How Committed Are You to Freelancing?
Posted February 12, 2010 in Business
Freelancers come and freelancers go.
It’s a fact that many start freelancing, but not everyone who starts a freelance business sticks with it. What do you think it is that really separates those who stick with freelancing from those who quit?
Could it be talent? Is it the amount of knowledge that a freelancer has? Or, perhaps popularity is the true measure of a freelancer’s ultimate success…
While all of these factors are important, there is something that is even more crucial to freelancing longevity.
The answer lies in a single word–commitment.
In this post, we’ll discuss some of the traits of a committed freelancer. I’ll also share my own observations about freelancing commitment.
Traits of a Committed Freelancer
Those freelancers who stay in business over the long run tend to have a completely different mindset than those who try freelancing and then move on to pursue something else.
There are many traits that separate the committed freelancer from the rest of the bunch. Here are a few of them:
- Has a Plan B. Not only is it important to plan for success, it’s also important to plan for failure. If things don’t go according to their first plan, the committed freelancer comes up with another plan (Plan B).
- Goes the Extra Mile. The committed freelancer is not just the one who gets the job done. They also go the extra mile to make sure that the work is the best that it can be.
- Is Passionate About What They Do. Freelancing is not just about the money or the ability to work from home for the committed freelancer. They truly enjoy the work that they do. Many of them can’t imagine doing anything else.
- Determined to Succeed. Determination goes a long way towards freelancing success. For those who are truly committed, quitting just isn’t an option. They’ll keep trying until they make it work.
- Is Willing to Learn. I’m convinced that the freelancers who have the real staying power are those who are lifelong learners. They are constantly seeking out ways to improve their skills and grow their business.
- Works Smart. Oddly enough, the successful freelancer isn’t usually the one who works the most hours. Rather, it’s the one who learns to work efficiently and minimize wasted time who succeeds in the end.
The bottom line is, when it comes to freelancing, commitment pays off. Throughout the years that I’ve been freelancing, I’ve witnessed the benefits of commitment over and over again.
My Experience
In the seven plus years that I’ve been freelancing, I’ve noticed that many of the freelancers that I knew when I first started freelancing are no longer in business. Despite a seeming initial success, many freelancers ultimately leave the freelancing world and return to the traditional workforce.
At first, this observation frightened me a little bit. I knew that some of the folks who left the freelancing arena were more talented and probably much smarter than me. If they couldn’t make it as a freelancer, how could I?
Then I realized something. Those who quit had very little tolerance for setbacks. As long as things were going smoothly these seemingly successful freelancers were fine. However, whenever they encountered a difficulty they became frustrated and didn’t know what to do.
After one or two setbacks, these freelancers simply gave up. They weren’t adaptable and they weren’t committed to their freelance business.
What About You?
Are you a committed freelancer? What keeps you going?
Or, have you already left the freelancing world behind? We’d like to hear your story as well.
What traits do you think separate those who quit freelancing from those who stick with it?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.
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About the author: Laura Spencer is a freelance writer from North Central Texas with over 20 years of professional business writing experience. If you liked this post, then you may also enjoy Laura’s blog about her freelance writing experiences, WritingThoughts. Laura is also on Google+.
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47 Comments
Sonali Agrawal
February 12th, 2010 at 8:39 amVery nice points..Need to follow them from today!!
I wouldn’t call myself a committed freelancer yet, as there are a few things that I need to do from the above points, for eg., Has a plan B..That’s literally the top priority, but otherwise, I do the other points that have been mentioned.
Elie
February 12th, 2010 at 9:12 amNot yet a committed freelancer, but working to get there while still relying on Plan B.
I work full time for another company, and moonlight as a freelancer. I’m slowly building up a client base that would provide enough income for me to freelance full time, and in the meantime, as you say, I’m learning to be more efficient with my time.
Melek
February 12th, 2010 at 10:18 amMy first experience with a freelancer was with someone I worked with in an office. He had just quit freelancing to go back to work full-time. And yeah, that kinda freaked me out when I started thinking about Freelancing myself.
But, I think I have more tolerance for the ups and downs, am better at switching gears, and actually prefer to work in solitude than in an office. So, it works for me. My 10 years + as a freelancer proves it!
