What Makes A Successful Freelancer?

Pros
  •    Independent with all projects
  •    Easier to start business
  •    Decide when you work
  •    Choose when you work and your holidays
  •    Tax & VAT: Claim a percentage of expensive and overheads against your annual income
  •    Opportunity to create a business that is as you want it to be (a venture that truly reflects your enthusiasm, passion and values)

Cons
  •    You will be the alpha and the omega
  •    You will be responsible for costing and quoting, generating sales, attending meetings, taking briefs, production, invoicing, cleaning
  •    Responsible for debts
  •    If you don’t work, you don’t get paid
  •    Try not to be sick or hung-over

Use ‘F’ Words
  •    Fear:
     ~ Motivational tool
     ~ Fear of paying bills
     ~ Fear of loosing success
     ~ Don’t let it control you
  •    Ferocious
     ~ Approach like a lion, attack and devour
     ~ Chase and hold on
  •    Focus
     ~ Laziness is the bane of most freelancers due to no management of supervisors
     ~ Staying focused = Success
     ~ Eliminate distractions
     ~ Use technology to get more done
     ~ If you are really lazy use a calendar with a reminder via email or text message
  •    Fast
     ~ Work faster = Paid faster
     ~ Impress client by doing great work in fast time
     ~ Work hard and fast and reward yourself when your done
     ~ Working faster doesn’t mean producing low quality work and cutting corners
     ~ This means slicker, streamlined designs
  •    Feedback
     ~ Seek often, show concepts and ideas as often as possible
     ~ Saves hours of revision
     ~ Aim for the clients centre
  •    Fun
     ~ Enjoy what you do
     ~ Not all projects are fun and things DO go wrong
     ~ If your stressed have a break, get out, go for a walk, watch television, etc.

What You Need
  •    Communication
  •    Dedication
  •    Desire
  •    Drive
  •    Empathy
  •    Energy
  •    Enthusiasm
  •    Expertise
  •    Honesty
  •    Humour
  •    Intelligence
  •    Knowing the price of ‘a pig’
  •    Passion
  •    Personality
  •    Professionalism
  •    Time management
  •    Trustworthy
  •    Values

What About Your Studio?
  •    Outside
     ~ Location
     ~ Accessibility
     ~ Parking
     ~ Transport Links
     ~ Amenities
  •    Inside
     ~ Atmosphere
     ~ Décor
     ~ Defined Areas
     ~ Equipment
     ~ Facilities
     ~ Furnishing
     ~ Layout
     ~ Lighting
     ~ Smell
     ~ Storage

5 Questions For Freelancers
  1.    What is it that I do?
  2.    Why should customers care?
  3.    Is there a need for what I am offering? (Unique Selling Point)
  4.    Will there be sufficient demand?
  5.    Will that generate sufficient reward for me to move my business forward?