10 Ways To Make Your Freelance Business Fail
Posted September 21, 2009 in Business, How-To 39 Comments »
As I wade through the many blog posts and articles written about freelancing, I notice a very definite trend. While there are ample materials written for the freelancer who wants to succeed, there seems to be virtually nothing written for the freelancer who wants his or her freelance business to fail.
It seems a bit unfair, really. I can picture some poor freelancer miserably trapped in his or her success and desperately wanting to get out. Where can they turn to for advice?
Before today, resources for freelancers wanting to fail were scarce. Today, however, we’re going to fix that problem right here at FreelanceFolder.
If you’ve ever thought to yourself this business would be perfect if it weren’t for all of my clients, then this post is for you. We’ll give you a list of tactics that will drive those pesky clients away and quickly lead to your ultimate goal: freelancing failure.
Ten Easy Ways To Fail at Freelancing
Failing at freelancing is not nearly as difficult as many people think. In fact, you can probably find ways to avoid working without ever leaving your home or investing any money.
Here are ten easy ways to fail at freelancing with hardly any effort:
- Take deadlines as a loose suggestion. If you can meet a deadline, great. If not, well don’t sweat it. You’ve heard of the saying “fashionably late?” Well, when it comes to freelance failure that saying applies to projects too.
- Take your time when replying to clients. Why reply today when you could reply tomorrow? Keeping them waiting is one of the best ways to fail. The longer the wait, the better your chances of scaring them away.
- Don’t answer your phone either. There could be a client or potential client on the other end of that line. You have better things to do with your time than talk to a client. Let it ring! Best of all, don’t invest in an answering machine or any kind of voicemail system, that way you’ll never even have to get back to them.
- Don’t deliver what the client wants. You’re probably smarter than your client and your taste is probably better than theirs too. When your desires conflict with the client’s wants, choose to do what you want to do. You’ll be happier, and they’ll get a better project.
- Let your emotions out, all of them. If you’re mad at a client, let them know about it. There’s no sense in letting all that anger build up inside you where it could possibly spoil your day. Why not let it spoil your client’s day instead?
- Run errands. If you work at home, you’re probably surrounded by household tasks that need doing. Why not take a break from work and do them? After all, your priorities are at least as important as the priorities of your clients, right?
- Fast track your failure with video games. Video games are awesome if you’re trying to fail at freelancing. You can spend hours, even days, playing video games instead of working on your projects.
- Get wrapped up in daytime television. You’ve probably heard people say that “there’s nothing on during the day.” Well, they’re wrong. Turn your television set on and you’ll quickly discover that there are programs that air during the day.
- Take up a hobby. Be sure to choose one that has nothing at all to do with your freelancing business. Devote as much time as possible to your hobby – even time that you would normally reserve for client work.
- You have a bed, use it. Don’t bother to get up in the morning. In fact, if you don’t feel like it, don’t get up at all. When you’re trying to fail your rest is much more important than your freelancing business.
Share Your Tips for Freelancing Failure
All right, I have to admit it. Nobody here at Freelance Folder really wants your freelance business to fail.
However, we freelancers sometimes behave as though we want our business to fail without realizing it. Recognizing and eliminating these failure-causing behaviors can actually help you find freelancing success.
Did you recognize yourself in any of these failure tips, even a little bit? Are there other freelance failure tips that you would add to the list?
Let us know what you think in the comments.
top image by coal miki
About the author: Laura Spencer is a freelance writer from North Central Texas with over 19 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
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39 Comments
Lexi Rodrigo
September 21st, 2009 at 9:22 amGreat way to start the week, Laura, by not taking ourselves too serious :-)
But I did get worried when I saw little bits of myself in the list. I would never miss a deadline on purpose, but I do feel tempted to stay in bed or watch TV all day, more than I ever care to admit.
Oh, and I just remembered, another way to lose clients is to not listen to them. I think it’s related to item number 4, “Don’t deliver what the client wants,” because if we don’t really listen to them then we won’t know what they really want.
I almost lost a client that way, but some crisis communication saved the day and she even hired me for a six-month marketing plan!
Rich Bailey
September 21st, 2009 at 9:25 amGreat Post Laura!!! Might I also add that for both you and others who read this post that I heavily recommend a daily video podcast about managing business and what will help you survive as a business. Its a show started by Robin and John Dickerson and its called The Business Of Design which can be found here: http://www.motionworks.com.au/category/bod/
Hope this resource is helpful to many :)
Chris
September 21st, 2009 at 9:52 amOkay I hear ya. I’m learning. I’m still in the transition of getting the habit of certain things everyday. I can relate to a few of these. It’s not always easy I don’t think.
