40 things I wish I’d known when I started freelancing
Every single successful freelancer gets rejections. It shows you’re putting yourself out there. Keep going.
Build your portfolio from day one. Keep a list of projects you’ve completed. Ask clients for endorsements. It helps when you’re pitching for new work and is a fabulous self-reminder of everything you’ve already achieved.
You don’t need top notch technical skills or a big budget to create a professional looking website. Website builders like Squarespace and Wix provide attractive templates at affordable prices with no need for coding expertise - perfect for when you’re starting out.
Social media is brilliant for marketing but it can suck up hours of your day. Focus on a couple of platforms where your clients might find you and let the rest of the social media world survive without your input.
The walk between school / nursery and home is a fabulous way to shift from parent to work mode and back. Enjoy it.
HMRC isn’t actually made up of fire-breathing dragons trying to catch you out. As long as you register as self-employed and complete your self-assessment tax return each year, you’ll be fine.
Co-working spaces are a lovely way to freelance in company.
It’s not essential to have a website but potential clients often like to see one. Plus, it makes you feel like you’ve actually got a real business you can believe in.
Pitching for work is scary but you really, really have to do it.
It’s fine to include a personal blog or a project from another part of your life as part of a pitch. If it’s relevant and your own work, use it.
It’s okay to use childcare if you’re a freelancer, even if you’re hardly earning enough to cover the cost right now. You need some dedicated time and space to build a business.
Don’t compare yourself to the glossy Instagram images of other freelancers. Behind the scenes they’re (mainly!) normal people working and worrying just as much as you.
Life’s simpler if you can describe what you do in a few words.
Try to find a space you can dedicate for work, even if it’s the cupboard under the stairs. Having boundaries between your work and family life makes you more effective in both.
Always pitch your work at a rate that will make your business sustainable. Good clients are looking for value for money not a race to the bottom.
Freelancing doesn’t need to mean working alone. If you work best with other people, build partnerships with other freelancers and deliver joint projects together.
Tell your friends and family what you do. It’s amazing how many work enquiries you can get through friends of friends.
You don’t need to be part of everything. If you’ve not got time to do something properly, you’re better off focussing your energy on all the things you’ve already got on the go.
A 10-minute run before the kids get up in the morning is achievable and really does make the day feel better.
Keeping track of your finances from day one will save you a huge amount of time and bother in the long run. A simple spreadsheet plus a folder for your invoices and receipts works fine.
It’s important to say thank you.
Everyone tells you that you’ll scale your business faster if you have a niche. I think they’re right. I’ve just never found my niche yet.
Cold calling can work but do your research first. One highly personalised approach is more likely to yield you a new client than 100 formulaic ones.
Freelancing groups are made up of friendly people who want to connect and support each other. You’ll get a lot out of linking up with them.
It’s hard to make a living from freelancer sites like Upwork and People Per Hour but, in small doses, they can be a good way to build experience.
Networking isn’t nearly as scary as it sounds (even if it’s via Zoom). Look at it as meeting new people who all want to meet you too – and will often be even more nervous than you are!
It’s okay to put on the washing during your working hours. Just don’t spend all your working hours doing life admin.
Confirm costs and timescales in writing before you start work. You might not like talking about money but you need to do it.
You never stop worrying if a client will like your work – but you will get better at submitting your project and moving on.
Be realistic about what you can achieve. If you do one small thing this week that you didn’t do last week, you’ve moved forward.
Work isn’t always fun. Sometimes you just have to get it done.
If you’ve had enough of freelancing, it’s ok to look for a job instead.
Look at other freelancers as collaborators not competition. The best freelancers I know are super generous with their time yet often end up with more work than they can handle.
You’ll have quiet spells. Use them to follow up leads, create new blog posts, develop your business strategy, market your business. Don’t panic. New work will come.
You’ll have times you’re almost too busy to breathe. It’s okay to say no. It’s okay to ask for help. And it’s okay to plough on through and make up the sleep another week.
If you’re too tired to think, stop trying. Even when deadlines are looming, a power nap can be the best option of all (just remember to set the alarm for the school pick up!)
Making your first sale feels amazing. Seeing an invoice paid into your bank account can make you all bubbly inside. Remember that feeling.
Imposter syndrome is normal. It’s ok to have doubts, whether you’re hunting out your first client or negotiating a repeat contract for your 100th. Just don’t let it get in the way of you pitching for that job – you really can do it.
Blow bubbles with your kids (or by yourself, just for fun). Go to the school assemblies. Volunteer for the nursery trips. Enjoy being a mum as well as a freelancer.
Freelancing is tough. Being a parent is tough. Being a freelancing mum is super tough. But, if you can make it work, I reckon it’s also the best job ever.
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