I like your list, but I don’t know that I have a ‘plan b’…maybe I just don’t plan on failing :)
Laura Spencer
February 12th, 2010 at 12:20 pmThanks guys!
It’s hard to stay committed when you’re a one person show, but it’s vital.
Johnny
February 12th, 2010 at 12:41 pmThe really hard part of freelancing for many isn’t what is actually done by trade but rather the business side of things like marketing, client management, accounting, etc which aren’t always part of a new freelancer’s repetoire. I can see how freelancers would return back to their own jobs since the business part can involve a lot of trial and error and is overwhelming at times.
But, as you say, those that stay on the train never stop learning and eventually those business skills you need to know become your strengths.
Avonelle Lovhaug
February 12th, 2010 at 1:10 pmI think this is why some organizations can be nervous about working with a freelancer. For some projects there may be a concern that if the freelancer decides to go back to a regular job, the buyer will be left hanging for support issues.
But for those of us who are committed and can demonstrate that commitment, we can calm those fears. I now remind prospective customers that I’ve been on my own for 7 years – they don’t need to worry that I won’t be around next month.
Your list is great, but I think we should take it to the next step and find ways to demonstrate to prospective customers that we are committed.
New York Web Designer
February 12th, 2010 at 1:28 pmTraits of a Committed Freelancer.. Thanks for the valuable information. Tight Stuf
Laura Spencer
February 12th, 2010 at 1:57 pmThanks Johnny and New York Web Designer!
I do aggree that the business aspects of freelancing can be challenging, especially if a freelancer has no experience in that area. But most of what a freelancer needs to know is quite learnable. (For the rest, there are accountants.)
Avonelle Lovhaug you make an excellent point! First and foremost the best thing a freelancer can do is to be reliable. I’ve found that most clients will keep you around if they know that they can count on you.
Lucian
February 12th, 2010 at 5:15 pmThis is my second year as full time freelancer and I can tell I am commited to my business and work. Quality, responsiveness and great customer service is what represet me. If I need to work or answer at 11 PM and have nothing better else to do, I just take care of that. I don’t care if others have a 9am-5pm schedule and advice others that we should do the same. Freelancing is part of my life and I care, as much I care of my free time (or even more).
Laura Spencer
February 12th, 2010 at 6:05 pmGreat attitude Lucian!
sarahdippity
February 12th, 2010 at 6:17 pmthanks for the article. it’s a great subject. i also agree with “johnny” above that the business side of freelancing can be tough. and by business i also mean marketing. if it’s not someone’s cup of tea, i can see why she/he may give up and go back to the 9-5 life.
does anyone have any helpful tips on marketing for freelancers? after all, if you don’t market your business, you don’t have clients. and without clients, whom will you do all that freelancing work for?
would love more feedback on this! thanks all!
Laura Spencer
February 12th, 2010 at 6:21 pmHi Sarahdippity,
You’re in luck! We have lots of articles on marketing for freelancers here at Freelance Folder. Go up to the search at the top right of this page (above the ads) and type in “marketing.” You’ll be able to see all the marketing articles that we’ve posted here.
Let me know if you need any more help. :-)
Jamie Smith
February 12th, 2010 at 7:07 pmI just started trying to freelance full time a couple months ago after being laid off from my full-time job due to the economy. For me, freelancing is a way towards eventually becoming (hopefully) self-employed, at least part time. I have quickly realized writing will not earn me a decent income, so I expanded my services to include other forms of communication. My suite of services now include freelance writing, social media management, event coordination and public relations. Oftentimes I find that they all intertwine within one client’s needs.
Laura Spencer
February 12th, 2010 at 7:08 pmIt sounds like you’ve got a plan Jamie!
Good luck with that.
Thomas Craig Consulting
February 12th, 2010 at 8:51 pmNice post, I think it depends on the individuals desire to succeed as well, some very lazy intelligent designer/developers out there, and of course having the patience to succeed.
Ricardo Bueno
February 12th, 2010 at 9:20 pmIt definitely takes a great deal of passion and commitment to stick to doing what you do. I read the following quote somewhere the other day and I think it’s dead on:
“When you have a job, the day doesn’t go by fast enough. When you have a career, there’s not enough hours in the day.” – anon
Successful freelancers are the ones who are passionately committed day-in and day-out to doing what they do.
