Six Foundations of Freelance Success
Posted October 23, 2009 in Business, Inspiration 39 Comments »
Are you sick of reading about other people’s success? Are you tired of seeing headlines like these?
- How I Made a Thousand Dollars In a Single Day
- I Earn a Full-time Income While I Sleep Without Even Lifting a Finger
- Retire Rich This Year
- Become a Millionaire Tomorrow
You could probably list similar headlines. The Internet is littered with these types of promises. You’re probably just about as tired of seeing these headlines as I am.
Real success doesn’t happen overnight, and it isn’t easy either. Most of these success headlines aren’t useful to freelancers — they may have worked for someone in a very specific situation, but most of them are just scams or useless information.
That being said, there is real success advice you can use that works practically 100% of the time. Best of all, following this freelancing advice won’t cost you a dime.
Real Success Secrets You Can Really Use Right Now
Real success advice usually doesn’t involve get-rich-quick schemes and creative ways to get money while you avoid work. Instead, real success advice teaches you how to work smarter and compete better. That’s the type of freelancing advice I have to share with you today.
Here are six practical action steps that you can form a foundation of success for your freelance business:
- Care — Really care about your clients and their needs. It may surprise you, but most of your competitors are interested in making money first and serving the client’s needs second. By caring about your clients you immediately set yourself apart from your competitors.
- Listen — You won’t discover what your client’s need unless you listen to them. Are you doing most of the talking in your client relationships? That could signify a problem. Slow down and find out what your clients have to say and how they feel about their projects.
- Persevere — Don’t quit trying. You won’t succeed if you keep giving up. The most successful people in life learn and grow from their mistakes. You can do the same. Your failure now may be the first step towards your ultimate future success.
- Think — Working smart is always better than working harder. Take the time to learn new skills and techniques. Plan your work schedule carefully and stick to your plan. If you can, work ahead so that you won’t be caught unprepared for a last minute crisis.
- Do — You’d be surprised at how many people are all talk and no action. To succeed you need to be a doer as well as a talker. Set goals and then take the necessary steps to meet those goals. You won’t succeed if you don’t try.
- Dream — Don’t be afraid to have dreams. Many freelancers are afraid to try something new or unproven, yet some of history’s greatest success stories came from people who were willing to follow their dreams and take risks.
As you review the list, you’ll probably notice that these tips will work for many different life circumstances and not just for freelancing. Your job is to find and apply each of these to the different areas as you see fit.
Another thing to notice about these tips is that they seem very basic — but actually using these tips on a regular basis can be extremely difficult. To achieve real success, though, it’s necessary to put in the time and effort, and following these tips is a good foundation.
Share Your Success
Have you already succeeded? Do you have some success tips of your own?
We’d love to hear about your success. Tell your success story and share your success tips in the comments.
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
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:11 pmI think you’ve managed to cover all the foundations to freelancing success, Laura.
On a practical level, my own formula is:
awesome work + business savvy = freelancing success
While I’ve accomplished more than I expected when I started “writing on the side,” I think I’m still a work in progress. I worked 19 years in the non-profit sector before becoming a freelancer and had zero business skills. So I’m still building that part of he equation.
But I’ve seen enough progress after picking up a few business skills to know that business savvy is key to my success.
Laura Spencer
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:22 pmHi Lexi!
I like your formula too. On a practical level, it’s easy to remember too.
Thanks for sharing your advice for success!
Keep the success tips coming . . .
Amber Weinberg
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:54 pmNever give up is probably the best of all the tips, I can’t tell you how many times before I tried to jump into freelancing, only to get dismayed and give up and return back to a full-time job. As soon as I returned to a full-time job, I had clients come knocking down my door that I had to pass up because of the job. If I had only waited a bit longer, I would’ve been ok. It’s something I have to remind myself of since I once again (and permanently) returned to full-time freelancing.
Mason Hipp
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:21 pmI have my own success formula that I’ll add to the list, for what it’s worth :-)
Constant Improvement + Never Give Up = Guaranteed Success
Basically, if you work hard enough, keep learning, and don’t give up — it’s just a matter of time. That belief kept me going through a lot of the difficult times that come along with starting a new business.
Time Management
October 23rd, 2009 at 3:27 pmConstant Improvement + Never Give Up = Guaranteed Success. Thanks for that!
Ed Gandia
October 23rd, 2009 at 3:35 pmHi Laura.
What a great post! The best manager I ever worked for loved to tell us to get back to fundamentals. “Block and tackle, team! Let’s get back to basics and get better at these fundamentals than anyone else.”
We did. And we beat the pants out of our competitors.
In an age where everyone’s continually trying to find the silver bullet (e.g., a “new and foolproof social media strategy…”), we’d all be better off focusing on the fundamentals you’ve laid out here.
And Lexi…love your formula. I would even change the + sign to an x. That combination really has a multiplier effect!
Laura Spencer
October 23rd, 2009 at 3:39 pmThanks to everyone who shared your success tips!
Ed – I especially love your story about the manager who made you focus on the basics. He sounds like a wise man.
Keep the comments coming. . .
Rose Zhao
October 24th, 2009 at 12:10 amDear Laura,
Thank you so much for writing this. It’s very encouraging and I am looking up to you.
