5 Freelancing Mistakes You Will Regret

As freelancers we all end up making a couple of mistakes that we eventually learn from. Sometimes we learn the hard way but it's a lesson well learned.

Given below are the 5 mistakes most of us end up making in our freelancing careers:

1. Charging Low: Anyone who has ever freelanced knows exactly what I'm talking about. While many of us end up accepting slave wages for many projects initially, we must know exactly where to draw the line. Underpricing, up to a certain level is alright, especially when you are an amateur in the field. However charging low gradually will lead the client to believe that your work is of lower quality and that you are desperate. That is why you need to price well and ask for what your work is worth. While building up a clientele is also important, asking for lower charges after a couple of projects will only end up degrading you and your work.
2. Not Getting it in Writing: Don't ever underestimate the power of writing. And that goes for getting all your terms and condition written down clearly when starting a project with any client. Many a times Freelancers end up taking the client's word for something and end up regretting it when the client either point blankly refuses to have made such a claim or changes their mind after you have completed the project. Getting the need and requirements of your client as your own terms and conditions in writing as well will give you a clear cut idea about the project and will save you from a lot of hassle and disappointments.
3. Not Being Clear: Another mistake which most freelancers end up making is of not being very clear. When you make a clear agreement with the client you end up saving yourself major future trouble. Be clear about the requirements from both ends (yours and the clients). As client can sometime end up changing their requirements as they go along, make sure that you are very clear and understand everything before starting work on a project.
4. Being too Proactive: No need to be too proactive when it comes to starting a project after initial contact from a potential client. Serious clients will reach out to you actively and will not hesitate in drawing up a contract. Only the non-serious clients will back out before the project is complete. That can be deflating. That is why make sure that you pay special attention to point# 2 & 3.
5. Losing Client to a petty Demand: Sometimes it is worth giving a discount. If you have a huge project and your client is making an issue about your charges being too high, make sure that you give the client a good discount, instead of losing a client. Making a client feel special by giving them a good discount will not only be good for your business but will also make the client come back. I know that's what I did... With a couple of initial huge projects I offered my clients a small article or two free. This way they pay you what you ask and quit whining about the cost ;)

Sure it's good to learn from your own mistakes but it's even better to learn from the mistakes made by others and avoid it yourself.

Why Freelancing is All That!

It's Happening, it's Real and it's All That!

Despite its various challenges, freelancing is still One of the Best Jobs in the world as it gives you:

>> Control... Over your time, over your money and over your life! You don't have to depend on a boss to reap the merits of your hard work.

>> Freedom... to do things your way! You get to decide where you work and how. Staying out late at night, catching your favorite show, enjoying a holiday with the family or taking out time to celebrate with friends... you can plan your work around everything you want to do.

>> Time for the Things you Love... Where working on a full time job can leave you stressed out and miserable most of the times. Being a freelancer allows your to focus on things you love to do along with your work. It allows you to decide the kind of living you want to have and not forsake your happiness.

>> Job Security... Since you are your own boss you need not worry about getting fired or laid off. Sure, most of the times you have to work really hard to maintain a solid income but at least you don't have to worry about losing all of your income at once.

>> Unlimited Opportunity... Having the freedom to work at anything and everything that you want, freelancing offers you unlimited opportunity. There are many freelancers who have gone on to create successful businesses with the variety and creativity they offer in their field.

And yes, freelancing is all-that and much more! Of course if you are new in this field then getting clients will be the biggest challenge for you in the beginning. But once you get the hang of freelancing, there is little that anyone can do that will make you leave it for good.

Hooked to Freelancing - Why I Stuck to Freelancing

Freelancing is all but fun and although many people get lured into it because of the apparent comforts it offers (because it's said to be "all that"), the truth is that it's not exactly everyone's cup of tea. Today I thought of sharing with you a few facts about freelancing. Facts that got me...
1) hooked to freelancing,
2) still has me hooked after all this time and
3) makes me think twice about going for a 9-5 job again.

Here's why I decided to stick to Freelancing:
1) Comfortable Week Plan: Allows me to work as I want and when I want. I sometimes spend 3 continuous days working and give myself off for 2 days or work every alternate day or however I desire. The best part is that I make my own schedule and can give myself long weekends after tiresome projects.

