A freelancer is his or her boss, and it gives one an opportunity to choose the clients they wish to work for. However, one should not assume that it is easy to be a freelancer as there are an array of problems that are faced by freelancers to be successful.
With this, we are not saying that it is impossible to be a successful freelancer, but the task is not easy. Here are some points that might help you in improving your chances of being a successful freelancer.
1. Sign a contract, every time!
It doesn’t matter whether it is a big contract or a small one; what matters is whether you are signing a contract with the Client or not.
Once you have decided that a contract will be signed with every client, here are some basic points to be covered. Firstly, make a note that the work produced by you is original. Secondly, the client’s proprietary information should stay confidential. Finally, payment terms and accurate details should be noted to avoid confusion at a later date.
2. There is no harm in rejecting a project
In college, if we didn’t want to work on a particular task, we bluntly rejected it. If that wasn’t possible, we used to outsource it to someone else. For example, if we count write an essay, we looked for essay writers for hire and let them give their best for it. However, as a freelancer, all you need to do is to analyze a particular project and just say ‘no’ if it isn’t ideal for you.
Many freelancers are afraid to say no to a particular client assuming that if they do not take a particular project, they will be struggling to survive in the business. This is not the ‘right’ approach because it might lead to disappointment when you take up the job but do not feel the satisfaction while working for the client. Remember that you are a freelancer and if you wanted to force yourself to work on a particular task, taking up a corporate job would have been a better option for you.
So, don’t be afraid to say ‘no’ and you’ll be comfortable while working.
3. Showcase the type of work you are willing to take on
While focusing on your freelance business, you might want to give the client an idea of the work you have done in the past and what you are capable of. This will make it easy for them to decide whether your services would be required or not. At the same time, you’ll be sure that the type of work you’ll get will be satisfactory.
This is important because freelancers make a mistake of modifying their portfolio to get a particular project. If you make this mistake, no party will be satisfied at the end of the project. So, be careful about the work and details you share with your prospective client.
Other points like being transparent with your clients, enhancing your knowledge base, focusing on the present, and splitting your income for tax purposes will help you in becoming a successful freelancer.
