Trying Your Wings: Freelancing Tips
By Susan H. Burnell, APR
Fifteen years ago, I got kicked out of the nest. It wasn't a cushy job but the work was stimulating and the paycheck was decent. I had
been lucky enough to get a heads-up from a former colleague who said he heard I was "on the list" for the next round of layoffs. That
gave me time to plan and make as graceful an exit as possible.
The layoff gave me the opportunity to see if my wings worked. Turns out they did, and I've had my own business ever since.
Facing a layoff yourself? Whether you just need to wing it until you land something else, or you're ready to soar into a solo career, here
are a few freelancing tips.
The ABCs of Freelancing (A-J)
Assess your resources
What do you have already? Consider your own unique interests and marketable skills, your financial resources, available work space
and equipment, and your own level of desire for independence. Build your business strategy accordingly. Some experts recommend
having a year’s living expenses in the bank—but don’t let that scare you if you or stop you from freelancing. The real wealth comes from
your ready network of friends and colleagues. They are your support system and your best resource for building your own business.
Budget
Keep your overhead low. Don't use credit cards to fund your start-up costs. If you have some severance pay coming, save as much of it
as you can. Set up an office at home (ideally, set aside a separate room with a door you can close). Know what you can afford to put
into the business, and set your goals and your limits. Determine the minimum number of billable hours per month you need to get by,
and track your progress weekly. Review the actual time you spend on each project versus the amount billed, so you’ll know which of
your clients are generating the highest per-hour profits for you. Blinksale is a very inexpensive online invoicing and tracking system that
can save you a ton of work if you're not particularly math-minded.
Computer skills & technology
Of course you need a computer, phone, basic computer skills and high speed Internet access. You don’t have to have the latest and
greatest version of every new technology—except virus protection—but you do need standard word processing software, a decent
printer, answering machine or voice mail, scanner or multifunction fax/scanner/printer. A cell phone is actually optional, depending on
whether you need to be available to clients anytime and anywhere. Find a really good tech person you can call on in a crisis.
Discipline
Manage your time just as you would if you were reporting to someone else. Guard your time carefully, discourage drop-ins, and limit
long-winded phone callers. Use couriers to deliver your work so you can focus on billable projects. If your workload is light, it’s
tempting to sleep in on a Monday. But you’ll feel less guilty about it if you have your next project lined up first.
Excellent customer service
Be determined to give your very best to every client. Ask a friend to proof your work if you aren’t sure about something. Check back
frequently to make sure your clients are satisfied with work in progress. Take the time to thank each customer when the work is done.
Remember them on holidays, birthdays and special occasions.
Focus on visibility
Network, network, network! Keep your name and your face out in front of your target audience. Go to monthly meetings of several
networking groups—you’ll learn something new, and the person next to you could be your next big client. Meet friends, clients or
prospects for lunch on a regular basis to stay connected and keep from feeling isolated. Use LinkedIn to network online, and keep
your profile updated.
Give back
Volunteer, now that you have more control of your own time. It helps you achieve the balance in your life you may not have had before. It
can also be an opportunity to fine-tune your skills in a safe environment, and it’s a chance for people to see you in action.
Hand it off and spread it around
Don’t be afraid to turn work down. If a client asks for something that you don’t have the time, the skills, or the desire to tackle, it’s better
to say no and refer the client to someone else. And, if a project is more than you can handle alone, explain this to your client and then
offer to bring in another independent contractor under your supervision, to accomplish the customer’s objective.
Invest in your own skills
Budget for your own professional development. Take seminars and workshops. Attend conferences. Become accredited. Anything you
do to hone your skills and keep up with industry trends and technology makes you more valuable to your clients. Share pieces of what
you learn with them, and you’ll become known as an idea resource.
Jump for joy!
Celebrate your successes! Give yourself a treat when you finish a big project or land a notable client. Buy something just for you, name
yourself Employee of the Month and order a plaque, go to a comedy club, take a mini-vacation or spend an entire Tuesday afternoon at
your favorite bookstore. You know the incentives that motivate you most. When you have worked hard, reward yourself!
About the author: Susan Burnell, APR is an accredited public relations professional and business writer based in Houston, Texas. Her
work has appeared in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, American Legacy, North Florida Doctor and numerous other magazines.