2) Coz I'm the Boss, that's why!: Best part about freelancing is of course being your own boss. But this isn't just as easy as it sounds. Unless you are willing to take responsibility for your own actions, nag yourself about deadlines and keep yourself up to the mark... freelancing just isn't for you. And sure it has it's down side too but to be honest, if handled well, freelancing is the best job in the world. Because you don't work for some company, you get no office politics, you can create your own leisure time etc etc.

3) It's My Way or the Highway: I not only get to choose what projects I take but also decide how much I charge, when I socialize, make time for myself and do as I please because I have the authority to have it my way.

4) Enjoy Work: If you have a flair for what you do and can have things your way, then freelancing is the way to go. And why not? Give or take a few things it all comes down to the fact that freelancing offers you a relaxed schedule and much peace of mind. No matter what time of the day or what season, with freelancing you get to enjoy every weather and every time of the day. No more 9 - 5. You can work at whatever hours suit you well.

So there you have it... my basic reasons for sticking with freelancing after all this time and despite other possibilities. Although I've summed it all up in just 4 points, all this rant about generally comes down to the 'sense of control' you feel when you're in-charge. Even though sometimes you end up working over 40 hours a week but in the end it's all worth it as you make your own choices and no one gets to boss you around expect you! ;)

Crazed Clients and How to Deal with Them - Freelancing Blues

While freelancing you are bound to come across an assortment of clients. Some of these are going to be nice, some not so and some will be just downright annoying. Here's a look at a few typical ones you might end up working for...

>> The Rush Package: This is the client who wants work done instantly. He wants it now, whether you like it or not. Impatient and restless, this client will have little regard for you or your concerns. He is only worried about his project and you better start working on it right away, delivering it within the next hour or else!

How to Deal: Generally the best way to deal with such a client is to ask for an extra amount of 'rush fee' which you can take in advance (or however it suits you). Unless you are getting a week on the project or a good amount of time asking for an extra fee is a better idea. You have to show the client that while his work is priority, you will also be cutting time on various other project of yours to get his done, so it's only fair to ask for that rush fee. Also this kind of helps calm the client down and who knows, you just might get a few breathing hours or days on the project.

>> The Perfectionists: This client wants top-notch work, the best ever work quality and everything utterly perfect. They will perhaps even make you re-check, double check and triple check your work before they are perfectly sure that you have done a nice job. Of course you are not getting paid for all the extra time you will be spending beating yourself up on their projects, and why should you... as they would say "It's your job!".

How to Deal: Make sure that you set your terms and conditions before taking up any project. Let the client know how you work, what you would and would not do as well. It's always better the play your cards right with this one and make a game plan before you start the project.

>> The Want it All: This guys would want it all. Apart from the work you are assigned he'd want you to take a look at this or a peek at that or do something about this and edit a bit of that. Mind you, he isn't going to pay you for all that extra work because well, he's short on budget. Of course he wouldn't mind getting 10 times as much work out of you for the cost of one.

How to Deal: Proceed with caution with this one. If you feel at any time that he is asking for more work just send him a quote. Simply make a list of services you offer and your price for it and send it to him in reply to his asking for more work. You need to put your foot down somewhere, you are not running a charity but of course if the work you are doing is for a good cause you might want to reconsider all of the above.

>> The Unsure: Normally clients don't know much about the working of what they hire you to do. Some might have a know-how but most are just counting you to offer advice and do a good job. They depend on you to make the right choices and establish a good ground for their project. However these guys are unpredictable and you need to be careful when dealing with them.

How to Deal: Since this guy can be extremely fussy you need to make him understand your boundaries and make sure he doesn't end up asking for a lot of revisions. Because chances are that he might. Be very sure about the things that you are doing and stand your ground as an expert at what you do best so that the client can feel relaxed too. If he isn't .... well tough luck!

>> The Laid-back: This client wants work, that's for sure, but he'll probably be too lazy to send in details on time. He'll message you about the new project he has, or something urgent that he wants and disappear when you ask for details or will not reply back when you ask him something in the middle of the project.

How to Deal: Best way to deal with this guy is to send him an email asking him what you need to know and make sure that you tell him that you cannot proceed until he replies. Or become as laid back as that client. Chances are that he'll be understanding enough or lazy enough to care ;)

So there you have it... crazy clients of this crazy freelancing world (where people expect you to work more for a meager pay). You're welcome to add to this list :)

Freelancing Blues: What To Do When You Have Nothing To Do!

