I didn’t plan to freelance. In 2019, I moved to France for my master’s program, started selling gigs on Fiverr to get by, and I finished school and couldn’t get a work-sponsorship job. I found an employer who would only hire me if I registered as a freelancer and I succumbed to that. I have not looked back since then. It’s being 4+ years as a freelancer and I want to share my freelancing tips for freelancers.
By mid-2020, I registered my freelance business (with little to no help) and had to teach myself the administrative aspects of the business because no one wants to receive a letter from the French social security system that you owe them. I learned that it was considered a business in France, and you are required to do as the system stipulates.
So far, I have had my highs and lows but gave myself grace and learned many things the hard way. I knew first-hand doubt, asked myself if this would work and be sustainable, went two months without a client, and even upskilled.
Four years later, here I am, and I am thankful for everything I learned all these years. I’m not there yet, but I’m on the path.
CONTENTS
- Trust yourself
- Don’t work for exposure
- Find out their budget
- Don’t hope too much
- Prioritize written communication
- Niche down
- Send that email
- Adapt to new skills or technology in your field
- Your contract is your bible
- Set up a solid payment and invoicing system
- Set boundaries
- Don’t rely on freelance platforms
- Have more than one client
- Build a strong profile
- Under-promise and over deliver
- Don’t undersell to fit in
- Have varied skills and income
- Learn to manage your time
- Ask for reviews
- Seek help
I have a zillion tips to share, but in no particular order, here are my best practical freelancing tips for freelancers:
1. TRUST YOURSELF
Like every new business, you will not automatically drum up customers’ especially if they don’t know about you. I started by sending 50 cold emails per month, and got a “we’ll get back to you later” and a “we don’t need that now” response out of 50 recipients. I persevered and was consistent in what I was doing until it clicked.
So, it is too early to give up on yourself and too late to turn back now.
2. DON’T WORK FOR EXPOSURE
This is one of the best freelancing tips for freelancers I wish I was told!
If a brand or company (no matter the size) approaches you for a free collaboration in exchange for referrals or a retainer package, 9 out of 10, the odds will be against you.
Here’s the truth: businesses looking to outsource or contract an aspect of their business to an independent contractor or content creator or influencer, already has an allocated budget for that service. So, if you are approached with the promise of a free gift or ‘we would like to test your services for a while before we commit’, you should decline politely and redirect your energy to clients that will appreciate your time and effort.
3. FIND OUT THEIR BUDGET
A client reached out to me last year and, after our initial discovery call, asked me to send a quote. Blindly, I reviewed his project objectives and just sent him a quote.
Sounds good, right? No!
He returned with a follow-up email and said my quote was too high for their budget. I thought I had done the right thing but I was clearly wrong. I should have inquired their budget for the project and reviewed that with my tasks. Hence, I lost the gig!
So, before you send your quote to that client, ask them their budget for the gig and review that with your assignment. This way, you have an idea of how much they are willing to pay and see how you can fit in your skills for that project.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate if their budget does not match the amount of work you will be expected to do. This way, you are paid correctly for your skills and the client is also satisfied.
4. DON’T HOPE TOO MUCH
When I send out cold emails, I try not to dwell on them in the hope that the client will get back to me (because I thought I wrote a killer proposal). I was washed up with disappointment every time because I expected every client to reply with a “Let’s do this!”.
Please don’t do this!
So, one of my freelancing tips for freelancers is after researching your client, draft a personalized email, send it, and move on to the next client. If it works, it works. This way, you are not distracted by your imagination and can focus on other tasks.
5. PRIORITIZE WRITTEN COMMUNICATION.
In my contracts, I have a clause that states how and what times I should be contacted – by email or my WhatsApp business chat.
Of course, you can have verbal communications with your clients, but let it be to reiterate any prior communication you may have had, like confirming your working times, etc.
Further reading: 12+ hard truths about freelancing
6. NICHE DOWN
One undermined freelancing tips for freelancers is to identify your skills, master it and build on it.
Everyone says niche down, but no one is talking about ways to identify the strengths that could help you niche down. Finding your niche not only emphasizes on your skills but on your target clients and industry as well.
I started out in customer support, then I picked my interest with ecommerce businesses, focused and became good at it, worked with a SaaS company, and then it clicked: I niched down to Customer Support Specialist for Ecommerce and SaaS (so says my LinkedIn too).
So, pick something in demand that interests you, get the right skills, find your strength, build it, focus on it, do it again and again, and be very good at it.
7. SEND THAT EMAIL
Forget the glamour you see on YouTube that you should build a website, set up automation, and use automated campaigns. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with these, but they should not be at the top of the list.
As long as you have a dedicated email address, zoom or meet a contract, and a sample invoice, you can start sending cold emails immediately. So, start cold emailing right away.
8. ADAPT TO NEW SKILLS OR TECHNOLOGY IN YOUR FIELD.
A man who is a master in his craft is a man who is skilled and knowledgeable in his field!
With the rave of AI and technology, it is slow to rely on traditional methods when working. I always look out for industry updates, new add-ons, or AI features from helpdesk companies and familiarize myself with updates to make me stand out from the crowd.
Also, look out for AI tools or software that saves you time and energy, especially in the administrative aspects of your business.
9. YOUR CONTRACT IS YOUR BIBLE.
No matter how friendly a client is to you, do not take on a project without a signed agreement.
