How You Can Simplify Your Freelancing Business
Posted December 5, 2011 in How-To
Having a simple lifestyle is common to freelancers. For some, a simpler lifestyle is imposed upon them by the reduced and unpredictable nature of their freelance income.
But for others, downsizing is a choice.
A simple lifestyle, including a simple freelancing business, gives you more focus. Because simplifying tends to cut down on distractions, you may enjoy higher productivity. A simpler lifestyle also tends to be less stressful and more financially sustainable.
In short, simplifying your freelancing business and the rest of your life will give you more time and energy for what’s really important to you.
How can you simplify your freelancing business? Below, I go over several areas of your business that you can examine and simplify:
Your Clients
I’ve said many times that freelancers are better off targeting a select group of potential clients, rather than everybody and anybody with a wallet.
Focusing on your clearly defined Ideal Client will simplify your marketing. You’ll also communicate more clearly and more effectively to one Ideal Client, than to an entire population of possible clients. It will also make your work easier, because you won’t need to switch from one niche to another.
Your Services
Another way to simplify your freelancing is by paring down your offerings into a few key services you’re really good at, and that you’re happiest doing.
This doesn’t mean those are the only services you’ll ever do. If a client needs other services done, and you’re willing to do them, you’re free to do so. But you don’t need to advertise it for everyone.
Your Work Process
Do you find yourself doing the same tasks over and over again? Do you need to double-enter data or information in several pieces of software? Do certain stages of your work processes take too long?
Then you probably need to simplify your work processes as well. The easiest way to do this that I know of is to make a flow chart of each work process. A flow chart makes it easier to visualize the process and identify backlogs, redundancies, and unnecessary steps. Cut those out. Finally, create a revised flow chart to show your new, simplified work process.
Your Marketing
As freelancers in today’s hyper-connected world, we have dozens of marketing strategies at our fingertips, and most of them are more affordable than ever. That doesn’t mean, though, that we should use them all.
In fact, it would be a better idea to start out with two marketing strategies. Once you get a feel for what works better for your target clients, then you can expand to another strategy, and so on.
Don’t forget to evaluate your results. Discard those marketing activities that aren’t bringing the results you want, and do more of those that do.
Your Home Office
Simplifying your home office is imperative. Get rid of the clutter, the unnecessary gadgets and gizmos. Not only will you save time by finding things more easily. You’ll also be more relaxed, more productive, and happier in your office.
Your Finances
Look at your expenses. Which ones are unnecessary? Which ones could be replaced by less expensive alternatives?
Also look at how you’re managing your finances. Can you simplify your record keeping? Your bookkeeping? Here’s a tip: Hire a bookkeeper and accountant.
How To Simplify
Simplifying, put simply, is all about sticking to what’s necessary for your health and well-being. It means thinking twice, three times, or more before offering another service, taking on a new client, or buying another equipment or software. It means adopting a minimalist approach to everything.
This may sound extremely harsh and spartan. However, having a simple lifestyle is an ideal that we strive for. Nobody gets there immediately and, truth be told, not all people want it.
I’ve experimented with frugal living several times, and I’ve always ended up miserable. I enjoy having treats every so often and giving my family some luxuries.
That said, the act of striving for greater simplicity, I’ve found, is often enough to begin enjoying some of its benefits. There’s less grasping for and more receiving, less chaos and more peace, less wanting and more enjoying.
Is this something you want for your freelancing business? If so, in what ways do you think you can simplify? Share your thoughts and experiences by posting a comment below.
Image by gtall1
Related posts:
- 7 Signs That It’s Time to Simplify Your Freelancing Business
- Branding Your Freelancing Business: Personal Name vs Business Name
- Open Thread: How Do You Promote Your Freelancing Business?
- How to Upgrade Your Freelancing Business in 2011
- How to Get More Exposure for Your Freelancing Business
About the author: Lexi Rodrigo is the creator of The Savvy Freelancer, a blog that's all about achieving creative and financial freedom through freelancing. Check out Lexi's free guide, 31 Days to Start Your Freelancing Business (or Make Yours A Better One).
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24 Comments
Dheeraj Bansal
December 5th, 2011 at 11:38 amIts a great idea to start career with Freelancer jobs.
euqi
December 5th, 2011 at 9:05 pmstep by step arrange and simplify, of course almost freelancer should. but any way each freelancer has own step and manner
Catena Creations
December 5th, 2011 at 11:22 pmI think one of the reasons I’m so happy as a freelancer is because of how much simpler my life is. I love having to commute only 12 steps down to my basement to get to work. I love not having to get dressed up every day and working in my jammies.
And I love being home for my son. Today he called from school because he was sick, and I was able to pick him up & bring him home right away. Then I was able to work the rest of the day while still keeping an eye on him and making sure he was OK. All with no guilt or pressure about leaving work early, missing meetings, etc.
The places I’ve been able to simplify more than make up for the areas that have become more complicated, like money management and tax preparation. But the trade-off has been worth it!
Motyar
December 6th, 2011 at 3:38 amDesigners and developers can understand the importance of KISS principle very well.
“Perfection is reached not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away”
colorado springs dui
December 6th, 2011 at 5:41 amThe best way to keep your freelance business simple is to have few clients and slowly grow your business with time. trying to expand rapidly makes things complicated. Keep one or two out sourcing options handy, just in case you can’t manage for some reason and thats it.
MeganWrites Media
December 6th, 2011 at 4:44 pmGreat post! I find that keeping a daily schedule has really simplified my business. I don’t stick to it minute by minute, but let my day flow around it as I am able. Unexpected things come up, so it’s always good to fit that in when necessary.
I also loved what you wrote about narrowing down your ideal client. This enables you to create a solid portfolio for potential business and craft strong, lasting relationships.
Morgan & Me Creative
December 8th, 2011 at 12:12 amGreat tip…honestly, isn’t simplifying the way to go? I see it loosely as a form of ‘focus’, it’s easy to get derailed by distractions all the time, by setting it in stone in your mind, you really get to do the things you only want to do and complete them with utmost satisfaction. Can be a great stress relief too.
Duncan
December 8th, 2011 at 6:47 amNice post. I’m spending the next 12 months slowly simplifying my life and equalising my work, rest and play spheres. Looking forward to it.
XuDing
December 12th, 2011 at 1:50 amGreat article.
Simplify our work process is the ultimately way to get a simple life.
Luke Alford
December 12th, 2011 at 8:29 amI’ve always lived a simple life only own what I use nothing more, before my gf moved in my entire flat cloud fit in my Subaru i loved it! every day i look at my flat now its filling up with countless stuff i never use but my gf says she will.
I cant wait to clean up and chuck a lot of unless stuff out. Simplifying my living makes me less stress-full since i don’t have a large upkeep meaning I don’t need to be working every week of the year.
Minja
January 17th, 2012 at 12:04 pmIT BRINGS YOU MONEY, ITS FREE AND EVERYONE CAN JOIN!!!
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