New Freelancer....new world

KateeT · 10-12-2009, 02:08 PM

I have just stumbled across this site

and am so glad I have finally found a place to read more about people going through the same challenges I am currently finding. I also just wanted to share my little story with you.

After being made redundant I decided to go freelance, and have not looked back since....I spent the first two months of being out of work stressing about money, what I should do with my life, am I worth anything. Then I started to find some clients (contacts I knew) who needed some help.

What I would like some advice on, from ayone out there, is how do you keep a regular pipeline of work coming in, when you have no time to do your own admin and marketing? I have not even got a website yet, as I have no time left at the end of my week!

I also wondered how people cope with working by themselves? I find it quite lonely at times, miss the banter of office mates and the ability to soundboard someone. Any tips?

thanks

FoxTopper · 10-12-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KateeT

I have just stumbled across this site

and am so glad I have finally found a place to read more about people going through the same challenges I am currently finding. I also just wanted to share my little story with you.

After being made redundant I decided to go freelance, and have not looked back since....I spent the first two months of being out of work stressing about money, what I should do with my life, am I worth anything. Then I started to find some clients (contacts I knew) who needed some help.

What I would like some advice on, from ayone out there, is how do you keep a regular pipeline of work coming in, when you have no time to do your own admin and marketing? I have not even got a website yet, as I have no time left at the end of my week!

I also wondered how people cope with working by themselves? I find it quite lonely at times, miss the banter of office mates and the ability to soundboard someone. Any tips?

thanks

First of all, welcome to freelancing

!

The key to having regular work as a freelancer is by having regular clients or having work lined up even before a certain project ends.

It is rather lonely working by yourself. Because of the nature of our work, we tend to isolate ourselves. Making a conscious effort to meet up with other people is vital, in my opinion. I'm very sociable, so I really have to socialize with other people in order to keep my sanity

curleyted · 10-12-2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KateeT

I have just stumbled across this site

and am so glad I have finally found a place to read more about people going through the same challenges I am currently finding. I also just wanted to share my little story with you.

After being made redundant I decided to go freelance, and have not looked back since....I spent the first two months of being out of work stressing about money, what I should do with my life, am I worth anything. Then I started to find some clients (contacts I knew) who needed some help.

What I would like some advice on, from ayone out there, is how do you keep a regular pipeline of work coming in, when you have no time to do your own admin and marketing? I have not even got a website yet, as I have no time left at the end of my week!

I also wondered how people cope with working by themselves? I find it quite lonely at times, miss the banter of office mates and the ability to soundboard someone. Any tips?

thanks

Howdy KateeT. You'll find us freelancers a friendly bunch.

As for your questions, life is probably slightly different for a 'freelancer' (many short gigs, maybe more than one at a time) than it is a my life as a 'contractor' (one contract at a time, often for several months).

However, some of the fundamentals are the same. Keep your clients happy, get to know some good agents if there are any in your field, and see every situation as a networking opportunity. Have your business cards ready for every situation!

The SMG · 11-12-2009, 09:57 AM

Agreed with curley (for once). It's all about reputation in this game, particularly if you're working with other contractors / freelancers (news soon gets round).

There's a lot of 'professional' contractors out there. By that I mean people that sit there for 6 months playing nodding dog and not really adding ANY value whatsoever. Mr Client generally loves this type of person cause they don't shake too many heads but still do what they're asked to do.

It's a balancing act really. Do you attempt to set the world on fire or plod along in the background, not getting in anyone's way? You should still take home a decent gross salary whatever method you decide to adopt.

The choice is yours.

G

MichaelRose · 11-12-2009, 11:54 AM

Hi Katee

Check out or 'Go Freelance guide'

Everything from starting out to keeping going!

http://www.freelanceadvisor.co.uk/st...g-freelancing/

TheFear · 14-12-2009, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The SMG

Agreed with curley (for once). It's all about reputation in this game, particularly if you're working with other contractors / freelancers (news soon gets round).

There's a lot of 'professional' contractors out there. By that I mean people that sit there for 6 months playing nodding dog and not really adding ANY value whatsoever. Mr Client generally loves this type of person cause they don't shake too many heads but still do what they're asked to do.

It's a balancing act really. Do you attempt to set the world on fire or plod along in the background, not getting in anyone's way? You should still take home a decent gross salary whatever method you decide to adopt.

The choice is yours.

G

He's right. My advice....don't ruffle too many feathers early on.

If you don't mind SMG's nodding dog approach then I suggest you seriously think about this for contracts 1 & 2. I've already seen several contractors prematurely 'removed from their position' for having a bigger mouth than the project manager!

TF

Red-Mrs · 15-12-2009, 08:08 AM

Freelancing sucks. Actually, working in general sucks. Damn it. If I could only live without working, I would.

CliveP · 15-12-2009, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFear

He's right. My advice....don't ruffle too many feathers early on.

If you don't mind SMG's nodding dog approach then I suggest you seriously think about this for contracts 1 & 2. I've already seen several contractors prematurely 'removed from their position' for having a bigger mouth than the project manager!

TF

Ummm. i'm not too sure I agree with this or SMG's strategy. I've always gone on the principle that if you just be yourself, that's all you can do. If people don't like it, then they can bloody well lump it!

Clive

jaffab · 15-12-2009, 04:33 PM

I sort of like to fall in the middle of the road. Where I feel something needs to be done or said, I am happy to say it... once. But I wont push the point, and I would not shout out each and every time - just those where I can add value. I hope I am therefore seen as somebody who can guide and offer advice, without pushing any agendas or trying to create ripples, but also not somebody who just plods along.

9 times out of 10, people employ contractors or freelancers to not only do 'a task' but as an expert resource, and I would feel that if you dont offer the advice (asked for or not asked for), the job is only half being done.