Lucy Smith
February 12th, 2010 at 9:57 pmPatience. It’s easy to get discouraged at the start, especially when you hear about people who are making more money within a couple of months of starting freelancing than they did at an office job.
In reality, that doesn’t happen very often unless you start with a few clients, and you’re likely to be on the bones of your arse for some time after you start. I think that a lot of people aren’t very realistic about how long it takes to develop a business and client base – I know I wasn’t. It was only because of my self-employed partner that I kept at it, because he’d been there, done that, and was/is good at giving me a reality check when needed!
Lillie Ammann
February 12th, 2010 at 10:37 pmLaura,
I’ve either owned my own business or freelanced for nearly 40 years. There’s no way I would ever go to work for anyone else.
Although I enjoyed my business, I’m glad not to have to worry about making payroll for 18 people every week. Being responsible for the livelihoods of that many people (and, of course, that isn’t very many in the business world) can be a challenge.
The only downside of freelancing is that I don’t have a bunch of other people to depend on if I can’t work. When I had a stroke, my company suffered from my not being there, but my staff kept the business going so it was still there when I could finally go back to work. If something happened to me now, I have no fall-back position. As I am nearing retirement and have a husband with health issues, some of my clients are asking me to plan for someone to take over for me when I retire. I want to do that, but I’m not sure where to start to find someone who has the experience and interest to do the combination of things I do.
Kayla
February 12th, 2010 at 10:42 pmGreat comments about commitment — I couldn’t agree more with the list of points. I’ve only been in full-time freelance business (without a part-time job to fall on) for about 6 months now, and have almost gone running back to the cubicle a few times. I’m still here though, and its seemingly getting easier the more I get used to it. True commitment is indeed important to be a successful freelancer, especially long-term.
Anthony Hawkins
February 13th, 2010 at 1:00 amI’m glad to see that failure was mentioned in the article. Failure is just as important as success. Thomas Edison invented many light bulbs, but only one of them worked.
The greatest lesson from this article is to never give up and keep learning. You might fail once twice maybe more but never give up, you’ll get there.
Christina
February 13th, 2010 at 4:06 amI have to agree with you, I was about to give up as a freelancer but then I learn the secret to surviving the competitive industry of freelancing, which you already mentioned. Being passionate and committed to your work will help you get a long way, plus the ability to adapt and learn new things will lead you to more opportunities. I don’t intent to be a freelancer all my life but I intend to deliver the same service as a team and later on as a business.
David Stevenson
February 13th, 2010 at 5:34 amDefinitely committed. I think my “Plan B” only went as far as not only focusing on graphic design, but actually investing more time and money into photography. “Plan C” is getting more serious about my web design (if those two count as optional plans). I say that I’m committed because after losing 4yrs. of design work for myself and all of my clientele from a failed external hard drive (1Terabyte, couldn’t afford enough storage to back it all up) and wanting to just give up and die, I actually borrowed some money from a family member, bought more storage, remodeled the office for a little extra motivation and confidence then went back at it.
I certainly LOVE to read and learn new things. I just wish there were more time in a day to read, learn, browse, do tutorials, etc. Working smart is tricky when you really enjoy what you do, but I’ve learned that you have to set that timer and keep track of how much time you’re spending on projects. I go over most of the time, but the fact that I know I’m over the estimated time allows me to take what I have and start wrapping things up.
Bruce
February 13th, 2010 at 10:00 am“it’s also important to plan for failure.” and “For those who are truly committed, quitting just isn’t an option. They’ll keep trying until they make it work.” Which one?
Laura Spencer
February 13th, 2010 at 10:18 amGreat comments!
Lillie Amman, Thanks for sharing your wisdom. I think bringing on a junior partner might actually be a good solution in the situation you describe. Do you network with others in your field? Perhaps you can ask several of them if they would be willing to take on some of your projects from time to time. Keep in mind, the first person that you contact may not be the right person. It may take several attempts before you find someone who both you and your clients can work with.
Thomas Craig Consulting — You are absolutely right! I was always taught that it’s not what you can do, but what you actually do, that counts.
Hi Bruce!
You plan for failure in a small way such as the failure of an idea or task. The quitting not being an option refers to quitting as a freelancer.
Anthony Hawkins, You totally “got it.” Thanks for your comment.
