The truth about freelancing

People tend to think freelancers work in their pajamas. I’m sure some do, along with wearing bunny slippers. When I moved to New Hampshire, I was told most neighbors worked in their underwear. At home, I assumed.

Maybe that’s why I returned to the Philadelphia area quick enough to get my old phone number back. In New Hampshire, I had a corporate job. In Philadelphia, I turned freelance writer. Now that it was possible to work in my PJs, I wasn’t going to let that happen.

Years of answering to a higher manager left an indelible imprint on my work ethic. For me, work = getting dressed, although not necessarily in business attire. Every day can be Casual Day; forget about waiting until Friday. There also are times when morning workout wear carries the day because client calls and deadlines push back a shower and change of clothes until evening. Timing doesn’t matter. I work out; I get work done; and I get cleaned up, eventually.

The “free” part of freelancing translates into freedom to set my own schedule. This flexibility is crucial when juggling projects and client commitments. I may schedule a 10 a.m. call on Tuesday, but my client’s priorities can change in an instant – and often do. Some calls are rescheduled once, twice, third time’s the charm.

Projects may start with tight deadlines but proceed in fits and starts, awaiting client input or executive reviews. Some interviewees agree to participate in a story, but rethink their involvement. If I’m lucky, they let me know their change of plans. If not, I'll eventually get the hint after too many emails and calls go answered.

People tell me they often think about becoming a freelancer, but fear a lack of discipline. The draw of distraction would be too strong, they say. Netflix instead of networking. Playing instead of planning. Chats with friends instead of calls with clients.

I admit there are moments when work isn’t working for me. Either I persevere or schedule a break. It helps to remember life as a freelancer is fluid. Deadlines shift. Scheduled meetings are rescheduled or cancelled. Last-minute projects surface. And long-planned projects evaporate.

That’s the reality and the potential of freelancing. Any inconvenience is a small price to pay for the freedom of being my own boss.

Six secrets to freelance success

The reasons for becoming a freelancer run the gamut, from entrepreneurial bent to downsized job, from desire for more freedom and flexibility to no better options at the moment.

No matter how you come to freelancing, or for how long, there are a few secrets to make the most of your experience. Following are the top six that come to mind based on my 15 years of experience as a freelance writer:

1. Get dressed. There is no freelancer uniform, but you really need to get out of your pajamas. I know it’s tempting to roll out of bed and start tapping away on your computer. But even if video calls are unlikely, it’s hard to feel professional wearing bunny slippers.
   
   
2. Brush your teeth. Getting dressed is only the first step. If you don’t brush your teeth first thing in the morning, you’ll delay until after breakfast. Then you’ll have a big cup of coffee to sip, so you’ll put it off even longer. By that time lunch looms, and who brushes their teeth before eating? You can see where this is going. A day without brushing that leaves you open to cavities and dental disease (and what freelancer carries great dental insurance?).
   
   
3. Create a brand. When I first began my freelance writing business, I didn’t have a lot of billable hours. What kept me busy was creating the tools and materials to present a professional image to prospects. I branded my business AMY INK, with the name and logo carried across letterhead, business cards, website, and social media sites. Sometimes new clients would find me via Internet search, but more often I pointed prospects to www.amyink.com, where they could read writing samples, get more detail on my background, and get a general sense that I was a “real” business and not just killing time during a job search.
   
   
4. Use professional tools. Most of my clients come from the business world, and so I created my in-home office with as many professional tools as possible. I bought the same software my clients used. I installed equipment with the same capabilities. I used the same courier delivery services they did. Basically, I wanted them to see me as an extension of their office, not some homespun writing service that would deliver copy and cookies.
   
   
5. Buy go-to-meeting clothes. The wardrobe from my corporate days became terribly outdated in what seemed like months. These two words should tell the whole story: shoulder pads. So each year I try to stock a few outfits that will work in the boardroom. The need to be prepared became apparent when a meeting with executives was scheduled on short notice. Because there was nothing appropriate in my closet, I had to make an emergency run to a classic-clothing retailer. I’m sure the client didn’t really care what I wore, but I wanted to show that I cared and could fit in with the culture I would be writing about.
   
   
6. Schedule workouts first. My Outlook calendar is filled with colorful blocks of time scheduled for gym workouts, yoga classes, and running. This visual reminder keeps me, and my fitness schedule, on track. There are times I will schedule business calls for my normal gym morning, but it’s not my first preference – and I make time for the workout later. The point here is that taking time for fitness is important. When you’re healthy and feeling strong, you can perform better in life and on the job.

These secrets are not so much hidden knowledge as what I consider good common sense applied to business. I’ve been freelancing now for 15 years, which is a dog’s age in this business. Those joining the freelance ranks today can probably rely on digital tools instead of the fax machine, second landline, and branded mailing supplies I needed back in 2000. And they could probably add many more secrets about the best uses of social media. 

Still, what matters most remains the same: providing clients with quality work, even going beyond their expectations, while being reliable, creative, and an easy partner to work with. If you’re going the freelance route, for whatever reason, treat it as the great opportunity it is – both for you and your clients.