Now if I have a project I’m all over it. I really don’t want to disappoint clients. So I’m good there. It’s mainly things I need to do for myself and my business lol.
I think a lot of people will be able to relate to some of these, as we all do it from time to time. Good list, made me aware of a few things.
TheAdamJanes
September 21st, 2009 at 9:56 amGreat read! You’re dead on with your list. I admit video games is my biggest challenge. Especially with Modern Warfare 2 coming out in November. : )
Anne
September 21st, 2009 at 10:14 amA lovely tongue-in-cheek article. :D Though, a cautionary tale as well, nicely said.
Laura Spencer
September 21st, 2009 at 11:05 amI’m glad that you guys enjoyed the article.
Keep the comments coming!
kim bosch
September 21st, 2009 at 11:21 amJust recently had to close my business of three years and now I have a better idea of why……
Kimmo Linkama
September 21st, 2009 at 11:43 amA-ha! Let’s take a closer look at two of your points:
2. Take your time when replying to clients.
3. Don’t answer your phone either.
Actually, these are two very good pieces of advice. You shouldn’t delay for days or weeks, of course, but frantically rushing to return every e-mail or phone call within minutes could portray you as someone desperate for work – any work. Not a good strategy if you’re trying to present yourself as a pro and get paid accordingly.
This, by the way, was also a tip from Pete Savage, in his e-newsletter of Oct 16, 2008.
Laura Spencer
September 21st, 2009 at 11:51 amKimmo Linkama
Touche!
Actually, you’re right, of course.
However, in this tongue-in-cheek context I probably should have written “take an unreasonable amount of time when replying to clients.”
Why didn’t I think of wording it that way? ;)
Rhinelander
September 21st, 2009 at 12:38 pmA great way to start the week. I never would have thought that general productivity wouldn’t be the way to sabotage one’s business.
Marya Miller
September 21st, 2009 at 12:40 pmGreat post that made your point much better than the traditional “positive” sort would. I’m still shuddering at all the pitfalls, even as I’m chuckling at your delivery.
The only bad habit I can be seriously tempted by is the video games – I got around that escapist tendency years ago by using a timer for 2 ten minute breaks a day – about the time it takes to play one game of mahjongg. It’s now a firm habit – and those breaks do freshen my mind at the right points, during long, long days of copywriting info products.
I quickly learned to limit the breaks to 2, though. And now they’re a big reward.
Jim Coulter
September 21st, 2009 at 1:27 pmAnother great way to fail: don’t market your business. Don’t introduce yourself to potential clients. Don’t look for opportunities to sell yourself. Wait for clients to find you.
That’s my biggest challenge at the moment.
Steve Bellante
September 21st, 2009 at 2:29 pm..or to sum it all up: Failing to commit to your idea or vision. In the end that’s what it really comes downs to. While I haven’t seen it too much myself thank goodness, I have heard stories of people who just never were able to fully invest themselves in their work as it required. I really enjoyed the way this post was written. Nice twist!
Kimmo Linkama
September 21st, 2009 at 3:04 pmLaura,
Didn’t mean to be harsh, if it sounded like that. It’s just that sometimes the best course of action is against your instinct. And I DID appreciate the humor :)
Simon Fairbairn
September 21st, 2009 at 3:33 pmHeh heh, nice post.
How about this:
Pretend that you know more than you actually do. Never worked with PHP before? Don’t tell the client! Assure them that you can deliver whatever they want, however far beyond your skillset it is.
And, if you can’t manage it, you can always resort to tip #1.
Si
Laura Spencer
September 21st, 2009 at 3:34 pmHi Kimmo Linkama!
No worries – you made me think and I LIKE that.
Even though I try to word my posts carefully and thoughtfully (and read through them several times before posting), when I read my posts again I occasionally see things that I wish I’d added or would like to change. It’s a hazard of blogging, I suppose.
Jim and Steve – Great insights! Marketing is key (even though many creative freelancers shy away from it). Also commitment is an important part of a good work ethic for freelancers and non-freelancers alike.
Keep the ideas coming!
Laura Spencer
September 21st, 2009 at 3:35 pmSimon – Great minds must think alike! I’m actually working on a post for a later date on that exact topic.
