’s the risk that makes us who we are.
Final Thoughts
So in the end, what’s the final advice? Sure, there are some great ideas when you need to handle too much DIY. But on the other hand, I encourage you to be bold and know your realm of possibilities. KNOW your realm… don’t invent it overnight! Take pride in your work as a freelancer and be ready to push yourself into new and exciting services.
Bryan McCarty
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About the author: Bryan McCarty is a freelance copywriter, blogger and photographer. His photography can be viewed at www.319crew.com and his copywriting portfolio at www.wordsneeddesign.com. McCarty is the founder and editor-in-chief of KeepGreenGoing.com, an environmental blog dedicated to keeping peoples green lives informed and progressing.
About the author: Bryan A. McCarty is a freelance photographer. His work can be viewed at www.bryanamccarty.com. McCarty is also the founder and editor-in-chief of KeepGreenGoing.com, an environmental blog dedicated to keeping peoples green lives informed and progressing.
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11 Comments
Tracey Grady
August 6th, 2008 at 6:49 pmOne of the best things you can do as an independent contractor (read: freelancer) is to find people with complementary skills so that you can pass on work examples like this.
There are two advantages: first, you’ll gain the respect of the client because while you may not be able to do the extra work yourself, you’ve immediately solved their problem anyway by outsourcing; and second, you’ll gain a network of complementary contractors who may reciprocate by sending work your way too.
Nicole LaMarco
August 6th, 2008 at 7:23 pmI think admitting a lack of skills is difficult for me, because I love to take on a challenge. However, I have learned now to challenge myself on my own and pass on recommendations to other freelancers who are more suited for projects offered to me! It also feels good to pass on that work and recommend someone who I know will do a great job for that client.
Dave Piper
August 7th, 2008 at 9:07 amthis advice is golden,
being a freelancer is hard enough as it is get work, is important to build networks around to not only support yourself, but other people like you.
Karen Swim
August 7th, 2008 at 11:01 amBryan, I laughed and nodded as I read this post! You hit the proverbial nail on the head! When I first started freelancing, I used Elance to test my boundaries. I accepted challenges that stretched me but that I was also sure would satisfy the client. I even got to do a few things with trusted clients where they knew I had no experience, no skill set and it could end up as a total disaster. :-) Teaming up with someone who has skills that complement yours are a smart move that can help both of you to expand your services to clients. As usual great real world advice from Freelance Folder!
Dave Piper
August 7th, 2008 at 11:03 amIt can be quite amazing how much trust people would put in your “skills” even when you doubt your self!
Joe Norton
August 8th, 2008 at 12:24 pmInteresting article. I agree up until a point, you have to be able to say when something is out of your league and be able to distinguish that from stuff that’s challenging but not impossible
Doug C.
August 9th, 2008 at 7:48 pmYou have to also be careful you don’t get taken advantage of, too. There’s a lot of shifty people out there looking to get more work out of the “kind-hearted-DIYer” and you have to be aware of this fact also. I had this happen to me a couple times, before I wised up
I have a few design friends who can handle things which I cannot, like coding and Flash. So if a client does ask for something which I can’t provide I can at least pass them along to someone who does.And who knows, I may end up getting some work myself out of the deal.
waterprise2
August 11th, 2008 at 11:53 amSo on point! I’ve only been “in business” officially for six weeks, and the project of one of my first clients took WAY more time than it should have. She seemed to think I could spend all of my time on just her. While I was in her store tweaking her website for the umteenth time, she mentioned that her printer driver wasn’t working, and actually told her employees that I would fix it…since I was HER computer expert! I am NOT a computer expert for her or anyone, just because I can fix minor things on my own computer! I am a blogger and writer and set up very simple websites and blogs for others, period.
Of course I downloaded the proper driver and set her default printer; but geez!
I am getting a network of others with complementary skills; and I just got a little gig from my daughter who does what I do in a different niche in a different city! She’s an award-winning and published writer/poet; but I am the grammar expert with the eagle eye!
Love, LOVE your blog…thanks so much!
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