Jordan Walker
February 13th, 2010 at 3:18 pmI have been a freelance internet programmer for the last 3 years. Two full time and one during the moonlight and weekends. I think you hit it right on with your comments, except that sometimes you need to get out of the market when it starts to contract. I still maintain my clients and actively seek more, but my family and I do enjoy the security of a check every two weeks. I see freelance as my backup plan for full time work.
David Alan Moore
February 13th, 2010 at 10:16 pmThe last W-2 I received from an employer was 15 years ago — since then I’ve been a happy freelancer, getting nothing but 1099s at the end of each year — and each year almost always better than the one before.
How to keep I going? A couple of quick thoughts:
– Love what you do. For example, I’m a naturally curious person, and almost every project I work on teachesme something new.
– Have a high tolerance for risk. If you can’t deal with not always knowing what you’llbe doing next month, you’ll go insane.
– Be the resource your clients can’t live without. Nothing warms the cockles like hearing “Where have you been all my life? And please don’t go anywhere!”
– Always remember that Job One is to MAKE YOUR CLIENT LOOK GOOD! Tell your client the truth, but do so in a discrete way that creates a better product and enables them to trust that they will always look good, in the eyes of their own clients, customers and bosses, for having brought you on board.
– Always try something new. For example, after years of steady work for a specific type of clientele, it made sense that I finally start a blog about that particular niche.
– Learn from failures, because they will happen. Suck it up and start the next thing.
– Make sure that the work you’re doing is enabling you to live the life you want to live. If there’s a disconnect, it’s time to rethink!
Best of luck!
David Alan Moore
David Alan Moore
February 13th, 2010 at 10:23 pmOh, and two final points: First, always make it completely clear when you’ve typed a blog comment on an iPhone, so readers will forgive your clumsy-thumb typos and those horrible iPhone auto-corrections!
Second, and if you’re a writer like me, always, always proofread your emails before clicking “send.” If words are your livelihood and the basis upon which someone will be paying you thousands of dollars, you don’t want to look like a lazy or idiotic amateur! (As I did in my previous comment!) :-)
Peace,
DAM
sarahdippity
February 13th, 2010 at 10:40 pmDavid A. M. – your response is awesome and tremendously helpful.
I’d love to hear more if you can think of more. Thanks!
Sarah
Antwon Davis
February 14th, 2010 at 11:24 amWhat’s keeping me going is the passion to constantly add value through design thinking. There are overwhelming opportunities for freelancers to do more than provide a basic service for clients. We have the freedom to take on projects that inspire change and that leave lasting impact.
I get pumped when I hear the countless stories of people who left corporate America and created opportunity for themselves and others. The stories of designers, bloggers, and thinkers who have created lasting solutions, sparked movements, and created conversations that have helped to create a better society.
Freelancing to me is bigger than running from the “Man”. It’s an uncharted path that allows those with passion, vision, and a whole lot of creativity to create the impossible, the unthinkable, and the remarkable.
The world NEEDS more of us.
Tom D.
February 15th, 2010 at 8:54 pmI started my career as a freelance Graphic Web Designer last August, beginning with contract work for my previous employer. Then, last November, I accepted work from two other companies that are still providing me with new projects – both have said they are looking for a long-term relationship (professionally, not romantically!). And on top of that, I have an interview tomorrow with a local ad agency looking to build their pool of freelance designers.
I agree with all of you who listed patience, sticking to a schedule, and the commitment to keep learning as the keys to success. My own “Plan B” involves knowing a little web development and scripting – if a web designer can say to a client, “Yes, I’m familiar with SQL/ASP” then that will definitely open more doors for you.
David Alan Moore
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:26 pmHey Sarah,
So sorry about my way-delayed reply. Remember that bullet point above, about always being the resource your clients’ can’t live without? Well, that was a perfect description of this past week for me — which meant, of course, that everyone else had to live without! (Including me.)
I’ve thought some about your request for additional info, and here’s one thought that I think *may* be important to long-term success as a freelancer, but that I don’t see addressed too often: the role of your own ego in the work you (choose to) do.
While there are many shades of gray, many points on the continuum (to mix my metaphors) and the neverending necessity for self-promotion (i.e., marketing), it seems as if there are two types of freelancers: those who are doing it so they can make a name for themselves — in the world of writers, that may mean people who want a byline above all else — and those who are doing it for reasons that are unrelated to whether or not they become well known.