And we're back in the game! So much for the entertainment posts... we'll be giving a rest to that for now (of course we'll keep certain updates coming in from time to time). But at the moment let's start off with our freelancing business once again. The interval was slightly too long for my taste ;)

Aha yes, the Freelancing Blues! For which I must say that you are not truly a freelancer yet if you haven't suffered from the blues :)

Every freelancer, whether you are a writer, painter, designer or do anything that can be freelanced, has suffered from the freelancing blues every once in a while. But mostly it's the artistic writers and painters who are known to suffer from these blues more often. From depression to self-obsession and stress, freelancers are prone to suffer from any of these when they have nothing to do. If you are a victim of the 'nothing to do', then you need to know about the 'where from' and 'how to' bring in the light in order to fight the blues. So read on and get inspired...

9 Surefire Ways to Fight the Freelancing Blues:

Take a Vacation: A vacation is a good thing when you have nothing to do. In fact, it's a great thing! Plan a vacation with friends or family. Go on an adventure trip or plan a getaway to a romantic hideout, whatever your interest maybe. A good long vacation will help you relax and help you de-stress.

Get Entertained: Catch up on some funny sitcoms (there are so many good ones out there these days), go out with your friends on a movie date or just rent a movie and enjoy as your blues start to fade away.

Read a Book: If you were ever an avid reader or enjoy reading then now is the time to pick up a good book and start that reading habit. Reading not only takes you into a whole new world but also helps fight away the depression that just might be lurking in the corner.

Socialize and Party: Perhaps your freelancing work kept you too occupied for months and you never got to go out with your friends like the way you wanted. Now that you have nothing to do, it's probably best to spend some quality time with your friends. Plan a get-together or throw a party, whatever you do just enjoy yourself and understand that this free time won't last forever.

Volunteer: Time on your hand must be well spent, lest it is wasted. Join some volunteer program or help the community by joining a community program. No only is this self satisfying but will earn you some blessings as well.

Develop a New Talent: There must be something that you wanted to do? Perhaps you want to learn how to fish or horseback riding? Maybe you have always wanted to learn how to paint or do some creative writing? Or perhaps you wanted to know how to design a website for work purposes? Now is a good time to start! You have time in hand so don't just sit there thinking what to do, join a course and learn a new trick today.

Exercise or Meditate: Meditation helps fight stress and exercise will not just help you stay fit but will also make you feel good about yourself. Take out time for yourself now that you have time on your hand and explore new horizons.

Spend time with your Family: Go out on that shopping trip that you have been long planning with your sister, spend hours talking with your mother, go on a long walk with your father and hang out with your brother. Try making up for all those times that you missed out on your family because of work perhaps. They will appreciate it and so will you. Oh and don't forget your family pet (if you have one), do spend some quality time grooming or playing with it. It's all for the best.

Catch up on that Lost Sleep: It's not like you lose a lot of sleep if you only freelance but sometimes working on crazy schedules and meeting deadlines can lose you a bit of that sleep you so desire. Now would be a good time to catch up on that lost sleep. Doze off to slumber land and sleep long hours but don't overdo it lest it turns into something as dangerous as hypersomnia. Just remember not to leave out on all the important things in life while you're at it!

Which reminds me... I'll go catch up on that well-deserved sleep as well. Just a good eight hours and then I'm ready to think of some more creative ways of spending these work-less days ;)
Until next time... keep fighting those unnecessary freelancing blues!

Caution: Freelancing Burn-Out in Progress!

Where loads of work is known to get many of us down, shortage (or rather lack) of work can also lead you to agonizing boredom and absolute stress. As full-time freelancers many of us get so caught up in work or worrying about it that personal life is likely to get affected.

Freelancing Insecurities
It is at these times when you tend to get insecure about your expertise or qualifications. While these times might be rare, insecurities are a part of a freelancers work routine, especially during the 'down-times'. Times when there is no work, the weather is blazzing hot, nothing good comes on t.v and your social life is running at a slow pace... did i just give a very pessimist picture? Nah!
It really does happen.

