Working as a freelancer surely has its advantages. You have the ability to decide what types of jobs you wish to take, when you work and can work in your pajamas if you wish. Freelancers tend to work harder than those traditionally employed simply because work is seasonal and they must plan ahead for those slow periods.
Have a Financial Backup Plan
As a freelancer, it is vital that you have a backup financial plan. While you may have a few great months of booming income, there is a slow period ahead. The slow period absolutely depends on your line of work. You must plan for this slow time to ensure that you can still maintain your household.
When you are busy, it may be a good idea to apply for a loan to help build an emergency fund or purchase new equipment. Consider a personal loan with a reputable company like ukhomeandpersonalloans.co.uk. The funds from a personal loan may just save your finances.
Non-Traditional Work Hours
The word traditional, in general, is thrown out the window when you are a freelancer. Setting set hours of operation is important but you must also remain flexible at the same time. There may be instances where clients require rush work that takes you past your typical work hours.
You also have the freedom to set your own hours. A 9 to 5 schedule may be the reason that you chose to become a freelancer to begin with. Advertise the hours that work best for you.
Knowing your Worth
Freelancers often make the mistake of underbidding just to get a job. You must know your worth in order to be successful. Not only will this help build your client-base, but it will help you plan better for slow periods.
There are instances where you may have to devalue your services slightly just to have some income during slow periods. Discounting your services should be done sparingly as you have a household to maintain. Giving frequent discounts makes your clients think that you have ample wiggle room in pricing.
Maintain your Reputation
As a freelancer, your reputation is everything. When clients have poor experiences with you, they post about it online. In a local area, those clients may share their disdain with others. Word-of-mouth goes a long way and you want to make sure that the things coming from your clients’ mouths are positive.
Work Multiple Jobs Simultaneously
Unless a client requires the signing of a non-compete or non-disclosure agreement, you have the ability to work with multiple clients in the same industry simultaneously. Whether the job is piecework or contract, you can work a bit for one client, take a break and switch gears and so on. When you take on multiple clients at once, make sure you still have the ability to meet all of their project deadlines.
Freelance work is difficult, regardless of the industry. Sometimes you may have to bite your tongue to work with a client. That comes with the territory, however, maintaining a calm attitude brings more work your way.
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