10 Tips for Running a Freelance Business (Part 3)
Another 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 more of their answers in this blog post. Happy reading!
1) Set boundaries for yourself
Boundaries! It's something I'm still working on... A lot of freelancers go freelance because they've found something they're so passionate about and enjoy so much, which is amazing! I definitely fit into that bracket. The problem when you're doing something that you love so much is that you want to do it all the time, every day, because everything is so exciting. Last year I realised that you can't work 7-day weeks - it's not sustainable, even if you enjoy it - so now I try to give myself at least one day a week off. It's quite hard, because when fairs get going they're normally every weekend. I try to do my fair preparation on Thursdays and give myself Fridays off.
2) Show up as you
Running your own business is a lovely opportunity to be yourself and do what you want to do. If you can, show up as yourself rather than showing up as other people's idea of how you should be presenting yourself or what 'professional' is. If you can do that and define the clients that you really love working with, you'll end up doing work that brings you joy and your business will grow in a magical way. That's the biggest realisation I've had over the last year: being me is absolutely enough. That's the secret to creating a business I really want, rather than a job for myself.
3) Detach emotions from your numbers
Numbers matter, but so does taking care of yourself. Detach emotions from your numbers and allow them to guide you but not define you. Hold on to your boundaries and ensure you have the space to switch off from work completely. It takes practice, but over time allowing that space will help parts of you to grow through creativity.
4) Be kind
Be kind. You don't know what somebody is going through, so be kind to everybody. Work based on how you're feeling, and take the low days as they come by doing whatever feels right for you. If you have the ability to take the day off and not work, be kind to yourself by taking a day off and not working! If that's not an option, find ways to bring in activities or rituals for self-care or self-preservation to keep that energy.
5) Surround yourself with your biggest champions
A lot of us have gone freelance because we want flexibility or to be our own boss, but you do run the risk of your business taking over everything because you don't have the commute as a natural boundary. Be mindful of creating healthy boundaries in your own freelance world and be sure to keep reminding yourself of your why. But also surround yourself by your biggest champions. Freelancing can be lonely and not everyone will understand why you want to do it, so surround yourself with people who will support you no matter what and find the time to discuss any challenges you might be going through.
6) Build a community
Invest time in meeting other people and build a community. There are going to be times when you might feel lonely. People may see you as a freelancer and think you've taken a step back in your career, but just know that there are so many people around the world doing what you're doing! If you meet them, it can be really validating and empowering, motivating you to keep going. There are going to be times when you might feel like it's too tough to keep going, but community will help lift you up. It gives you people you can trust to ask questions of and get honest feedback from.
7) Invest in yourself and your business
Invest in yourself and invest in your business. I think we forget that when we make an investment, particularly in courses, communities, masterminds, and that kind of thing, we forget that the point is to then make more money on the other side of it. We only think about the money that we're spending and that we're gonna lose in investing this money in ourselves and our business. But the outcome will hopefully be that you make more money on the end of it, and I have 100% seen that. As long as you put in the work, and you engage and participate and do what you're supposed to be doing, the results and the outcomes are always completely game-changing.
8) Get organised
It’s important to find an organization and time management system that works for you, and that’s different from person to person. I’m a big planner and I plan my year, quarter, month, week, and day. Basically, if it’s not on my calendar, it doesn’t exist! You have to be organized and disciplined so you’re not just spending time procrastinating, since you’re your own boss.
9) Build relationships without expectations
Don’t underestimate how important it is to build your community. It’s been transformative for my business. We need to get away from the mindset of only bothering to build a relationship with someone if we think we’ll get work from them. For me, it’s been so beneficial to have that support network and to be able to share things with other freelancers who just get it.
10) Don’t compromise on price
Especially nowadays, it can be difficult to say no to a price that is low and below what you would normally charge. But try not to compromise on price. You know what you are doing, and you are as good as everybody else. Make sure you keep an eye on the money so that you have a viable business and not just a great hobby that gives you pocket money. I learnt that lesson the hard way!
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.