And then you have the freelancing burnout! POOF goes your temper and BAM goes your creativity and WHAM you feel lost and useless. So much for that growing progress of your career! What to do? Hmm... fret not! These times are rare and while many of us are unprepared when they arrive, a bit of logical thinking can help loads. Just put two and two together!

Where to Focus your Energies?
Even when nothing helps its good to remember that your freelancing career is a constant progress. What you offer to your client is unique and has a character of its own, that's why your client keeps coming back for more. Either this or you guys have a contract ;) Anyways, creativity doesn't come from remaining static and its your constant experience in your field that makes you an expert. Although the progress is gradual, most of the times its worth it in the end.

On a freelancing burnout it really helps to use your energies in progressive stuff and leave the stress alone. Instead of stressing over not having work and not having a life, go out there and get a life. Use all your extra time to make yourself flexible by studying some aspect of your job that you have previously ignored. Taking creative classes or teaching yourself some new found skill can help a great deal. You will be able to spend all that extra time on hand and will find the skill you learnt useful in your job as well. In turn this will allow you to grow more confident of your talents and capabilities.

Burnout or not, one thing is for sure... freelancing gives you ample opportunities to educate and train yourself for becoming an expert at a particular job.

How to be Your Own Boss & get Away with it!

No one ever tells you that freelancing isn't all about just sitting at home, relaxing and getting your work done. It's more than just all that 'fun' and 'freedom' people generally associate it with. Yes, freelancing gives you independence but unless you know how to manage certain aspects of your life together and understand how to act like an independent business person, you might as well say goodbye to your freelancing business altogether.

We have already discussed some of the most important aspects of the freelancing career in the earlier posts, including the necessity of keeping a balance between work and play. The next most significant thing for your freelancing career is understanding your independence and appreciating it.

Understand Your Limits
Remember to take charge of your work when you are freelancing. This does not necessarily mean that you try and control each and every aspect of your work but knowing how far you can go. The key point here is to know your limits. Setting boundaries is essential if you don't want people walking all over you (and yes that includes clients). Know what you can do and what you cannot. Be your own boss and get away with it by being firm about your limits, to clients or otherwise.

Create Boundaries
Whether its work or play, as long as you have limits created for yourself there is no chance that things will get out of hand. Also once you have created these boundaries, remember to be firm about them and not sidetrack from them at any given point. The best way to go about is to generally 'notify' people (around you or the ones you are working for) when something comes up. This is one of the best strategies to-date, especially in uncertain situations. Now suppose that you want to take a break from work but are unsure as to the future projects that your client might send. In such a situation, sending a notification of your unavailability for the next few days or a week would help clarify matters before hand and save you and your client a lot of trouble.

Take Charge
Taking charge of your work is as important as taking charge of your life. In fact, for a freelancer it means taking control of your life and understanding not just when to but also when not to compromise. So become your own boss, starting today! Set boundaries, be firm yet polite and consider what to compromise and when. By doing this you will not just earn your client's respect but will also save yourself from a lot of probable future hassle.

Freelancing Qualms: The Good, Bad & the Ugly!

When your Heart tells you to Freelance,
ask your Head as to why you should?

When freelancing some people imagine themselves as successful businessmen of the future and dream of days their freelancing would lead them to a million dollar deal. As a result, many of them end up loading themselves up with work and getting totally stressed out. Then there are those who just don't know what to do with their lives apart from a few freelance projects they get their hands on. Future for them is an unknown territory, a place where angles fear to tread.

It's true that both overload and boredom can eat you alive, but an experienced freelance writer knows his/her boundaries and understands that in order to get somewhere (anywhere at all for that matter) you need to take things one step at a time. Staying focused is the key and considering freelancing as a significant milestone in your life is utterly important.

Take freelancing as a stage of your life. A 'phase' that helps you learn how to create and manage a balance between work and play. A phase that helps you understand whether you are ready for the long term goals you've set for yourself or realize whether all your dreams were only dreams.

Freelancing can also help you understand and respect failure and success. As a freelancer you will try your hand at what you imagine to be your future business/job, and failure at this point in your life will only help you appreciate the other choices that you might have. So what if you failed as a freelancer in your chosen field? At least you now know that it's not your piece of cake and that you still have other types of work that you can go back to. However your success in that certain area will help you explore your potential and will lead you to newer grounds. It may even pave the way to the perfect future job for you, perhaps something you've always wanted.

