| The adage goes, "Leaders are made, not born." The | | | | run (or maybe not). Take your mind off work, or in this |
| same can be said of freelancers. If anything, we were | | | | case, a lack of. Take every rejection in stride. You |
| all born into believing that cushy 9 to 5 jobs and a high | | | | can't impress every client in the universe! |
| powered career are the mark of a successful person. | | | | Have pride in your work |
| The decision to become a full fledged freelancer is | | | | You may have heard the wise but warped words by |
| almost a calculated risk. You leave behind the days of | | | | some veteran freelancers. Some gurus actually advise |
| a promised and steady income. You totter on the | | | | freelancers not to give their best efforts in their |
| brinks of uncertainty. But, such is the way of life. If you | | | | endeavors. They believe that time is of utmost |
| don't take a chance, you won't ever succeed and | | | | importance, and the more projects you take on, the |
| excel in your life. | | | | richer you will be. Money is what dictates their work |
| In many ways, freelancing is like a twin brother/sister | | | | ethics. Money drives them. |
| to entrepreneurship. The only difference is you won't | | | | It is a personal choice of course, and who doesn't |
| be parting with your hard earned money, and you | | | | need money? However, I beg to differ. One of the |
| won't be losing your shirt should your business go bust. | | | | reasons why I chose to freelance is because I want to |
| With minimum overhead expenses, you have nothing | | | | have complete creative control, or at least 90% of it. |
| to lose, really. Freelancers easily earn an annual 6 | | | | Don't forget your clients; they love to chip in their two |
| figure income, and they don't have to relinquish all the | | | | cents worth. In the brick and mortar world, your |
| finer things in life. There are a few requisite qualities if | | | | supervisors will veto your work to no end. You |
| you are looking to become a lauded freelancer. | | | | become only the machine that produces the work, not |
| Get Proactive! | | | | the mastermind behind the masterpiece. |
| No, not the acne treatment product. Great marketing | | | | Hence, I take pride in my work. To the best of my |
| strategies are often the attributing factor to a | | | | abilities, I give every project my all. It's exhausting at |
| successful business. Likewise, you need to market | | | | times, and sometimes I just want to wring my hands |
| yourself. As a freelancer, you need to take charge | | | | up in the air and surrender. The absence of a |
| and be proactive. You need to get your name and | | | | fastidious supervisor is liberating, and there is no one to |
| shiny new job title out there. Waiting for a project to | | | | perform routine quality assurance. I have the option to |
| drop in your lap isn't going to cut it. Holler to the people | | | | submit mediocre work; no one's going to yell at me |
| around you and have them herald your coming! Tell | | | | anyway. You need to be disciplined enough to submit |
| everyone you know that you're now a happy-go-lucky | | | | only stellar work. |
| freelancer. Pique their interests. You never know when | | | | Why is it so important for a freelancer to produce |
| a friend would rope you in for some help! | | | | work of sublime quality? |
| Get your foot in your chosen business industry. There | | | | Two words: loyal customers. When a client is |
| is a myriad of freelance websites out there: Elance, | | | | impressed with your work, your name will soar right to |
| Guru, Get a Freelancer, Rent a Coder etc. These sites | | | | the top of his "freelancers to call" list. He would not |
| offer free as well as premium memberships. Bid on a | | | | hesitate to award you his next business project, should |
| couple of projects and assess the kind of responses | | | | you be interested. Now you have all the bargaining |
| you get. Are you able to lure in the clients? | | | | chips. Your client needs you more. |
| Just because you're a freelancer now doesn't mean | | | | Even if the customer only has one, uno, singular |
| you should delete your well (and painfully) written | | | | project, doing your best to charm his socks off will |
| résumé and CVs. Hold that thought for now. Hit | | | | reap you great benefits. All you need is a favorable |
| the web and check out job recruiting websites. You | | | | testimonial and your business opportunities will thrive. |
| will find a couple of job solicitations for freelancers. | | | | Potential clients have more faith in freelancers who |
| Also, you can run a search on the web for established | | | | have earned a reputation for themselves. |
| production houses. More often than not, they may | | | | Now, examine these two sample feedbacks, which |
| require freelancers on an ad hoc basis. Send your | | | | one stands out more? |
| resume and CVs to the respective companies! | | | | Rating: 5/5 |
| Optimism | | | | Good job, thanks. |
| If there's anything I know that's lethal, it's anticipation. | | | | Rating: 5/5 |
| Waiting for a reply from prospective employers can | | | | [Freelancer] did a terrific job on this project. Not only |
| be torturous. Minutes tick by slowly, hours pass into | | | | was she patient and communicative throughout the |
| days, and days pass into weeks. Some clients see it | | | | entire project, she knew what she was doing. She |
| upon themselves to send you a formal letter of | | | | surpassed all expectations. She breathed life into my |
| rejection, while most just seem to give you the cold | | | | book. I couldn't have hired a more dedicated and |
| turkey treatment. | | | | creative editor. Thank you [freelancer], I will definitely |
| Silence can be very frustrating and every rejection is | | | | hire you for the next project! |
| like a stab in your heart. It's nothing personal, but it is a | | | | Both ratings are the same. However, the client actually |
| direct blow when a client turns down your proposal. It | | | | took the time to pen a whole paragraph to commend |
| hurts in the same way someone makes a jab about | | | | the freelancer. |
| your looks. A dry streak can be very worrying as well. | | | | Remember, recurring business is what will sustain your |
| It is times like these that you need to see your glass | | | | income. Thank your stars when your clients decide to |
| as half full. Difficult times are only fleeting. You're not | | | | hire you on a retainer basis. These fees are what will |
| doing yourself any good holing up in your house. Get | | | | make your ends meet during times when you just |
| some fresh air and indulge in your hobbies! Go for a | | | | can't seem to land a new project. |