10 Tips for Running a Freelance Business (Part 1)
10 freelancers share the advice they would give others
Ever wished you could get experienced freelancers to give you their top tips on running a freelance business? You’re in luck! As part of my Freelance Insights series, I ask freelancers from a range of industries the same five questions, including what one tip they would give other freelancers about running a freelance business. I’ve compiled some of their answers here. Happy reading!
1) There isn’t just one way to do things
There is no one thing you have to do to put yourself out there. People will try to tell you you've got to do live video, attend networking events or build a profile on LinkedIn, for example. I don't do any of those things and it's going fine for me. Figure out what works for you and get really good at that. You don't have to be everywhere and you don't have to do everything.
Sophie Livingston, website copywriter
2) Make the most of the freedom
Remember that you have a lot of freedom when it comes to who you work for and the schedule you hold. It took me a long time to take action about this realization. We do have the opportunity to shape the future of our freelance businesses but it has to be from making intentional decisions. No-one else is going to do this for you. If you want to break into a new specialization, you have to put in the time and the work. If you want to expand your client base, you have to learn about your potential clients to see where you can add the most value. When you feel stuck, that's usually a sign it's time to make some kind of change. You have control over that change!
Madalena Sánchez Zampaulo, translator & copywriter
3) Use your time wisely
Be really mindful of your time and how you're spending it. If this doesn't come naturally to you, track your time and use something to train your brain, like the Pomodoro technique or time blocking in your calendar.
Ellie McBride, specialist virtual assistant
4) Be willing to suck at something
I love the quote that says you have to be willing to suck at something before you can get good at it. I remind myself of this whenever I take on anyone new, or upgrade my services, or make a mistake. It's vital in keeping me willing to learn and grow.
Maddie Ace, content & advocacy artist
5) Be authentically you
Try to be yourself as much as possible, because that's when you're going to attract like-minded people. When you're a freelancer or a service-based business owner, you're usually going to want to work with people who are similar to you with the same values so you get on really well. Try to be honest in the things you share on Instagram or your blog, because that's when you're going to attract those people who value you and the way you work.
Meg Harrop, brand stylist & designer
6) Zoom out from your business
One of the things that's really important to me, and which I didn't do in the early years, is to zoom out occasionally. Don't always be analysing how you're doing things, but maybe have an accountability partner or a mastermind group so that you can step back from your business and get perspective. In those early years I was still kind of working on holidays, at weekends, in the evenings - I was always in it and doing the work. I never took a step back to question whether I still wanted to be doing things in the same way. It was actually when I took maternity leave the second time that I made the switch from being a graphic designer who makes websites to only working with clients who can spare the time every week to work on their website with me. That maternity leave was a life saver because I was nearly burnt out from all the work I'd been doing beforehand.
Claire Gallagher, website designer
7) Take time for yourself
Don't forget about your own needs too. Freelancing can offer wonderful freedom and flexibility to work the way you choose, but it's easy to always be doing "just one more thing" and before we know it we're working constantly. Make space in your week for yourself!
Holly June Smith, life coach & wedding celebrant
8) Don’t play the comparison game
Drown out the noise. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in comparison and what everyone else is telling you you need to be doing - that can feel really overwhelming at times. Try to focus on you and your business - what everyone else is doing is much less important.
Anna Dunleavy, NLP coach & wedding photographer
9) Make sure you’re visible
It’s not enough to just be great and do good work. You need to put yourself out there. Tell people about it, meet people, be known. You don’t have to ‘sell’, but make sure you're ‘visible’.
Steve Folland, video & audio producer
10) Learn to ask for help
Take the pressure off yourself to get everything perfect first time - nobody does! And know that you don’t have to do it all on your own! Every successful business owner I’ve met has had some sort of support along the way, be that from a coach or mentor or by doing workshops and courses. Asking for help can be hard but it’s so worth it!
Sophie Carefull, personal branding photographer
Found these tips useful? All the freelancers featured are part of my Freelance Insights series.
Hi, I’m Susie
I mentor freelancers on pricing so you can earn a decent living doing what you love.
I’m a translator, editor, chocoholic, crochet addict, animal lover, and budding gardener (get it?) who loves empowering others to achieve their goals.