Remember: Your freelancing efforts can either be a complete success or an absolute failure. Either way, freelancing will be a turning point in your life. All you need to do is realize whether your efforts were for the good (to hold on), or for the bad (to let go) and therefore become capable of avoiding the downright ugly (the path that leads to nowhere)!

Vacation Virtues - Refueling your Freelancing Life!

There are times in a freelancer's life when s/he can't help but wonder where the day went. Times when you get off your sore bottom and stand up stretching yourself only to get startled when you look out the window and realize that yet another day is over. Then you look at the clock and drag your tired self to bed so that in a few hours you can start work all over again. Humph!

It's true that sometimes, while you are freelancing, your days can just liquidate into weeks and weeks into months before you start wondering where all that charm of freelancing went. Did it fly out of your window? Perhaps not. But it surely slipped your mind, I'm guessing!

Take a Vacation
Yes, work can monopolize you at times but remember the first rule of freelancing? It's called 'being your own boss'. And that's where the entire charm of freelancing comes in. As freelancers we do have an advantage of making up for such tiresome days i.e, by taking a vacation... (and here's the best part... wait for it...) We can do it ANY TIME we want! Three cheers for freelancing! Hip hip... oh well, you get the idea :D

Not only can we take vacations any time we want, and for as long as we want but we also don't have to worry about the 'Leave without Pay' scenario. You don't have to comply to the office rules or get anxious about what your boss might say when you tell him that you want to go away for a whole week.

Even if your work is deadline oriented and you just have to work, you can still go on a vacation and manage both at the same time. All you have to do is find a hotel or stay at a place where a free wireless connection is easily available and happily enjoy the change of scenery while you work.

Isn't that just great? All you have to do is remember that you are your own boss, so make things work your way and while we're at it... won't a vacation be a great way to start this month? Swell! I know I wouldn't mind one ;)

Freelancing Work Ethics & the Social Cocktail

There are times when freelancing, despite all its freedom, can get a bit depressing. Sometimes your routine gets you down, while other times its just one of those days when you want to turn to your coworkers and complain to your hearts content. Although working from home is appealing for many, it comes with its own bunch of setbacks.

While on the glamorous side of the freelancing picture you can sit in your PJ's the whole day and work, on the dark side of it you just can't turn to a colleague and complain about your tough schedule and work overload. This is the bit you have to swallow on your own if you freelance.

Chillax and Enjoy!
Having said that, its not all that bad and freelancing still has its own charm. The good part is that you are not bound to that 9 to 5 schedule, nor do you have to sit amongst annoying people all day and bear them. Instead what you can do is work at your own ease and still make time for your favorite friends and family. And this is the charm that attracts many to freelancing, time and time again.

Make time for Socializing
As a freelancer you can schedule your work around your social time and run your business instead of letting your business run you. It's fun to work as a freelancer when you know that you can plan lunches with your friends, take a day off to hang out with the family, go shopping or get off work early because you have a dinner party at night. You can make your schedule work for you and make social time, all in one go (Something you really can't do if you work in an office).

Not just that but while socializing you can also increase your networking and gain more business opportunities as well. The best part about freelancing is that while you can socialize whenever you like, you can also make up for the lost time later as well, especially during those quite days when friends and family are not available to hang out with and when there isn't much going on in your life.

So get up, go out and chillax! Go socialize with friends and make dinner plans with the family. Just because you work from home doesn't mean that your schedule has to be boring. In fact it can be all the more fun mixing work and play together in a social cocktail ;)

Freelancing Frolics - From the CEO's desk

The best part about freelancing is that you get to be your own boss. You set your own schedule, manage your own timings, respond to your own creativity and are responsible for your own self. Sometimes though, while freelancing, you can end up working for multiple bosses and as a result are liable to a hectic schedule and plenty of deadlines.

At the end of the day however, what matters is being capable of managing your schedule, no matter how hectic, and still finding a balance in life. Striking a balance between work and fun is important, especially if you are a freelancer. Don't let work get you down. You are your own boss - remember? So why not find ways to work comfortably around your schedule and at your ease. Freelancing brings freedom a whole new flexibility, so why not happily use it to your advantage!

My next couple of posts will be comprising mainly of tips that will help you bring back the 'fun' and 'freedom' into your freelancing business. So here goes...