Ryvon Designs
September 21st, 2009 at 6:02 pmThanks Laura!
Scary how yes, some of these behaviors are in all of us! I like my bed…we have a good relationship…. lol
One thing I might add is “Be sure not to take time to follow up with former clients. You’ve got their money, so who cares now?” I like to think of all our clients as a part of Ryvon, they are what has made us. They have the creative needs, we have the ability to creatively fill them. I try to make an effort to just have casual conversation long after, and it can be rewarding in repeat business, or more often a few referrals.
A second idea, although I won’t expand on it too much (I’ll leave that for the next person) is “Be sure NEVER to let anyone know about you or your business. Marketing is a time waster and for losers”.
Keep the ideas coming ^_^
Pam
http://www.ryvondesigns.com
Nelya Plakhota
September 22nd, 2009 at 3:57 amThank you, Laura,
Your ideas made me think of what I do wrong, and though I could not relate your 10 well-described ways to myself, I have found a few that might facilitate my possible failure. May be someone will recognize himself here:
- Never agree to test tasks – who are they to test you? You are perfect already. After all, you might end up having another client.
- When asked to sign a confidentiality agreement or something of the kind and send it back “at your earliest convenience” – take your time and read it for weeks. You should be very careful, and it is you who chooses proper timing.
- If your client has any suggestions concerning your work, or would like to have any amendments done – never consider that. Never spoil the work you have done – it is great as it is.
Thanks again,
Nelya
Stephan
September 22nd, 2009 at 5:25 amHi there, first comment ever for me :)
I have to admit that i am freelancing on the side, and this whole list except 5 & 7 is applicable to my situation. Thanks for making me see it!!
Tracey Grady
September 22nd, 2009 at 6:02 amThanks for this light-hearted look at the business side of freelancing :)
Here’s another one (which encapsulates some things already touched on):
Over-promise and under-deliver.
Ahmed Gaber
September 22nd, 2009 at 11:45 amVery nice tips Laura,
I promise I’ll use one of these when I decide to fail,
I like the one about Bed, the best ever way to fail, use your bed, and live with DrEams!
Armen
September 22nd, 2009 at 2:57 pmNice tips, Laura. I like the shifted perspective.
I would caution how some take #9 though. A hobby is necessary for a freelancers sanity. Particularly one which gets you outdoors and active.
Of course, it shouldn’t take up work time. But, freelancers are much more likely to let their work take up their free time.
Mark
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:35 amGreat post. The “daytime tv” tip is one I don’t see often but I know for a fact that it can be a direct road to failure. It can become quite addictive and cause you to base your whole schedule around all your favorite tv shows. That’s why my tv remains off all day unless I am trying to catch up on breaking news.
Karim
September 23rd, 2009 at 5:17 pmI want to E-mail u ,, but I can’t find any way to mail u here or in your website ! :(
please mail me to discuses some thing about your articles ..
Really thanks for your effort :) ..
Hameedullah Khan
September 27th, 2009 at 1:19 pmLaura, you knows it all. Now I know why I wasn’t succeeding. Because I was using my bed, video games and sometimes day tv too. Gotta get rid of those habits too. And yet again bunch of good advices in comments.
Ardian Yuli Setyanto
September 29th, 2009 at 10:54 amThanks for writing it, i’m live in Indonesia, almost people in this country want to be Government Officer with regular salary each months. Being freelancer is a challenge for us. What is your advice for us ?
thanks.
Alexey
October 1st, 2009 at 1:24 pmThis is very good article! Thank you very much for it.
I definitely agree with you about household tasks. I have worked at home for a half of year and my wife was working at office. Every day she gave me a lot of household tasks because “I am seating at home so can easily do this”. She couldn’t understand that I am working like she or may be more. So do your work first and only after it other your tasks.
Designerfoo
November 30th, 2009 at 3:03 amA little harsh aren’t we? I agree with all your points but I also feel that if you miss sleep or miss that video game once in a while, you burnout!
Jeba
January 15th, 2010 at 9:37 amHow about messengers and social media additction!!
Brandi
March 11th, 2010 at 7:10 pmLol! Funny, yet oh too true post! I do see the lure of some of the first few items on your list there. It seems to me that it’s about balance more than anything else. I’m guilty of doing an errand, but doing it as a way to take a break if you really need it seems okay once in awhile. I think assuming what your client needs is another one I’d add to the list.
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