Freelancing, why do it?
Freelancing, why do it?
Getting to work on different projects with a wide variety of people is one. Having control of your work life, picking who to work for, and when is another. Perhaps it’s to work less days, have more time for other projects, family or businesses.
For me, I wanted to work on shorter projects and with as many different people as possible. Take on one contract, concentrate all my efforts, see how other people and organisations develop creative ideas, organise their teams, tackle problems, wrap up the job and get ready for the next. Having a definitive end date allows me to plan, prepare and see the finish line.
When working full time, It can be disheartening doing 50 plus hours, week in and week out, feeling like it won’t stop until you quit. It can wear you down.
With freelancing, it feels like you have some control. It also offers you a greater insight into the running of a business, all be it a one person show. You recognise and appreciate people who do walk that path. Taking the risk of not having the phone ring, not having a constant cash flow. Having to develop their own strategies to grow a customer base, learn to negotiate contract terms and then market oneself.
The most important aspect of freelancing is putting yourself out there. Meeting and greeting so to speak. Emailing, calling, organising coffee catch ups, being prepared to get a lot of non responses and no’s. Having people cancel the day of the catch up too (happened countless times)!
When starting out you have to approach every person you’ve worked with or for. Let them know what you’re out there freelancing. Ask them to contact you if they need assistance and let other people know you’re around if they’re looking. Next is putting together a database of all the people in the industry, figuring out who works where and what their contact details are. You can find a company's email handle pretty easily, like @bwmdentsu.com or @goodoilfilms.com. Just look up the contact page on their websites. Now working out the naming structure before, well that just takes a fair bit of trial and error.
Then it’s how often do you contact people? You don’t want to be too in their face, but you want them to know you’re around. I’ve found checking in each month isn’t a bad thing (so far).
Get yourself a website. How’s it going to look? Where to find the content from the jobs you’ve worked? How the layout will look? Again this is a lot of time and effort to acquire, sort and build. Sure you could pay someone but it’s definitely more satisfying to build your own, that way you can make changes whenever you want as well. You pretty much have to say yes to every job no matter how small. It’s about building momentum (and making an income). Building momentum means letting everyone know that you are working and doing it through those emails, socials, LinkedIn, newsletters and phone calls.
Staying motivated and inspired is a daily effort too. Hustling, promoting, contacting becomes a daily routine that helps immensely through planning the night before, when you’re relaxed, away from work and can let the mind have the space it needs.
So what’s freelancing been like now after 1 year? Well I’ve been so fortunate having worked nearly every month since. I’ve worked across 3 states both agency and production company side on different brands and government agencies. I’d say that it’s been a successful first year!
Each day is an opportunity to learn and hopefully, not make the same mistakes. Acknowledge them if you do make them, learn from them, move on and be kind to yourself. Like life, you really have to be your biggest supporter, believer and motivator.
Good luck for all who decide to give this route a shot.
