Arsip Blog
Followers
Grisly Freelance Death Traps
21.01 // 0 komentar // Lisa Stanford // Category: freelance , freelance career , freelance jobs , freelance work , freelancing //For most of you out there who are either relatively new to freelancing jobs or who are seriously considering jumping in, the big question may still remain on whether you will be able to do it or not. The answer is that anyone can succeed in freelancing, however, many do not.
Unfortunately for those who fail, they do not realize that many factors that cause them to fail within their own control. The key is to recognize what these factors are and take the right steps to control them. In this article, I'm going to focus on the factors that will lead to bloody death of his freelance career (and caused for many others). Next week's article will focus on a freelance life line for her career.
Here are five pitfalls you avoided death at the beginning of the free. If you already have in your freelance career, then pay attention. It just may save you.
Death Trap # 1: Not having a backup plan or backup source of income
Speaking from experience, most freelancers would not have an idea of what freelancing is really like until you complete the first year ... and it's great if they finish the first year. So, you'd be taking a huge risk if you decide to suddenly decide to tell your boss to go to #! @% off, and you think you can still earn their income from freelancing.
As a newcomer in the free world, you will need an adjustment period to get used to the demands of it. I will not go into depth of these claims here, but to name a few, there are high / low loads, customer service (yes,you have to to keep them happy ) andbilling / collections .
What usually happens to a new freelancer, also, that at first they will notice their income reduced from what it made in a paid position. It's overwhelming enough to cause many to panic and stop freelancing and continue to work in his career for a fixed salary.
to overcome the "freelance panic" and freelancing requirements, the best way to go is to not quit your job to free part-time with him. Of course, this can lead to very serious business, however, it is the best way to find out freelancing in their area without any loss of revenue.
Once you have established as a freelancer, You May want to reduce the hours in salaried positions and increase the freelance work, if at all possible. This method can all but guarantee that you will have a smooth transition to a freelance career.
Now, there are those who can jump into freelancing right away without having to pay the position of his career field. The same requirements freelancing still apply, except to the demands of their chosen field. Therefore, in this case, the slowdown in job or other source of income, even if they do not relate to their career field, is ideal.
backup source of income can be vital to giving you peace of mind and keeping you from quitting when times are hard in freelancing. Trust me, also, they can get difficult.
Death Trap # 2: Do not be service-minded
It's safe to say that most of us had some sort of job where we had to deal with customers in a friendly and helpful way. For those of you who are not, then surely you have to deal with some sort of customer service that you return the purchased item, complain about the service or receive assistance.
In any case, do you remember what was yelled at "embarrassing" purchaser or getting poor service, yourself? Can you remember what their voice sounded like when you got on your bad side?
And the same will apply to your freelance business. Discuss with your customers and treat them poorly and you can kiss goodbye to your freelance career. The opposite is true, too. Treat them like you really appreciate their business and they will keep coming back and bring their friends with them.
All this boils down to one simple concept. Service-mindedness
If you truly appreciate their customers, they will do little things like getting to work on time, providing high quality, and even to respond immediately to e-mail. Such things make the customer feel appreciated and keeps the arrival of which is particularly important for new freelancer.
One thing that must be noted, however, where the line should be drawn where it may appear that the client is taking advantage of their treatments. It is actually quite simple. In this case, you must be firm but polite with them. Not surprisingly, most clients will try to see where their dollar is going to take them. If you keep giving to complaints / requests for changes, they will keep coming back with more.
rule is to always fix errors on your part, but the charge if the change / repair request was not because of their mistakes. Inform the client in a decent but austere manner and that they will not take you.
Death Trap # 3: not making the plan
One of the reasons that most of us switch to freelancing is that the 9-5 grind of Monday through Friday. We want the ability to sleep in Monday morning and the freedom to three-hour lunch break, if you want. What is not generally taken into account, however, that despite our perceived freedom to freelancing, we still have to do these eight or more hours per day during the week. Sometimes more.
If you're free at home, too, is also open themselves to problems that may prevent your working day. After all, there is a bed, fridge, TV and a couch all within arms reach from your desk. What must be done is to get into the habit of eliminating these distractions and getting used to him good work habits.
One of the most important things you can do to get a good working practice is to create a work schedule. This May sound like a daunting work schedule at the old job, but here you have the freedom to schedule anything.
schedule should be initiated by first determining the hours you want (or need) to work in a week. Divide these hours to the number of days you work in a week, then schedule the daily hours weekly planner. Do not forget, you have the freedom to work at 3:00 as you do 15:00. It is important to stick to those scheduled time as to the job.
, as you do, be sure to keep track of time and make sure you complete the scheduled time. Try not to "cut off" from work five minutes early or starting five minutes later than its start time. The aim is to develop productive work habits, and not be clock-watcher like most are on their old job.
Once in awhile, you will have an emergency or May you have a little too much fun the night before to keep you from sticking to your schedule. Do your best to schedule the working hours for one day a week, or divide it among the rest of the week.
Keep the habit of weekly hours of work required and you will not have to worry about the distractions that often dooms freelancers to low productivity ... and low incomes.
Death Trap # 4: Charging too little for their work
independent newbies are often so eager to find work, they will accept any price for the job. Then they quickly find they do not earn income they thought that it will stop.
This is by far one of the biggest mistakes as a freelancer, because it leaves you open to exploitation by employers. Even if you are new to your area, there is a market price for the work you do and you have the right to do so.
The key is to know what prices are offered for the type of work you do. Specifically, you must specify the range of prices paid for the project when you know exactly required to complete it. Then you bid on the project cost within that range.
Note that you May have to take more time than an experienced freelancer to complete a project, but as long as you note the time for completion of the employer when the offer, it will not make a difference.
Do not sell yourself short if you are looking for work and / or if you are new to the area of your career. Remember that there are plenty of people looking to provide free service at a price ideal for you. Your focus should be on looking for one of these instead of taking anything that just happens to come your way. Be patient, because they will come.
Death Trap # 5: Do not monitor the production of
As a freelancer, you are officially doing business. As a business need to monitor your work income to see where you can be more effective and grow your business to earn more.
Let me give you an example. Personally, I found that while I was able to pay rent each month, eat and go out on weekends, then I have been doing more than enough to make ends meet. Why should I worry about what to do if it appears that there will be enough?
Well, the answer is yes, as a business, you want to run more efficiently. You could actually come to discover that you are leaving money on the table like I did.
What do I do?
The first time I followed my hours (see Death Trap # 3 above), but then followed what I did in those hours. For example, I would spend a typical day responding to business e-mails and customer questions, and then because of my work field. What I came to find that I spend a disproportionate amount of time e-mail (which do not pay!), but for productive work pays him income.
Just out of this finding, I was able toto limit non -operating revenues and increase revenue . It is also no increase in the number of hours worked.
*
Fortunately for you, if you're new to freelancing, or even considering it, do not have to go through the same growing pains as I did in order to succeed. I do not want to tell you that everything is roses, because he did not. You'll encounter obstacles that are not listed here that you'll have to get through, but in truth, you will need to grow into freelancing.
Follow my five death trap freelancing though. This will help you pass through the worst that could happen.
Related posts :
0 komentar for this post
Leave a reply
- 2008 - 2009 SimplexDesign. Content in my blog is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
- SimplexPro template designed by Simplex Design.
- Powered by Blogger.com.
This template is brought to you by : allblogtools.com | Blogger Templates