Burnell's bylined special sections have earned writing awards from the International Association of Business Communicators and the
Florida Public Relations Association. For more information visit www.inkspark.net
By Susan H. Burnell, APR
Fifteen years ago, I got kicked out of the nest. It wasn't a cushy job but the work was stimulating and the paycheck was decent. I had
been lucky enough to get a heads-up from a former colleague who said he heard I was "on the list" for the next round of layoffs. That
gave me time to plan and make as graceful an exit as possible.
The layoff gave me the opportunity to see if my wings worked. Turns out they did, and I've had my own business ever since.
Facing a layoff yourself? Whether you just need to wing it until you land something else, or you're ready to soar into a solo career, here
are a few freelancing tips.
The ABCs of Freelancing (A-J)
Assess your resources
What do you have already? Consider your own unique interests and marketable skills, your financial resources, available work space
and equipment, and your own level of desire for independence. Build your business strategy accordingly. Some experts recommend
having a year’s living expenses in the bank—but don’t let that scare you if you or stop you from freelancing. The real wealth comes from
your ready network of friends and colleagues. They are your support system and your best resource for building your own business.
Budget
Keep your overhead low. Don't use credit cards to fund your start-up costs. If you have some severance pay coming, save as much of it
as you can. Set up an office at home (ideally, set aside a separate room with a door you can close). Know what you can afford to put
into the business, and set your goals and your limits. Determine the minimum number of billable hours per month you need to get by,
and track your progress weekly. Review the actual time you spend on each project versus the amount billed, so you’ll know which of
your clients are generating the highest per-hour profits for you. Blinksale is a very inexpensive online invoicing and tracking system that
can save you a ton of work if you're not particularly math-minded.
Computer skills & technology
Of course you need a computer, phone, basic computer skills and high speed Internet access. You don’t have to have the latest and
greatest version of every new technology—except virus protection—but you do need standard word processing software, a decent
printer, answering machine or voice mail, scanner or multifunction fax/scanner/printer. A cell phone is actually optional, depending on
whether you need to be available to clients anytime and anywhere. Find a really good tech person you can call on in a crisis.
Discipline
Manage your time just as you would if you were reporting to someone else. Guard your time carefully, discourage drop-ins, and limit
long-winded phone callers. Use couriers to deliver your work so you can focus on billable projects. If your workload is light, it’s
tempting to sleep in on a Monday. But you’ll feel less guilty about it if you have your next project lined up first.
Excellent customer service
Be determined to give your very best to every client. Ask a friend to proof your work if you aren’t sure about something. Check back
frequently to make sure your clients are satisfied with work in progress. Take the time to thank each customer when the work is done.
Remember them on holidays, birthdays and special occasions.
Focus on visibility
Network, network, network! Keep your name and your face out in front of your target audience. Go to monthly meetings of several
networking groups—you’ll learn something new, and the person next to you could be your next big client. Meet friends, clients or
prospects for lunch on a regular basis to stay connected and keep from feeling isolated. Use LinkedIn to network online, and keep
your profile updated.
Give back
Volunteer, now that you have more control of your own time. It helps you achieve the balance in your life you may not have had before. It
can also be an opportunity to fine-tune your skills in a safe environment, and it’s a chance for people to see you in action.
Hand it off and spread it around
Don’t be afraid to turn work down. If a client asks for something that you don’t have the time, the skills, or the desire to tackle, it’s better
to say no and refer the client to someone else. And, if a project is more than you can handle alone, explain this to your client and then
offer to bring in another independent contractor under your supervision, to accomplish the customer’s objective.
Invest in your own skills
Budget for your own professional development. Take seminars and workshops. Attend conferences. Become accredited. Anything you
do to hone your skills and keep up with industry trends and technology makes you more valuable to your clients. Share pieces of what
you learn with them, and you’ll become known as an idea resource.
Jump for joy!
Celebrate your successes! Give yourself a treat when you finish a big project or land a notable client. Buy something just for you, name
yourself Employee of the Month and order a plaque, go to a comedy club, take a mini-vacation or spend an entire Tuesday afternoon at
your favorite bookstore. You know the incentives that motivate you most. When you have worked hard, reward yourself!
About the author: Susan Burnell, APR is an accredited public relations professional and business writer based in Houston, Texas. Her
work has appeared in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, American Legacy, North Florida Doctor and numerous other magazines.
Burnell's bylined special sections have earned writing awards from the International Association of Business Communicators and the
Florida Public Relations Association. For more information visit www.inkspark.net
Imagination Ink
Business Writing & Public Relations
Business Writing & Public Relations
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Imagination Ink
Business Writing & Public Relations
Business Writing & Public Relations
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