Three Creative Freelance Tips

Talent ≠ Success. Transitioning from an employee to an entrepreneur requires discipline, organization, motivation, and a head full of common sense.

You say, “I know that, I’ve been doing X for Y years.” That’s great! There is always room for improvement, though, whether you’re a recent grad or a 30 year veteran. Business and communication landscapes are changing every day and that which was once commonplace will inevitably smash into something new and precipitate change. It takes intuition to stay focussed and relevant. It takes practice and it takes humility because as designers, developers, marketers, writers, and photographers… we might naturally form bad business habits. It’s been phrased many different ways; artsy-fartsy, creative types, fickle, free spirited, misunderstood…

Eighty percent of life is showing up. - Woody Allen

We’re all busy people, but in a highly competitive employment climate every cadence of your professionalism counts. When you say, “I’m too busy” it’s important to know that it can come across as, “I’m too important”. Time and time again I’m surprised by specialists who can’t seem to arrive on time. It’s fundamental. Start your commute earlier and think ahead about things that might go wrong. Will your bus be there on time? Do you need to find parking? Are you sure that your GPS hasn’t lead you astray? Go out of your way to arrive a few minutes early and if you undershoot just grab a coffee beforehand. Take a second to breathe, compose yourself, and go into each conversation with a sharp mind. Showing up is not simply about arriving, it’s doing so while being present, by engaging others once you’ve arrived.

I work better in the evening.

No. You might, but the greater business community doesn’t run on your schedule. As a young designer all-nighters were my badge of honour; a blue collar “pulled up by my artistic bootstraps” cheque that could be written in the 11th hour. Nowadays, I see late nights as an indication of poor time management and a lack of self-respect. There are times where long hours at the studio are fully justified but the frequency should only be once or twice a year. Be accountable to yourself by championing better work habits and maintain regular office hours so you’re there when your clients need you. Start a google calendar, set reminders, answer your phone and emails quickly, and be careful not to burn out. Take regular breaks, stand up, stretch your legs, rest your eyes, eat well and drink plenty of water.

Consistently seek to improve your performance.

You’re passionate. Your goal is to deliver consistent, high-quality results every time. Never lose that drive, but remember that with a competitive marketplace comes tight margins, tight deadlines, and irritable stakeholders. Project management is usually a great place to start:

1. Do a SWOT self-analysis to recognize your strengths and weaknesses.
2. Finesse your improv and negotiation skills so that you can navigate complexities when they pop up.
3. Track your time. Look at your day and approximate what you’ve done; 1 hour project management, 3 hours design research, 2 hours wireframing, 1 hour social media… Track all of it. After a few months you’ll understand time intensive tasks, you’ll write accurate budgets, and you’ll see exactly where your time is wasted. Start with Harvest or Fresh Books!
4. Write clear, concise proposals and contracts that consider possible risk scenarios. Great contracts not only protect you but also the interests of your client. Always get a deposit.
5. Designers love presenting work with a “big reveal”. This is ineffective and polarizing. Show work early, show work often, and involve your client in the process so they trust you have their best interests in mind.
6. Focus the conversation and strive to be the most professional person in the room.
7. Know how to begin a meeting and know how and when to end a meeting gracefully.
8. Conduct a thorough case study once a project is complete. Not only is this a helpful marketing tool, but it validates your expertise and reinforces your commitment to quality.

And lastly, there is no excuse for poor customer service.