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Open Thread: What Did You Get Right When You Started Freelancing?
Posted July 9, 2009 in News 19 Comments »
Most of the time, these “if you could start over” posts ask a similar question: what would you do differently now that you’ve already started a business and have more experience.
In this open thread, I want to turn the conventional question on its head and ask the opposite. What did you do so well when you first started freelancing that you would do it over again if you started fresh?
Think about what you got right when you first started your business, and let us know in the comments section. The things you did really well could be the same things another freelancer is struggling with — and your ideas and advice could prove hugely beneficial.
- What clever methods did you use to get clients?
- Are there any special tools you found that work miracles for freelancers?
- Did you ignore conventional wisdom and do something better?
Share your great start-up successes in the comments — tell us what you did really well, and hopefully it will help others who are just getting started.
Go ahead, it’s okay to brag a little.
About the author: Mason Hipp is an entrepreneur, marketing guru, and writer. He blogs about life and business at FreelanceFolder.com and is co-author of the Book The Unlimited Freelancer. Follow him on twitter @MasonHipp
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19 Comments
Paul Davis
July 9th, 2009 at 9:28 amI aimed a little to high and started looking for jobs with agencies. It worked though! 8 months after actually getting used to HTML & CSS, I freelance for a top London agency all the time! I’m actually the only guy (they hire) who really knows WordPress so you can imagine the amount of work comes my way.
On the flip-side though (before the agency) my prices were drastically low. I was offering a whole site for £40. It never crossed my mind how much I could/should be charging. Lets say that the £40 mark wouldn’t get you much of my time these days.
Should I add that I started freelancing as soon as I grasped HTML & CSS? Also my first ever means of earning any money? Maybe that was the right thing to do too, who knows, but it’s working for me!
Max
July 9th, 2009 at 9:35 amWell, what I would do in a different way would be probably to get myself a reliable and good tax accountant directly in my first year. I tried to do this myself and thought it shouldn’t be that difficult but in the end I realized that understanding all tax laws seems to be nearly impossible at least here in germany. Now I work with a local accountant, just send my invoices to him via eMail regularly and don’t have to worry about stuff like this anymore which is great.
Besides that, probably the best decision I made was to switch to a Mac after about a year of PC work. First it was difficult to get an overview about the new environment, community and software available, but now I’d never even consider to switch back. Not just because it’s a Mac and it’s working very well, but because of all of those small development studios frequently releasing well working, very productive and rather inexpensive new apps I don’t want to miss anymore.
I don’t think some kind of magic will be required to get clients – you just have to dedicate yourself to a certain niche, successfully accomplish small first projects and simply make your clients happy in order to grow steadily. This way they keep coming back again or even refer friends and relatives to you which is – in my opinion – the best advertisement. Reliability and professionalism are the keys.
Reza Tehranian
July 9th, 2009 at 9:57 amBack in 1999, we didn’t have many tools that we have today to create portfolios, websites and such. I like to think what got me many contracts was the fact that I had printed a portfolio as well as a business card CD’s. They were very hard to find, and I remember buying few boxes at the local store hopping that it will bring some contracts, or at least get me a job.
Although I didn’t have enough knowledge of making a well designed interactive CD’s, I think I did pretty good, since those little CD’s got me few contracts.
Ten years later, if I had to start all over again, I would probably do the same thing. This time at least I’ll have the “know how”.
Talya Jackson
July 9th, 2009 at 10:02 amI would say one of the best things I did when starting out was having a contract. A contract made me look professional and it also protected both my clients and myself from mis-communication. I always require a deposit before starting work. The deposit weeds out the serious clients from the flakes.
Also, realize your self worth. Know your boundaries. Its okay to say “no” when you need to.
PS
July 9th, 2009 at 11:41 amI kept my regular job until I had 20+ hours freelancing each week for a month or two, and then I handed in my notice. And this was after slowly building up my client base over the preceding year.
It meant I worked far too much, but could quit going into a good amount of work and with enough savings that I could then concentrate on getting / keeping the best customers.
Cody
July 9th, 2009 at 3:15 pmHaving clients and work lined up before making the jump makes the transition much smoother. Start working on your sales pipeline months before leaving your job.
As well, decided up front what work you will and will not take on. Focus on your strengths, not just whatever comes along. It will keep you much more sane and allow you to do better work.
Marlene
July 9th, 2009 at 3:34 pmI started out with enough reserve/backup funds in the bank to get me through several months of slow times. It took so much of the financial pressure off, allowing me to properly plan/launch my business.
Lexi Rodrigo
July 9th, 2009 at 3:42 pmI listened to my mastermind group and offered services which were in high demand and business owners are willing to pay for.