Warm regards,
Rose Zhao
Alex Lim
October 24th, 2009 at 7:03 amThanks for your tips Laura. I really learn a lot from this blog. Adding up from what you’ve mentioned above, being responsible towards whatever task you will be assigned in will give you some taste of success too. If you give justice towards what your client is expecting from you, then, there is a greater chance of building a mutual trusting relationship which is a good foundation of your reputation.
Lastly, “Love your profession”, another tip which I learned from a person I look up to.
Solomon
October 24th, 2009 at 10:27 amMy formula is: Each opportunity has a ripple effect; hold on to it as if your life depends on it (work to the best of your abilities, the best work that is).
Initially, when I was a rookie I used to take up everything and anything for whatever sum… but now I found my time more precious to throw away. So I hang on to few good clients who believe me and trust my advice.
Good advice for me is to listen: I need to listen to them even more. Good Points to ponder over!
Harry - GoalsOnTrack
October 24th, 2009 at 12:21 pmI agree with the one for “Do”. WIthout taking massive action, none of others will help matters much.
For setting goals, you may want to check out http://www.GoalsOnTrack.com, a very nicely built web app designed for tracking goals and todo lists, and supports time tracking too. It’s clear, focused, easy to navigate, worth a try.
Aurora
October 25th, 2009 at 4:15 amHi Laura,
Thanks so much for these tips, I really appreciate it! I’m new to freelancing, but I can really relate to not giving up – I think you really need to believe in yourself, ignore all the negative stuff everyone’s telling you, and just taking the bull by the horns and grab opportunities that comes your way.
Also, don’t get completely miserable and wallow in self-pity, nothing comes from it! Just stay positive, and get out there and talk to people. The worst thing they can say is ‘no’.
Thanks again!
JP Delmé
October 25th, 2009 at 12:25 pmGreat article!!
I guess wel all read this article and say “duh” but the points listed above must be repeated over and over again until they become second nature.
I have my own business now for a year and i’m really in a struggle to keep myself afloat. but every day i just try and put in that extra 10% to learn and do things that are not in my nature.
One of the most important things is to not go for the easy buck but show dedication and motivation towards clients and prospects and the work will come.
Thanks for reminding me again.
Mike
October 26th, 2009 at 4:33 amI’d add confidence to the list. If you have confidence in your abilities and believe in yourself then this will reflect when you meet your clients and they will respond well to this and likewise have confidence in you.
Luke Jones
October 26th, 2009 at 7:26 pmI haven’t succeeded but I like to think I’m succeeding… I’m farely new to freelancing, having only just hit the year mark at the beginning of September, and I’ve never expected it to be an easy ride. Unsurprisingly I’ve had quite a few lows but some massive highs and I always try my best to follow rules similar to the ones you’ve posted here.
Hopefully I’m ‘on the up’ as it were!
AffirmingSpirit
October 27th, 2009 at 5:51 pmWhen I started my solo biz 15 years ago, I actually had clients with projects lined up to work with me and was able to pay off all my start-up debt within 9 months. Later, I was told this was amazing considering the economy at the time. Yeah!
Prior to starting my business, I was lucky to have had spent the prior 15 years working not just on my marketable skills but also on my self: self-esteem, mindset, etc. I’ve come to realize that those who are ABLE to persevere, have confidence and dream, have put some effort into that. Nowadays, it’s often referred to as applying the Law of Attraction. Whatever you call it, if you are not first in a positive place with WHO you are, and the VALUE you offer your clients, then none of the business steps really matter.
This year, I finally made a commitment to help freelancers and solopreneurs the way I was helped by creating Quantum MasterMind for Solopreneurs. There are tons of masterminds that will keep you accountable, but this one also helps you get to the inner work needed to succeed. Folks can learn more at http://www.affirmingspirit.com/quantumMM/.
Many blessings,
Nancy
@AffirmingSpirit
Aurora
October 28th, 2009 at 5:06 amThat’s very inspiring, thanks, Nancy!
AffirmingSpirit
October 28th, 2009 at 1:07 pmYou are welcome, Aurora! I appreciated those who helped me grow my solo biz, and now I’m thrilled to be returning the favor (with a twist).
Many blessings,
Nancy
Jamie
October 29th, 2009 at 6:45 pmGreat post, Laura! Thanks to you (and everyone else) for sharing your tips!
Kevin Donnigan
November 20th, 2009 at 9:03 pmGreat advice! Thank you… More inspiration for me to keep going since I hold most of these qualities. I knew I was doing something right! :-)
Autrige Dennis
November 24th, 2009 at 10:24 amYou have to love what you do. If you love what you do, money or all the negative things to what is listed above will not be a part of your business ethics. I am a Patent Illustrator, I work for a really large IP law firm as their sole illustrator. Still work there, but I practically clone my job and do it at home as a business http://www.ascaddex.com of my own with my clients around the country and locally. I also have employees handling my projects. I am so good and passionate at what I do that other drafting services seek my service to help them meet their deadline. Law firm seek me out as contract. I still hold on to my job because of loyalty and because it is not demanding. I am enjoying what I am able to do and it did not happen overnight. With patient and not giving up and believing in your skills, you can do it.
James Galt
December 1st, 2009 at 9:25 amHi Laura, I love your article and your writing style!
I would have to say that “Care” is the one I keep coming back to. If you genuinely care about what your doing it will pervade everything you touch.
It always pays dividends!
james
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