The question is, which type of freelancer are YOU?
Of course, individual answers to that question may vary, and often involve some degree of “both.” And while the word “ego” is often laden with all sorts of value judgments, believe me when I say that, in my opinion, self-interest and so-called other-interest are equally valid.
However, there do seem to be some interesting costs and benefits that seem to apply with some predictability, depending on where you fall on the spectrum.
For example, if having bylined articles is incredibly important to you, you will find yourself up against loads of competition — and where supply meets or exceeds demand, prices always drop.
(For example, except for the occasional breakout star — the myth and rarity of which seems to have the interesting effect of further driving the obsession — thousands upon thousands of would-be screenwriters keep hoping for that first megamillion-dollar Hollywood sale, just as lottery-ticket buyers keep purchasing those $1 Powerball stubs. The amount of money paid to screenwriting contests for entrance fees alone is staggering — but that’s what happens when the prize is huge but extremely rare.)
Of course, with hard work and some talent, you will ultimately get your name out of there — but you’ll most likely also take on a lot of projects along the way that, when comparing time spent on the project to money earned, often provide a pay scale that’s much less than minimum wage.
On the other hand, if having your name under the title or up in lights is less important to you, there’s a whole world of B2B freelance writing that pays quite well — especially if you’ve made a name for yourself in a genre in which names don’t matter (or, more accurately, in which your name and the reputation you’ve built around it matter only to the people paying you).
Of course, when people ask you what you do for a living, it won’t sound nearly as cool as being a novelist. “I write case studies for transportation-industry process-improvement white papers” is a sure dinner-conversation killer — but chances are, you’ll also be the one who can afford to pay for that dinner, thanks to that white paper.
Now, some may disagree with my broad generalizations here. And I should admit that I pursue both types of projects. I write plays, and am very proud that the plays I write get produced — some have even won some pretty cool awards. But I know that even the most “successful” playwrights in the country — some of them my friends — rarely make their living off the plays they write; most teach, write episodes of “CSI: New York,” etc. So I accept that I’ll get a nice emotional paycheck from the plays I write, but the financial paycheck will be less.
At the other end of the spectrum, I do quite a bit of B2B freelance writing, which is sometimes very interesting and sometimes as boring as hell. But it pays the bills quite nicely, provides an engaging professional challenge, and allows me the time to pursue projects that may be off the grid but are equally rewarding. Like making a great loaf of sourdough bread or improving my time in a 10K race.
Ultimately, you have to decide what matters most to you, what you want to achieve and what you’re willing to accept in terms of costs and rewards, investments and returns. There is no single formula, and even what works for you may change over time — especially if you become that bylined freelancer who really does make a name for yourself!
But by making yourself fully aware of what you want, and what you’ll pay to get what you what, you put yourself in a much better position to find satisfaction in your chosen career, no matter what it is: as a freelancer, a business owner, or as an employee.
Lynda
February 22nd, 2010 at 1:32 pmCommitted? Overly.
I’ve been freelancing for the last five years. I’ve rarely had time off since then because of the demand for my skills. Very crazy, very messy at times, but I love every minute of it.
I try to focus on the clients who have been around the longest since they’re the ones I know I can count on. But I do have a Plan B, and C, and D. I realized early on that diversifying my work portfolio was the best to guarantee that I’d always have work. And, with few exceptions, I’ve always been TOO busy, rather than biting my nails and hoping that work comes in.
Writing takes commitment – a lot of it. You really have to be willing to spend all day, every day perfecting your writing and managing clients. It’s not easy, but it is rewarding.
I plan on doing this for the long run, so I know that everything I’m doing now is just securing my future. That helps me when I just want to run off to the nearest tropical island.
Nice to read what everyone else is up to. The freelancing gig can be a quiet place, after all.
Have a good Monday everyone,
Lynda
Sheryl Kugel
September 4th, 2011 at 3:43 pmA large percentage of of the things you point out happens to be supprisingly legitimate and it makes me wonder the reason why I had not looked at this with this light before. This particular piece truly did switch the light on for me as far as this issue goes. But there is just one factor I am not too comfy with and while I make an effort to reconcile that with the actual main theme of your issue, permit me observe just what the rest of the readers have to point out.Very well done.
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