7 Tips for Budding Freelancers

If there’s a science to freelancing, I haven’t found it yet. The more I freelance and the more freelancers I meet, the more I’m convinced that there isn’t one single formula for freelance work. With just a few years under my belt, all progress has come from working hard, reflecting, and staying open-minded.

Freelance work has afforded me the luxury of creating a flexible lifestyle. As a freelancer, I have lived in four countries on three continents and explored many places in between. I have worked with companies and clients around the globe, on projects ranging from books and screenplays to websites and product launches. I’ve learned so much in just a few years thanks to a constant stream of new projects, collaborators, and challenges. With the flexibility to escape to the mountains for a hike or climb on any given Monday, I’ve also had the luxury of living a more balanced lifestyle.

Going freelance may not be a smooth or simple transition, but it has the potential to bring you much fulfillment. Here are some lessons I learned along the way, in case it helps!

Embrace a fresh start.

It’s easy to put pressure on yourself, especially at the start of a transition. As you embark on an exciting new phase in your career, set yourself up for success. Take this period of change as an opportunity to refresh, reset, de-clutter, and renew. Your mindset is a powerful tool.

Take the opportunity to clean your slate. Tidy your desktop, empty and organize your inbox, update your resume, get professional headshots, and build yourself a website. Or simply reduce the clutter in your home and set up a workspace that inspires you.

Focus some time and energy into health and wellness or implement healthy new habits like yoga, meditation, drinking more water—it can go a long way.

Set a schedule that works for you.

Freelancing is about freedom—but that doesn’t mean abandoning a schedule. Use your newfound flexibility to create a schedule that serves your unique needs.

My schedule includes yoga, online classes, coffee breaks, and loads of laundry that keep me productive, engaged, and sane. My schedule also shifts with the seasons; during the winter, I ski in the morning and work into the evenings, which get too dark to enjoy being outside. In the summer, I work weekends and take weekdays off so I can enjoy hiking trails and lakes while they’re quiet.

Don’t be afraid to experiment; it may take time to figure out what works best for you. What works for you might also change over time. Embrace the process and make the most of your freedom.

Develop a focused strategy.

A career change is an opportunity to redesign your work-life balance; it’s worth putting some thought and strategy into.

Have a game plan to ease your transition. The number of opportunities out there is overwhelming and rather than applying for everything you find, it helps to identify the type of available freelance work that best suits you. Start with your niche and expand as needed.

For many, thriving as a freelancer does not happen overnight. It can involve finding an income source that pays the bills while leaving enough time to chase your main goals or develop creative projects. If you don’t land your dream freelance job right away, don’t consider it a failure but a step in a long-term strategy.

As you get busy freelancing, remember that you are the master of your time; productivity is your friend and being mindful of your work habits goes a long way. Staying organized and working efficiently leaves more time to play, pursue your passion project, explore, or get outdoors. Think about ways to work efficiently, whether it’s turning your phone on silent or using tools from the Freelancer’s Toolkit.

A focused strategy can (and should) evolve over time. In order to do so, it requires honest and intermittent re-evaluation. Treat yourself to a solo coffee date as ‘thank you’ for last month’s hard work and while you’re there, ask yourself: Are your actions leading you to your goals? Are you prioritizing the right things for growth? If not, rack focus.

Invest in your development.

Take the time to advance your skills or learn a new one. It’s your responsibility to set yourself up for success; don’t shy away from identifying your weaker points and working on them. Where can you learn new things? There are infinite resources out there including Skillshare (try the free trial).

How can you afford these resources? Take advantage of free trials. Track down free workshops. Cut down your Pumpkin Spice Latte consumption and drop that cash on knowledge. Rifle through your closet and sell some things you don’t need in the name of personal growth. It may take a little sacrifice to invest in the tools you need to get your work done well but some things are simply worth the initial expense.

For me, buying FinalDraft instead over glitchy free screenwriting programs, directing prospective clients to my own domain trixiepacis.com, and having noise-cancelling headphones with a built-in microphone was worth the upfront costs.

Use contracts.

If you aren’t working through a company that offers escrow protection, such as Upwork, execute a simple contract. While nothing compares to proper legal advice and experience, there is a wealth of information available online, including free templates to get you started.

A basic contract should cover pricing, payment schedule, deadline, and copyrights. Also, consider clauses specific to your line of work. This could include clauses covering revisions and rewrites (number included, cost of additional), scope creep prevention, and a kill fee (which secures a percentage of your rate if the job is cancelled).

For specific jobs like screenwriting, know what standard asks (ie. half payment upon commencement) are within your right to request. In general, ask and you’re more likely to receive. Also ensure you have a phone number for clients before submitting deliverables, just in case you need to follow up verbally.

Get the boring stuff in order.

Whether you’re operating as a small business, independent contractor, or sole proprietorship, you need to make sure that your freelance business infrastructure is ready before you get flooded with work. This can save you from stress and unnecessary costs.

BANKING — figure out whether a traditional bank, local bank, foreign bank, online bank, or combination suits you best.

ACCOUNTING & TAXES — Know when you need to file your taxes and figure out how you’re going to do it. If you plan to work with an accountant, get connected early and find out what you can do to expedite the process. Don’t forget to set the right percentage of your income aside for taxes and find out how you can benefit from tax deductions.

VISAS — It is absolutely essential to have the appropriate visa when working in a foreign country. Know the rules and play it safe.

INSURANCE — Save yourself from unnecessary trouble and get a travel and health insurance plan. I use SafetyWing as it is designed for digital nomads and renews each month.

For specifics, check out our freelancer’s toolkit and this ever-growing list of resources for aspiring freelancers.

Connect with fellow freelancers.

It’s easy to feel isolated while working remotely. Apart from lacking co-workers or physical interaction with clients, freelancers are still a minority and not everyone understands the lifestyle. But it is beneficial to connect with like-minded people, whether general freelancers or colleagues in your field. Reach out to friends in similar roles and dive into online communities or Facebook groups dedicated to connecting freelancers. It’s a great way to share support, soundboard ideas, and feel connected to a community.

Trixie PacisMarch 8, 2020