Seize the Moment!
Freelancing offers its own advantages. And while you get a fair share of disadvantages too that can make your schedule unbearable, what matters is how well you can cope and strike a balance.

What makes me appreciate freelancing most is the freedom of it all. Despite the usual busy schedule it's exhilarating to try and seize control of your work and life together. It feels like an achievement to make time for going out with friends, cooking a special meal for the family or just relaxing under to cool shade of a tree in the afternoons while playing with your pet. The best part is that you don't even have to compromise your work for these things most of the times.

Make Your Own Time!
True that work schedule can be quite tough at times, not to mention those annoying and sometimes outrageous deadlines we have to meet as freelancers. But making time for fun really helps boost your enthusiasm for work rather than making it more hectic. No matter what your business is or what you freelance about, remember to find a couple of ways to personalize your work schedule even if it means taking time off work every single day. Interrupt your routine on purpose and do something fun and relaxing. Of course this does not imply taking hours off work every day, but at the end it all comes down to understanding your work ethic.

Fit fun things in your everyday work schedule, whether for a few minutes or for a couple of hours. Stop fretting about how much work you have and learn to enjoy that you have work at all. So make your own unique time everyday starting today and bring back the 'freedom' in freelancing! :)

continued...

Perk Up Your Boring Routine and Do Things Your Way!

There must have been times in your life as a freelancer when you get by the day by writing dozens of dull articles on a dozen of dull topics, requiring absolutely no imagination at all. These times aren't rare. For freelancers they tend to appear far too often than needed at times.

Fret not! We all are prone to these days and will go through some sadistically boring routine one time or another. The main reason for why we just 'get by' is mostly so that we can get through the day or the month so as to get paid and pay our ever increasing bills or perhaps so that some of us can maybe indulge in one of the frequently needed shopping spree.

But ending up with a monotonous routine is no way to freelance! If you have done that one too many times then you are truly killing the essence of freelancing itself.,, which is 'freedom'... hence 'free-lancing' ;)

What you need to do is follow a simple process. Something that I like to call the CPP strategy. Here's how you can turn your absolutely monotonous routine into a much more cheerful one:

Customize - The best part about freelancing is that you don't work in an office, so there is no need to give yourself a reason to get bored. It's your workplace... CUSTOMIZE it! Add a little color, get some funky decorations, install your favorite surround system or play station or invest some money in getting yourself high-quality workplace supplies. Anything to get the party started... or rather keeping your mind from getting dull.

Personalize - Figure out when you want to work with what. You are your own boss so make a schedule that works for you. If you can't stand to do one work at a certain time then assign another time for it and do what you can handle at that time. The key is to PERSONALIZE your schedule according to your needs and not to let the work boss you around.

Prioritize - Since you have the freedom to choose what you do, then why not utilize it! Set your standards and remain firm. Only take the work that you know you can do and not just everything that comes your way. Figure out which work is more important and needs to get done and which can wait. PRIORITIZE your work and you will find yourself doing work that you love!

With these 3 simple steps your freelancing work will not only become easier but also loads more fun! Just remember that YOU ARE THE BOSS so do things your way! ;)

Freelancing - The Freedom to Choose!

Why freelance? Because you get to choose what you do. Why choose? Because you have the freedom. Freedom to do what? Freedom to do what you want to do and be who you want to be.

That is what freelancing is all about and what freelancing can give you. You not only get a free rein but also the freedom to express yourself. The great 'freelancing' appeal to many is the freedom of lifestyle and the very choice that is laid before you. But being your own boss isn't all that easy...

While with freelancing you make your own rules and play your own game, a traditional employee ends up under limits and possibly with not much freedom. Freedom is one of the basic reason that lures many into the realms of freelancing. Unbound and unrestricted - It's the place where your creative processes can work at their best and you are able to find your true style. We all seek this path... where we can combine our creative senses and the overpowering need to become our own boss. We desire this essence, we crave this till our entire being screams for us to reach out and grasp the freedom... never letting it go!

Fortunately (or rather unfortunately for some of us) freelancing is not everyone's cup of tea. As freelancing is bound to get overwhelming with time and projects, only those with a true flair and talent for writing actually end up doing this for a lifetime and find a real career in this. The rest of the talentless hopefuls end up... either away from the freelancing world or not doing too well in it.