There are 3 things that make freelancing worth it for me:
-I rarely work more than 4 hours/day
-I make six figures
-My business fits in a backpack
I've been freelancing for 10 years with lots of ups and downs. Here's what I wish I would have known/did know that was helpful.
1. It's okay to start out small. You don't have to quit your job in some big charade (although, it always makes for a fun story). Moonlight until you're ready to make the transition.
2. Network like crazy. Most freelancers I know power their businesses with referrals--referrals from other freelancers, past clients, friends in the industry. Talk to everyone.
3. Run your business like a business. Meet with an accountant, a lawyer, and a business/freelance consultant. Set up a business bank account, get a business credit card, have a contract in place, find out what other successful freelancers do, etc.
4. Take the lead. When I first started, I let clients dictate everything. It's a recipe for disaster. Take the lead from the first call. Let your clients know how you work, what your processes and prices are, make them sign your contract, etc.
5. Always be learning from other professionals. I constantly read copywriting, freelancing, and industry books/blogs/social feeds. Why? It helps me fine-tune my business, find stories, and learn new skills.
6. Stick to a process. Every time I write a new article, I ask a client to fill out a content brief. Then, I outline the article. Writing without a content brief and an outline is like driving with your eyes closed.
7. Charge more. There is so much that goes into creating a piece of content. And content is so valuable for your clients. Charge for your hours, experience, the value you're producing, the ease of working with you. Etc. Rates for people with 8+ experience should start at $1/word.
8. Focus on your strengths. You don't have to write every type of copy, even if you're kinda good at all of it. Pick a niche and pick a type of content. I write long-form copy (blogs, case studies, ebooks, reports), and refer other types of content requests to friends.
9. Write *almost* every day. Write as often as you can. Practice makes...better. It gets easier with time.
10. Take breaks. I work a lot, but I also play. I like to frontload my months, so I can travel at the end of the month. Plus, my business fits in a backpack.
What would you add? What have you learned as a freelancer that new freelancers should know?