The contract is not for the job. It is for you: to protect you and ensure that your work is valued.
Your contract is not just about your rates or work boundaries, but can protect you from intellectual theft. So don’t start a project without a contract.
This is one of the best freelancing tips for freelancing I wish I knew earlier.
10. SET UP A SOLID PAYMENT AND INVOICING SYSTEM
It doesn’t have to be automated or sophisticated. Set up a payment and invoicing system that protects you and ensures that your payment methods are secured.
Not only that, include a clause in your invoice that states a payment deadline and elaborates the consequences of a payment delay in your contract. Example, all payments should be made within 5 days of receipt of the invoice, and delays can incur an additional 10% fee.
If you can, request a 60% or 70% down payment from your clients before starting a project, especially design and servicing contracts.
This way, you get paid on time and plan for your tax declarations as well.
Further reading: 9 signs your business needs a freelancer
11. SET BOUNDARIES
Write your boundaries into the contract and affirm them through clear communication. Explain your work hours, contact times, and work style to the client from the start. For example, always share your availability, preferred communication methods, and expectations for professional treatment. If they act clingy towards you, remind them that you don’t need to be micromanaged like an employee!
12. DON’T RELY ONLY ON FREELANCE PLATFORMS
I was guilty of this in the beginning, and no one un-told me this. Freelance platforms are great for getting your feet in the door but not sustainable for a long-term freelance career.
My freelancing tip to beginners is to take advantage of the visibility that freelance platforms offer but focus on other sources to find clients.
13. HAVE MORE THAN ONE CLIENT
You will be set up for disappointment if you allow one client account for 50% of your income. Spread them evenly so that each client should only account for about 30% of your monthly income. This is because if your main client decides to stop using your services, you will be at a risk of loosing a large chunk of your income.
So, while you can have a client with the most pay, ensure that there are other sources of income within your portfolio.
14. BUILD A STRONG PROFILE
Whether it is on your favorite freelance platform, your resume, LinkedIn, or your website, create and optimize a profile that speaks for you in your absence. You want people to know your niche and skills once they visit your profile.
So, I always advise that you make your profile stand out and easy to understand.
15. UNDER-PROMISE AND OVER-DELIVER
An important tip for freelance beginners is to set modest goals and exceed them – that is, under-promise and over-deliver.
If it takes you five days to complete a design, set it for seven days: five days for the work, one day as a buffer in case you need extra time, and one day to review and send to the client. It allows you to build good credibility and reviews, so don’t be in a hurry to impress a client.
16. DON’T UNDERSELL TO FIT IN
I understand that to get somewhere means to start somewhere, and it’s generally okay to take low-budget tasks to build your portfolio, but you should not remain at this level. Do not consistently undersell yourself to get clients. As a rule, you should increase your rates each year and charge standard rates applicable to your skills and market.
17. HAVE VARIED SKILLS AND INCOME
This is one of my best freelancing tips for freelancers, from me to me.
Have multiple skills that generate multiple incomes, to keep you afloat during low periods.
If possible, sell your craft – that is, digitalize it. A freelance web designer can decide to sell editable Shopify templates to business owners on Etsy. Or a graphic designer can sell notion or app templates on Shopify.
If you are skilled in different fields, have clients from both fields to have consistent income coming in. For Example, a receptionist skilled in data analytics can have clients in hospitality and IT.
18. LEARN TO MANAGE YOUR TIME
Juggling between clients tasks and the administrative aspects of your freelance business is one an underrated skill every freelancer should have.
Submitting projects late and not responding promptly to clients are two things that a freelancer, new or old, should never do.
Learn to schedule tasks and follow them. Submit your projects before the deadlines, and be early to meetings with your clients. Set rules for yourselves and be disciplined to abide by them.
Further reading: How to use your hospitality experience to transition to customer support
19. ASK FOR REVIEWS
I worked for a client for a year before I remembered to ask for a review – a review that later paved the way for other reviews.
Don’t be shy or afraid to ask for client reviews. You deserve it! Collect them and publish them for others to see.
I recommend inviting your clients to review your LinkedIn Service Page, that way, prospective clients know they are authentic. Some people may doubt self-published reviews on your website, so make it credible.
20. SEEK HELP
One of my best freelancing tips for freelancers, especially beginners, is to always ask questions.
Don’t assume you know everything or that you have it all. Do your research, ask questions, and get the necessary help needed.
Freelancing isn’t just about working – there are admin and financial aspects to it. As much as you can, reached out to experienced freelancers in your field. Join freelance communities and seek help from a licensed professional if need be.
The worst they can say is no, but there is no shame in admitting that you need help.
CONCLUSION
One of the things I have learned over the years in freelancing is that it doesn’t matter your qualifications, and if no one needs your skill it’s pointless. It is okay not to have people cheer you up, but it’s important to have a circle you can turn to when you need guidance.
Again, freelancing is not a get-rich overnight endeavor. It is a lifestyle that rewards consistency and discipline. Your clients are not one-off purchases you add to your invoice. But remember, setting up good customer relationships with your clients can be your ticket to an arsenal of clientele.
My honest summary of these tips to beginners is to be open to change, seek help and be patient. Don’t undersell yourself, upskill and retrain, under-promise and overperform. Always sign a contract, set boundaries, and create a compelling profile that describes you.
What tips have you learned over the years and would like to share? I’d love to read them in the comments!