If you’re a writer and don’t want to write articles or blog posts for peanuts, then offer to write something else that your target clients will pay a premium for.
It may require getting specialized training, but it’s worthwhile to set yourself apart from the competition.
Lorraine
July 9th, 2009 at 6:15 pmFrom the beginning I never let anyone talk me into writing copy for free.
When I did pro bono work it was for causes I supported–my “donation” to their good works.
And I always worked on pro bono projects with my portfolio in mind–wanted to be sure the work was as good as paid projects so it would enhance my portfolio.
Haryo
July 10th, 2009 at 3:38 amI think one of the best thing that I did right was starting my blog about 13 months before I started my freelancing business. When I started my blog on April 2008 I was still working as a full time consultant in an agency.
But over that 13 months span, I’ve built trust and credibility among my blog readers as an expert in my field. So when I decided to start as a full time freelancer, clients were coming quite easily because some of my first clients were also regular readers of my blog.
Quality Leads
July 10th, 2009 at 3:39 amAnother success top tip is to be always on time.
Be punctual, it is a great way to say “I am a proffesional”
Igor
Nicole Foster
July 10th, 2009 at 6:32 amI started freelancing after 5 years of “mastering” xHTML/CSS. I wasn’t a master of it, but I fooled around with it for 5 years. I knew freelancing would be a great way to earn money and learn new things about web design.
I started off getting clients from having low prices (even doing jobs for free) and advertising on a web design related forum. I was already a very active member on a small-ish forum. It worked for me until about February of this year. Everyone got sick of my services and I went on to a bigger forum.
I worked with no tools, but I started out with a tutor. A friend of mine helped me code my first design and I learned from there. Somebody/something that teaches you how to code a design will be a life saver.
So far, my start up was not that bad. I wish I didn’t charge so low, but then again, I wouldn’t have some pieces in my portfolio.
Chesley
July 10th, 2009 at 8:31 amFrom the beginning I had a contract, got full contact information from all of my clients, and I maintained a professional demeanor at all times. I must admit that I have since slacked in a couple of these areas, however, I would attribute these things to my early success.
Another thing that I did early on was keep my options open. I new that getting a single client wasn’t the end all be all, and that I needed to create multiple streams of income.
I have certainly grown and learned a lot (some from experience and some from other writers), but the principles I began with keep my business growing to date.
Melek
July 10th, 2009 at 8:47 amWhat did I do right?
I bought the best computer and laser printer that I could. I believe my laser printer is about 9 years old, and my Mac is 6 years old, and they still run like a charm. They were expensive, but a good investment.
I also didn’t burn bridges. You never know who you will run into from an old job who now works with a potential new client. I still work with my first two clients from 10 years ago.
What did I do wrong?
I don’t think we have enough space here to type all that out :)
Marie Poulin
July 10th, 2009 at 11:39 am1. I remained in good standing with the studio I left. Now, they outsource all of their web-based projects to me, as well as use me for their web consulting, and its a great partnership!
2. Signed up for Freeagentcentral for my accounting. I don’t think I could manage everything otherwise!
3. Starting offering weekend web workshops, so word of mouth spread like wildfire, and got me not only more workshops, but more work!
4. I share my knowledge and skills with others. I always make myself available to answer questions and help people troubleshoot… eventually you become to go-to person for those kinds of things, and people are quick to recommend you!
5. Did a few “favour” jobs to beef up the portfolio. It pays off big-time if you don’t have the kind of work in your portfolio that you want.
GetAFreelancer
July 11th, 2009 at 10:43 pmI wouldn’t change a thing. Making the right contacts is important, I’m now contracted by GAF directly and only have to worry about one client. I could take on more but it wouldn’t be cheap for them.
Susan Greene
July 12th, 2009 at 3:52 pmThere are two main things that I did right when starting out:
1) Created a website and managed to get it well ranked on search engines
2) Connected with a couple of ad agencies and web design firms that provided a steady stream of sub-contract work to me
Will
July 13th, 2009 at 12:42 pmGreat idea for a post!
I’m still new to freelancing, but reckon I’ve got a few things right;
1) I had work before I left the agency I worked at
2) I had a contract. That contract had been looked over by a solicitor.
3) Had a website that was getting lots of traffic from CSS galleries
4) Try to offer the best possible service I can. Clear communication is key to keep clients right up to speed with their projects.
Karl Bowers
October 30th, 2009 at 2:49 pmFunny enough I charged a really high cost for my first web design project (due to the fact it took me forever to finish it – as I learned a lot basic skills on this job!).
Over the years, I haven’t charge anyway near the same amount, but in retrospect I’m beginning to think I should. So now I’m taking steps to bring my pricing back into line with that first project!